Game Basics
Game Basics
Majora's Mask isn't your typical Zelda game. Instead of giving you a linear quest, you are pressured by a 72-hour time limit. If you do not save the world by the end of the third day, the moon will smash into it -- killing all that call this realm home.
The game also assumes that you have already played through the Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time, so it doesn't waste time teaching you how to control Link and interact with the world. If you don't know the basic controls, you can find them listed below via some handy graphics.
Note that the 2015 re-release for Nintendo 3DS changed some of the control options and expanded the items menu to make it easier to access your inventory.
How to play
If you have never played a Zelda game before, here is a quick rundown on how to play the game.
Zelda: Majora's Mask is an action adventure, which means that, while it shares some RPG elements such as magic and treasure, all of the battles take place in real time and the focus is on exploration/adventure rather than on character development and stats building. You can find the controls that you will need to save your hide below, but there are still a couple things to go over before you dive into moving Link around.
Link's life is measured via the number of hearts he has. He starts the game with three, but by collecting Heart Containers, he gains one more heart. These can be found by defeating bosses, or collecting four Pieces of Heart.
Health is re-filled by small hearts, potions, milk, and fairies.
The other part of Link is Magic. Early in the game, a Fairy will grant Link the ability to use magical energy. Some items, such as the Lens of Truth and special Arrows, also use up this power.
Magic is refilled by green bottles and potions.
Controls
In addition to the movements below, Link has five main action buttons. Depending what is going on, A and B will have different functions, while the Left, Down, and Right C buttons can be assigned to any item or mask that you choose.
In the 3DS version, the L Button performs the lock-on functionality. On New Nintendo 3DS, the right stick adds additional camera control not found in the original or on standard 3DS/2DS.
Game Screens
Once you get used to Link's various moves, the next aspect of the game is your inventory screens.
Map Screen: This screen shows an overhead map of Termina, including all of the major areas that you have already visited. A layer of clouds obscures areas that you have yet to see. You can add sections of the map early by purchasing some of the maps from Tingle. On 3DS, maps are always displayed on the bottom screen. When accessing the full map, it is displayed at the top.
Item (3DS)/Select Item (N64) Screen: You can view all of your items on this screen. In the N64 version, the top shows you the bow and the various arrows, the bottom shows your bottles, and the bar on the right is for specific quest items that are found throughout the game. Miscellanious items like bombs, powder kegs, and the hookshot can be found in the middle of this screen. In the 3DS version, the order of items is freely assignable and you can assign items to X and Y by dragging them, as well as the I and II "soft buttons" that are selected via the touch screen.
Quest Status Screen (N64): From this screen, you can view your progress throughout the large quest. It gives you access to your Bomber's Notebook, shows you how many Heart Pieces you currently have, what bosses you have defeated, the songs that you know, and what sword, shield, quiver, and Bomb Bag you currently have.
Gear Screen (3DS): This area displays all youru special gear and quest status. For example, you can see how many Pieces of Heart you have, what wallet, what instruments/and bosses you've beaten, and so on. It also tracks the number of Fishing Hole Passes you own, which were absent from the N64 version.
Event Notes (3DS): This is the 3DS version's Bomber's Notebook function. It's been expanded beyond the N64 one to track more side quests and provide a schedule display that allows for time reminders.
Mask Screen: This screen shows what masks you have collected. In the N64 version, the four masks on the right bar are the transformation masks that turn Link into a different form (The fourth being the Fierce Diety's Mask). In the 3DS version, all slots are freely accessible.
Instrument Screen (3DS): Tap the current instrument (ocarina, guitar, etc.) to access a touch screen version of the instrument as an alternative input method. By selecting the lower right music button, you can see what songs you have unlocked. Any song, except for the Scarecrow's Song, will be saved here permanently after they've been unlocked. The Scarecrow's Song is reset when you travel through time.
Options (3DS): Found on the Gear screen. You can change L-Targeting from Hold to Switch, enable or disable the Circle Pad Pro or second analog stick, switch the camera from normal to inverted, and calibrate the Circle Pad. There is also a second page with motion control and first-person camera options, swimming control inversion, and even an audio boost mode to bring up the overall volume of the game.