Poll of the Day > Zelda MM 3D too hard for a 7 year old?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I'm thinking of giving this game to my nephew since I'm broke, I want to give him a gift, and since I have an extra copy of it.

He is mostly used to playing on tablets but he does have a n3DS. He only has about 3 games and isn't very good at them tbh. However, I'm going to be there showing him how to play.

What do you guys think? Too hard for a 7 year old?
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Yeah, I guarantee you it will be too hard.

Oh damn.

Maybe I should get him something else.
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without any tips and hints? possibly, and much more likely if attempting 100%. with help though nah it shouldn't be too hard. since hes that young letting him use a guide wouldn't be a bad idea if hes struggling. I wasn't much older when I beat MM though. but I did use a guide for some parts.

what are those 3 games you claim hes not that good at though?
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Give him Ocarina of Time first. If he can get through that one, Majora may be possible as its played the same way just added a new time mechanic.

hyruler461 posted...

Give him Ocarina of Time first. If he can get through that one, Majora may be possible as its played the same way just added a new time mechanic.

second this. OoT is a bit easier.
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Im telling you right now, from experience, all Zelda games will be too hard for a 7 year old.

Smash bros for 3ds would be a much better option

The other games he has are Yoshi Yarn (whatever it's called), Lego SW TFA, and Mario Maker.

Tbh, he hasn't played them a lot. And I also got stuck early on in the Lego SW TFA game. I didn't know what to do.

He can control the characters in those games. He also knows how to steal cars and drive them in GTA 3 (tablet). He also plays Roblox at least once a week.
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MICHALECOLE posted...

Im telling you right now, from experience, all Zelda games will be too hard for a 7 year old.

not with help. I beat OoT at 7. I didn't use a guide for everything, but I did use one. and I still thoroughly enjoyed the experience

i've never played a lego game but I can't fathom it being harder than zelda. maybe it will be a bit much for him. I only struggled with some puzzles but mostly finding hidden things when I was that age.
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yeah, i say get him something else
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I won't use a guide because I don't use guides. But I'll sit with him playing it. I haven't played MM so thats another reason I want to avoid using a guide.

I was thinking about Metroid Samus Returns. Does it have an easy mode? He saw me playing Metroid Zero Mission recently and wanted to try it. But I was near the end of the game and it would've been too hard for him.

I want to get him Minecraft for 3DS but I'm broke and not sure if I'll have enough for Christmas.
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CornishGhost posted...

yeah, i say get him something else

How about Metroid Samus Returns? Is there an easy mode?
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pipebomb_phil posted...

CornishGhost posted...

yeah, i say get him something else

How about Metroid Samus Returns? Is there an easy mode?

playing that game currently. it requires some fast reflexes in some parts. and lots of hidden items, though its more forgiving on being able to find those than past 2D metroid games.

no easy mode though. and you take a lot of damage from being hit.

i'd say its harder than a zelda game.
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MICHALECOLE posted...

Im telling you right now, from experience, all Zelda games will be too hard for a 7 year old.

Not really, I beat A link to the Past when I was 7. I remember in great detail the day I went to the store with my dad and bought it (in an Albertsons of all places lol). Still my favorite game of all time ever. Granted I may not have gotten all the hearts, but I did beat it.

hyruler461 posted...

MICHALECOLE posted...

Im telling you right now, from experience, all Zelda games will be too hard for a 7 year old.

Not really, I beat A link to the Past when I was 7. I remember in great detail the day I went to the store with my dad and bought it (in an Albertsons of all places lol). Still my favorite game of all time ever. Granted I may not have gotten all the hearts, but I did beat it.

i've never gotten all the hearts in a zelda without help. but i've never been a completionist anyways, and have never needed all the hearts to win. so basically I lack the motivation to try.
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Majoras Mask confused me a lot when I was a kid.

Get him whatever the newest Pokemon game is. It'll help him build reading skill too.

In the 3D version, there's a big Gossip Stone you can crawl into that shows you how to do everything in the game. Might help with the difficulty
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Idk i think i was 7 or 8 when i played MM so he should be able to
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MM came out for N64 when I was 8. It took me a while to beat it, but I was fine.

