The game introduced several novel concepts, revolving around the perpetually repeating three-day cycle and the use of various masks that can transform Link into different beings.

It follows Link, who reaches a parallel world, Termina, and becomes embroiled in a quest to prevent the moon from falling into the world in three days' time. The story takes place two months after Ocarina of Time.

It featured enhanced graphics and several gameplay changes, but reused a number of elements and character models, which the game's creators called a creative decision made necessary by time constraints. Designed by a creative team led by Eiji Aonuma, Yoshiaki Koizumi, and Shigeru Miyamoto, Majora's Mask was completed in less than two years. It was the second The Legend of Zelda game to use 3D graphics, following Ocarina of Time (1998). The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is a 2000 action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64.