Editing Pre-release and unused content

Before a game gets released you might see enemies and places that aren't in the released game, because they are taken out for unknown reasons. The elements that were once in the game but were taken out are called '''Beta Elements'''. 

==Beta Elements==
Here is a list of Beta Elements appearing in ''[[Mario (series)|Mario]]'' [[games]]:

===''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]===
There were going to be two new [[enemies]] called '''Gold Cheep Cheep''' (a golden version of a [[Cheep-Cheep]], and '''Green Parabeetles''' (green colored [[Parabeetle]]s). The Gold Cheep Cheeps would come in groups and swim faster than regular Cheep-Cheeps and the Green Parabeetle is a green Parabeetle that flies faster than normal ones. The game coding reveals an item-sized [[Toad (species)|Toad]] icon among some of the game's suits; this is interpreted by several as a sort of "Toad Suit". (Although it makes no changes to gameplay when granted to Mario, likely due to it being scrapped early and never given any purpose.) Designers also considered a power-up to turn Mario into a Centaur (half-man, half-horse), although this was rejected (Tilden 1990, 21).

[[Koopa Troopa]]s and and [[Hammer Bros.]] were going to host the mini-games. They were replaced by [[Toad]]. There were also different kinds of mini-games, similar to the ones in ''New Super Mario Bros.''.

Finally, fifteen extra levels exist within the coding of ''Super Mario Bros. 3''. Some of these are strange and unique, while others bear much resemblance to levels in the final version and were very likely redone as those. Also, the back of the box of some copies of ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' depicts Mario traversing a hilly grassland stage with tons of Parabeetles and two [[Note Block]]s about. This particular stage is not any of the lost ones present on the cartridge, nor is it in the final game. It could even be a press mock-up from [[Nintendo]]. The "special" boxes also feature a map of [[Grass Land]] with minor differences.

<gallery>
Image: koop.gif|<center>A Koopa Troopa hosting an item mini-game in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''.</center>
Image: hammer.gif|<center>A Hammer Bro. hosting a card mini-game in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''.</center>
Image: toad.gif|<center>''Super Mario Bros. 3''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "Toad Suit" as it appears in the game's programming.</center>
|<center>The beta World 1 of ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''.</center>
</gallery>

===''[[Super Mario World]]===
[[Dinosaur Land]] was drastically different, possessing an appearance similar to the various kingdoms of ''Super Mario Bros. 3''. Specifically, it was to feature things such as [[Toad House]]s (which could possibly mean that [[Toad (species)|Toads]] were once considered to populate Dinosaur Land) and more ''Super Mario Bros. 3''-style [[Fortress]]es.

[[SNES]] test cartridges also exist, and, among other things (some of which are Mario-related), they include an early build of ''Super Mario World''. These cartridges reveal that, at one point, [[Goomba]]s were to be able to be stomped (even earlier test cartridges show that Goombas also once possessed their normal, [[mushroom]]-like appearance rather than the [[Goom]]-like Goombas seen in the final game and later builds), [[Koopa Troopa]]s were to walk on all fours, and normal [[Piranha Plant]]s and even [[Venus Fire Trap]]s were to have been present. These elements were used in the Super Mario World cartoon. Interestingly, several of these cartridges' beta sprites were merely simple ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' edits. Lastly, the [[Super Leaf]] and [[Raccoon Mario]] form were both present in early builds.

Further exploration of the game cartdrige showed that a [[Lakitu]] and an unknown blue bird were going to appear on the Overworld map. They were also several unused sprites  and levels. [http://www.themushroomkingdom.net/games/smw Source]

<gallery>
Image: BeatDinosaurLand.jpg|<center>A beta screenshot of [[Dinosaur Land]] from ''[[Super Mario World]]''.</center>
Image:BetaDinosaurLand2.jpg|<center>Another screenshot of the beta-version of [[Dinosaur Land]].</center>
</gallery>

