Ura Zelda (partially lost build of unfinished Nintendo 64DD game; 2000): Difference between revisions

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{{InfoboxLost
{{InfoboxLost
|title=<center>Ura Zelda</center>
|title=<center>Ura Zelda</center>
|image=Urazelda.png
|image=UraZelda-UnofficialLogo.png
|imagecaption=The "Ura Zelda" logo.
|imagecaption=Japanese logo for the GameCube port of ''Master Quest''.
|status=<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|status=<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
}}
}}
'''''Ura Zelda''''' (''裏ゼルダ'' in Japanese, translated as "''Other Zelda''") was an add-on to the N64 game ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' for the short-lived Nintendo 64DD. The project was dropped due to the cancellation of the 64DD worldwide and the discontinuation of it in Japan.
'''''Ura Zelda''''' (''裏ゼルダ'' in Japanese, translated as "''Other Zelda''") was an add-on to the Nintendo 64 game ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' for the short-lived Nintendo 64 Disk Drive.<ref name="Zelda DD">[https://web.archive.org/web/19990909162617/http://ign64.ign.com/news/5775.html  Archived IGN interview with Miyamoto about ''Ura Zelda''.] Retrieved 29 Apr '20</ref> The project was shelved due to the cancellation of the Nintendo 64DD worldwide and the discontinuation of it in Japan, and eventually became ''Master Quest'', first released for the GameCube in 2002.


==Availability and history==
==History==
''Ura Zelda'' added many things to the original game, some of which may have been intended for the original release, but were cut due to time and memory constraints on the game. Some beta elements may have been intended to be re-added: the lost sword beam attack and the quest for the Triforce rather than the spiritual stones may have been intended to return. The fabled 'Unicorn fountain' however, claimed to be entered through Zora's domain, is often mistaken for being Ura footage while it was actually from early beta footage, and seems to have been an early design for the great fairy fountain (there is text supporting that the fountain would come to life, and the accompanying images show the early version of the Great Fairy in an identical room to the fountain; she is also the same color as the fountain). It also added things to the original game like improved cutscenes and graphics and an unused feature that saved things permanently, such as if a sign was broken it would not fix itself. Using a GameShark, it is possible to see a cuttable bush that may have been planned for the Ura version in the existing game.
When ''[[Zelda 64 (partially found beta version of "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" action-adventure game; 1995-1998)|Zelda 64]]'' switched formats from a 64DD disk to a standard cartridge release, some aspects had to be scrapped or altered to fit the limitations of the cartridge. Director Shigeru Miyamoto planned an expansion for the game, tentatively titled ''Ura Zelda'' or ''Zelda DD'', to make use of some of the unrealized ideas from the 64DD version.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20101128090123/http://www.zeldadungeon.net:80/Interviews-1998-11-13-Nintendo-Power-Shigeru-Miyamoto.php Nintendo Power Shigeru Miyamoto Interview - November 11th, 1998 - Zelda Dungeon] Retrieved 19 Feb '21</ref><ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/01/30/sensei-speaks Sensei Speaks: Shigeru Miyamoto Interview - IGN] Retrieved 19 Feb '21</ref> It was planned to be released in Japan in 1998,<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/25/zelda-dd-action-in-98 ''Zelda DD'' Action in '98 - IGN] Retrieved 19 Feb '21</ref> but due to the repeated delays of the 64DD, this did not come to pass.<ref name="Zelda DD"/> In 2000, Miyamoto commented that ''Ura Zelda'' had been completed for some time.<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/26/ura-zelda-complete ''Ura-Zelda'' Complete - IGN] Retrieved 19 Feb '21</ref> Due to the 64DD's commercial failure, Nintendo cancelled the release of ''Ura Zelda'', thinking of different ways to bring it to a wide audience.<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/04/miyamoto-and-aonuma-on-zelda Miyamoto and Aonuma on ''Zelda'' - IGN] Retrieved 19 Feb '21</ref> ''Ura Zelda'', now titled ''Ocarina of Time Ura'' in Japan and ''Master Quest'' overseas, would finally be released as part of a promotion for ''The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker'', where customers who pre-ordered the game would receive a bonus disc containing emulated versions of ''Ocarina of Time'' and ''Master Quest''; it was released in Europe in a limited edition two-disc set.<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/15/limited-edition-zelda-in-europe Limited Edition Zelda in Europe - IGN] Retrieved 19 Feb '21</ref> However, ''Master Quest'' only contained remixed dungeons from ''Ocarina of Time'', and none of the additional items, quests, or dungeons which were previously anticipated.


==Resteration projects==
''Ocarina of Time'' still contains leftovers from ''Ura Zelda'' in its code.<ref>[https://tcrf.net/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Ocarina_of_Time#Ura_Zelda_Leftovers ''Ura Zelda'' Leftovers - The Cutting Room Floor] Retrieved 19 Feb '21</ref>
In mid 2013, a group of fans and an artist called ZethN64 attempted to recreate ''Ura Zelda'' in a project called "''Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time URA''" until it was cancelled by ZethN64 himself. On August 9th 2016, another fan known as Alex S on GBATemp.net salvage a lot of files from ''Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time URA'' and promised to assemble to complete and finish the project in a new project called "''Another Restoration of Ura Zelda''", also known as "''Project ARUZ''".
 
