The gameplay from Aonuma last month has shown us the items and equipment screens, where it became clear that the remake will eventually come with some new items. Now, with all the previews out there, some of these gaps have been filled. Don't read more if you want to avoid spoilers.
In the new overview trailer for Ocarina of Time, Nintendo has revealed a semi-new feature in the remake: the Hall of Fallen Foes. This place offers a collection of statues of all the enemies you've defeated, which looks very pretty and detailed.
It's similar to the Nintendo Gallery in The Wind Waker, but there are two key differences. You don't have to take photos of the monsters, where it's enough to defeat them, which makes this much more convenient. In fact, this should fill out automatically while playing the game, with only a few monsters that you can ignore. It may be even too trivial, but if you were to collect these via a new Picto Box item, then this would have added missables to the game. And that's not something you want in any case.
You probably also don't want to grind for this, where it's necessary to defeat a certain number of each enemy to unlock their statues. For bosses, certain mini-bosses, and some special foes that number may simple be "1", but the game could ask you to defeat twenty Peahats for their statues. And this may not necessarily be fun either, though it would let you engage with certain types of enemies a bit more.
The other big difference is that this serves as a new hub for the Boss Challenge. This feature in Ocarina of Time 3D was basically just a menu, accessed via the bed in Link's house. And having this as an actual place makes this look a lot more impressive. It reminds me of the Hall of Gods in Hollow Knight, where it even has the same vibe to it. Maybe this will also bring the Boss Gauntlet back, once you've unlocked all of the bosses.
We don't know yet how and where to find this hall in the game. Kaepora Gaebora is there with you, which makes me think that this is close to the Temple of Time or maybe even inside the Temple of Light. Maybe you have to talk to the owl and it will bring you there. But I would prefer this to be physically connected to the actual game world, for example as a new basement added to the Temple of Time.
Anyway, the second big extra feature of the Nintendo 3DS version was the added Master Quest mode. And that they still haven't shown this yet makes me believe that it won't be included in the remake. Unless they want to keep this as a surprise for beating the game this time...
It shouldn't be taken for granted in any case, because the original on the GameCube was just very much a ROM hack by nature and came with a lot of quirks that probably can't be copied by the remake. And the remake is already doing a good number of changes to the dungeons itself. But they could have developed their own new Master Mode, where they may release it at a later point to keep the hype going.
We're getting closer to the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 remake for Ocarina of Time, which is going to happen in three weeks time, on November 5th. And today they have released an overview trailer, which mainly just shows more footage, but also introduces us to one of the remake's new features: the Hall of Fallen Foes. More on that later.
In addition, the preview embargo has been lifted, where Nintendo has invited the bigger media outlets and Youtube stars to playtest the game. They were allowed to play the Kokiri Forest and part of the Deku Tree insides, Hyrule Field and Castle Town, and finally the entirety of the Forest Temple. So, there is a ton of new footage here, also revealing some additional things, like one of the new items. The preview by Zeltik was pretty nice, so maybe watch this one.
As always, I will discuss some individual topics in separate posts. I won't go into every detail, because I'm going to save those for my play journal next month.
New Zelda games usually experiment with new ideas. Whether that's the ability to manipulate objects in both space and time in Tears of the Kingdom, or summoning monsters in Echoes of Wisdom – Nintendo and their partners like to come up with something new for each title (with a few exceptions). And that's both fantastic and admirable. However, there have been Zelda games with ideas so good that it's a shame that they might never come back. One of these games is Majora's Mask, which both had the repeated three-day-cycle and its transformations masks going for it. And it could be very interesting to see the latter return in a modern Zelda game.
The formula is simple enough: take an open wold experience, like in Breath of the Wild, and combine it with the ability to transform into other species from Majora's Mask. It doesn't have to be via masks, where you could have some other artifact that is causing these transformation, but the idea remains the same. This should still include a Goron and a Zora, but swaps the Deku for a Rito, because these have been more prominent lately and they will give you more freedom. And freedom is what's this is all about.
However, it's a freedom that needs to be earned. Unlike in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, where you're given all essential abilities right at the beginning of the game, it should be your goal to unlock these transformations one after another. And with each one you will be able to explore parts of world that previously were inaccessible to you.
