Majora’s Mask: 8 characters that were way better than their Ocarina of Time counterparts

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask introduced numerous game elements into the Zelda series. But, it also re-introduced a lot of elements as well. The game’s time restraints for development, paired with a story set in a parallel world, allowed Nintendo to reuse a lot of the assets from Ocarina of Time. This included the characters.

By using the character models from the previous game, Majora’s Mask was able to feature identical counterparts. These characters sometimes had different names, and they almost always had augmented personalities and stories. It is those changes that allowed many of the revamped characters to stand out as better versions of the characters they are based on.

8. Anju

Anju, based on the Cucco Lady from Ocarina of Time, works at the Stock Pot Inn with her mother. She is a lifelong resident of Clock Town and is well-known throughout its community.

When Link (while assuming the identity of a Goron named Link) meets Anju, she is polite and kind, but the more he interacts with her, the more he understands that she is upset about something. As it turns out, her fiance, Kafei, had recently disappeared and Anju is worried about him. Link also meets Kafei later in his quest and is able to reunite the two for their wedding.

7. Kaepora Gaebora

While this version of the infamous owl doesn’t stray too far from the original in terms of personality, it does offer something different by way of its role in the game. Rather than giving exposition, this owl teaches the player a valuable song to play on the Ocarina of Time.

Link meets Kaepora Gaebora on a clifftop in the Southern Swamp. There, the strange owl teaches Link the “Song of Soaring,” which has the ability to magically transport Link to any of the various Owl Statues found throughout Termina.

6. Professor

The Professor in Ocarina of Time played a minimal and optional role. He gives Link the Golden Scale for diving to the bottom of his laboratory’s pool, and he also gives Link the eye drops that the Biggoron needed in the Trading Sequence. In Majora’s Mask, however, the Professor plays a part that is essential to the story.

When Link reaches Great Bay, he learns that the Zora people are in peril because pirates have stolen their eggs. To rescue and save the eggs, Link needs the help of the Professor, who has a tank in his laboratory that can house and protect the eggs Link retrieves.

5. Sharp

Sharp’s first incarnation was a humble and loyal composer spirit who served the Hyrule Royal Family in life. He and his brother, Flat, created the “Sun’s Song,” which Link can use to change the day to night and vice-versa. This second version of the character strayed far from his good-natured origin.

Long before Link arrives at Ikana Canyon, Sharp had been tricked into selling his soul to the devil. This places a curse on Sharp, which causes him to become evil. While corrupted, he creates a song that can drain the life of anyone who hears it. But by playing the “Song of Storms,” Link is able to free Sharp of his curse.

4. Gorman

Gorman is the counterpart of Ingo, a ranch hand that works at Lon Lon Ranch. Gorman takes a different career path and leads a group of travelling performers, the Gorman Troupe. He also has two brothers who looks exactly the same as him.

During the Festival of Time, Gorman and his troupe are set to perform during the celebrations. Unfortunately, the impending collision of the Moon prompts Clock Town’s mayor to cancel all events. Despondent, Gorman retires to the Milk Bar to drown his sorrows in milk. Link meets him there, and by playing the “Ballad of the Wind Fish,” he is able to move Gorman’s heart enough to help ease his troubles. Gorman thanks Link by giving him the Troupe Leader’s Mask.

3. Man from Curiosity Shop

The Man from Curiosity Shop’s (MCS) first version was the Fishing Hole Man from Ocarina of Time. Both work at businesses, but what differs between them is their type of businesses and the people they do business with.

MCS only runs the Curiosity Shop at night. During the day, he runs the Trading Post, which is a much more reputable business. The Curiosity Shop is known for buying and selling stolen merchandise. MSC is not all bad though, as he lets his friend Kafei live in the Curiosity Shop’s back storeroom. Kafei is looking for a man who stole a mask from him, and he believes that thief will eventually come to MCS to sell it.

2. Mr. Barten

Mr. Barten is based on Talon, the man who owns and manages the Lon Lon Ranch in Ocarina of Time. Talon is a bit of an absent-minded man, but Mr. Barten is more level-headed, alert, and knowledgeable.

Link can only meet Mr. Barten once he’s obtained the Romani’s Mask, which grants him access into the Milk Bar. Once inside, Link can order all of the milk he wants. Mr. Barten also has a special type of milk available, the Chateau Romani.

1.Happy Mask Salesman

The Happy Mask Salesman (HMS) has one of the most dramatic shifts from one game to the next. His personality does not change much from its mysterious representation in Ocarina of Time, but he does take on a larger role in its sequel. In fact, HMS is actually one of the most important characters in Majora’s Mask.

Link meets theHMS early in his adventure, a little while after the Skull Kid turned Link to a Deku Scrub. The HMS tells Link about how the Skull Kid had stolen the Majora’s Mask from him and that he needs to get it back. So, HMS offers Link a deal: Retrieve the mask and the Ocarina of Time from the Skull Kid, and he will return Link to normal. Well, Link does retrieve the Ocarina, and the HMS does help him return to normal, but he fails to get the mask at the same time. Furious, the HMS urges Link to retrieve the mask, and to do so before the Moon falls in three days.