==Speculation==
Since ''Ura Zelda'' was planned to revisit some of the scrapped ideas of ''Ocarina of Time'', fans have speculated over which beta content would be re-added, as well any other improvements that may have been incorporated. These include the removed sword beam attack and the ability to obtain the physical Triforce as seen in the Shoshinkai 1996 trailer. Fans have also theorized the addition of a Wind Temple and an Ice Temple, as certain sections from ''Ocarina of Time'' have led some to believe such dungeons were cut from the final game. The fabled "Unicorn Fountain", an area resembling the Great Fairy Fountain which contains a statue of a unicorn head, appears in beta footage of ''Ocarina of Time'', but is absent from the final game; it is also believed to been made accessible. New cutscenes and graphics were supposedly added as well, in addition to a restored persistent world feature, where objects would remain in a certain state for the duration of Link's adventure, such as broken signs not fixing themselves. Using a GameShark, it is possible to see a cuttable bush that may have been planned for the ''Ura'' version in the existing game.
 
==Restoration Projects==
In 2010, a group of fans led by artist ZethN64 attempted to recreate ''Ura Zelda'' in a mod called ''Ura Project'', a highly ambitious game which would have added a myriad of new features such as a new protagonist, overworld, plot, soundtrack, and dungeons.<ref>[https://www.unseen64.net/2010/06/26/project-another-zelda-64-hack-for-all-us-beta-fans/ Unseen64 article about ''Ura Project''.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref> The team's inexperience led to the project's cancellation in 2013,<ref>[https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-03-05-reviving-ocarina-of-times-long-lost-ura-expansion Reviving Ocarina of Time's long-lost Ura expansion - Eurogamer] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130506074517/https://www.the-gcn.com/topic/2275-the-end-of-ura/ Archived thread on GCN announcing the cancellation.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref> and a early maps of it were eventually leaked.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gg9yOYXNwc YouTube video exploring the leaked ''Ura Project''.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref> On August 9th, 2016, another fan known as Alex S on GBATemp.net attempted to finish ''Ura Project'' in a new mod, ''Another Restoration of Ura Zelda,'' also known as ''Project ARUZ 2016.'' Due to a lack of updates, this project is also believed to be cancelled.<ref>[https://gbatemp.net/threads/ura-zelda-restoration-project-aruz-2016.437503/ GBATemp thread focused on ''Project ARUZ''.] Retrieved 20 Feb '21</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
[[File:Ura.jpg|thumb|center|A screenshot from one of the projects.]]
===Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time URA Restoration Project===
<gallery mode=packed heights=250px>
File:UraZelda-RestorationScreenshot1.jpg|thumb|center|A screenshot of the player running through a town.
File:UraZelda-RestorationScreenshot2.jpg|thumb|center|Screenshot of a town in the game.
File:UraZelda-RestorationScreenshot3.jpg|thumb|center|Screenshot of player underwater.
</gallery>
 
===Videos===
{{Video|perrow  =4
  |service1 =youtube
  |id1      =v=cRcuFNIm7E0
  |description1 =Yuriofwind's video on the subject.
  |service2    =youtube
  |id2          =7RlwtglcZBI
  |description2 =Gameover Jesse‘s video which speculates on the content of ''Ura Zelda'' (ft. Yuriofwind).
  |service3 =youtube
  |id3      =v=m2scHsROJbA
  |description3 =Yesterworld Entertainment's video on the subject.
  |service4 =youtube
  |id4      =_tVDml2U-ZI
  |description4 =Dr. Lava's video on the development of ''Ura Zelda''.
}}
{{Video|perrow  =2
  |service1    =youtube
  |id1          =TYtmV7ZoyG0
  |description1 =GameOver Jesse's  Top 10 video on ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' that also mentions ''Ura Zelda''.
  |service2    =youtube
  |id2          =i7siOj23qtU
  |description2 =Sakura Stardust's video mentioning the ''Ura Zelda'' (57:30-1:09:14).
}}
 
==See Also==
===Nintendo 64DD===
*[[Nintendo 64 Disk Drive (partially found unreleased video games for Nintendo 64 add-on; late 1990s-early 2000s)]]
 
===Zelda===
*[[BS Zelda no Densetsu (partially lost Satellaview game; 1995)]]
*[[Zelda 64 (partially found beta version of "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" Nintendo 64 action-adventure game; 1995-1998)]]
*[[Zelda Gaiden (lost beta version of "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask" Nintendo 64 action-adventure game; late 1990s)]]
 
==External Links==
*[https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/16/zelda64-project-development/ Unseen64 article on the development of ''Ocarina of Time'', which contains information on ''Ura Zelda''.]
*[https://zelda.fandom.com/wiki/Ura_Zelda An article about ''Ura Zelda'' on Zeldapedia.]
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKR_shorW3nFVIhzVWWQYmIo2Jclhu_8A A playlist with footage from one of the projects to restore the game.]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-xS_l0mgb6sMEQ4b2tvekpVMkk/view?pageId=111605714845740429967 The soundtrack from one of the projects.]


