Every Copy of Majora's Mask is Personalized

Today we bring you some EXCLUSIVE facts about one of the most beloved Nintendo 64 titles, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. This information largely comes from Japanese magazines that we had translated into English for the first time.


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Research/Writing by Dr Lava
Video Editing by TheCartoonGamer
Voice Over by @KingKlonoa

Sources/Further Reading:
Nintendo Dream Magazine Supplement (July 2000)
Nintendo Dream Magazine Supplement (August 2000)
Nintendo Dream Magazine Supplement (September 2000)
Famitsu Weekly Magazine No.559 (September 1999)
Game Informer Magazine (April 2015)

#Zelda #Nintendo #MajorasMask #Nintendo64 #N64

[coolfangs]

"You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?"

I love that the game's most iconic line was really just an overworked developer venting their frustrations.

[LoinkLoink]

The fact that one of the most iconic parts of Majora's Mask, maybe even of the entire franchise, was designed around the fear of North Korean missiles while at a wedding is one hell of an amazing origin story.

Damn, I didn't know that "You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?" came from such a place of genuine emotion.

[SpunkyDunk]

The decisions they made within the one year deadline are totally genius, they really knew what would work and what wouldn’t work. Even though they scrapped a bunch of stuff, less is more in my opinion. As a writer, it’s really important to constantly read your own writing and ask yourself “Why is this in here?”

It’s like they knew there would never ever be another game quite like it again, so they went all out with it. Massive props to the developers.

[Djiimon]

It really is a testament to the Majora's team's skill that they accidentally built layers of sub-themes and intrigue while crunching for an entire year.

[seanmcbay]

The first person camera from Kafei’s perspective being at eye level with Anju in the ending makes me think he became an adult again.

[Daniel_Coffman]

For a little bit of cultural context on why Cremia is better liked in Japan, Japan has always been very much about fitting in and not "rocking the boat." So much so that it is pretty looked down upon to talk about problems going on. They think that people should just persevere through it all with a brave face, as it "can't be helped." This is why the field of mental health is still not regulated at all there; it's not even used much. Thus, it really makes sense that likely most people there in general would like Cremia better, as Anju "rocks the boat, " while Cremia perseveres through her problems with a brave face.

[MishKoz]

The star thing is such a neat little detail. Like it doesn't really do anything, but it's cool that it's genuinely personalized to your own save file. They didn't _have to_ include it, but they did anyway.

[LaNoir.]

developers: "Adult Link mask would have been useless so we scrapped it"
mask that lets you dance like an idiot: "Am I a joke to you"

[EzekielGoldbergII]

I hope Koizumi gets to add more of his weirdness to future games. I definitely liked "his" games the most.

[Braver.]

Koizumi is so under appreciated, all these extra details and features throughout the years for us fans. Definitely can’t wait for other projects he’s involved in.

[bej]

Men were at a wedding going"write that down!" Like SpongeBob

[masterofdoom]

Koizumi flying shit under Miyamotos radar is very fun to imagine, sneaking around trying to slide in character backstories and lore without being spotted.

[mrnekomaneki]

Japanese work environments are something else. It is hard to imagine working off the clock and not get paid for numerous days just to finish a project.

[burnttoast]

The banker does NOT ignore time mechanics. He stamps Link's deposit information on his hand and when Link travels through time the stamp comes with him. The banker sees Link's Stamp thinking he had actually deposited before, not knowing in this timeline he hasn't.
Edit: 4:25

[josefarias]

Miyamoto: "You crossed the line, you're forbidden from doing plots ever again."
Koizumi: *does it again anyway* 😎

[INFECTION]

Anju only had Kafei, and he was gone, and to me was the motional rock for her. Cremia had to stay stoic for her sister, since she couldn't afford to be distracted with a love life. I think they're both strong women in their own ways, for different reasons.

[johannesdaun]

They had the shortest time possible for a Zelda game and made one of the absolute best ones out of it. Thank you for this masterpiece.

[IceDarkBen]

As a former videogame magazine writer/journalist, I really appreciate your research work. It's reassuring we still have passionnate people trying their best and work thorough.

[kendragramley]

Wow, the making of this game was insanely chaotic. Super crazy.