With an upcoming 3ds 3d release, Majora’s Mask has been in the news since it was announced earlier this month. Apparently work has been on it since 2011 to update the graphics, and bring it to a more modern system.
That is not all that is being done, as it is not going to be a straight port from n64 to 3ds. Instead they’ve taken a look at how to work it to make sense on the handheld, use their experience in moving a Link between Worlds and Ocarina 3d, as well as look at assumptions that were made in the first release. Foremost amongst those assumptions was that the player would have played Ocarina of Time before, thus many Zelda conventions and themes were not really explained in the game. In an interview with Famitsu (translated from Japanese by Nintendo Everything), Zelda Producer Eiji Aonuma he explained that while they won’t simplify the game, they will provide more hints and explanations to the player for this reason.
This is part of their plan to help new players get into the game, and make it more accessible to them. While accessible often has a negative connotation in many gaming circles, here they seem to be going about it properly. The 3 day cycle, the ways of following people and such will all remain intact, only with a bit more hints and suggestions to help new players find their feet in what is, admittedly, one of the more confusing Zelda games with its time travel set up and puzzles.
A few changes otherwise are happening as well. One boss battle is getting changed, though no one knows which one yet. Gyro Controls, last seen in Ocarina of Time 3d are coming back for the Majora’s Mask 3d project to help provide some improved controls. A second fishing spot is being added to the game to allow you to enjoy using your fishing line even more if you happen to enjoy that minigame.
It appears likely that you will be able to go to sleepmode anywhere and was one of the first comments that were made in triggering the remake. Likely is said as in the Nintendo Everything translation it isn’t 100% confirmed beyond that it was discussed though it seems likely it would have continued on through unless it caused issues somewhere.
When discussing it, they teased that the new 3DS will have some special features with it being involved. Could it be Amibo related in some fashion given how Nintendo is pushing those lately and the promised Amibo reader for 3DS? It will be interesting to see what they do with this, what boss they do change and other tricks they may have up their sleeves.
Majora's Mask 3D will be released in Spring 2015 and it was previously covered by Stretch. You can pre-order it on Amazon.