===''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]===
This game was going to have more [[Morph Bubble|forms]] Yoshi could turn into: a [[Mushroom]], a Tree, and a Plane (most likely replaced by the [[Yoshi Helicopter|helicopter]] form). The game was also going to feature [[Tweeter]]s and strange, green [[Bob-omb]]s. Interestingly, the Tweeter present in the game's coding looked identical to the Tweeters of ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'', and a ''Super Mario All-Stars'' [[Shy Guy]] is also present within the game. It is possible that the programmers were merely using these sprites as references for enemy sprites that they were remaking, and either didn't use the Tweeter or it was never meant to be used and taken from ''Super Mario All-Stars'' by mistake. There is also a frowning, rock-like block present in the game's coding, and, perhaps even more oddly, a hulking, barrel-throwing, tie-clad [[Grinder (species)|Grinder]] that seems to deliberately resemble [[Donkey Kong]]. (It is possible that this gorilla-like Grinder would be a [[Kamek]]-strengthened Grinder boss and clever reference to Mario's first enemy.)

<gallery>
Image: YoshiPlane.gif|<center>The "Yoshi Plane", a canceled transformation from ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''.
Image: YoshiShroom.gif|<center>The "Yoshi Mushroom", another canceled transformation from ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''.
Image: YoshiTree.gif|<center>The "Yoshi Tree"", another canceled transformation from ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''.
</gallery>

===''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]===
Looking into the coding of ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'' reveals several unused enemies (most of which seem to be unused sub-species), including a notorious one known as the [[Drill Bit]]. In fact, Drill Bit appears in the game, but does not fight in any battle like a normal enemy. Harlequins were [[jester|jester-like]] enemies that never made it into the final game. There is another unused enemy called a Baba Yaga, it looks like a blue colored [[Fautso]]. There is an unused enemy that looks like the [[Bahamutt]] called ''Boshumutt'', a purple Bahamutt with sunglasses probably named after [[Boshi]]. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0oxHMdCgQo Source]

Also, material from an early [[Nintendo Power]] shows that the [[Chancellor]] was once designed differently, being a more elderly-looking, gray-spotted Toad with a beard. It also showed that at least one (and probably more) [[Buzzer]] would be in [[Mushroom Way]], and that [[Frogfucius]]'s island at [[Tadpole Pond]] would be closer and therefore accessed differently. (Without having to jump the bridge of [[Tadpole]]s.) Also, a [[Fishin' Lakitu|fishin']] variety of [[Lakitu]] would be a helper in [[Booster's Tower]], which possessed [[Magikoopa]] door guards. (It is notable that no fightable Magikoopas other than the red one thought to be [[Kamek]] would appear in the final game.) Mario would also encounter [[Bowser]] at an unknown time in [[Bowser's Keep]], and would be pitted against two [[Shy Away]]s during this scene. Other material shows that Booster's Tower would also feature [[Boo]]s, [[Dry Bones]], and less organized pictures and [[Nimbus Castle]] would have a longer walkway and more plants.

A beta version of ''Super Mario RPG'' was also seen at a 1995 V-Jump Festival, which also focused on the game's programming and therefore showed off several features and various other things not meant to be accessible by normal [[player]]s even by the game's release. The presentation of this beta showed that Nimbus Land (which was seen in entirety, even including the Nintendo Power beta Nimbus Castle, at the presentation's opening) would have differently styled doorways, being simple open holes labeled with a word seeming to be "HOLLOW" or "HOLLOH" rather than the curtains seen in the final version. The V-Jump presentation also featured an animation of a normal, blue-colored Magikoopa attacking and showed Mario running through Mushroom Way (or perhaps [[Bandit's Way]], as a [[K-9]] was visible) and being chased by several Buzzers, indicating that they would indeed be found en masse in that area in the beta ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''. The presentation also briefly showed a beta [[Yo'ster Isle]], which was much larger and oddly seemed to feature no racetrack. The beta version seen in the presentation also gave [[Moleville]] a cloud-filled foreground and removed the blue static seen in the [[Factory]]'s foreground. The majority of Nimbus Castle's interior seen in this beta would appear to simply be more green than that of the final version, although the room where [[Dodo]] cleaned [[Valentina]]'s statues was depicted as different shades of pink (or perhaps red with pink walls), looking nothing like it did in the final version. (This room was also completely flipped horizontally for the final version.) [[Melody Bay]]'s composition area also seemed to be longer, and [[Mario's House|Mario's Pad]] was depicted as much larger, and Mario's house itself even changed in appearance&ndash;&ndash; Much like it was in the final version of ''Super Mario RPG''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s intro, the V-Jump beta depicted Mario's in-game house as being labeled "Pipe House". A [[Treasure Box]] was also seen in the beta Mario's Pad; upon being hit by Mario, this box produced a green, [[1-Up Mushroom]]-like [[mushroom]] that itself was not present in the final game. A pair of [[Terrapin]]s were also seen guarding an exit from Mario's Pad in this beta. Lastly, the beta even featured two unused battlegrounds, one of which was a dark, musty [[castle]] similar in appearance to [[Belome Temple]], the other being a [[star]]-labeled circle that may have been a simple testing area.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YObbL5LwCJs Source]

