A ginormous Nintendo leak has started spilling out onto the internet, bringing us source code, assets, artwork and a bunch of information about old-school Nintendo games including Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask & Pokemon games.
This began back in May, when a few bits of information started trickling out, but the floodgates have well and truly opened up over the weekend, with more information and imagery appearing even as I’m writing this post.
SUPER MARIO 64
Super Mario 64 is one of the more interesting leaks. We get a bunch of original assets from the game including the box art and cartridge art in its original form, but we also get to see footage from the beta version of the game (that press got to play before launch).
Luigi’s model has also been uncovered, which brings more weight to the theory that he was supposed to be playable in the game and that it was set to be a two player game. Modders have already pieced together his model and made him playable.
— Marionova (@Marionova64) July 26, 2020
— Marionova64 (@Marionova64) July 26, 2020
In an early version of Super Mario 64, Princess Peach actually had legs added to her model! In the final game, this is not present in any of the versions. There are also many other differences to the model, such as the hair, crown, earrings, etc. Discovered by @visualprism ! pic.twitter.com/j065ZsjO6P
— Marionova64 (@Marionova64) July 26, 2020
Luigi doing the awesome win dance! Model ported by @greendev123 pic.twitter.com/h3CsGizPXF
— Marionova64 (@Marionova64) July 26, 2020
In Super Mario 64's leaked files, they refer to the game as "Ultra 64 Mario Brothers". Apparently, this wasn't just a codename. Here is a model file for part of the early title screen! pic.twitter.com/nfS8mklcgO
— Marionova64 (@Marionova64) July 26, 2020
ANIMATIONS TOO
(again by AWiseguyEh on discord, not me) pic.twitter.com/TWl5Zosh8l— Yoshi Milkman (@YoshiMilkman) July 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/stysmmaker/status/1287183458431913984
Original Quality Beta SM64 Screenshots pic.twitter.com/O801vlA0l9
— Kaitlyn Molinas (@orcastraw) July 25, 2020
i ported luigi's head from the n64 leak pic.twitter.com/5nFbU7D9Xr
— CuckyDev (@cuckydev) July 25, 2020
BETA POKEMON UNCOVERED
This isn’t the first time that we’ve had Pokemon sprites leaked, but it looks like there’s even more that have come out of this one.
All New DP Beta Sprite Complete in one video!
I think that shall be it!
Or Maybe not! pic.twitter.com/ACgkIzPAz0— ??Mixeli?? (@PokeliYT) July 26, 2020
Beta Garchomp full line! pic.twitter.com/MYsi9POmyk
— ??Mixeli?? (@PokeliYT) July 26, 2020
SCRAPPED GEN 4 LEGEND pic.twitter.com/A1QNl9nOkb
— Kaitlyn Molinas (@orcastraw) July 26, 2020
Gen 4 Beta Legendaries:
The new leak of Gen 4 beta sprites included early designs for about a dozen Sinnoh Pokemon. The leak also included a few Legendaries that are really more "placeholders" than beta sprites — but still interesting nonetheless.
Left: Beta • Right: Final pic.twitter.com/ah9RHi2s8C
— Dr. Lava's Lost Pokemon (@DrLavaYT) July 26, 2020
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME
A number of fascinating renders from Ocarina of Time were revealed, but probably the biggest deal is the fact that a new version of the game looks like it was in the works complete with new dungeons and new versions of existing dungeons.
Well we finally get to see Zelda 64, 25 years later..#nintendoleaks pic.twitter.com/1vgk2DIIJy
— Zelda Gif World (@GifZelda) July 26, 2020
These renders from the Ocarina of Time development are so beautiful! ? pic.twitter.com/d8EqBmN5F6
— Zelda Gif World (@GifZelda) July 26, 2020
Another incredible long-lost enemy from Ocarina of Time's development is revealed in 7/25's leak! This mysterious knight (iron knuckle?) has been found! pic.twitter.com/vd8yDi6cVY
— MrTalida (@MrTalida) July 26, 2020
Early Temple of Time renders, internally as "CHAPEL" pic.twitter.com/PEpX6hQMPf
— Matt Hurd (@Abahbob) July 26, 2020
A full resolution image from one of the sides of the Ocarina of Time box. pic.twitter.com/A8cTp4vbU6
— MEIDO 2.1 (@MeidoMatsuri) July 26, 2020
Dated from July 1994, this is possibly the first, or one of the first 3D model Nintendo ever made of Link, as an experiment on the Super FX chip. (colors were manually added). pic.twitter.com/0tV6DGaUjH
— Starxxon (@vl_tone) July 25, 2020
ZELDA II
It looks like Zelda II was supposed to have blood, which was removed at a later date. Fans might have uncovered another game in the franchise that could have been cancelled too.
