Eiji Aonuma Confirms Majora's Mask 3D Has Been In Development Since 2011

I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah you have had me second guessing this was coming to the Nintendo 3DS. I've been waiting for this gem

I never played this game on the N64, but I did get it from Club Nintendo on the Wii VC about 2 years ago. I still haven't played it yet. I'm thinking about getting the 3DS version so that it feels like a fresh and new experience.

Judging by all of the hints he's been dropping the last 3 years, I think we all kind of knew this was the case.

it's being changed to make it easier for people who didn't like the original? Perhaps the owl statues let you straight-up save your game this time, rather than just suspend. I can't think of any other changes they could make that wouldn't substantially mess with the game..

Maybe If I play the game again maybe I'll like it. But its good to know that there listening.

It was a safe bet it was coming due to every tip given by Nintendo, Aounuma himself. Although I really doubted @ some point the effectiveness cuz ha s been passed 3 YEARS... and I do believe Iwata-san had to allow the announcement NOW, after missing E3 opportuniy! They did notice that the hyped for the game have sort of fainted, due to the tips and the time passed without even a little dessert ;^j. But is GREAT TO KNOW IT WILL COME... although I did expected by now it will work under the New N3DS capabilities (more to come surely as Aounuma-san told).

So they've been working on Super Mario Sunshine HD since they released Wind Waker HD?

I'm definitely.eager to hear about the new features that this remake will have. I know it is a tall order but I would love a master quest style mode that changes some of the dungeon's puzzles. I mean, if they have spent almost 3 years developing this game it should have some pretty incredible extras. Though to be honest I've only 100 percent completed this game once, so it'll still be a fun experience regardless of what new features are included.

Super Mario HD collection incoming with Sunshine and Galaxy 1 and 2.

It was obvious it was coming, but that development time is baffling. It only took them 17 months to make Majora's mask, and almost 4 years to port it? The engine and many assets were already in place from OOT3D.

So, they've worked a lot longer on the remake than on the original? Weird.

No, because I'm not paying £15 for a badge, a poster, and a steelbook.

just cause there is a new 3DS model on the horizon doesnt mean this game will be N3DS exclusive (maybe certain features but I doubt it). Have you seen the same trailer as I have? It looks as good as OoT 3D and that ran fine on my 3DS.
And if they have to they can always use some of that extra juice Smash 3DS manages to get its hands on.

I can't help but wonder how it has taken this long to develop seeing as they had most of the assets carry over from Ocarina of Time 3D. Either way, I am just glad it is finally coming!

Lies.They develop it after they finished,wind waker.They were making 4 zeldas?WW,new wii u,majora and Linkbettwen worlds? doubt it.Dont know why he lied but its a lie.

They may not have had that many people working it since 2011. Maybe development has sped up over the last year or so. We'll never know.

That's a worryingly long development time for a remake. Hopefully this means that there are significant extras, like a master quest and a boss rush mode. Either that, or they had it finished for a while now and wanted to hold off for a perfect release time.

Three years for a remake of a game I got and still own on N64. Instead why not take three years and create a new franchise? I like Nintendo alot but they are so stuck in their stubborn ways. They depend too much on Mario and Zelda that the focus is diverted from creating something completly new.

Well worth the wait. Knew it was in development when I saw Majora's Mask in Link b/w Worlds....

This must mean tweaks to gameplay and new features. YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Nintendo never rush their games, even remakes. Quality first and foremost, not quantity. Hopefully this also means lots of additional extras. Either way can't wait!

Actually I gave up at MM at the Well. I shall finish MM on the 3ds then.

Imagine those shooting gallery minigames with gyro controls. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

@platoonleaderg Grezzo were working on this one, that manpower is entirely different to Nintendo's internal teams. Also they made it clear that Wind Waker arose from them experimenting with visual styles for the Wii U version. It didn't take them that long to release it.