You can still obtain these transformations in any order, but each one will bring unique advantages that might make your journey easier. For example, the Zora's water powers allows you to cool down lava for easier traversal around a volcano, which then may lead to the finding the Goron transformation. But you can still do it without.
Weapons will also be handled differently. In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Link used weapons from all the different tribes to emulate their combat styles somewhat. In this hypothetical game, however, Link may rely mainly on his Master Sword, which is going to transform alongside him. So, when Link turns into a Goron, it becomes the "Master Hammer", or when Link turns in to a Zora, it becomes the "Master Spear". Maybe the game's story is even about transforming into heroes from other timelines or dimensions, heroes who aren't a Hylian boy for a change.
You can also power up the Master Sword with elemental magic, which by default will be light, but can become fire, water, or wind respectively. And don't worry, the Master Sword won't break in this game. However, secondary items, like bombs and arrows, are still depletable and can be all used as a Hylian. But each of Link's transformation specializes in different types, where they can add more punch to them.
This concept has been on my mind for several years now, where the current "Majora's Mask Month" feels like the right timing to finally discuss it in more detail. Plus, I have recently played through Donkey Kong Bananza, which actually features a part of these ideas, just not in a Zelda game. Now, let's take a look at the individual transformations:
As a Goron, Link will be able to roll around the world, but his strength also let's you freely dig through the ground, similar to Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong Bananza. This will make you the "Hero of the Earth", who is able to explore vast cave system that were entirely hidden underground.
Goron Link wields a large hammer as his weapon, but he is also versatile in using all kinds of explosives to maximize his destructive power. In addition, he can withstand high temperatures for a longer period of time and explore areas covered in lava or magma, but he has trouble dealing with water or mud, where he just sinks.
As a Zora, Link can swim gracefully at high speeds, but he can also freely explore underwater, making you the "Hero of the Ocean". The game world will have a large marine section, similar to The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, or the Ocean Realm in Spirit Tracks, where at first you will have to travel it by boat or fly across it as a Rito. Once Link has obtained the ability to transform a Zora, he can also now dive into the ocean, where an underwater Zora civilization will await him, as well as sunken ruins.
Zora Links wields a spear, but he can also greatly enhance the effects of Splash Fruits, which allows the creation of larger bodies of water wherever needed. He can easily take out fires, but is weak to electricity and ice.
As a Rito, Link can freely fly through the air and effortlessly reach the top of even the highest mountains. The game world will feature a set of sky islands, similar to Tears of the Kingdom, which can only be accessed as the "Hero of the Sky".
Rito Links wields a swift dagger, but he's also an expert archer, who is able to shoot multiple arrows at once and also infuse them with different elements. When he's in the sky, he can freely shoot in all directions around him, as time freezes to assist with aiming. His warm feathers give him a greater resistance to cold, be he is very vulnerable to fire.
Majora's Mask might be the first of various Legend of Zelda titles that are going to be highlighted throughout the 40th Anniversary via Nintendo's different online offerings. This could even be tied directly to those collectible cards in Nintendo Today, where for each new set they might have something else for that game in the various Nintendo Switch Online offerings, like user icons, or soundtracks.
This is supported by the fact that the current Majora's Mask user icons and collectible cards are available for the exact same time frame, until October 23rd. Afterwards they will likely switch to a different Zelda game for both, and this could ultimately fill a number of gaps. And here it's interesting to look at what's still missing.
These titles are still absent from the current NSO game libraries:
These titles are on NSO, but have yet to receive user icons:
These soundtracks are still missing in Nintendo Music:
As for the soundtracks marked with an asterisk: here the situation with the music rights remains unclear. While Nintendo has the scenario rights for all the Capcom Zelda games, which allows them to re-release and potentially even remake these games as they please, the music rights are a different topic, especially in Japan. There has yet to be an instance where they have used the music elsewhere, e.g. in Super Smash Bros. or at the Symphony of the Goddesses. So, keep that in mind.
Not everything here is going to be covered anyway, but there is a good chance that we might see some of it. The collectible card sets vary in size, so there might be some filler here and there. After Majora's Mask they could for one of the NES classics, for example, which already have been thoroughly featured, but they can just bring back the user icons for the time being (and maybe add some more).
