Zelda: The Legend Of Majora's Mask

Overall: B+
Violence: B
Sexual Content: A-
Language: A
Drugs/Alcohol: A-

Platform reviewed: Nintendo 64
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB rating: E

Playing on their success of attracting gamers with specific video game characters, Nintendo brings back Link, the hero of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This time Link's mission is to travel to a mysterious place called Termina, where the moon is threatening to drop out of the sky 'like a bigga pizza pie'.

It appears the lack of stability in the heavens is connected to Skull Kid's prank of stealing Majora's Mask from the Happy Mask Salesman. Unaware of the mask's incredible powers, Skull Kid put it on and became possessed. Now the thief is leaving a trail of trouble that can only be stopped by Link rescuing the mask and returning it to the salesman..

One of the fascinating aspects of this game is the clock is constantly ticking. Link only has three short days (that translate into a little better than an hour of earth time) to accomplish his task. He scampers all over the land of Termina, talking to people, and gathering the typical adventure game objects (including a series of masks he must don to gain admittance into various areas of the game). If the clock runs out, the moon drops and he must start all over again on day one. However, with help from a magical musical instrument, Link can reset the clock and keep re-living the three days until he gets it right (sort of like the movie Groundhog Day).

Besides having to read various text screens of instructions (none are spoken verbally), map reading and very basic math skills (you collect rupees used to purchase items) are likely the most educational morsels this game has to offer.

Parents worried about topics associated with magic and spells, or who relate potions to drug use, should be aware the entire premise of this adventure game dwells within these typical activities. Violence is very limited and fanciful, even though weapons are routinely used to break open objects or to battle odd-looking creatures that leave behind valuable objects. The only other concern may be the couple I discovered standing in one room, who were kissing and making somewhat "romantic" noises.

While I'm hardly an adventure game buff, I found the smooth flowing graphics, the nimble control of Link's character, and the surround sound elements (which actually help you to know where you're headed and if something is coming up behind you), made this game particularly enjoyable to play. Although the Nintendo 64 console is reaching the sunset of its prime, Zelda's game writers have proven that an interesting story with a well thought out technical interface can still run circles around the bells and whistles of newer game consoles.

Rod Gustafson

©2000 One Voice Communications. All Rights Reserved

Other fantasy role playing games we have reviewed are Shadowgate, Jet force Gemini, and Orphen.