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, was originally to be in OoT. 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, the 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.
 * Medallions can be seen equipped in various early screenshots.
 * 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, and so, the Master Sword was also to be in the game. Both were replaced with the Fierce Deity's Mask.
 * Fairy Ocarina, also to be in Majora's Mask. (Look on top right of Majora's Mask picture) Was replaced by the Ocarina of Time.

The Wind Waker

 * Wind Waker Adult Link, was only sketched, but never modeled.
 * Hammer, original name for Skull Hammer in The Wind Waker. Only sketched.

Twilight Princess

 * A Magic Meter can be seen in some of the early screenshots. It was presumably used for the Magic Armor and Fire Arrows, which were also removed.
 * Armos Titan, an early design for a gigantic, metallic enemy in Twilight Princess
 * 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.
 * Beta Shadow Beast, modulation of a possible early Shadow Beast. Possibly an early reference. Could have been an enemy local to Faron Woods.
 * Goron Golem, the massive conglomeration of Gorons, packed together as an alleged enemy.
 * Meter Giant, removed from Twilight Princess.
 * Moblin, removed from the game.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * Gohma, replaced by Armogohma, was to chase Link through a cave. This can be seen in the GDC 2005 trailer
 * Hyrule Field contained many dead trees, which can be seen in the early trailers.
 * 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.
 * A canoe can be seen in Ordon Village 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 twilight was originally black and white, rather than glow twilight effects. This can be seen in early trailers.
 * Kagoroks, originally planned to be in the Twilight, but were replaced by Shadow Kagoroks.
 * The Hyrule Castle Dead soldiers were more abundant in the sewers. This was replaced by fewer soldiers.
 * Various geological stuff was removed. Trees, Faron Woods rock, etc.
 * The rock was where you fought the first shadow beasts.

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.