The best Zelda game?

Many people saw it coming - The amount of Virtual Console games available in North America was nearing 300, so it was logical to assume that Nintendo of America was saving Majora's Mask in order to make it game number 300.

That turns out to be true - The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is today's new VC release and the 300th VC game available. Majora's Mask is frequently seen as the weirdest game in the Zelda series. (Aside from maybe Zelda II!) It's only got four dungeons and the overall atmosphere is a lot more mature than in the other games. This is in part because of all the characters in the game - Almost every single one has an actual personality, and by doing the right things you can get to know more about their backgrounds. Because of this, the game also has a bigger focus on sidequests than actual adventuring. Some people think all these unique features make it one of the lesser games in the series, while others think it's actually the best - Read our The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask review to see what we think.

For the first time in quite a while, today brings not one, but two new WiiWare games! Strangely enough, there's still no sign of games such as Adventure Island and Bubble Bobble, which have been out in Europe for quite a while now. What you can download, however, is Crystal Defenders R2, the second "segment" of the Crystal Defenders series. This one features more missions and different features than R1 to keep things a bit fresh, but if you've got an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 we still recommend getting the game on one of those instead - You'll get a ton more content for a far better price. This part costs 800 Wii Points, just like the previous one.

You can also download Silver Star Chess. We have no clue why Nintendo only now seemingly randomly decided to bring over the Silver Star games (Which also include Reversi, and some Japanese games such as Mahjong and Shogi) - Japan already started to get them back in 2007! As North America never got Wii Chess, however, this might be worth a look if you like the game - How could you go wrong for 500 Wii Points?

DSiWare has been rather disappointing the past few weeks, but there's something good this time - A new Art Style game! No, it's not CODE, which Europe already has - It's Art Style: PiCTOBiTS, known elsewhere as PiCOPiCT. In this game you work with falling coloured blocks to form sprites of various characters from NES games, making it the first Art Style game to have some extra Nintendo flavour to it. Japanese players seemed to really like the title, and for just 500 DSi Points we think others will like it too.

Well, you've finally gotten Majora's Mask! Now what's the next game people will be seeing weekly complaints about?

More from Nintendo's press release:

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: ZELDA CLASSIC BECOMES 300TH VIRTUAL CONSOLE GAME

May 18, 2009

Every Monday for two and a half years, Nintendo has introduced new downloadable games and applications for the Wii™ console. Today marks a milestone for the Virtual Console™ section of the Wii Shop Channel, home of some of the greatest titles in video game history. The classic The Legend of Zelda™: Majora's Mask™ becomes the 300th Virtual Console title available for download. It's one of the highest-rated Nintendo 64™ games of all time, and its three-day time cycle and deeper, darker storyline offer players a different experience than a traditional Zelda game. People who played it years ago can relive their gaming roots, while those who never picked it up can discover its fun and charm for the first time.

Not to be overlooked, the second Art Style puzzle game for Nintendo DSiWare™ makes its debut, along with the WiiWare™ games CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2 from SQUARE ENIX and Silver Star Chess from Agetec, Inc.

Virtual Console
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Nintendo 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points™): Link™ must save the world! This time, he finds himself trapped in Termina, an alternate version of Hyrule that is doomed to destruction in just three short days. Link must race to recover the Ocarina of Time (which allows him to manipulate time in multiple ways), defeat challenging bosses in dungeons spread across Termina and discover the key to the mystery of Majora's Mask. Along the way, he'll obtain new weapons and items and help other characters (some strangely familiar) in their everyday lives. In addition, Link must use a wide assortment of masks scattered throughout Termina, each with its own specific use or power. Never before have three days offered so much in the way of action, mind-boggling puzzles and depth. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is an adventure unlike any other!

Nintendo DSiWare
Art Style™: PiCTOBiTS™ (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Nintendo DSi Points™): Your goal in Art Style: PiCTOBiTS is simple: clear large blocks that fall from above ("megabits") by combining them with "bits" (square blocks) of the same color. Add in the ability to pick up bits and place them anywhere on the touch screen, and you'll quickly find that strategy is critical to your success. By clearing the bits, you gradually reveal each stage's hidden game character - look for favorites from classic NES™ titles - and earn coins that can be spent to unlock DARK stages or to listen to the game's soundtrack in MUSIC mode. This grand mix of familiar elements and new game play leads to the uniquely enjoyable experience that is PiCTOBiTS.

WiiWare
CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2 (SQUARE ENIX, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): In CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2, you must deploy various units, such as Fencers and Black Mages, to stop waves of encroaching monsters from escaping the area with your party's crystals. There are many types of units to choose from: Some specialize in powerful short-range attacks, some wield far-reaching magicks and still others are equipped with bows, enabling them to bring down aerial foes. Deploy units in strategic locations to take full advantage of their traits. Each time an enemy breaches your defenses and reaches a map's exit, your party will lose crystals. When all your crystals are gone, the game is over. CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2 offers several new, challenging maps containing multiple entrances and exits. It also introduces three varieties of Power Crystals, allowing you to enhance the abilities of your units, while new jobs, including Flintlock and Tinker, set the stage for even more complex strategies. Can you defend all the maps without losing a single crystal?

Silver Star Chess (Agetec, Inc., 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Suggestive Themes, 500 Wii Points): Silver Star Chess has two modes: 1-Player and 2-Player. 1-Player mode allows you to play a chess match against the computer opponent. 2-Player mode allows you to play against another person. In 1-Player mode, you can select one of five different computer opponents, as well as turn the background music off, adjust sound effects and access in-game help features. Also, during the match, you can redo your last move, save the game at any point or resign from the game. After the match has ended, you can review each move made during the match. While reviewing the match in this way, you can resume that match at any point.

[source press.nintendo.com]