Unused Content


 * ''This article gives an overview on unused or unreleased game information. See Hacks and Glitches for information and abilities gained by using cheating devices or by exploiting programming faults.

Beta Content is a sector of gaming that focuses on the unreleased, scrapped, or otherwise removed content of a game only obtainable through hacking, pre-release demos, or through other unlicensed means. In respect to the Zelda franchise, beta content ranges from enemy prototypes to early landscape blueprints, from entire projects to the original design of certain items. While beta content is most often content finally removed from the final publication of games, sometimes it's influence can still be seen in the title through to publication, for example, in Ocarina of Time, the Forest Temple and Medallion were supposed to be the Wind Temple and Medallion. Although the Forest design for the temple was chosen, the medallion and insignias placed in Ganon's Tower and around the Forest Temple are still reminiscent of the windmill-like symbol relative to the beta Wind Temple.

A Link to the Past

 * The Cannon Soldier, an unused enemy Soldier variation that still remains in a working state in the game's code.

Ocarina of Time
There are numerous examples of beta content from Ocarina of Time, including:
 * Sword Beam, can be seen in screenshots and early trailers.
 * Arwing, the appearance of the famed Starfox starship in the Kokiri Forest in Ocarina of Time. Noted as test model for flying enemies, complete with a laser, its method of attack.
 * Fado, the inclusion of Fado's original design in the Ocarina of Time cartridge data while using a different one, in-game.
 * Sage Medallions can be seen equipped in various early screenshots. It is possible that their functionality might have been transferred to the magic items found in the finished game, as the pedestal in the entrance to the Shadow Temple upon which the player must cast Din's Fire to continue retains the symbol used on the Fire Medallion.
 * Stalfos, was redone to a more skeletal appearance.
 * Unicorn Fountain, the elusive Fairy Fountain in Ocarina of Time, boasting a unicorn instead of a Great Fairy.
 * A Wind Temple and Ice Temple were planned, but were eventually replaced with the Forest Temple and Ice Cavern (Or possibly The Water Temple), respectively.
 * Zora's Fountain, the usage of the closed off waterfall as a port to Zora's River in the beta Ocarina of Time
 * Darknut, the enemy seen in the 1995 trailer of Ocarina of Time. Never used in the game.
 * Beta Jump Attack, seen in testing, but was never used. The same applies with a front-flip Link was able to do.
 * Nintendo 64DD, originally the 64 mBit Nintendo 64 attachable. It was also to be the game's flagship system, but was either canceled or delayed.
 * Link's Hylian Shield and Master Sword had a different design.
 * An Ocarina Pedestal, similar to the Medallion pedestals, was designed but never used. It can be found in an unused cutscene variant of Zora's Fountain. |1
 * The Great Fairy had an earlier design that was more angelic.
 * Gold-rimmed treasure chest models, similar to those used in Majora's Mask can be seen in some pre-release Deku Tree screenshots.

Majora's Mask

 * A mask resembling Adult Link from Ocarina of Time was to make an appearance. It is speculated that its effects were to transform young Link into adult Link, but was replaced with the Fierce Deity's Mask.
 * Fairy Ocarina, was replaced by the Ocarina of Time. Can be seen in the screenshot with the Adult Link Mask.
 * Also seen in this screenshot, one of the designs on the Hero's Shield is green instead of red.
 * The Hylian Shield was meant to appear as both Young and Adult Link' shield, likely instead of the Hero's Shield.
 * Link's ocarina transformations were supposed to be separate items and can still be found and used in the game's coding.
 * Blue Fire can be obtained through the use of a cheating device. However, it has no description on the item subscreen and acts as a bug in a bottle when used. A Hylian Loach is also able to be obtained, but it doesn't have any actions associated with it, along with being description-less as well.
 * Link was supposed to have the Deku Shield, as shown in early screen shots.
 * The Boomerang was also to be in the game, not Zora Boomerangs. There is little coding for this.
 * The game was originally named Zelda: Gaiden, which translates into English as "Zelda: Side Story".
 * Child Link Remodel, in very early images, Young Link was going to have the same design from Ocarina of Time.
 * The Gorman Brothers, were originally one Ingo, as seen in early images.
 * Major Landscape remodels include a remodeled Stone Tower (ex. beta bridge and gargoyles v. three stones), Termina (crystalier entrance to the mountains, more colorful field, etc.)
 * Megaton Hammer, was another item replaced. Before the thought of punches, Nintendo planned Goron Link to have the Megaton Hammer. Seen in early pictures.

