An amazing demo build of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time revealed new details about early ideas for Nintendo’s N64 masterpiece – such as Link that could change its name to Navi.
The demo in question was found on an old N64 development cartridge used to hold the Nintendo racer F-Zero X. Upon closer inspection, files related to a 1997 Zelda demo were also found.
Details are now excited by the Forest of illusion Twitter account, dedicated to preserving lost pieces of Nintendo history. There is a lot to see.
Here is the F-Zero X development pattern that contains the Spaceworld 97 Zelda 64 data in the overfill. There does not appear 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) 19 January 2021
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First, a series of magical magic medals that provide eye-opening effects, such as the Soul Medallion with which Link ‘becomes Navi and flies around’.
Other medals allow Link to fire light arrow-like attacks or hide in a dark cloak to avoid enemies. Another medal makes Link cringe when he is in danger, while two more make him create fire and put out the fire.
Here are details on how Link would turn into Navi via the Soul Medallion:
And this is Huge – explain the effect of the lost Magic Spells !!!!! pic.twitter.com/fnhoDZxU2c
– MrCheeze ?? (@MrCheeze_) 19 January 2021
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There is a whole other world map for Hyrule:
Hyrule World Atlas from the 1997 Zelda 64 earplug! Now it’s incredibly different! pic.twitter.com/EMykH1eMub
– MrTalida (@MrTalida) 19 January 2021
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A much more basic version of Kakariko Village:
Amazingly, we got our first playable map – Kakariko Town – from the Spaceworld 97 Zelda OoT Discovery https://t.co/PHRa0LHGFC pic.twitter.com/qOcKI6VyMy
– Shane Battye? (@shanebattye) 19 January 2021
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An early version of the archery test where you drive on Epona:
This map for early archery has been found! https://t.co/urrGPtckFA pic.twitter.com/KIgzu1oOfw
– MrTalida (@MrTalida) 19 January 2021
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And Link’s Pegasus Boots would also have made an appearance:
No one sees it mentioned yet, but the gliding boots turn out to be the Pegasus Boots, as many have long suspected! pic.twitter.com/aXifUfS2Fl
– zel. (@ zel640) 19 January 2021
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Fans even translated some of the text found in the game, suggesting that early versions of Ocarina’s plot would have played quite differently.
The Deku Tree, for example, would be a prison for the fairies of the game – including Navi – who would then free Link.
We’re keeping our eyes peeled for more of the leak, though fans examining the files have warned that the ROM is only partially complete. Presumably, this early construction was not intended for public eyes, and therefore the cartridge was then used again to store F-Zero.