I think a 7 year old would enjoy MM just fine.
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MICHALECOLE posted...

Im telling you right now, from experience, all Zelda games will be too hard for a 7 year old.

This is incorrect. I had several friends who had played and finished Zelda 3 when it was new, including myself, and I would have been 6-7.

That being said, Majora's Mask is way too hard for a seven-year-old.

JTekashiro posted...

MICHALECOLE posted...

Im telling you right now, from experience, all Zelda games will be too hard for a 7 year old.

This is incorrect. I had several friends who had played and finished Zelda 3 when it was new, including myself, and I would have been 6-7.

That being said, Majora's Mask is way too hard for a seven-year-old.

Let's take into account the amount of coddling in video games nowadays. I'm sure a 7 year old can beat those games (not mm, time gimmick too confusing) but not your average one.
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I beat MM when I was in second grade with no guide

No, you didnt.

I'm also calling bullshit on all these people saying they beat MM and ALttP at age 7. OoT came out when I was 7, but I probably didn't beat it until I was 8 or 9, and the other two are harder. I don't think I used a guide to beat OoT, but I watched a lot of my older siblings playing it on their own files first, so I knew what to do, and they might have even played for me on certain parts.

The time limit in MM was frustrating for me at age 10/11 (and this is with knowing you could slow it down), so I can't imagine a 7 year old would be a fan

Rockies posted...

I'm also calling bullshit on all these people saying they beat MM and ALttP at age 7. OoT came out when I was 7, but I probably didn't beat it until I was 8 or 9, and the other two are harder. I don't think I used a guide to beat OoT, but I watched a lot of my older siblings playing it on their own files first, so I knew what to do, and they might have even played for me on certain parts.

The time limit in MM was frustrating for me at age 10/11 (and this is with knowing you could slow it down), so I can't imagine a 7 year old would be a fan

Its not that far-fetched, some kids are just naturally good at puzzles and video games. At 7 I beat ALttP, but I could never get through the 1st Zelda, even with a map. Even Super Mario World was doable for me, but I doubt I found every level at first. I take that as being the Super Nintendo games were a bit easier in general.

MM I had trouble with the first time I played it, but that was at a friends house so I never really got to take my time with it. I got my own copy in 5th grade and admit I needed some sort of guide for stuff (especially that mask lol), but I hear the improvements the 3DS remake has may help with that.

I know i got up to the point of pushing the walls in the Forest Temple on OoT without any help

I tried pushing the walls just not long enough and was "stuck" until i read a guide. Think i got the offical nintendo guide. I was pissed when i found out i was doing it right. Would have been around 9-11 at that time.
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Even if it is too hard, nothing wrong with that. I never beat LoZ as a kid which I got for Xmas back when I was about 7. That game is by far the most cryptic of the Zelda's and it took me a lot of time to make any progress past the more obvious parts.
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Rockies posted...

I'm also calling bullshit on all these people saying they beat MM and ALttP at age 7. OoT came out when I was 7, but I probably didn't beat it until I was 8 or 9, and the other two are harder. I don't think I used a guide to beat OoT, but I watched a lot of my older siblings playing it on their own files first, so I knew what to do, and they might have even played for me on certain parts.

The time limit in MM was frustrating for me at age 10/11 (and this is with knowing you could slow it down), so I can't imagine a 7 year old would be a fan

sounds like you were a dumb kid. I don't think i needed help on the puzzles at 7-8 but I was always pretty bad at figuring out where i had to go next. still am. so i did use a guide for that. Completing the game did require me to look things up too but finishing the game is well within the abilities of a 7-8 year old. The game isn't like mechanically demanding or anything. Kids and apparently adults get caught up in the time limit but you lose minimal progress. Most of the time all you need to do in three days is get like one item and then you can start off in the new 3 days from after getting that item. If i got to a dungeon on day 2-3 then I would just restart the time limit so that I could get a fresh 3 days...and you should be able to solve a dungeon in 3 slowed down days even at 7.

*note* The game is probably too hard for a 7 year old to complete. I don't think i was able to complete the game until I was older. This is because the time limit becomes a considerable factor when you're actually trying to get all the masks.
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Majora's Mask is probably too hard until they're 11-12 years old, and even then I'd say they need to have a decent understanding of video games. It's one of the more difficult ones, I think.

