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

 * Cannon Trooper, removed from in A Link to the Past

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.
 * 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. There is much discussion surrounding content replacement, origins, and original usage in Ocarina of Time
 * Stalfos, was redone to a more skeletal appearance.
 * Unicorn Fountain, the elusive Fairy Fountain in Zora's Domain 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, 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 Ocarina of Time testing, but was never used.
 * Nintendo 64DD, originally the 64 mBit Nintendo 64 attachable. Was also to be Ocarina of Time's flagship system, but is either cancelled or delayed. OoT was to have better graphics. System remodeled and renamed "Nintendo GameCube".

Majora's Mask

 * Adult Link Mask, was supposed to be in Majora's Mask. Its effects were to transform young Link into adult Link. It 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".
 * Dark Link, possibly one of some enemies/mini-bosses that were removed or replaced.
 * Moblin, was thought of by Nintendo, but were removed due to time constraints.
 * 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 Legend of Zelda. Seen in early trailers.
 * The game was originally going to have Hyrule as the land, but was changed to the Great Sea. Seen in same trailer.
 * 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.

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.

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 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.

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 Master Sword was seen in the first trailer, suggesting that Nintendo had planned the same thing to happen in Skyward Sword that happened in Ocarina of Time, i.e. time travel from child to adult.