An amazing demo build for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time revealed new details about the first ideas for Nintendo’s N64 masterpiece – how Link would be able to transform into his fairy Navi.
The demo in question was found on an old N64 development cartridge used to contain the Nintendo F-Zero X pilot. On closer inspection, files related to a 1997 Zelda demo build were also found, partially saved, but some still intact.
The details have now been enthusiastically shared by Forest of illusion Twitter account, which is dedicated to preserving missing pieces of Nintendo’s history. There is so much to see.
Here is the F-Zero X development cartridge that contains the Spaceworld 97 Zelda 64 data in the overdump. There doesn’t seem to be much code or music, just graphics and maps. Zelda 64 data starts at 0x1000000 in hex.https: //t.co/DsFpv5uVau pic.twitter.com/JUyOjGRP5w
– Forest of Illusion (@forestillusion) January 19, 2021
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First, a series of medallions of magical spells that guaranteed revealing effects, such as the Soul Medallion that allowed Link to “become Navi and fly around”.
Other medallions allow Link to hit light attacks like arrows or hide in a cloak of darkness to avoid enemies. Another medal let Link deform when in danger, while two more let him create and extinguish the fire.
Here are the details of how Link would become a Navi through Soul Medallion:
And this is huge – the effect of the lost magic spells explained !!!!! pic.twitter.com/fnhoDZxU2c
– MrCheeze ?? (@MrCheeze_) January 19, 2021
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There is a very different world map for Hyrule:
Hyrule World Atlas from the 1997 Zelda 64 overdump! Now this is incredibly different! pic.twitter.com/EMykH1eMub
– MrTalida (@MrTalida) January 19, 2021
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A much more basic version of Vila Kakariko:
Amazing, we have our first playable map – kakariko village – of the discovery of Spaceworld 97 Zelda OoT https://t.co/PHRa0LHGFC pic.twitter.com/qOcKI6VyMy
– Shane Battye? (@shanebattye) January 19, 2021
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An initial version of the archery test in which you mount Epona:
This archery test map has been FOUND! https://t.co/urrGPtckFA pic.twitter.com/KIgzu1oOfw
– MrTalida (@MrTalida) January 19, 2021
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And Link’s Pegasus Boots would also have appeared:
I haven’t seen anyone mention it yet, but the floating boots seem to have been the Pegasus Boots, as many already suspected! pic.twitter.com/aXifUfS2Fl
– zel. (@ zel640) January 19, 2021
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The fans even translated part of the text found in the game and suggested that the first versions of Ocarina’s storyline would have played out very differently.
For example, Deku Tree would be a prison for the game’s fairies – including Navi – that Link would then release.
We will keep our eyes open to learn more about the leak, although fans looking at its files have warned that the ROM is only partially complete. Presumably, this initial version was not intended for the public, which is why the cartridge was reused to store the F-Zero.