Today's 7 year old

chaosbowser posted...

Rockies posted...

I'm also calling bullshit on all these people saying they beat MM and ALttP at age 7. OoT came out when I was 7, but I probably didn't beat it until I was 8 or 9, and the other two are harder. I don't think I used a guide to beat OoT, but I watched a lot of my older siblings playing it on their own files first, so I knew what to do, and they might have even played for me on certain parts.

The time limit in MM was frustrating for me at age 10/11 (and this is with knowing you could slow it down), so I can't imagine a 7 year old would be a fan

sounds like you were a dumb kid. I don't think i needed help on the puzzles at 7-8 but I was always pretty bad at figuring out where i had to go next. still am. so i did use a guide for that. Completing the game did require me to look things up too but finishing the game is well within the abilities of a 7-8 year old. The game isn't like mechanically demanding or anything. Kids and apparently adults get caught up in the time limit but you lose minimal progress. Most of the time all you need to do in three days is get like one item and then you can start off in the new 3 days from after getting that item. If i got to a dungeon on day 2-3 then I would just restart the time limit so that I could get a fresh 3 days...and you should be able to solve a dungeon in 3 slowed down days even at 7.

*note* The game is probably too hard for a 7 year old to complete. I don't think i was able to complete the game until I was older. This is because the time limit becomes a considerable factor when you're actually trying to get all the masks.

I like how you call him dumb and then agree with him completely

The only way a kid gets better at games is if he plays hard ones.

wah_wah_wah posted...

The only way a kid gets better at games is if he plays hard ones.

i'd say playing OoT first would be beneficial though. you'd get the basics down playing that game. the combat and the gist of how puzzles generally work. MM is basically OoT gameplay wise but on a harder difficulty due to the 3 day time limit mechanic.
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I started playing OoT at like age 5 and it took me some 10 years to beat it.

Think I was 7 when Majora's Mask came out, and it was basically impossible for me to even reach the first dungeon. Maybe that's why I always hated Zelda up until BotW, which was fantastic.

But yeah, I wouldn't recommend giving it to a 7 year old.

lol
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MICHALECOLE posted...

Im telling you right now, from experience, all Zelda games will be too hard for a 7 year old.

Wait, what? Zelda 1 and 2 weren't too hard, and they're much harder than newer games.
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WaffIeElite posted...

MICHALECOLE posted...

Im telling you right now, from experience, all Zelda games will be too hard for a 7 year old.

Wait, what? Zelda 1 and 2 weren't too hard, and they're much harder than newer games.

Zelda 2 wasnt hard

Okay

MICHALECOLE posted...

WaffIeElite posted...

MICHALECOLE posted...

Im telling you right now, from experience, all Zelda games will be too hard for a 7 year old.

Wait, what? Zelda 1 and 2 weren't too hard, and they're much harder than newer games.

Zelda 2 wasnt hard

Okay

Yes. Exactly what I said. Congratulations?
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I didnt really get Zelda games until I was like 17, despite playing them before that. A 7 year old is gonna have a really tough time with OoT.
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WaffIeElite posted...

MICHALECOLE posted...

WaffIeElite posted...

MICHALECOLE posted...

Im telling you right now, from experience, all Zelda games will be too hard for a 7 year old.

Wait, what? Zelda 1 and 2 weren't too hard, and they're much harder than newer games.

Zelda 2 wasnt hard

Okay

Yes. Exactly what I said. Congratulations?

Zelda 2 has some difficult parts but it's not really as difficult as it's reputation is.

The last bit the difficulty jumps through the roof but by that point you should have tons of magic and all the items, so it is super easy to cheese if you have half a brain.
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scigeek101 posted...

WaffIeElite posted...

MICHALECOLE posted...

WaffIeElite posted...

MICHALECOLE posted...

Im telling you right now, from experience, all Zelda games will be too hard for a 7 year old.

Wait, what? Zelda 1 and 2 weren't too hard, and they're much harder than newer games.

Zelda 2 wasnt hard

Okay

Yes. Exactly what I said. Congratulations?