Presumed "ZELDA 3" scratchpad sprites from recent Nintendo leak. More research to be done. pic.twitter.com/SkTWASV9kx
— Brian (@Protodude) July 24, 2020
So here he is. It is now largely assumed that this particular Link sheet comes from a scrapped BS Zelda 2 remake. (for Satellaview) There's some interesting details here, like the blood or rust on the sword. Fascinating stuff. https://t.co/xPnEiLPI5v pic.twitter.com/FBlvt8TF4A
— Brian (@Protodude) July 25, 2020
STAR FOX 64
This isn’t really anything new, but the original recording for the infamous ‘do a barrel roll’ line from Star Fox 64 has been uncovered in all its original glory.
THIS IS THE ORIGINAL "DO A BARREL ROLL" VOICE LINE FROM STAR FOX 64
U N C O M P R E S S E D pic.twitter.com/94VXbypksB
— Mattthew Graphics ? (@MatttGFX) July 25, 2020
MAJORA’S MASK
People believe that Majora’s Mask was originally supposed to last seven days, from some of the finding within code.
'Zen' from discord just discovered icons for 7 days for Majora's Mask! And equipment menu icons?? pic.twitter.com/zXNGFyC9S6
— Gaby (@gabyelnuevo) July 27, 2020
Z2_DD_IKE_ROOM looks like the basis for the Swamp Spider House in Majora's Mask (can see the ramp with water below, doors seem to be in the right places etc ). Maybe something cut from OOT that was later reused in MM? pic.twitter.com/zPJvk7ry6C
— Simon Cadman (@simon_cadman) July 26, 2020
It looks like MQ/URA was originally going to have its own version of a boss rush mode. There are multiple alternate versions of dungeon rooms that would have you play through smaller versions of the dungeons that then lead directly to a boss. Found by @Psi_Hate I believe. pic.twitter.com/JxZxzIYcqS
— AeroArtwork? (@AeroArtwork) July 26, 2020
STAR FOX 2
We know that Star Fox 2 never saw the light of day until the Super Nintendo Mini released, but it also seems like it was supposed to have human characters.
Star Fox 2 was originally going to have a human character: pic.twitter.com/oMdrxzSs8X
— AestheticGamer aka Dusk Golem (@AestheticGamer1) July 25, 2020
YOSHI’S ISLAND
An extremely early prototype version of Yoshi’s Island shows off quite a different game.
more. pic.twitter.com/YGUlLKgpoS
— Maddy? (@saladplainzone) July 24, 2020
Interesting mini game #3 (Door #9)
Yoshi flies to steal various items from Bandit on its minecart, depositing them in Baby Mario's cart following behind. Bandit has a predetermined score & must be beaten by the time they hit the end of the track.#yibeta #yoshisisland #gamedev pic.twitter.com/TTUi0mG1YK
— potatoTeto | #1.41 Yukari stan (@potatoTeto) July 24, 2020
CUT CHARACTERS
We get a look at some cut characters from games such as Super Mario World, including Grandpa Yoshi and some looks at classic Nintendo characters who could have looked quite different.
Proto-DK: pic.twitter.com/psfZ9nf1LM
— Andy Robinson (@AndyPlaytonic) July 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/nb_zeraora/status/1286740356055408640
ORIGINAL SOURCE CODE
It’s believed that the leak includes original source code for games such as Mario kart 64, Yoshi’s Story, Wave Race 64, The Legnd of Zelda: Majoras Mask, Dr. Mario 64, Animal Crossing and Yoshi’s Story. This could lead to some pretty incredible revelations in the near future.