==External links==
==Reference==
*[https://zelda.fandom.com/wiki/Ura_Zelda An article about Ura Zelda on Zeldapedia]
{{reflist}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKR_shorW3nFVIhzVWWQYmIo2Jclhu_8A A playlist with footage from one of the projects to restore the game]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-xS_l0mgb6sMEQ4b2tvekpVMkk/view?pageId=111605714845740429967 The soundtrack from one of the projects]
*[https://www.change.org/p/nintendo-bring-ura-zelda-back A closed petition to bring the game back]


[[Category:Lost video games]]
[[Category:Lost video games]]
[[Category:Existence unconfirmed]]
[[Category:Existence unconfirmed]]

Revision as of 07:23, 8 December 2021

UraZelda-UnofficialLogo.png

Japanese logo for the GameCube port of Master Quest.

Status: Existence Unconfirmed

Ura Zelda (裏ゼルダ in Japanese, translated as "Other Zelda") was an add-on to the Nintendo 64 game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the short-lived Nintendo 64 Disk Drive.[1] The project was shelved due to the cancellation of the Nintendo 64DD worldwide and the discontinuation of it in Japan, and eventually became Master Quest, first released for the GameCube in 2002.

History

When Zelda 64 switched formats from a 64DD disk to a standard cartridge release, some aspects had to be scrapped or altered to fit the limitations of the cartridge. Director Shigeru Miyamoto planned an expansion for the game, tentatively titled Ura Zelda or Zelda DD, to make use of some of the unrealized ideas from the 64DD version.[2][3] It was planned to be released in Japan in 1998,[4] but due to the repeated delays of the 64DD, this did not come to pass.[1] In 2000, Miyamoto commented that Ura Zelda had been completed for some time.[5] Due to the 64DD's commercial failure, Nintendo cancelled the release of Ura Zelda, thinking of different ways to bring it to a wide audience.[6] Ura Zelda, now titled Ocarina of Time Ura in Japan and Master Quest overseas, would finally be released as part of a promotion for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, where customers who pre-ordered the game would receive a bonus disc containing emulated versions of Ocarina of Time and Master Quest; it was released in Europe in a limited edition two-disc set.[7] However, Master Quest only contained remixed dungeons from Ocarina of Time, and none of the additional items, quests, or dungeons which were previously anticipated.

Ocarina of Time still contains leftovers from Ura Zelda in its code.[8]

Speculation

Since Ura Zelda was planned to revisit some of the scrapped ideas of Ocarina of Time, fans have speculated over which beta content would be re-added, as well any other improvements that may have been incorporated. These include the removed sword beam attack and the ability to obtain the physical Triforce as seen in the Shoshinkai 1996 trailer. Fans have also theorized the addition of a Wind Temple and an Ice Temple, as certain sections from Ocarina of Time have led some to believe such dungeons were cut from the final game. The fabled "Unicorn Fountain", an area resembling the Great Fairy Fountain which contains a statue of a unicorn head, appears in beta footage of Ocarina of Time, but is absent from the final game; it is also believed to been made accessible. New cutscenes and graphics were supposedly added as well, in addition to a restored persistent world feature, where objects would remain in a certain state for the duration of Link's adventure, such as broken signs not fixing themselves. Using a GameShark, it is possible to see a cuttable bush that may have been planned for the Ura version in the existing game.

Restoration Projects

In 2010, a group of fans led by artist ZethN64 attempted to recreate Ura Zelda in a mod called Ura Project, a highly ambitious game which would have added a myriad of new features such as a new protagonist, overworld, plot, soundtrack, and dungeons.[9] The team's inexperience led to the project's cancellation in 2013,[10][11] and a early maps of it were eventually leaked.[12] On August 9th, 2016, another fan known as Alex S on GBATemp.net attempted to finish Ura Project in a new mod, Another Restoration of Ura Zelda, also known as Project ARUZ 2016. Due to a lack of updates, this project is also believed to be cancelled.[13]

Gallery

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time URA Restoration Project

Videos

EmbedVideo is missing a required parameter.
Gameover Jesse‘s video which speculates on the content of Ura Zelda (ft. Yuriofwind).

EmbedVideo is missing a required parameter.
Dr. Lava's video on the development of Ura Zelda.

GameOver Jesse's Top 10 video on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time that also mentions Ura Zelda.

Sakura Stardust's video mentioning the Ura Zelda (57:30-1:09:14).

See Also

Nintendo 64DD

Zelda

External Links

Reference