A classic Legend of Zelda game, Majora's Mask, recently released on Nintendo Switch, but whether or not it's better than another, Ocarina of Time, is a matter of debate. The two are both much-loved Zelda titles that many fondly, and now that they're on the latest generation of Nintendo consoles, people can play them all over again. So, which Zelda game is actually better on Nintendo Switch?
Ocarina of Time was the fifth game in the overall Zelda series, and the first to be in 3D. Players had to awaken the seven sages and retake the Triforce from Ganondorf, the evil king of the Gerudo. Navi was almost cut from Zelda's Ocarina of Time, and some wish that she was. It was the most successful game in the series at the time, and 23 years later, it was released on Nintendo Switch. Majora's Mask was released on N64 a few years later and is set in Termina instead of Hyrule. In order to save it from being destroyed by a giant moon, Link must awaken four giants and stop Skull Kid, who has been possessed by the evil Majora. It's a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time, and is somewhat of a darker, grittier parallel. Recently, it came to Nintendo Switch as well.
Although the debate between Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask could possibly go on forever, limiting it to how good they are on the Switch specifically can help make it easier. Parts of both games can be some of the most fun and scariest moments in N64, and there are many other ways they could be compared. How well they've stood the test of time, how well they've been adapted for current-gen consoles, and how well they use the new, more powerful system that the Switch has to offer are all good criteria, in addition to things like graphics and gameplay. At the end of the day, however, it's up to each player to decide their preference, and it's hard to objectively say which is better. Each one has their pros and cons.
How Does Ocarina of Time Fare On The Switch?
As a story, Ocarina of Time holds up. Even decades later, it's still a good game that fans of classic and new Zelda games can enjoy. From a technical standpoint, however, it lags behind on Switch - literally. The game is plagued with input lag and overly sensitive controls just as re-releases on past consoles such as the GameCube have. Ranked, the versions of Zelda's Ocarina of Time all vary, but they have common problems. It doesn't make the game unplayable, especially if one played the original, but it is still a detraction. Sticklers for these aspects may find the game frustrating, even if some of them have been improved post-launch.
In of graphics and gameplay, it's about as good as the original after the most recent update. The Switch version of Ocarina of Time isn't a remake like the 3DS version, so one can't expect a complete overhaul, but there was a lot of room for improvement that wasn't implemented. The gameplay is also roughly the same, as is to be expected. Features like the hookshot feel much the same as they did before, and the controls, laggy as they are, are comparable to the original version and past re-releases. Overall, the game has nostalgia, but little else.
How Is Majora's Mask On The Switch?
Majora's Mask was a horrifying and frightening story filled with grotesque imagery like the giant Moon and its sneering face. Some of the N64's most difficult video game bosses are in this game and were a startling pivot from Ocarina of Time's tone. In of its story, it also holds up well. Exploring Termina and struggling to keep the Moon from crashing into the earth is just as exciting as it was before, and new fans can enjoy the game all the same. In of technical aspects, however, it has some of the same problems as Ocarina of Time. It has its own problems with lag, and it doesn't run as smoothly as hoped on Switch.
As far as graphics and gameplay go, it's also the same as Ocarina of Time in that it mostly resembles the original version. It looks sharper and more clear, but transparency is an issue, as it is with many Switch ports of N64 games. Gameplay is relatively the same, which isn't a bad thing. Multiple Zelda games feature different versions of Skull Kid, but the classic in Majora's Mask is just as wicked as ever. Racing to progress the story before time runs out and Link is forced to restart the clock to the first day is nerve-wracking in a way that players of the classic version may .
Is Ocarina of Time Or Majora's Mask Better On Switch?
At the end of the day, it's difficult to say which Zelda game is best, even when it's only on the Nintendo Switch. Every fan has their own opinion, and things that are hated by some are loved by others. That said, it's not impossible; one of them is objectively better than the other, and it's Majora's Mask. The reason that Ocarina of Time loses on the Switch is that Majora's Mask stays true to what made the original so great, and Ocarina of Time launched with multiple issues. Whether Zelda's Majora's Mask is better than Ocarina of Time overall is debatable, but on the Switch, Majora's Mask is simply a better game.
The improvements to Majora's Mask on the Switch might be subtle, but they are there. The graphics are better, even if they are still in the classic polygonal style that N64 games are known for. Ocarina of Time also had multiple issues surrounding reflections and fog, among other things, on launch that were only recently fixed. In the time since Majora's Mask, there have been few reported issues, and although it suffers from some of the same problems that plague other N64 ports, the same can be said of Ocarina of Time. It's possible that it's only due to Switch emulation improving over time, but Majora's Mask is still the superior classic Legend of Zelda port.
