5 Ways Majora’s Mask is Better Than Ocarina of Time

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The series boasts many classic games, but the ones released on the Nintendo 64 are particularly cherished. For decades, fans have considered Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask to be all-time greats, and they’ve been debating which game is better for just as long.

Although Ocarina of Time established the blueprint for 3D Zelda games, Majora’s Mask is a truly unique experience. It surpasses Ocarina of Time with its more compelling story, inventive concepts, and a noticeably darker, more unsettling atmosphere – something rarely seen in Nintendo titles.

Majora’s Mask Breaks All of The Legend of Zelda Franchise’s Conventions

Although The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask uses some of the same elements as Ocarina of Time and is a sequel, the two games feel very different. Later Zelda games built upon the ideas from Ocarina of Time, but Majora’s Mask remains unique. It’s not that its interesting features aren’t worth using, but rather that no other game could recreate the same special experience.

Unlike other Zelda games, Majora’s Mask stands apart with its own unique story, characters, and world, completely separate from Princess Zelda, Ganon, and Hyrule. It’s also much more somber and serious in tone. The game is known for its innovative use of masks and the intense pressure of a constantly ticking three-day timer. While The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and Skyward Sword all built upon the foundation of Ocarina of Time, no other Zelda game has tried to expand on what Majora’s Mask achieved.

Majora’s Mask Tells a Far More Emotional Story Than Ocarina of Time

Though Ocarina of Time features unforgettable moments and characters, its story is fundamentally a classic tale of a hero battling an evil force to save the world. Majora’s Mask, however, is far more complex, frequently surprising and unsettling players with its story and characters, and often leaving them both disturbed and fascinated.

Termina is a world facing certain destruction – the moon is going to crash into it. The game lets you experience the same three days repeatedly, allowing you to witness how the people of Termina cope with the impending disaster and connect with their stories. One particularly memorable part is the story of Kafei and Anju, a couple you can help find a moment of happiness with before everything is destroyed, and it’s one of the most satisfying experiences in any Zelda game.

Majora’s Mask’s Focus on Side-Quests Creates a More Personal and Immersive Experience

A major point of contention for players of Majora’s Mask is its heavy emphasis on optional side-quests. While Ocarina of Time centered primarily on the main story, Majora’s Mask really revolves around these side-quests, and attempting to finish the game without doing them will likely leave players feeling unsatisfied. This can feel overwhelming, though, as almost all of these side-quests are tied to the game’s unique three-day time limit.

The sidequests in Majora’s Mask are all over the place in terms of how good they are and what kind of experience they offer, but many are genuinely enjoyable, particularly those that involve clever use of the game’s time travel mechanics. Highlights include helping Anju and Kafei get married, the strangely wonderful task of defending Romani Ranch’s cows from aliens, earning the Gilded Sword, becoming a member of the Frog Choir, assisting the Postman, and participating in the eerie games with the children on the moon.

Players who dedicate themselves to completing all the sidequests and collecting every mask in The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask will be greatly rewarded. The final battle against Majora is already a standout in the series, but it’s even more satisfying if you earn the Fierce Deity Mask and use its incredible power to defeat the villain responsible for all the suffering.

Majora’s Mask is Better Presented Than Ocarina of Time & is Far More Atmospheric

When it comes to visuals, music, and how the games are presented, Majora’s Mask is noticeably superior to Ocarina of Time. This is true for both the original versions and their updated remakes. Majora’s Mask utilized the Expansion Pak, which allowed for better graphics and sound, and being released later, it naturally looked and sounded better on the 3DS compared to Ocarina of Time.

Perhaps even more notably, Majora’s Mask creates a stronger atmosphere than Ocarina of Time. Although Ocarina of Time sets a good mood in its dungeons, it’s hard to feel truly pressured, even late in the game when Ganondorf is meant to be dominating the world.

A feeling of dread and discomfort permeates everything in Majora’s Mask – the people you meet, the places you explore, and the terrifying threat of Majora itself. This is intensified by the constant pressure of the three-day time limit and the ever-present sight of the moon looming closer to a catastrophic collision with the planet.

Compared to Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask truly shines with its atmosphere and storytelling. The sense of dread and mystery in Majora’s Mask is far more intense than anything in Ocarina of Time, especially when considering the looming threat of the moon. Its cutscenes also feel more polished and cinematic, with moments like your initial meeting with Skull Kid and the chilling sequence when the three-day timer expires being particularly memorable.

Majora’s Mask Has Fewer But Better Dungeons Than Ocarina of Time

While many players spend most of their time on side quests in Majora’s Mask, the game’s dungeons are still remarkably well-designed. In fact, they’re some of the most inventive and enjoyable in the entire Zelda series. Although the Great Bay Temple can be as frustrating as the Water Temple from Ocarina of Time, the Woodfall Temple, Snowhead Temple, and particularly the Stone Tower Temple are all more fun to explore than most dungeons in Ocarina of Time.

The dungeons in Ocarina of Time are well-made, but generally involve finding different ways to use a single new item. Majora’s Mask, however, offers a much more varied experience. Each dungeon completely changes how you play, requiring you to use different transformation masks, take on new forms, and combine all your abilities to advance. It’s incredibly enjoyable to play as a Deku Scrub and glide around, compete in races as a Goron, or swim and fight as a Zora.

As a huge Zelda fan, I think what really makes Majora’s Mask stand out are its dungeons, and the Stone Tower Temple is just… incredible. It’s honestly maybe the best dungeon in the whole series! The way it flips the entire world around is so creative, and the music is just perfect – really haunting and beautiful. I love how much detail went into its design and backstory, and the puzzles are legitimately challenging, but in a way that feels so good when you finally figure them out. It actually makes you use everything you’ve learned throughout the game, and the boss fight? Unforgettable. It’s just a masterpiece.

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2026-03-28 18:13