Zelda Game Remake Changes (part 3)

Remake Changes Part 1

Remake Changes Part 2

The reason this gets its own section is because some of the changes made to the game were so egregious that fans have made a gamepatch to fix it back to how it was originally. Like usual, I'll put my list of Good and Neutral changes, but with the bad changes I will also mark which ones were corrected with a Purple [FIXED]. Finally, my thoughts on remakes overall will be put last. 

Majora's Mask 3D (MM3D)   

Good

• Much like Ocarina of Time 3D, the 3DS version of Majora's Mask is a remake of the original Nintendo 64 game, taking advantage of the more powerful hardware and fitting modern standards. It is the first major re-release of the game that is not an emulation, as the GameCube and Wii versions are. As such, most textures are significantly more detailed, and many models consist of more polygons than the original. Character designs have been updated to reflect their Ocarina of Time 3D counterparts. The frame rate has also been increased from the original game's 20 FPS to 30 FPS. Additionally, the touch screen interface and various other menus in the game now runs and maintains a constant 60 FPS, allowing smooth interaction with inventory management.
• Much like in Ocarina of Time 3D, the item system is revamped. Items can be assigned to the X and Y buttons, while two extra item slots were added to the two right corners of the touch screen. The Ocarina of Time is permanently assigned to bottom left corner of the touch screen, while the Pictograph Box is permanently assigned to the top left corner once obtained. Tatl is also now assigned to the right on the Control Pad.
• Motion controls can also be optionally used when in first person view. They allow Link to look around during movement when the L button is held without anything targeted. Unlike the original game, the viewpoint does not reset to a neutral position when the Circle Pad is released or motion control movement is ceased.
• When playing on a New Nintendo 3DS or with the Circle Pad Pro, the extra Circle Pad allows full third-person camera control.
• Most of the original HUD has been moved down to the touch screen, leaving the upper screen mostly clear of graphic overlays. Only the A and B button prompts and clock still appear in the top screen.
• The clock was redesigned as a bar that displays the full three day cycle, which now also shows the minutes. Each cell in the bar is color coded blue, yellow, and red to represent each day respectively. The clock display no longer fades when Link is actively moving around. During the final six hours, a small icon of the Moon is displayed on top of the countdown, which gradually turns red as time runs out.
• The bottom screen displays the item inventory and map. It also displays Link's Heart Containers, Magic Meter, and Rupees.
• The "Song of Double Time" now lets Link jump to a specific hour of the current day.
• When shooting a Bubble Blast, a sight appears when going into first person perspective. Also, the bubble does not burst if charged for too long. When flying after using a Deku Flower, the R Button can be pressed to show a mark where Deku Link will land.
• Zora Link's attacks are executed faster, his boomerangs can go through walls, and they can be recalled instantly by pressing the B button.
• The game now features three save files instead of two. Each file's Quest Status is displayed on the upper screen, including collected masks, Pieces of Heart, equipment, and any Rupees accumulated within the current cycle.
• Link can transform into the Fierce Deity Link inside the two Fishing Holes.
• Romani Ranch now features an arch that properly represents the ranch instead of a copy of the arch of Kakariko Village from Ocarina of Time.
• Zora Cape now has its proper name displayed on the screen upon entering the area.
• Some members of the Bombers have been relocated to different hiding spots, in order to fill all five areas of Clock Town. 
• Stray Fairies now have full 3D models as opposed to 2D sprites.
• Anju now only gives Link the Room Key if he is in Goron form.
• Dinolfos and Wizzrobe now have their names spelled correctly, instead of the misspelled "Dinofols" and "Wizrobe."
• The Stone Tower Temple no longer has the Triforce shape on the blocks when the Temple is inverted. Also, the Red Emblem that inverts the temple now hangs over the entrance, instead of behind a block. The blocks in front of the temple's entrance are now in a V-shaped formation rather than being aligned horizontally.
• The scrapped Ocarina transformation icons seen in early versions of Majora's Mask are now used.
• Songs learned can now be displayed in the touch screen while playing the Ocarina of Time, including the "Inverted Song of Time", "Song of Double Time", and "Scarecrow's Song".
• The camera follows Link after going through a loading zone.
• Most cutscenes are shortened after the first time they are watched.
• Pressing the B button while climbing a ladder now makes Link climb faster.
• The cutscene played after playing the "Song of Soaring" can now be skipped.
• Additional lore has been added after the Moon destruction sequence. The Happy Mask Salesman also greets Link with a text box after this sequence, rather than the original text on a black background.
• Zora Link can now play the Zora Guitar underwater.
• As in Ocarina of Time 3D, a new credits sequence for the 3DS version staff now plays at the end of the original credits. It features a new orchestral styled medley of various songs from the game.

