In the legendary adventure game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, masks may not play as central a role as they do in its sequel, Majora’s Mask, but they still offer unique moments, mini-quests, and hidden lore within Hyrule. These mysterious items are introduced through the Happy Mask Side Quest, a charming and sometimes humorous trading sequence that begins in Castle Town. While the masks don’t offer direct combat advantages, they bring a layer of storytelling, world-building, and character interaction that enriches the experience for those who choose to seek them out.
The Happy Mask Side Quest
How to Begin the Quest
To start collecting masks in Ocarina of Time, players need to speak with the Happy Mask Salesman in the Happy Mask Shop located in Castle Town Market. This quest becomes available after Link has acquired the first three Spiritual Stones and spoken with Princess Zelda. Once unlocked, Link can borrow masks and then find customers throughout Hyrule who are willing to wear and purchase them.
How the Quest Works
Each time Link delivers a mask to a specific NPC, he is paid for it. Sometimes he gets the full value, sometimes more, and sometimes less. Regardless of profit or loss, returning to the Happy Mask Shop unlocks the next mask in the sequence. Completing the entire sequence unlocks access to masks with more whimsical or hidden meanings, such as the Mask of Truth.
All Masks in Ocarina of Time
Keaton Mask
This fox-faced mask is the first one Link receives. It is intended for the guard outside Death Mountain in Kakariko Village, who wants to look like the popular Keaton character from Hyrulean children’s stories. The Keaton Mask has little functional use beyond this trade, but its design is an early nod to its more prominent appearance in Majora’s Mask.
Skull Mask
The Skull Mask features a haunting design and is given to the Skull Kid in the Lost Woods. Wearing the Skull Mask and approaching the Skull Kid triggers a brief scene where he expresses his fondness for the mask, offering rupees in return. After this exchange, the Skull Kid will wear the mask permanently, a subtle foreshadowing of the darker role he plays in the following game.
Spooky Mask
This creepy mask resembles the face of a ReDead, the zombie-like enemies found in graveyards and dungeons. It is requested by the young boy who guards the Kakariko Graveyard. Wearing the Spooky Mask near him will prompt him to react excitedly and buy it, saying it matches the mood of his role as a gravekeeper. It’s a darkly humorous interaction that reflects Ocarina of Time’s occasional flirtation with the macabre.
Bunny Hood
The Bunny Hood is a fan-favorite item, known not just in Ocarina of Time but also in Majora’s Mask and even in Super Smash Bros. This cute rabbit-eared mask is meant for a running man who can be found in Hyrule Field. He appears later in the quest sequence, and when Link finally tracks him down and shows him the Bunny Hood, he buys it for a huge price. While it doesn’t have any gameplay effect in Ocarina of Time, in later games, it grants speed boosts and agility.
Mask of Truth
Unlocked only after completing the Happy Mask Side Quest, the Mask of Truth is perhaps the most mysterious and meaningful mask in the game. It allows Link to read the thoughts of Gossip Stones scattered throughout Hyrule. These cryptic stone pillars offer hints, trivia, and secret messages when approached while wearing the mask. Some messages are helpful, while others are simply strange, but the overall sense is that the Mask of Truth connects Link to hidden knowledge in the land of Hyrule.
Other Masks (Gerudo Mask, Goron Mask, Zora Mask)
After completing the main mask side quest, Link also gains access to three racial masks that resemble the faces of a Gerudo, Goron, and Zora. These masks do not serve a specific trade purpose but can be worn to elicit different reactions from NPCs. For example:
- The Zora Mask might confuse Zoras who don’t believe Link is one of them.
- The Goron Mask can amuse young Gorons or irritate Darunia.
- The Gerudo Mask might intrigue characters unfamiliar with the Gerudo tribe.
These masks are more novelty items than quest-critical tools, but they expand the game’s lore and provide fun interactions that dedicated players can explore.
The Meaning Behind the Masks
A Narrative Device
In Ocarina of Time, the masks serve not just as trading items, but as narrative tools. Each mask symbolizes something within the world: innocence, fear, tradition, curiosity, and even deception. The Skull Mask and Spooky Mask touch on themes of identity and transformation, while the Mask of Truth delves into the idea of hidden knowledge. These ideas are expanded upon heavily in Majora’s Mask, but their seeds are planted here.
Foreshadowing Majora’s Mask
Fans often view the Happy Mask Quest as a prototype or early experiment leading into Majora’s Mask, where masks take on profound gameplay and narrative weight. The presence of the Skull Kid, the use of transformation masks, and the tone of secrecy all foreshadow the sequel’s darker themes. This makes collecting masks in Ocarina of Time feel like more than a side activity it becomes an essential part of understanding the wider Zelda mythos.
World-Building and Player Expression
Masks give Link the chance to interact with the world in different ways. By choosing to wear a mask, players engage with characters from new angles, sometimes making them laugh, other times surprising or unsettling them. This builds a more immersive and reactive game world, where the protagonist can experiment with identity and discover new interactions that are not available through weapons or items alone.
Should You Complete the Mask Quest?
While the mask quest in Ocarina of Time is technically optional, it is highly recommended for players who enjoy exploring every corner of Hyrule. The quest is not overly long or difficult, and it offers rich world-building details that reward curiosity. The Mask of Truth, in particular, offers hints and lore that enhance both the gameplay and the atmosphere of the game. Moreover, for players who want to experience the full connection between Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, completing this quest provides valuable context and emotional weight.
Masks in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are more than quirky accessories. They represent a bridge between light-hearted side quests and the deeper narrative elements that define the Zelda series. From the Keaton Mask’s childlike charm to the eerie whispers of the Mask of Truth, these items enrich Link’s journey in subtle but memorable ways. Whether you’re a completionist or a lore lover, diving into the world of masks in Ocarina of Time is an experience worth pursuing for anyone seeking more than just the main questline.