The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask/The Clock System

Link has a complete 72 hours before the world ends. Before it ends, you must warp back through time. 72 hours equal a total of three days and three nights spread evenly over 12 hours.

Telling Time

On the bottom of the screen is the in-game clock, which shows the Hour and what day it is.

Inside the center of the clock is a diamond. This diamond will either say "1st", "2nd", or "Final" depending on which day it is. The diamond is initially green, indicating that time is flowing normally. Playing the Inverted Song of Time turns the diamond blue, indicating that the flow of time has slowed down to one-half of its normal speed. Rotating around the diamond is a little sun-like icon, representing minutes. The hour changes when the icon makes one full clockwise rotation around the diamond. Incidentally, one game hour is forty-five real-life seconds when time is flowing normally. Surrounding the day and minute indicator is the hour indicator, represented by a semi-circle. There is a number that shows the hour, and an icon that represents the time of day. A sun icon means it is daylight, a moon means it is nighttime. Daytime begins at 6 A.M. and nighttime begins at 6 P.M.

In-game days always start and end at 6 A.M.

Time Manipulation

The Song of Time has more mysterious powers in Majora's Mask. For instance, other than playing the song normally, which will bring you to the Dawn of the First Day, there are two other ways to play the song that will manipulate time. This will come in handy throughout the game to help with dungeons and completing side quests.

• Playing the Song of Time normally sends you back to the Dawn of the First Day. Your progress will be saved and all side quests and dungeon completions will be reset.
• The Inverted Song of Time is just that. Playing the Song of Time backwards slows time down. This is perfect for completing dungeons and side quests without fear of running out of time. To reset the flow of time back to normal, just play the Inverted Song of Time again. It is highly recommended to play this song as soon as you return to the Dawn of the First Day.
• The Song of Double Time will speed time up a half a day at a time. The song is basically the first three notes of the Song of Time played twice. This is useful when completing a side quest that you just want to get done with, and don't want to sit around waiting for time to pass. This has the same effect as dancing with the Scarecrow in the observatory or general store.

What is Saved and Lost in Time?

The Song of Time, however, can't save everything. Many things Link obtained will be lost and have to be found again.

Things that will be saved

• Any new songs that you learned
• Activated Owl Statues
• Quest items such as the Bow, Bomb Bag, and Hookshot
• Maps purchased from Tingle
• Rupees that are in the Bank
• Masks
• Boss Remains
• Dungeon Maps & Compasses
• Great Fairy's gifts
• Any progress made in the Bombers' Notebook

Things that will be lost/reset

• Ammunition
• Bottled items
• People and events
• High scores
• Rupees in your pocket
• Opened chests (Usually prizes are restocked, or else they contain five rupees).
• Stray fairies
• Dungeons, including puzzles and the boss
• Small Keys and the Boss Key

Interrupted Save Feature

If you need to take a break but don't want to play the Song of Time and have to do it all over again, then find one of the Owl Statues that are located in certain places all over Termina. To activate one, simply slash it with your sword. After you have activated it, you will be able to save the game at that point. The save feature allows you to save all progress up to the point and quit the game. However, if you load up the save file, then turn off the power, the save file will not be there. When you later learn the Song of Soaring, these statues will serve as warp points.