Neutral

• While riding Epona, if the Circle Pad is pulled, Epona will neigh and do a 180° turn depending on the angle the Circle Pad is held at. Doing so will also give Epona a speed boost in that direction.
• A new type of statue known as Quill Statues were also added; these statues allow saving, but cannot be warped to with the "Song of Soaring." Quill Statues appear all across Termina, including inside dungeons.
• After the credits, the game prompts a save. If the game is saved, upon replaying the file, Link will return to the Dawn of the First Day with all collected masks (including the Fierce Deity's Mask) back.
• Two Fishing Holes were added: one on the Road to Southern Swamp and the other in the Zora Cape. Each includes 12 different types of Fish that can be caught, some of which require certain Masks to be worn.
• A new item called the Fishing Hole Pass was added, which lets Link fish for free. They replace the Purple Rupees and other rewards when completing mini-games or sidequests. They are often given to Link for completing sidequests or minigames that give a Mask or Piece of Heart, if Link has already obtained that prize.
• South Clock Town has been expanded with a larger plaza and symmetrical staircases leading up to the Clock Tower balcony.
• The Clock Town Bank is now located in South Clock Town, embedded into the back of the Clock Tower.
• The icon representing the Takkuri (bird thief) in Termina Field has been removed on the mini-map.
• The poisonous water in the Southern Swamp has different coloration.
• The labyrinth of fire inside the Deku Shrine now contains metal gates that shoot out of the floor. Unlike the flames, the gates do not damage Link on contact.
• The Gold Skulltula that was behind a coffin in the Oceanside Spider House was moved to a nearby wall.
• The Pirates' Fortress exterior now has platforms containing Hookshot targets along the rightmost wall, allowing for easier access inside and outside upon receiving the Hookshot.
• In the Pirates' Fortress, prior to shooting the beehive, the front door of the throne room is now locked.
• The aquariums inside the Pirates' Fortress that contained Shell Blades no longer have them.
• Link was given additional expression textures and animations.
• Tatl no longer knows the exact location of the Great Fairy on the first cycle, telling Link that she does not visit Clock Town often and to ask the Bombers for information.
• When viewing Skull Kid from the Astral Observatory, he no longer jumps away from the tower after taunting Link.
• Koume, when on the boat tour, now acknowledges killing the Octorok when the boat gets close to hitting it.
• The Deku guards patrolling the mazes inside the Deku Palace no longer show their vision range at nighttime.
• The Great Fairy of Power and Wisdom have switched places, along with their rewards.
• The frozen Goron Elder is now found near the first of the lake's Twin Islands. He will be encased in a snowball on the Final Day.
• Shiro is now found in the Pirates' Fortress, next to the fortress watch tower. Tatl will alert his presence when he is approached.
• Epona can no longer run over Deku Flowers. She also neighs more frequently than before when not mounted; additionally, shooting Arrows at her no longer causes her to neigh.
• Three Stray Fairy locations have changed, two in Woodfall Temple and one in Snowhead Temple.
• The entrance to the Snowhead Temple features a gate which bounces Goron Link inside the temple.
• The wooden crates behind the bombable wall in the western room of the Stone Tower Temple have been replaced by a single stone block, which must be pushed onto a switch.
• The Treasure Chest that contains a Small Key in one of the Stone Tower Temple's water-filled areas must now be summoned by navigating onto a small platform that contains a floor switch.
• Zora Link's dungeon Inside the Moon is redesigned, with new puzzles involving striking Crystal Switches to open gates, while retaining the water pipe maze.
• The unused Moon dungeon cutscenes are now used and a new cutscene was made for the Twinmold dungeon.
• The Goron Powder Keg Shop now sells Powder Kegs for 20 Rupees instead of 100 Rupees.
• The Keaton Mask and Priority Mail can now be obtained as soon as the Final Day starts during the Reuniting Kafei and Anju side quest.
• The Pictograph Box now takes full color Pictographs. It is now also set to its own permanent button on the touch screen, similarly to the Ocarina.
• Boss Remains no longer glow their respective colors on the menus.
• The Garo's Mask now resembles the Garo Master rather than a Garo Ninja.
• The Circus Leader's Mask is renamed the Troupe Leader's Mask.
• A seventh Bottle was added, obtainable from a new sidequest given by Gorman. After delivering him some Mystery Milk from the Gorman Brothers, he gives it to the player.
• The Fire, Ice, and Light Arrows are now their own items rather than being compressed into a small menu like in Ocarina of Time 3D, allowing more than one type of arrow to be equipped at once, and the unique sound effect that played when equipping them is no longer present.
• The Giant Wallet can now be obtained during any of the three days. (I would prefer Day 1 or 2, instead of the original only available on day 1)
• The Giant's Mask now appears after the blue Twinmold is defeated.
• The Mask of Truth can now find hidden Grotto.
• The exit bases in Secret Grottos are redesigned.
• Link can no longer go into first person while swimming as a human.
• Sun Blocks and Sun Switches feature an eye instead of a face.
• Two new dance animations were added to the ReDeads in the Ancient Castle of Ikana. These ReDeads can be found in the second staircase room of basement 2.
• Sound effects for item pick ups, menu transitions, and Link's yells will fully play through before playing again rather than resetting the sound over.
• Small waterfalls no longer show a graphic of water hitting Link's model when he is standing beneath them, unlike Ocarina of Time 3D.

