Nintendo 3DS

By the way, Aonuma-san, it is very rare to create a new game from scratch in one year, especially for massive games like the Zelda series, but I haven't really heard of anyone taking three times as long as that original game either in order to make the remake.

Oh, I'm sorry about that! (laughs)

Isn't that boast worthy, though?! (laughs)

Boast? Well, probably I shouldn't... (laughs)

But after listening to you all today, I think I have a better understanding of why it took so long to finish this game.

Although this is technically a remake, we've crammed in a ton of new elements into this game.

To close off this interview, I would like to ask each one of you to comment on what makes this game appealing. Can we start off with Sano-san?

Wait, I'm first?!! (laughs) Ummm...let's see...

Well, you can ask someone else to take your turn too, only once though! (laughs)

(laughs)

Well, if I do pass my turn with this group...

...Wouldn't it be harder for you in the end?! (laughs)

You do have a point...this might sound repetitive, but we've made this game so that it's easier for players to find its charms they might have missed when they played the original, even if they've given up mid-way when they played the Nintendo 64 version. If you had some bitter experiences with the Nintendo 64 version...

...you especially recommended this game to those that have had bitter experiences in the Nintendo 64 version?

Yes, that's what I'm trying to say! I personally had some sour and bitter experiences with the Nintendo 64 version, and the 3DS version successfully made me overcome them. So I hope players that are still lingering on their bitter experiences in the Nintendo 64 version will have a chance to experience the moment they overcome those feelings they had in the past.

So you're telling them to experience that refreshing feeling by playing the renewed Majora's Mask 3D?

That's right. Also, I believe that some people that have never played the game before may be on the fence about playing after hearing rumors that Majora's Mask is a very challenging game. We've made some adjustments to make the gameplay experience feel smoother, so please don't shy away. Give it a shot if you're interested.

This time, you can solve challenges by not giving up!

If you try hard enough, you can reach the end of the game.

In other words, it's still challenging, but you can overcome those challenges if you keep trying.

Right. I think you'll really cherish those moments when you go "Wow, I'm awesome!"

Next up, Yamamura-san.

I think this is a highly satisfying game that wouldn't let down even the fans of the Nintendo 64 version. In addition to that, new players shouldn't feel that unreasonable hopelessness when they face challenges in this game. We've made it a really enjoyable experience, so I hope you'll play this as a brand new Zelda experience. There were many interesting elements already in the Nintendo 64 version, but GREZZO's development team included even more fun elements and...

Um, I was actually planning to comment on that! (laughs)

Oh, sorry!

I guess both of you wanted to talk about the same thing! (laughs)

(laughs)

Then I'll leave the rest to you, Mr. Ooiwa.

Okay. Just as Yamamura-san was saying, our staff has included many new elements to this game. So I'm pretty sure that even those that have played the Nintendo 64 version will be surprised about the new things that were added. I hope players who own the New Nintendo 3DS XL³⁰ will have a fun time discovering new things by using the C-stick. 30. Owners of the original Nintendo 3DS system can enjoy this feature using the Circle Pad Pro accessory (sold separately).

Looks like Aonuma-san's request to be able to move the camera with the C-Stick will come in handy while exploring.

Right. The game, Majora's Mask 3D, runs on a three-day system, so you'll be repeating the same days over and over again. You might discover things you didn't notice on the first cycle during your second cycle, and you might keep finding more discoveries when you continue on your third and fourth cycles. It's one of those games that gives off more flavor the more you sink your teeth into it, so I hope you fully enjoy this experience that no other game can offer.

Thank you very much Ooiwa-san. To close it off, I'll leave it to you, Aonuma-san.

When I finished creating Majora's Mask for the Nintendo 64, I assumed that other companies would be releasing games similar to this one. But in reality, no one did.

I certainly haven't seen anything like this anywhere else.

Even 15 years after the Nintendo 64 version of this game released, no one created a game like this. Because of this, the unique taste and feel of this game seems to exist for a long time...

So, a game that's timeless?

I believe so. So even if people of this generation play this game, I think they can find something that will call out to their hearts, and have a fresh experience that they can gain something from. So I hope many people will play this game, to have an experience that can only be gained by playing Majora's Mask 3D.

By the way, there were some unexpected confessions made by Aonuma-san today...

Yes! (laughs)

But I was glad that you were able to "open the lid" again.

I agree. I'm really glad I did. I was fortunate to work with great developers, and thanks to this experience, I've overcome some of my personal bittersweet experiences.

So Sano-san's bitter experience as a player, and your bitter experience as a developer have disappeared after this experience! (laughs)

That's right. My traumas from 15 years ago have finally disappeared! (laughs)

I also believe that by playing Majora's Mask 3D, many people would now fully understand the appeal of this game. Thank you all for your hard work on this long-term project.

Thank you very much.