@Dpullam
"we didn't want to say it was being developed until we were at a point where we could proudly say that this is not going to be just another remake and that it's going to be worth your time"
This is the first time they have gone back to this game and it has been in development a long time... I really want to believe that there is substantial new content in this game, not just revamped Gossip stones, a replacement item for rumble use, miiverse intergration and a double damage difficulty mode.
Also why we are at it BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO THE SOUNDTRACK!
Majora's Mask has some beautiful compositions which deserve better than the outdated midi tracks. I know they were respecting the original in the OoT remake but if you are going to overhaul the visuals, don't leave the sound behind.

Finally please please please let Grezzo make an original 3D Zelda in the style of the Hero of Time games!

@Peach64 Those who have seen Majora's Mask on the GC LoZ collector's edition know that it's a very difficult game to port. Even that version which has extremely good ports of LoZ, Zelda 2 and OoT has plenty of audio glitches and other problems in Majora's Mask.

He threw out clues trying to tell us to shut up and chill out, that it's coming (and quit with the fan-made crap). I understood those clues Why would he toy with us like that if all for naught? If the mask on the wall in a link between worlds wasn't a dead giveaway then there's just no tellin' ya. Well played Aonuma-san, u magnificent ba$tard.

I heard some people were worried that the remake they're taking as long as the game for the 64(year to year and a half) glad this will end there worries. Also day one buy for me!(unless the new 3ds comes out the same time)

"...and those of you that played it but gave up mid-way through will take this opportunity to give the new version a try."

I stopped at the Zora section (tedious as all get out) during my only other replay on the Wii VC, so I'm actually interested to hear what all they've changed.

Although...I'm not sure I'm ready to do the Cremia Ranch segment again, especially if I happen to lose...

@Peach64 I'm thinking they used a very small team to make this. Keep in mind that they were developing other Zelda's as well: Wind Waker HD, Link between Worlds and Zelda Wii U

Wait, what? And you guys are always going on about how only North America gets the good stuff. We'd better get that special edition, too!

If it took them this long to make this, I'm excited to see what changes and conveniences they've created for us! Perhaps we'll be able to save whenever we want now? Perhaps there WILL ACTUALLY BE A WAY TO TELL IN-GAME WHEN EVENTS WILL HAPPEN AND WHERE YOU HAVE TO BE AT WHAT TIME FOR THEM WITHOUT LOOKING AT A GUIDE ONLINE?!

I know a lot of people are coming to Nintendo's aid in this regard, but there's nothing that will convince me that three years isn't a preposterous amount of time for this type of project. Even with a significantly smaller team it shouldn't even take as long as the game's initial development time, much less twice as long.

If it came out and actually had a lot of extra content it would be one thing, but I'd bet my bottom dollar we're going to get some polished graphics and some new features--no actual content.

I personally hope they tweaked the saving mechanic a bit, among other things. I'm sure it's a good game but I got bored of it a few hours later...

Why does Europe always get these Special Editions? Normally I don't care but now I do care.

I haven't played this or Skyward Sword out of all the 3D games, and I am very much looking forward to it. I wonder if this is that Remasted 2015 game that was rumored.

"I hope those that haven’t played the original game, and those of you that played it but gave up mid-way through will take this opportunity to give the new version a try."

It's like they're speaking directly to me...fine, I'll keep my eye on it. I did love the story and the atmosphere in the original, but the gameplay definitely needed work...

i pre-ordered my special edition copy RIGHT AFTER the direct, i was THAT hype.

also, i need a new poster, the game (obviously), a gaming related pin and finding out the purpose of a SteelBook.

I feel it took so long because it is not an important project for them.

And that is how it should be. This is just a remake and they should focus their time and resources with new games.

I liked this game when it came out, I don't consider it my best Zelda experience, but I love all my Zelda experiences. I getting this for sure. I'm wondering what changes they made. The Wind-waker remake was one of the best. OoT remake felt like the same to me. All in all I can't wait for this one. It makes me me want to Zelda binge. Starting in February. So I can get hyped.

People are so convinced Nintendo isn't working hard to make games. Yet they release some of the most functional gsmes on the market. I'm going to just say that Nintendo probably has some of the hardest working developers in the industry, and Aonuma's and Sakurai's asides about their personal lives would attest to that.

