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Zelda: Majora´s Mask
Nintendo 64 - 2000

Previews

August 25, 1999

"We wanted to make a new game that is based on the Zelda system," said Miyamoto in reference to Zelda Gaiden. "Also, in the light of games that require the memory Expansion Pak like 'Donkey Kong 64,' we wanted to make a 'Zelda' game that took advantage of the Memory Pak as well. That game is Zelda Gaiden. Therefore, this will not be a game where the locations of the dungeons are simply changed around."

In an interview with the Japanese game magazine Famitsu Weekly, Zelda Gaiden's designer Shigeru Miyamoto revealed new features of the anticipated Zelda semi-sequel.

The fishing game in Ocarina of Time will be enhanced. Miyamoto said there will be a sort of mixture between the character JABU JABU and this fishing scene.

"Rather than taking the fishing part of the last game to extremes, we want to do something new with it. Like 'Jabu Jabu' fishing." _ Shigeru Miyamoto

Miyamoto gave some clues regarding this new fishing feature...

"If you catch the 'Jabu Jabu,' it may cause things like stopping the fall of the moon."_ Shigeru Miyamoto

The fishing mini-game will offer a means of earning Rupees in Zelda Gaiden.

Now gamers will have to run against time in this new Zelda game. Real-time progress will play a much more integral role than it did in Ocarina of Time. Link will have to accomplish his adventure before it is too late!

"They say 'Time is money,'" "You will be able to buy time using Rupies. There will be a merchant who sells time."_ Shigeru Miyamoto

Miyamoto talked about the develpoment of the game and said:

"I would say [Zelda Gaiden is] about 50% complete," "All that is left is the second half of the data."_ Shigeru Miyamoto

Zelda and the 4MB RAM pak:

Zelda Gaiden will use the 4MBs differently than any other N64 game to date.
In the past, when gamers thought of the 4MB Expansion Pak, one enhancement generally popped into mind: a high-resolution mode. This was the case for Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, the game that helped introduce the extra memory into the US market, and this has been the case for countless Nintendo 64 titles since then. Zelda Gaiden and Donkey Kong 64, however, will take the 4MBs into a new direction -- one that seems infinitely more important. "Zelda Gaiden and the upcoming Donkey Kong 64 will use the memory differently (than Turok 2 or Episode I Racer," game designer Shigeru Miyamoto told Famitsu Weekly.

"Of course the graphics will look better, but the memory will be used for improving framerates." Additionally, the enhanced memory will allow for more enemies on-screen (with a smooth framerate), smarter enemies and, according to Miyamoto, "the text will be more detailed."_ Shigeru Miyamoto

We're not exactly sure what he's referring to here. Could this mean that text will be displayed in a high-resolution mode, enabling crisper detail? The game, like Donkey Kong 64, will absolutely not work without the extra memory. - (ign64.com)

"...If you have the Pak, it makes some things in games better. At any rate, the number will increase because it makes better games. I think people that have really pushed the abilities of the N64 will want to try using the memory Expansion Pak next. Especially Rare, who look like they want to use it in all their games." (...)

"Things that people wanted to do in the last game, we are trying our best to include them this time around," _ Shigeru Miyamoto

The first thing Link notices in this new world is a huge moon in the sky. According to the residents of the strange world, the moon is falling to the earth within a few days. Upon hearing this, Link sets off on a mission to avoid the moon by returning to his home world.

In Zelda Gaiden, Link finds himself in a parallel world where characters that were introduced in the first game may be introduced slightly different. In other words, some of the characters in the game will offer players different quests and form decidedly opposite partnerships with our hero than they did in Ocarina of Time.

Gameplay

Zelda Gaiden will play exactly like the previous Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. However, this time around there will be a gauge in the lower middle of the screen. Sadly, Nintendo hasn't yet revealed how the gauge will come into play. Judging from the storyline, though, one could wonder if it has something to do with measuring time. Backing up that theory is a recent comment from Shigeru Miyamoto in which he revealed that time will pass in real-time.
Essentially, the world will be destroyed if you play the game too slowly.

The Masks

Masks will also play a major role in Zelda Gaiden. Not only will they be more prevalent this time around, you'll be able to use multiple masks at the same time. Using certain masks you'll be able to take control of other creatures. When Link wears specific masks he is able to turn into other characters - this process will not only affect his appearance, but also his abilities. As an example, when Link wears a Goron mask he transforms into a ball to roll down slopes. If he wears a Zora mask, his swimming skills improve greatly. Throughout the game Link will be required to use these different masks to solve puzzles.

Weapons

Many of the classic Ocarina of Time weapons and items are back, including the hammer, the bow and arrow, hookshot, the boomerang, the ocarina, the bombs, and the dagger -- only that young Link can now use all of them. There may also be some new items in the game that Nintendo hasn't unveiled yet.