Bad

• Link's Mask transformations have been altered. When performing Deku Link's Spin Attack, the tip of his hat transforms into a root. Deku Link also needs to be build up speed in order to start running. This affects hopping farther on water, now requiring walking around before performing a Spin Attack. (this breaks some of the physics that players of the original game developed) [FIXED]
• Goron Link's attacks are executed faster. Curling is now done by simply pressing the A Button once. To uncurl, the A button must be pressed again. His turn rate while rolling has been reduced. 
• Zora Link now swims at a slower speed, making navigation of tight underwater corridors easier. The original swimming mechanics are merged with the electric Barrier attack, which drains the Magic Meter when executed. (probably my biggest complaint; it completely nerfs the swimming abilities and forces the player to drain magic constantly) [FIXED]
• All bosses now feature a new weak point in the form of an eye. Some of them are fought in a different manner and include a second phase. TwinMold's second phase involves Link using the Giant's Mask to punch the Red part but its hitpoints are reset if it dives back into the sand. (the eye thing is just terrible overall, and the second phase of the Gyorg fight needs a little refinement to be considered a good addition; the TwinMold fight's second phase is particularly frustrating) [FIXED]
• Sheikah Stones make a return from Ocarina of Time 3D. They are large Gossip Stones that allow Link to see short gameplay clips called Visions. These Visions can be used to figure out puzzles or where to go next if stuck. In addition to visions, pictures of Piece of Heart and Stray Fairy locations were also added. (my reservations about this feature are the same that I hold for Skyward Sword and OoT3D - it makes it too easy; there should be an option to turn it off)
• Owl Statues are now activated by just checking them, rather than striking them with a sword. Owl Statues now permanently save the game, and the "Song of Time" no longer saves the game at all. Some Owl Statues were also relocated. (it kinda ruins some of the charm of the game when you start a file and are not greeted with the "Start of the First Day - 72 Hours Remain") [FIXED]
• Majora's Mask 3D is mostly based on the Japanese Nintendo 64 1.1 version of Majora's Mask, which was a more unpolished game than what was released internationally. This is evident in places such as the Pirates' Fortress where a shortcut to the Hookshot Treasure Chest can be found. (lessens challenge)
• The Secret Grotto with the Bean Seller was redesigned, now having an exit to the soil east of the Deku Palace. (lessens challenge)
• The moving platforms in the Deku Palace no longer move until Link is standing upon them. (lessens challenge) [FIXED]
• The Bombers no longer challenge Link a second time, as the Bombers' Notebook is now given by the Happy Mask Salesman instead. They also tell Link rumors that are added to the Bombers' Notebook. It also now includes more entries, a schedule, and a new events section, which includes ongoing, rumored, and completed events. Link can also set an alarm to an specific time so that Tatl reminds him of any given event. However, Jim and Shiro's character entries that were on the schedule have been removed. In addition, prior to the hide-and-seek game, Jim also forbids the use of Deku Nuts, saying the flash hurts their eyes. (I see that they were trying to lessen the "startup" time, which is something I complain about in other games, but I liked it better the first way because it showed the player that they get treated differently depending on which mask they use)
• The Bombers now actively seek out Link and are eager to give him hints in the form of "rumors" that go in the Notebook. (this is like a lesser version of the Sheikah Stone but it's less optional because they get in the way of the conversations you're trying to have with the other NPCs) [FIXED]
• The Swamp Tourist Center Guide now hints at visiting Kotake when Koume is not at the window.
• Captain Keeta now speaks to Link before their battle in the Ikana Graveyard. He also moves at a slower speed. (again - lessens challenge) [FIXED]
• Tatl's comments no longer asks Link if he always knows an enemy previously encountered in Ocarina of Time. (takes away some of her sass and personality)
• Kafei no longer has a hurt animation if Link uses explosives next to him. 
• Boss Remains are no longer required to activate the boss portals; the boss must simply have been fought at least once, beaten or not. (I feel like I'm on a loop here - lessens challenge)
• Odolwa can now be stunned by using Deku Nuts while flying from a Deku Flower. He can also be stunned with an Arrow or Sword attacks from the back or side while he is revving up a dash attack. If Odolwa is close enough to a yellow Deku Flower, it can also be stunned by launching from the flower as Deku Link. Additionally, its dancing animations have been altered, and will remain mostly passive for much of the battle. (while I appreciate trying to force players into using the Deku mask as part of the battle, the older version was better) [FIXED]
• The Trading Post now sells Magic Beans for 100 Rupees each instead of 50 Arrows. (takes some of the uniqueness of the seller - the Trading Post just becomes the Wal-Mart of Termina that carries everything)
• The "Song of Soaring" is learned at the Southern Swamp entrance rather than Woodfall's entrance. (lessens challenge [again] and doesn't make the player "earn" it as much)
• The "Inverted Song of Time" causes the time to move at 50% of its normal speed instead of the original's 30%. (this is mainly a programming oversight as the internal clock was tied to the frame rate; the result is that players are in even more of a rush than before; but from a challenge standpoint it does make the game a bit harder) [FIXED]
• The Bottle found Beneath the Graveyard and the Piece of Heart received from Koume's Target Shooting have swapped places. (I guess it depends on what you consider to be more important in the early game)
• The Ice Arrows can only freeze sparkling patches of water, as well as certain sparkling blue enemies, with the exception of boss areas, where the water can be frozen wherever an Ice Arrow is shot. (this is one of the worst; the ice arrows were essentially useless in OoT, but in MM they were finally given purpose only to have it taken away; it also insults the players' intelligence by putting a neon sign that says 'shoot ice arrow here, dummy' anyplace it's required) [FIXED]
• The Gibdos who asked for 10 Bombs, 5 Magic Beans, and 10 Deku Nuts now only ask for one of each. The Gibdo who asked for a Blue Potion now also accepts a Red Potion. The Gibdo who asked for Milk now also accepts half a Bottle of Milk, as well as Chateau Romani. Their clues have also changed. (it lessens some of the challenge and makes guessing the correct item too easy)