Afterwards they will likely feature the Ocarina of Time remake with cards and icons based on that. They may even release its full soundtrack on Nintendo Music, even though they usually wait very long after these "special releases", which feature some selected tracks from a newly released game. We have yet to get the full soundtrack for Metroid Prime 4, for example... But there is already a special release for the Ocarina of Time remake, with only the title theme.
Anyway, what most Zelda fans are waiting for is Twilight Princess. And there is a decent chance that they will add the game to the GameCube library while they are at it, alongside its original soundtrack on Nintendo Music. But I wouldn't hold my breath here... Nintendo knows that the fans are waiting for this, where they don't want it to collide with the Ocarina of Time remake. So, it is more likely something for 2027.
Since they have announced there to be more than 300 collectible cards, this campaign will last long into the 41st anniversary up until July 2027, so we could be getting Twilight Princess in May or so...
Another game that could receive such a full package is Four Swords Adventures, where this would be the first time Nintendo ever re-releases it. But this will require that they can emulate the Game Boy Advance connectivity within the GameCube library, which is not a feature so far. Alternatively, they could be making a special version of Four Swords Adventures for the 40th Anniversary. How about "Forty Swords Adventures", where up to 40 players can go on an adventure together? That would be such a silly Nintendo thing to do.
Some games won't be featured on the Nintendo Switch (2) at all, but still could get at least a soundtrack release, like Spirit Tracks or Tri Force Heroes. And with certain games it might be the other way around, like the aforementioned Capcom titles. In any case, it's going to be interesting to learn how this continues on October 24th.
And here it is. The Majora's Mask streak continues. After the collectible cards for Nintendo Today and the user icons for Nintendo Switch Online, we also got the game's soundtrack on Nintendo Music today. They are truly highlighting the second Nintendo 64 classic, before the launch of the Ocarina of Time remake, which is going to make everyone and their mother ask for a Majora's Mask remake afterwards.
This release is based on the official soundtrack that was released in Japan and North America, but you might notice that it's one track short, 111 in total instead of 112. It's missing one of the two "Event Failed" melodies, which play when you screw up certain mini-games or missions. This may just be an oversight, though not a tragic one.
In any case, they should keep this going with the 40th Anniversary. We still don't even have Link's Awakening on the app yet. And Twilight Princess is now the only 3D Zelda game that's absent both on the Nintendo Switch 2 and in Nintendo Music, but I'm sure that this will change in the next couple of months. You will know it's happening when the Twilight Princess collectible cards are coming.
It's Majora's Mask Month. Okay, I just made that up, but the collectible cards in Nintendo Today weren't the only news related to the Nintendo 64 classic. The Nintendo Switch Online service is now featuring the game for its rewards and missions, replacing Pilotwings 64 a few days early. You can earn 50 Platinum Points by playing the game once and spend 100 Platinum Points on ten different icons.
Curiously, this was put under the 40th Anniversary banner, which may suggest that they will keep doing this for other Zelda games in the next months. The ones that didn't get any icons yet are Oracle of Ages & Seasons (GBC), A Link to the Past & Four Swords (GBA), The Minish Cap (GBA), and The Wind Waker (GCN), so mainly the Capcom titles. But they could also make more icons for the existing games, especially those that only got five so far.
In any case, Nintendo wants you to play Majora's Mask this month. And it's without a doubt the best Zelda game for the Halloween season, but you might also want to play this one last time before the Ocarina of Time remake gets released next month. Why? Well, the remake could make it very hard to return to these Nintendo 64 classics, once you've experienced its smoothness and modern visuals. Originally, my plan was to replay Majora's Mask afterwards, so I can take notes about what can and should be done with a similar remake by the same team, but I'm afraid that the new Ocarina of Time will spoil me so much that this won't be much fun.
Also, they should add Majora's Mask to Nintendo Music while they are at it... (Update: they actually will! The soundtrack is going to be included on October 9th.)
And I'm really expecting them to close some gaps here during the remainder of the 40th Anniversary, which includes making Four Swords Adventures and Twilight Princess playable at a later date.