Huh, I'm going to assume that development slowed down or was halted because I'm pretty sure Ocarina of Time 3D and Wind Waker HD took less than a year to develop(correct me if I'm wrong).

Either way, I know this will be a fantastic remake. Can't wait.

I've got to say I think I was more invigorated by the direct the other night than I even was about the presentation at E3! I was convinced they weren't developing Majora's Mask 3D when it didn't show up at E3, and it was so exciting when they opened with it in the direct. However I'm so glad that they're streamlining the gameplay a little bit, the nineties was a different time and games are different now. Playing Ocarina 3D (probably one of my favourite games of all time by the way) I couldn't help finding myself clueless and frustrated at some of the more obtuse parts and lack of direction, and I was desperate for them to say that Majora's Mask would be changed up a little bit. It's easily done to make the game more streamlined but not detract from the experience, as proved by the addition of the swift sail and the slight changes to the Triforce shard quest in Wind Waker HD. I've never got far into Majora's Mask, and this is one exciting game announcement. This in Spring and Zelda U at Christmas!

I believe I will have nightmares with that damn moon. I love the way this game made me feel sad. It reminds me of Tolkien describing the elves: "they had a beautiful sadness". Man, I love this game and I don't understand why. That fascinates me.

@Grimlock_King I partly agree. Mario and Zelda is where the money is at, at least with a good chance of them bringing money in. Nintendo is all about rehashing, I just wish they had tried to make a new Zelda title rather than a direct remake with all this time. You are right though, they are stubborn... and it would be nice to have a variety of titles, but I always have to remind myself they are a money making company first.

@sinalefa Fantastic point, I wish others here will read your comment.

So Operation Moonfall didn't affect MM3D being made as it started to be developed before moonfall came into being. It was a waste HAHAHAHA LOL

Also I hope they've improved the 3D, and the interface. I don't think the 3D effect was quite grasped for the Ocarina remake, all the locations were way too deep and it all looks pixelated and messed up. The font was ugly and the touch screen elements were really unappealing. We've seen much more beautfiul presentation more recently in A Link Between Worlds and it really makes a difference to the game. You can see in the trailer that they've altered the engine a little and there's a slightly different font, but everything stil looks to have pointy bits and hard edges. I'll keep hopes up though!

"So although we’ve been working on the game for quite some time, we didn't want to say it was being developed until we were at a point where we could proudly say that this is not going to be just another remake and that it's going to be worth your time."
That's great to hear. When I bought OoT 3D and finished it, I left feeling that a bit more could have been done with it, somehow. Now that I actually have to take better care of how I use money, I was indecisive a while ago about whether I should get this or not. For now, I'll just continue waiting to see what new features they show off.

I figured as much. SO excited about this game! MM is one of my top favorite LOZ titles, if not the very top. Just finished playing it on my Wii VC actually heh... Hope they include a Hero Mode.

Holy crap, good on nintendo for keeping that a secret for so long! I'm surprised it wasn't leaked when half of super smash bros was! (Just kidding! =>)

People complained they wanted this game, turns out we're getting it so they complain about how long it took. Ever cross peoples' minds the Zelda dev teams have had MULTIPLE other, more important projects to work on? There's only so many people in a team and they can only do so much. Why put everything ELSE on the back burner for another remake? No, they did right. 3D already ha a remake. No way this should have taken priority.

And to the ones complaining about new franchises, you ARE joking, right? This is the Zelda dev team. They don't make new franchises. They do Zelda and only Zelda. Besides that, what do you call Wonderful 101, Code Name STEAM and Splatoon? Even Kid Icarus might as well be considered a new franchise, cause NOBODY was playing Kid Icarus games for the last 20 years, and certainly not like Uprising. Xenoblade and Xenoblade X, all new. Captain Toad, another new franchise. Ya Toad is familiar but the game is all new, unless people would rather have a new character slapped in an old game? Didn't think so...

Doesn't matter WHAT Nintendo does, people will complain.

@Reverandjames It will be announced for the Nintendo World Store in New York only, onr week before launch.

@JaxonH This.

Seriously people, can't you be happy?

@platoonleaderg ...This game's development team had nothing to do with Wind Waker HD or any other Zelda game, you ignoramus.

Yes, that operation moonwall is certainly looking like a bit of entitlement now.

Considering how long it took + "this is not going to be just another remake", I'm guessing they added a lot of stuff. They probably redesigned the great bay temple for the people that somehow had trouble with it...

I gave up on pretty much Ikana Canyon as a whole except for doing the Music Box House part. I still have plenty of sidequests left. Saving the whole rest of the game I HAVEN'T finished for the 3ds.

"...when fans from Japan and around the world..."

Yeah, as if Japan was the only one begging for this title. I'm not sure about you, but I never see anyone begging for a Japanese release of a video game anywhere on the Internet. Who knows? Maybe there is a Japanese counterpart of the Internet and it's hidden deep in the Web! Filled with all sorts of secrets!

Eiji Aonuma has been VERY busy these past few years in his desire to rethink the conventions of Zelda and get back to basics. Since 2011, Aonuma has directed/supervised Wind Waker HD, Link Between Worlds, Hyrule Warriors, and Majora's Mask 3D. Revisiting previous titles in the series should definitely bring major changes to Zelda Wii U.

Interesting that Aonuma was able to keep this a secret for so long, especially considering what has been leaked from Nintendo's projects lately. The Zelda team really seems passionate about this.
Makes me feel a bit disappointed in myself for not wanting to play MM3D.

@Obito_Tennyson The hell are you talking about? Japanese users are EVERYWHERE, especially on Twitter. And they pester pretty much everyone connected to Nintendo about Zelda games/remakes, constantly discuss them, and regularly post fanworks of all kind. Japan celebrates the Zelda franchise with every piece of info they get, moreso than us.

After the next Nintendo Direct: "Yeah so we've actually been developing Metroid Prime 4 since Metroid Other M was finished."

It could only mean one thing...

Master Quest.

You know why they waited this long to release it? Two years ago releasing the Wii U was a priority. Last year they had two remakes to release, but only one Zelda game should be released at a time to keep hype. Of course they chose Wind Waker HD! It was to boost their new console. Now it's this year... And Majoras Mask 3D will be released. Please take a step back and look at what planning needs to be done in a company instead of getting so worked up about nothing.

Good Ol' Nintendo, playing with our patience and watching us go mad

Well, ill be honest. I dont care for the game one bit. Ill get it for collection purposes, but as a game itself, not my cup of tea.
But im super happy that its release will finally end all that whining and begging for a remake.

Does that mean it is somehow possible to time travel through the system, though?

Those basterds, knowing it, making it and not telling us. Still glad they did now

So yeah, like I said, we all knew it was happening, we just didn't know when.

@platoonleaderg Before you start accusing people of lying, especially official Nintendo workers, how about you learn some grammer/how to spell? Just a suggestion.

I hope that there is a master quest for majora's mask because I really enjoyed the master quest in ocarina of time

@jubiliferival I would recommend spelling grammar correctly when being a grammar nazi. just saying

I'm wondering why it took four years for them to make a remake.

@TeeJay
Err, the Bomber's Notebook did exactly that. It told you when (and often, where) you needed to be in order to take part in time-specific events.

Yeah right. They've been casual since Wii and now that they see casual fans are gone they're trying to grab my interest and it's working.

Have to say...I was hoping for this "unrealistic" announcement in the Direct and STILL taken by surprise. Believe it or not, I never played the original so I am WAY pumped to experience this. Day one purchase, no questions asked.

we didn't want to say it was being developed until we were at a point where we could proudly say that this is not going to be just another remake and that it's going to be worth your time.

How exactly is this not "just another remake".

I'm not sure you can even categorize it as a remake as much as a 3D port, unless there is added content in the game that hasn't been mentioned.

Yeah, I skipped this one back in the day as I didn't like the premise. I GUESS I'll try it out since I kinda have that new experience Zelda itch.

Waiting for North American special edition before I pre-order my copy .

@Claytronical I thought that only recorded where you'd been and what events you attended already.

@TeeJay I admit it's been a few years since I last played it, but I'm almost positive that, once Link was told of when and where he needed to be in a certain location to help a certain character, that character's "yellow bar" entry in the notebook would have a "!" mark on it, and when you'd put the cursor on that mark, it would remind you of the location you'd need to go to at that time. After successfully completing the objective, a red little ribbon would take the place of the exclamation mark, and the description would change to a summary of how you helped that person.

@DarkKirby Doggeyoopsiepoopiepoodle was just announced hold your horses.

Those three years could have been spent giving us a sequel to a better Zelda game A Link Between Worlds...

@JaxonH I know right

As I haven't played the original it wouldn't bother if it was 'just another remake', I'm going to get it anyway. Can't wait for it to release!

@DarkKirby It's a remake regardless

While he's saying the core essence and tone of this game will remain the same, I just hope that these changes to smooth out the gameplay don't take away from the experience.

Granted, there's always room to improve with any game post-launch, but I don't remember MM being that difficult and actually loved how it was one of the first Zelda games that actually stumped me at times.

I guess some of the minigames could use some tweaking, and mayhaps the controls for rolling around as a Goron, as well as tweaking the controls in general.

Oh, and here's to hoping they add to the Bomber's notebook quests, and, a Master Quest type playthrough would be welcome.

@DarkKirby Wich isn't imposible, they just announced it. Give them a break

@JubilifeRival I dont need to learn to make proper paragraphs or sentences.If you understand then good, if not then too bad.Also before telling me to learn something I will tell you next time learn my native language so you dont have anyproblems with my grammar.(greek)

Also I can accuse anything I want on internet and its my opinion.You can believe anything they say to you and thats your problem not mine.

If their anything I despise,it's "entitled gamers".
As if anyone could prove what they say as false.Get facts and come back until then put up or shut up and be grateful we're getting a game that Zelda fans have been BEGGING for.

@Peach64 How many worked on the original and how many worked on the port? I think the 3D development team would have been much smaller.

@DreamyViridi Most Zelda games leave me bored after a few hours.

@platoonleaderg You forgot to warn me to put on my tinfoil hat!

@TeeJay Majora's Mask did have a built-in system for tracking in-game sidequests (people, events, places) . You had to obtain the Bomber's Notebook first to be able to log that information.

Not sure what new features Aonuma is talking about, but if the remake was in development for 3 1/2 years, a Master Quest could be feasible. Not holding my breath, but I am crossing my fingers.
Anyways, as far as making the game more accessible, I can think of two ways this game can help:
1: Switch masks on the touch screen. Having a mask take up a C button, and not being able to swap it for another item when equipped was a bit frustrating, so I hope to see this fixed.
2: Sheikah Stones. I didn't care for them in OoT, but Majora's Mask is a tougher game, and first-time players might need the extra help. Unlike in OoT3D, they should be placed at the entrance to each dungeon and inside the clock tower.

Why didn't they just make the game from scratch again? It took them longer to port than it did to create the game.....

Woaw... what happened to the friendly, positive and educated community i could read on these pages a few years ago?

Just my two cents: 90% of the Zelda team was working on Link between Worlds and the future Wii U Zelda, while the three remakes were side projects made by a very small team under the supervision of an already very very busy Aonuma-san...

So, of course it took them that long, as it wasn't THE top priority, but anyway, they did it carefully, to please the fans and make things right. MM was an excellent game, but also a very difficult one that many people haven't finished back then, when there was no internet and FAQs all over the place...

The least we could do is give props to the work and the dedication of Aonuma-san and his team, as next year, MM for 3DS will be an awesome apetizer before the next big Zelda on a home console: a great year for the Zelda fans to say the least...

But "Complain" is the most popular game of them all, these days, right?

Damn you, you sneaky bastards!

@diamond_phoenix But that requires people to be reasonable, which reason doesn't usually have a place on the internet. Seriously, you think the same people who complain about systems not being the right color or having achievements deters their purchase of systems/games can understand your point? No, they're crazy and mostly unreasonable. They won't get it, stop trying to convince them they are wrong, you never will.

@Kaze_Memaryu Considering the sales of Zelda in Japan, I doubt that.

@platoonleaderg They have 3 or more development teams, so that is never an issue.

If one of the new features is save and continue from that exact same spot instead of the owl system, this game should be upgraded enough:)

I love Majoras Mask a bit more the OOT but have to admit 3.5 years by the time its released for a Remake is pretty ridiculous that time and money would of been better spent on a NEW title, but still 3.5 years no one can convince me it should take that long.

@Goginho obviously its been on the backburner as he and his team worked on A Link Between Worlds and helped with Hyrule Warriors while developing the new Zelda for 2015. You also can't forget in 2012 they took six month to develop Wind Waker Hd. Who knows what other new Zelda title he may be working on for 3Ds?

@Melkac Sales figures for Zelda games in japan are very good, I don't see your point.

@XyVoX Considering how they were planning Wind Waker HD and Hyrule Warriors, plus development of A Link Between Worlds, they probably didn't focus on development since they had enough on their hands for the time being. Add to that the WiiU game in the works, and it's actually plausible it took them that long.

It's hard to believe that people just aren't getting it. Like SOME PEOPLE are saying, it was probably a small team with low priority.

Yes!!! Finally a remake, I missed out on the original and I watched my brother play it on the Legend of Zelda Collectors edition. I mean I was only five at the time, but now It's my chance to experience this classic game.

I love how detailed and careful the work in these remakes are!
Watching the trailer, every asset feels genuine like it was on the N64, but when compared, everything is remade with much more detail and refinement, just as it was when playing OoT3D. It really makes them feel familiar, yet fresh.
And this game especially needs a refresh! The Virtual Console version for example is pretty awful with it's 12fps. ;p

I hope this remake turns out great (^_^) I've been waiting for this to happen since I finished Ocarina of Time 3D.

@Claytronical

I was going to say the same thing to him, in saying that the Bombers notebook was flawed IMO. It is never really clearly said to you how important it is in advancing the story and it's easy to just kind of wing it in looking for the next crucial thing to do. It's invaluable in beating the game and i feel the game would have benefited from making that more clear.

Lot's of things can be improved IMO, so it's nice to see such a long development period, although i wouldn't doubt if the dev. team was quite small in the early goings. One thing to consider is that Majora as i recall is Aonuma's first as head honcho so i wouldn't be suprised if it got some extra love, as in new content (i really feel they missed the boat on that with WWHD). I wouldn't be surprised to see a new dungeon, hero mode, master quest as well as the option to play a more streamlined version of the game or the original as is.

Some changes i'd like to see in a "modern mode" are saving anywhere or even the ability/song to go back in time a few hours, so it's easy to retry some challenges (like the ranch abduction). I also always thought it was annoying that you lost all your items such as your arrows and bombs when going back in time, just made for some needless farming. They should make the bombers notebook more prominent via the fairy suggesting you use it to find clues as to what to do next. Owl statues should be for teleportation only, saving in that way is archaic and should be limited to a classic mode or hero mode.

There could be a ton of interesting new content for this game. Imagine if you had to relive/replay the past when playing the song of healing from the perspective of the Deku/Goron/Zora, or when you beat the game with the Fierce Diety Mask (meaning 100% completion). Another interesting addition would be an epilogue to explain if Link ever finds Navi or ever gets back to Hyrule. With such a long development and with comments like it not being just another remake i think new content is possible. Without anything new i'm not sure i'll buy it, i didn't bother to buy OOT3D or WWHD (i did eventually get it for free with MK8 though) for that reason.

I have 2 on order

@platoonleaderg They very well could have just have put MM 3D on the back burner for some time.

@DilMan33 Hey Persona 4 Golden was an awesome port >=(

Mine! Mine! And Mine! Cannot wait to relive Major as mask in 3D.

