Zelda: Ocarina of Time early 1997 build emerges with pre-release assets, showcases changes from the final game

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News

One of our earliest looks at The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time came in 1997. It was fully playable at the trade show, which was a full year before launch. We’ve learned over the years that the build on display there offered up some significant changes from the final version.

Now more than twenty years later, assets from that early version of Zelda: Ocarina of Time have popped up online. Forest of Illusion obtained a prototype N64 cartridge for F-Zero X from a former Nintendo employee, which amazingly enough, has the unfinished build.

Here’s a roundup of notable findings:

We have a prototype Nintendo 64 cartridge of F-Zero X that contained data from an early build of Zelda 64 that used to be on the cartridge. We're estimating it's from Spaceworld 1997. We're going to look into this more. Of course everything will be released. pic.twitter.com/Q5SoAbsdWM
— Forest of Illusion (@forestillusion) January 19, 2021

Beta Water Temple had more water level based rooms. Small differences in Gerudo Training Grounds' main room, but the last pictured room is… what? Maybe the silver rupee room. pic.twitter.com/DzSqzMWypS
— Dianya 🏳️‍🌈 ⟦ Catgirl Magician ⟧ (@Psi_Hate) January 19, 2021

These rooms are fairly chunky. What could be in them I wonder? pic.twitter.com/MEeXo0IDLV
— Dianya 🏳️‍🌈 ⟦ Catgirl Magician ⟧ (@Psi_Hate) January 19, 2021

Looking through beta Fire Temple. Really huge differences here. pic.twitter.com/hM0T2KdxIg
— Dianya 🏳️‍🌈 ⟦ Catgirl Magician ⟧ (@Psi_Hate) January 19, 2021

The extra foliage really breaths some life into here. Also elevators weren't invented apparently. pic.twitter.com/N5xbcz23SY
— Dianya 🏳️‍🌈 ⟦ Catgirl Magician ⟧ (@Psi_Hate) January 19, 2021

Gerudo Valley being directly connected to Haunted Wasteland was actually seen on paper maps of the game, but never before in-game! https://t.co/odRAZXsmKf pic.twitter.com/YNPI2EXWg9
— MrCheeze (@MrCheeze_) January 19, 2021

This early archery test map has been FOUND! https://t.co/urrGPtckFA pic.twitter.com/KIgzu1oOfw
— MrTalida (@MrTalida) January 19, 2021

An early map of Hyrule Field was also found. pic.twitter.com/cHvdkwc0L5
— mrvision.bsky.social (@lombtv) January 19, 2021

Early dungeon with windows (Deku Tree?) has been found! https://t.co/0pQT8czHUb pic.twitter.com/r6gRbO9nsr
— MrTalida (@MrTalida) January 19, 2021

The names and effects of the items explained! pic.twitter.com/7dS4oZehmi
— MrCheeze (@MrCheeze_) January 19, 2021

And this is Huge — the effect of the lost Magic Spells explained!!!!! pic.twitter.com/fnhoDZxU2c
— MrCheeze (@MrCheeze_) January 19, 2021

Dark (Shadow) medallion allows you to evade enemies without them seeing you, like the Stone Mask in Majora.
But, based on internal filenames (Magic_Dark) and the medallion design, I believe it had the visual effect of Nayru's Love (albeit maybe not in blue). pic.twitter.com/iyAVeAASlF
— MrCheeze (@MrCheeze_) January 19, 2021

Despite fitting into the ocarina, the spiritual stones have their same name.
Heart pieces come in groups of 8 instead of 4. pic.twitter.com/ueCQI5nD8O
— MrCheeze (@MrCheeze_) January 19, 2021

Some things available for purchase. Anyone want some eggs? pic.twitter.com/XpsTDqqtSt
— MrCheeze (@MrCheeze_) January 19, 2021

There's a lot of text to go through, but this stood out to me, starting at the end and working backward pic.twitter.com/cftOUg607D
— GageTM (@TheGageTM) January 19, 2021

We also have a gallery showcasing more of the early assets, most of which focus on the different areas: