Zelda Hardest traditional 3D Zelda game

[-Apples-]

Of the first five 3D Zelda games and their remakes, which one of these was the hardest to beat? They are:

• Ocarina of Time
• Majora’s Mask
• The Wind Waker
• Twilight Princess
• Skyward Sword

 

[SkyKnight03]

I'd say Majora's Mask.

I've gotten 100% completion on it and I don't think it's the time limit that makes it difficult. The time limit is very generous when you slow things down. However it is a sequel to Ocarina of Time and the dungeons seem to be a progression in difficulty from that game. For example I think the Great Bay temple is tougher to figure out than the Water Temple.

Also since it's so heavy on side quests, many of the rewards that benefit you during the story are locked around figuring the side stuff out.

 

[-Apples-]

I would agree that Majora’s Mask is the hardest, even the 3DS version. The 3-day mechanic does make it hard, but what makes that harder is that it applies to dungeons as well (where in Ocarina of Time, time doesn’t move when you’re inside a dungeon). But this wouldn’t have mattered if it weren’t for collecting the missing fairies in a dungeon that make a Great Fairy. This leaves you with no room for error.

 

[ZeldaCrossing64]

Twilight Princess. I first started playing it in the 6th grade, and I've been stuck in the first half of the game the whole time. I've only done the first three dungeons, but they were all VERY difficult for me. Don't even get me started on the Lakebed Temple... Not to mention all the backtracking and the overall amount of content in the game. I don't foresee myself beating this game any time soon.

I agree that Majora's Mask is also pretty difficult, given the 3-day time limit, but it wasn't a huge problem for me. I struggled with the Snowhead and Great Bay temples, but surprisingly found the Stone Tower Temple to be fairly easy. I've only done the main quest though, and I haven't touched most of the side quests, so I'd imagine 100% completion would be pretty daunting.

Ocarina of Time was the easiest 3D Zelda game for me. While I did get stuck on certain parts of the game, it was smooth sailing otherwise. I actually beat the game (the 3D version, at least) five times.

I haven't played Wind Waker, and I didn't advance very far in Skyward Sword, so no comment for either.

 

[LambdaDelta]

majora's mask, but only specifically the n64 original

though I should mention that "beating" to me means at minimum also completing the bomber's notebook and obtaining the fierce deity's mask at the end

 

[tarepanda3ame]

I haven’t played these myself, but according to my hubby (who is a big fan & has played them all), his answer is Twilight Princess. When I asked him why, he simply answered… “because it’s hard.” A man of few words, that one.

 

[corlee1289]

Majora’s Mask was the hardest for me because of all the masks to change into AND the ever looming doom of the moon crashing into the world. It doesn’t help that the moon is spooky looking

 

[IonicKarma]

Twilight Princess was the hardest for me but I nevcer played Majora's Mask that a lot of people in this thread think is the hardest.

 

[Sarah3]

Majora’s Mask was a tough game for me. It’s been a really long time since I played it though.

 

[Neb]

If you use the time slowing song Majora's Mask isn't too hard imo, even the original. The dungeons are pretty short and the overworld is small so getting lost is difficult. Personally I found Twilight Princess harder. The game was definitely made with an older audience in mind and I found the puzzles in the dungeons to be the hardest of the traditional 3D Zelda games.

 

[ShadowLelouch97]

It's gotta be Majora's Mask. There's a clear difficulty progression with each dungeon, the next being harder than the last. It's also difficult but many, many side quests need to be done so you can feel as though you're strong enough to tackle the next hurdle. You can't just go to one spot and try the next immediately. Well, you could, but it's a lot easier to get more upgrades and tackle it when you've powered up.

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

Skyward Sword but only if you are playing it on the Wii or only with motion control. I had extreme difficulty getting to the Sandship on the Wii because of the mine cart section and I kept messing up that one jump near the very top of the section. Only got past it in the HD version using button controls. Second hardest I’d say Majora’s Mask even though my playing experience with the game is mostly the 3DS remaster. Trying to get everything with the time limit is brutal especially obtaining the masks.

 

[-Apples-]

Just thinking about how hard Majora’s Mask is, I’m thinking about skipping most of the sidequests the next time I play it, but everything involving the bottles, heart containers, and that golden sword, I’ll go ahead and do.

At least Ocarina of Time doesn’t have too many sidequests, and if they do, they are more beneficial than the sidequests in Majora’s Mask and others.

 

[oath2order]

I would agree that Majora’s Mask is the hardest, even the 3DS version. The 3-day mechanic does make it hard, but what makes that harder is that it applies to dungeons as well (where in Ocarina of Time, time doesn’t move when you’re inside a dungeon). But this wouldn’t have mattered if it weren’t for collecting the missing fairies in a dungeon that make a Great Fairy. This leaves you with no room for error.

The 3DS remake swim mechanic is annoying as hell.

Skyward Sword but only if you are playing it on the Wii or only with motion control. I had extreme difficulty getting to the Sandship on the Wii because of the mine cart section and I kept messing up that one jump near the very top of the section. Only got past it in the HD version using button controls. Second hardest I’d say Majora’s Mask even though my playing experience with the game is mostly the 3DS remaster. Trying to get everything with the time limit is brutal especially obtaining the masks.

Is the Skyward Sword remake that much better?

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

Is the Skyward Sword remake that much better?

The option to use buttons makes using the sword and swimming much easier to do and lets you be more accurate and the mine cart section is much easier to get through especially with the jumps you need to make. And the ability to use the Loftwing Zelda Amiibo makes getting potions before boss fights.