This remake has the largest "Bad" section of all of them. While I appreciate the effort to improve the game in ways besides graphics/sound, sometimes altering the formula upsets the delicate balance that gave the original game its charm and challenge. That said, the fine folks at https://restoration.zora.re/ have made a patch that fixes most of these changes and adds some new features like the D-pad being permanently assigned as transformation masks, similar to how the Wind Waker, bombs, and grappling hook were assigned to the D-Pad on WWHD. Having this patch now makes playing the 3D version just as enjoyable as the original was, where previously I had to mentally balance out the convenience of playing it handheld and the updated graphics with the massive downgrades in game mechanics and the increase in hand-holding. I would highly recommend installing this fan-made upgrade (assuming your 3DS is already fitted with CFW). 

My overall thoughts on remakes

If all remakes were more like the TPHD or LADX variety, where there are only 1 or 2 small things that detract from the original with many new Good/Neutral features that add to the game, then I would have no problems with remakes. But I would also prefer if every new major feature is given the option to play it the original way or the new way. Like on WWHD, if I could keep the 12-photo Pictobox, the QoL upgrades, and the Swift Sail but leave the Savage Labyrinth and Shard Quest how it was originally I could regard it as highly as TPHD and LADX. 

Most of the remakes are more heavily weighted in the Good than the Bad categories (with MM3D being the sole exception) so overall I enjoy them. But, honestly, if these games were just ports onto newer hardware I would only have good things to say about them. Remakes sometimes can seem like stopgap attempts at appeasing fans who are eager for a new game and show a lack of creativity. 

Having said that, I wouldn't mind seeing the Oracle games remade in the LAHD format (since the assets and engine is already there), and a remake of Skyward Sword with reworked JoyCon controls and a less intrusive UI would be nice. (actually, I got just what I wanted in this case in Skyward Sword HD)