These days, we’re typically used to worldwide launches of Nintendo games, which means, in most cases, each region gets their hands on the latest release simultaneously. The localization process wasn’t always as fast as it is today, with regions outside of Japan typically having to wait longer. For example, Majora’s Mask didn’t reach U.S. shores until six months after its Japanese launch in April 2000.
This extra time, however, did allow developers to fix some minor bugs and glitches that were overlooked in the first version of Majora’s Mask. There is one particular difference between the Japanese and U.S. versions that may possibly point to a scrapped idea from earlier in the game’s development.
If you’ve played Majora’s Mask, you may recall that Link, when in his Deku form, can burrow into Deku Flowers and launch himself into the air with flower helicopters that allow him to glide. In the Japanese version of Majora’s Mask, it turns out that Deku Link can also burrow into the dirt road at Romani Ranch. When he emerges from the path, however, he simply jumps into the air without his gliding apparatus.
If you don’t remember being able to tunnel in and out of Romani Ranch’s muddy trail, it’s because this was removed from the other versions of Majora’s Mask. After all, there is no point in doing it and no apparent benefit for the player. So, why was it included in the first place?
The leading theory is that the developers may have intended players to defeat the aliens — or “They,” as they are referred to in the game — with Deku Link’s launch ability. The uploader of the footage below, darkeye14, confirms that Romani Ranch’s dirt path is the only area that allows you to burrow into the ground (aside from the Deku Flowers, of course).
Of course, if this was indeed the developers’ initial idea, then it was, at some point, scrapped in favor of having the player defend the ranch with Link’s bow.
Deku Link’s launch method won’t work against the creatures in the final Japanese version of Majora’s Mask. “The aliens actually hurt you if you try to jump out of the ground to attack them,” darkeye14 explains. They also note that “you can’t burrow into certain sections of [the road], like where multiple paths intersect.” It’s likely that this feature was left in the game by mistake, and is simply a remnant of an incomplete and/or abandoned idea.
It always felt satisfying to fend off the aliens by firing arrows at them, so the team made the right call if there ever was going to be a different approach to the invasion sequence. If I ever get a chance to play the Japanese version of Majora’s Mask, I look forward to trying this out!
Be sure to check out the rest of our articles from Majora’s Month, our month-long celebration of Majora’s Mask’s 20th anniversary!