Zelda 2 has some difficult parts but it's not really as difficult as it's reputation is.

The last bit the difficulty jumps through the roof but by that point you should have tons of magic and all the items, so it is super easy to cheese if you have half a brain.

the game is difficult. just for completely different reasons than other zeldas. this one requires much better reflex's for the combat than the average zelda game.

also doesn't it throw a boss at you that you have use a magic spell to beat but it gives you no hint to do that? its not game breaking difficult but I feel that makes things indeed difficult as a kid of say 7 might not ever think of that him/herself. even as an adult when playing a video game and get stuck, I have to remind myself eventually to try literally everything in my arsenal
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MICHALECOLE posted...

chaosbowser posted...

Rockies posted...

I'm also calling bullshit on all these people saying they beat MM and ALttP at age 7. OoT came out when I was 7, but I probably didn't beat it until I was 8 or 9, and the other two are harder. I don't think I used a guide to beat OoT, but I watched a lot of my older siblings playing it on their own files first, so I knew what to do, and they might have even played for me on certain parts.

The time limit in MM was frustrating for me at age 10/11 (and this is with knowing you could slow it down), so I can't imagine a 7 year old would be a fan

sounds like you were a dumb kid. I don't think i needed help on the puzzles at 7-8 but I was always pretty bad at figuring out where i had to go next. still am. so i did use a guide for that. Completing the game did require me to look things up too but finishing the game is well within the abilities of a 7-8 year old. The game isn't like mechanically demanding or anything. Kids and apparently adults get caught up in the time limit but you lose minimal progress. Most of the time all you need to do in three days is get like one item and then you can start off in the new 3 days from after getting that item. If i got to a dungeon on day 2-3 then I would just restart the time limit so that I could get a fresh 3 days...and you should be able to solve a dungeon in 3 slowed down days even at 7.

*note* The game is probably too hard for a 7 year old to complete. I don't think i was able to complete the game until I was older. This is because the time limit becomes a considerable factor when you're actually trying to get all the masks.

I like how you call him dumb and then agree with him completely

I didnt though. The game isnt too hard for a 7 year old to get through. Its probably too hard for a kid to do everything in it though. Even then. Completing SM64 is probably harder and plenty of 7 year olds play that.
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Possibly, especially with a time mechanic.

I played Ocarina of Time when I was five and I didn't know what to do.

If you want a few easier games for him to play, I would suggest:

-Mario 3D Land
-Any Kirby game on the system.
-Super Smash Bros
-Shovel Knight
-Mario Kart
-Mario Tennis
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Didn't the nes Zelda have you burn some random bush to access one of the late dungeons? Nes games can be hard enough but there's allot of bad design like that which makes them nearly impossible without a guide.

Thanks for the posts everyone.

I think I'll still give him the game since I already have an extra copy. And I don't want to bother selling it online or whatever. I'll might try Craigslist. I'm actually going to sell it at retail price. I have no interest in selling it for more money. In fact, I doubt I can get a decent amount extra and I wouldn't feel right about doing that anyways.

But yeah, I'll probably try that and using the money from it to buy him Minecraft for 3DS or Switch. He might get a Switch for Christmas. If so, I'll get him Minecraft or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (just remembered, he likes going to my niece's to play their Wii U; MK8 iirc). There's a bundle with Mario Odyssey that my family with buy him for Christmas.
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I'm surprised nobody in this topic mentioned ALBW. I know you're not wanting to have to buy something to give him, but it's not like that stopped people from making other purchase suggestions. Anyway, if you end up not giving him MM and do buy him something later on, ALBW is possibly the easiest Zelda game in existence, so it's a good place to introduce a child to the series.

Rockies posted...

I'm surprised nobody in this topic mentioned ALBW. I know you're not wanting to have to buy something to give him, but it's not like that stopped people from making other purchase suggestions. Anyway, if you end up not giving him MM and do buy him something later on, ALBW is possibly the easiest Zelda game in existence, so it's a good place to introduce a child to the series.

Sure. That's a good suggestion. I actually have it but haven't played it. I'd buy it digitally for him though because I don't want him losing the physical games.

Thanks!
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