Real Real-time

The game will progress in real-time. There is a meter at the bottom/middle of the screen now that shows the position of the sun or moon at all times. It is believed that the time that passes during gameplay affects the outcome and story of the game much more than in Ocarina of Time. This feature is no doubt a remnant from the game's planned 64DD incarnation, where
everything you do in the game causes lasting repercussions.

"This time, if you just sit around and look at the sun, the world is finished. It's that type of game." _ Shigeru Miyamoto

New Bosses

Gaiden features completely new, big bosses. While the specifics of all the bosses in the game are still being kept secret, we do know of at least three: a Gohma-like creature, an oversized frog and a giant warrior.

Expansion Pak

Since the game was originally designed to run on 64DD, a unit that required the 4MB RAM expansion, it's no surprise that Gaiden (now on cart) will support the RAM Pak. However, it is very likely that the RAM Expansion will actually be REQUIRED to play Zelda: Gaiden -- just like with Donkey Kong 64.

Compilation:

Gaiden takes place only a few months after The Ocarina of Time left off.
The world as Link knows it temporarily seems fully restored and at peace, but
something goes wrong.
The moon above the land is gradually falling from its place in the sky. "If left alone," says Miyamoto, "the world will come to an end in a matter of days. If the moon were to fall all the way down to the earth, that would be it for the people."
The game utilizes an improved version of the Ocarina of Time engine that utilizes the added RAM of the RAM Expansion for more detailed environments and a greater number of enemies on screen.
Link's physical appearance may change whenever he dons a mask now. In a style similar to that of Rare's Banjo-Kazooie, players will need to determine which character (or mask) to use in specific scenarios.
The number of masks has increased greatly. Players will be able to carry multiple masks, rather than exchanging them for different ones.
In Gaiden, child Link will be able to ride a young Epona.
The sun moves in real-time, as we reported yesterday. But there is more to it. Just as the sun moves, so does the moon above the earth, which is slowly falling downwards onto the planet. So players cannot waste time lounging around the environments and staring at the sun.

Info support: Ign64.com / videogamers.com / Famitsu Magazine

Zelda: Mask of Mujula will probably be one of the last epic games for the N64. So far we have seen videos and screenshots, now let's see this game through the eyes of the videogamers.

Sam Kennedy tried out Legend of Zelda:Mask of Mujula at Nintendo's Space World '99.
Here's what he had to say:

"Judging from the pictures that have been released in Famitsu over the past few weeks, I was looking forward to something a little more fantasy based, and that's exactly what I found. Ocarina of Time was a more traditional adventure title, while Mask of Mujula seems to incorporate fantasy themes in the strange world that Link has entered. The strange characters you'll come across, the obscure scenery around you, and the fact that you can now transform into one of the Deku Nuts as you hover around spewing flowers, are all prime examples of this title's departure from the more traditional Ocarina.

The demo I saw at Space World included three main scenarios: the speed tour, the dungeon tour, and the battle tour. The speed tour then offered four sections: a race with Zora, a race with Goron, a race with Epona, and a hunting area with Epona. The Dungeon tour offered a jungle area, a snowy land, and a nuts city. And the Battle tour had a boss battle stage and a battlefield area.

One of my favorite sections of the speed tour was the Goron race. You race by spinning in a ball, very similar to Sonic the Hedgehog. In fact, there's even a spin dash-like move to help boost you along when you need it. I had quite a blast with this.

Legend of Zelda: Mask of Mujula seemed to look a bit more visually impressive than its predecessor - I noticed certain new effects. For example, when you first enter the water as Zora, there's a really cool water effect that seems so real that it's very deceiving."

Chris Johnston also gave us his impressions of Legend of Zelda: Mask of Mujula from the Space World show floor:

"I loved the original Zelda 64, but I've been a little skeptical of Mask of Mujula . Screenshots thus far have been in a much different style that the original. Much more trippy and detailed in a more whimsical manner. That's probably for the best since it makes Mask of Mujula seem like a totally new and different game from Zelda 64.

One of the demo levels that I played was a race with Epona against the Mario and Luigi lookalikes. You have to worry about knocking into these two opponents while still avoiding trees and jumping gates when needed.

The other demo level I tried out was a dungeon. The effect of switching masks is perhaps the trippiest thing I've seen in a video game. It's almost the same kind of effect as when Jim Carrey puts on the mask in The Mask. It becomes an extension of your character, giving Link different abilities.

It'll be interesting to see how this game fits altogether. While it felt very much like Zelda 64 in the way it controlled, the game itself and the story looks much different.
Almost darker, yet more whimsical and fantastic than the original."

Legend of Zelda: Mask of Mujula is currently slated for a March 2000 release in Japan. There's been no word on a US release yet.

Special thanks to Laura Stobart / Video.gamespot.com.uk for sending us this information

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