Majora’s Mask has had many re-releases on many different platforms over the years, but some are better than others.
Majora’s Mask may have been released all the way back in 1997, but just like many other Legend of Zelda games, it continues to capture the imagination of players today. Because games are not generally well preserved and accessible, it can be tricky for those who have never had a chance to play this classic to experience it today.
Regardless of their beloved status or popularity, many video games (Nintendo games in particular) do not always get re-released, even digitally, and although there are second-hand copies out there for purchase, it is hard to tell which one offers the best experience for the price.5 The Wii / WiiU Virtual Console Port
Upsides to this version: A fairly straightforward emulation of the original game
Downsides to this version: Unavailable, besides those few Wii/WiiU consoles with the game pre-purchased from the defunct store
The WiiU port of Majora’s Mask is generally considered among the worst versions of Majora’s Mask by fans, who were disgruntled by the missed opportunity of scaling the game up to high definition. There is a serious input lag issue with this version that can make the high-intensity moments of the game frustrating, to say the least. The Wii version is better, but there is a lack of rumble functionality without a GameCube controller.
Because the game was not designed around one, playing with a Wii controller can be challenging. However, as the WiiU store and Wii Shop Channel have long since closed, playing Majora’s Mask on either console is impossible for all but existing owners. It may be possible to buy a Wii or WiiU with a virtual copy of the game pre-installed, but the odds of finding one are particularly thin.4 GameCube Collector’s Edition
Upsides to this version: Includes three other Zelda titles
Downsides to this version: Serious framerate, visual, sound, and crashing issues
The Majora’s Mask found on the GameCube Legend Of Zelda: Collector’s Edition is a straight port from the previous Nintendo console, the N64.
