Next 3DS Zelda Will Not Be Majora’s Mask

Eder Campuzano November 4, 2011 8:30 PM EST

In two weeks, you’ll be able to pick up a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword — we’ll hopefully have a review for you by then — but in the meantime, why don’t we take a jog down to the ol’ rumor mill, eh? I say that because, while series director Eiji Aonuma has just told Portugese e-zine MyGames that although the next Zelda title Nintendo will develop for its three-dimensional handheld will be a completely original adventure, he and creator Shigeru Miyamoto have tossed the idea of a Majora’s Mask remake around for some time.

“It’s something I’m asked about often and I assure you that it is something I’ve spoken to Miyamoto about,” Aonuma said. “But recently we released The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D as a remake. We are considering the idea, but it didn’t seem right to launch a remake one after another, so the next Zelda game on 3DS will be original.”

So there you have it. A new 3D adventure is in the works for Link and the gang — no doubt to take advantage of the 3DS’ unique capabilities like Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks did with the system’s predecessor — and an ongoing discussion regarding Majora’s Mask 3D ensues over at Nintendo.

Aonuma went on to say the next Zelda title for the 3DS will take “much of what has been done on previous handhelds.” I expect that means a heavy emphasis on touch-screen controls and a visual style somewhat resembling that of The Wind Waker.

While we reported on a rumor back in July that a remake of 2000’s The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask was a possibility, Aonuma told MyGames the next installment in the series has been in development for some time. And this shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, development of Twilight Princess began very shortly after Nintendo finished The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, so the timeline we’re looking at for another release in the series is right in line with the norm.

One factor Aonuma says the company takes into account is the kind of reception it gets from consumers. Well, Modojo has a pretty good list of reasons a Majora’s Mask remake would be a sensible move for Nintendo and myriad petitions are floating around the Web. One of these even reached 10,000 signatures this July.

Let’s just hope it doesn’t get to the point where we have another Mega Man Legends 3 on our hands.

Thanks to Nintendo Everything for the tip.