The Wind Waker

 * Wind Waker Adult Link, was only sketched, but never modeled.
 * Skull Hammer, confirmed to have a different name and design.
 * Link was to have the same design from the original The Legend of Zelda. Seen in early trailers.
 * Link had the ability to hang on the chandelier in the first trailer.
 * Young Link's voice actor was originally Link's VA. This is seen in the Space World 2000 trailer, the toon version, not the realistic.
 * Ice Ring Isle and Fire Mountain were originaly going to be the locations of main dungeons, but they were scrapped due to time restraints
 * Inclusion of a Water Temple on Greatfish Isle, along with a mysterious beta item, the "Water Boots", found in the game's files.

The Minish Cap

 * Torches can be lit in a beta version of the game.

Characters

 * As seen in her concept art, Ilia was designed with pointy ears, like a Hylian.
 * Beth's concept artwork showed her with a toy attached to her back.

Enemies

 * Armos Titan, an early design for a gigantic, metallic enemy in Twilight Princess
 * Beta Shadow Beast, modulation of a possible early Shadow Beast.
 * Goron Golem, the massive conglomeration of Gorons, packed together as an alleged enemy.
 * Meter Giant, removed from Twilight Princess.
 * Moblin, removed from the game.
 * Gohma, replaced by Armogohma, was to chase Link through a cave. This can be seen in the GDC 2005 trailer
 * Kargaroks, originally planned to be in the Twilight, but were replaced by Shadow Kargaroks.
 * Sluggula, beta model for the Torch Slug.

Geography and Surroundings

 * Hyrule Field contained many dead trees, which can be seen in the early trailers.
 * Beta Forest, the alleged extra forest region in Twilight Princess. This contained a giant ancient statue and an area full of cats, both viewable in the GDC 2005 trailer.
 * A canoe can be seen in Ordon Village in the E3 2005 trailer.
 * The twilight was originally black and white, rather than glow twilight effects. This can be seen in early trailers.

Beta Fishing Hole
In trailers shown from Twilight Princess, a beta fishing hole was demonstrated much unlike the current Fishing Hole in Hena's pond. Since Link can be seen wearing his Ordon outfit, it is assumed that this fishing zone was possibly near Ordon Village. Further proof of this is that in the first playable demo of Twilight Princess, Link can use the canoe to explore the village.

Miscellaneous

 * A Magic Meter can be seen in some of the early screenshots. It was presumably used for the Magic Armor and the removed Fire Arrows.
 * Unused items such as black rupees, black Chu Jelly, bottled Blue Fire, Fire Arrows, Ice Arrows, Dark Arrows and Surf Leaf. Fire arrows possibly used the Magic Meter. The surf leaf probably referred to the leaf used on Snowpeak Top.
 * Green and Black Chu Jelly, formerly used as Coro's Mystery Soup, and the Magic Meter. Only the Black Jelly was removed, while ONLY in the Wii version of Twilight Princess is the Green Jelly available. (Mix a blue and lantern oil yellow). It doesn't do anything.
 * Midna had orange-blue hair, which was later replaced with her current orange-yellow style. This can be seen in early screenshots and the E3 2005 trailer.
 * Link had a different transformation scene when he first enters the twilight. This can be seen in the E3 2005 trailer.
 * Link performed a spinning back slash in the E3 2005 trailer.
 * Link had a different voice actor. The same from Ocarina of Time.
 * The Hyrule Castle Dead soldiers were more abundant in the sewers. This was replaced by fewer soldiers.
 * An icon and design of a beta Ordon Shield can be seen within the coding. Colin and Talo are seen with the beta model of the shield.

Skyward Sword

 * Early Hylian Shield, seen in the E3 2010 trailer, the shield had originally went with Twilight Princess's design.
 * Moldarach was originally with a smoother design. Seen in E3 2010 and pictures.
 * The Whip was originally designed with a skull, dubbed the "Skull Whip". Other characteristcs include a different icon and tip.
 * The Loftwings had a more toonish design, as seen with Eagus's unfinished Loftwing.
 * The beta trailer had an appearance of an Ocarina of Time-ish style. Also seen in the first trailer, The impressionism style in the BG is not seen.
 * The Black Stone, a potential counterpart of the White Stone or Sealing Spike.