Zelda: Majora’s Mask Fan Uncovers Hidden Scrapped Feature

Overview

Uncovered game code reveals that Majora’s Mask originally intended to use the Nintendo 64 microphone for voice commands.
Planned voice commands included actions such as taking photographs, milking cows, and checking the countdown to the moon’s fall.
The Nintendo 64 microphone was utilized in only two games: Hey You, Pikachu and Japan-exclusive Densha de Go! 2 Kōsoku-hen.

Recently, a fan of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask made an intriguing discovery regarding a previously scrapped functionality that featured the Nintendo 64’s microphone. As a direct sequel to the acclaimed Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask stands out for its darker narrative, where Link races against time to prevent the Skull Kid from crashing the moon into the town of Termina. The game’s unique three-day cycle mechanics contribute to its experimental design, hinting that its creativity extended beyond gameplay tools and could have included innovative control methods as well.

The Nintendo 64 supported various peripherals, including unique controllers like a dance pad and a glove reminiscent of the Power Glove from the NES. Among these was the Nintendo 64 microphone and the Voice Recognition Unit (VRU), which connected to the fourth controller port. This device allowed gamers to interact by voicing commands, potentially enhancing the immersive experience in titles such as Majora’s Mask.

In a video analysis, content creator Skawo highlighted that the code for Majora’s Mask harbors support for this voice recognition system. This feature, though hidden, can be reactivated. Intriguingly, five distinct actions were programmed to correspond with Japanese voice commands. For example, saying “Hai Chiizu”(“Say Cheese”) would trigger the in-game camera, while “Miruku”(“Milk”) allowed players to fill an empty milk bottle when near a cow. Another command, “Atonanjikan”(“How many hours remain?”), functions as a countdown when players are beside a Gossip Stone.

Unveiling Six Planned Voice Commands in Majora’s Mask

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“Hai Chiizu”(“Say Cheese”) – Activates the camera to take a picture.
“Miruku”(“Milk”) – Fills an Empty Milk Bottle when near a cow.
“Atonanjikan”(“How many hours remain?”) – Reveals the time left before the moon crashes when near a Gossip Stone.
“Okirou”(“Wake up”) – Bypasses the Sonata of Awakening to wake scrubs instantly.
“Haiya”- Uses one of Epona’s carrots while riding to accelerate.
“Osuwari”(“Sit”) – Non-functional; likely intended for dogs within the game.

The command “Okirou”would have allowed players to skip the Sonata of Awakening and directly wake scrubs. Additionally, saying “Haiya”while mounted on Epona would activate a speed boost. A sixth command, “Osuwari,”intended for sitting, remains dormant in the game code, possibly for interactions with in-game dogs.

Interestingly, the N64 microphone was only fully utilized in a couple of titles: Hey You, Pikachu!, where players interacted vocally with Pikachu, and the Japan-exclusive Densha de Go! 2 Kōsoku-hen, which allowed players to announce train stops to in-game passengers. It’s a testament to the untapped potential of voice command technology in video gaming during that era.

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