I have a 3DS XL and if they make a custom edition of the new 3DS (whatever it's called) that isn't ugly I will buy it. Only way to get me to get the new one that still is Japan-only at the moment. But this game is my favorite in the Zelda series and regardless of what happens with the 3DS itself I cannot wait to pick this up.

I am a bit baffled at the time though. This took them a year or so to make and yet they've been working on the port for three? I wonder how long Ocarina of Time 3D took to port. I mean Majora's Mask re-used OoT's engine and assets. It's basically the same game with rearranged objects and different text. How hard could this be?

So they started straight after Oot 3D?! I find that hard to believe. I thought they just decided to make it BECAUSE there was so much demand (and it isn't that expensive to make, unless there is some serious new content).

Nice box-art though!

I'm hoping for a NA special edition. Will pre-order that in a second.

While I haven't read ALL 120+ comments, I'm interested as many other sources speculate that the fact that a simple update-textures/graphics port similar to that of OoT 3D would take very little time at all. This is due to the game being done and only textures, etc. being needed to be updated so that cuts the development time A TON, and on top of this, a bulk of the models required can be more or less carried over from Grezzo's work with the 1st LoZ remake. One source I read put the required development time at around 3-4 months.

I understand that while work has been done next to immediately after OoT 3D finished, but I very much believe that the actual hardcore, texture development started. In other words, I bet Nintendo was spending a bulk of this 4 years thinking up differences and how to handle the remake. I see two possibilities: either it was put to the back burner and ideas were slowly bounced off each other while Nintendo developers focused on other products, and thus actual development time would probably be around 6 months to a full year (including Grezzo's work), or Nintendo actually spent quite a bit of time reworking Zelda.

Personally, I expect the former, but it's interesting when considering the second case - what kind of changes could be made to take up so much time? Could it be that they added more side-quests? More dungeons apart from the main quest (i.e., something along the "dungeon" involved with the Mask of Truth or perhaps closer to a traditional dungeon)? More masks? Or could it be more formula related or subtle changes like altering the flow of time, etc.? In either case, I expect at least some formula-related changes at the bare minimum, but I also do think we'll see an expansion of content like dungeons of at least some scale or more side quests since that's one of the biggest complaints I've heard from critics. I personally don't think the main story and dungeons should be altered for reasons concerning making these additions fit.

TL;DR - what possibly could have been done to make this 4x the development time of OoT 3D?

I does look like just another remake though, but there's of course a lot left to be seen.

I'm curious as to whether they've had some of the same concerns with the original as I had, and what's been done about it.

Aw that lovable scamp. Good show.

I got it from Club Nintendo a couple years back.

I beat it last year around this time and I absolutely loved the game. It's atmosphere was amazing, the characters were all interesting, and the stories in the game all hit me emotionally.

I WILL get the 3DS remake because I loved this game so much.

I got the 3DS remake of Ocarina of Time not long after I played the original N64 version at a friend's house.

@jbunker7 I didn't read, but know that between Ocarina of Time 3D's release and now, we DID get Skyward Sword, Wind Waker HD, and A Link Between Worlds. Also, they've been working on The Legend of Zelda for Wii U. I imagine they didn't release it sooner (or give us a ton of information) so we didn't have a Zelda overload.

If that wasn't the case, I would imagine that releasing Majora's Mask 3D sooner would make it seem as though Nintendo wasn't focusing on future Zelda experiences, but remakes of the old adventures. We already have Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker as remakes on their respective systems and A Link Between Worlds does use the Link to the Past map despite the new story and gameplay elements.

Personally, I don't mind it coming out 4 years later. It allowed me to really sink my teeth into Ocarina of Time 3D, Wind Waker HD, Skyward Sword, and A Link Between Worlds without feeling overwhelmed. I still have a backlog of games, but my Zelda itch has definitely been scratched between then and now.

Three years, really? As long as it runs better than the NGC Collector's Edition, I'm fine.

@platoonleaderg Please give me a source, otherwise what you said is invalid.