Finally, two unused cutscenes regarding a distressed [[Princess Peach]] on the [[balcony]] of [[Booster's Tower]] were left in the game's coding, but did not make the final cut. Interestingly, both were very similar to (but longer than) scenes in the final game. [http://youtube.com/watch?v=rR7tQPX-EOE Source]

<gallery>
Image: Drill Bit.png|<center>The [[Drill Bit]] of ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'' fame.</center>
Image: SMRPG_BabaYaga.PNG|<center> A ''Baba Yaga'', a bluish colored [[Fautso]].
Image:SMRPG_Boshumutt.PNG|<center> A ''Boshumutt'', a purple [[Bahamutt]] with sunglasses.
Image: SMRPGbetaChancellor.jpg|<center>A bearded Chancellor in the ''Super Mario RPG'' beta.</center>
Image: BuzzerMushroomWay.png|<center>A Buzzer in Mushroom Way.</center>
Image: SMRPGbetaTadpolePond.jpg|<center>Mario, Frogfucius, and several [[Tadpole]]s at a beta [[Tadpole Pond]].</center>
Image: SMRPGbetaBoostersTower.png|<center>A chaotic scene in a beta [[Booster's Tower]].</center>
Image: SMRPGbetaBoostersTower2.png|<center>A [[Fishin' Lakitu]] helps [[Mario]] through [[Booster's Tower]].</center>
Image: SMRPGbetaNimbusCastle.jpg|<center>A beta version of [[King Nimbus|King]] and [[Queen Nimbus]]' castle in [[Nimbus Land]].</center>
Image: SMRPGbetaBowsersCastle.jpg|<center>Bowser directs a pair of Shy Away guardians at his castle.</center>
</gallery>

=== ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' ===

In an old Scribes page on the Rareware website there was mention of there once being a Giraffe [[Animal Buddy]] planned to appear in ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''; this Giraffe character was dropped for unknown reasons, though one of his mentioned abilities was that he would allow [[Donkey Kong]] to crawl up his neck and reach high items and secrets.

It is debated whether or not the plans for this Giraffe buddy were actually real though, as Rare could have simply been making a joke at the expense of fan who had made a rather odd request for a Giraffe to appear in an upcoming Donkey Kong game.

=== ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'' ===

Several creatures and characters who were originally going in this game were abandoned for unknown reasons. These creatures and characters included a fish enemy named Pucka, an unnamed [[Kong]] who wore a hat and a what appears to be a baby ram named Ram Bunkshus. All these unused characters were first advertised in an old issue of Nintendo Power magazine, which included pictures of them.

<gallery>
Image: Pucka.png|<center>Pucka, the unused fish enemy from ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]''.
Image: Ram Bunkshus.png|<center>Ram Bunkshus, a possible [[Animal Buddy]] dropped from the final version of ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]''.
Image: UnusedKong.png|<center>The unamed, hatted [[Kong]] dropped from the final version of ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]''.
</gallery>

=== ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'' ===

On the Rare Witch Project website once had previews of several upcoming enemies and characters for ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]''. Among these enemies was a sinister looking character (or perhaps generic enemy) simply dubbed "Mr. X". Mr. X was a white (or perhaps skeletal) [[Kremling]] wearing a large black jacket covered in army medals, he also possessed two small hooks for hands.

Mr. X is also in the German player's guide for ''Donkey Kong Country 2'', the player's guide, aside from giving nonsensical information on Mr. X ("No Person Knows it or Saw it Somewhere Already Once.") gives nothing else on this character/enemy.

<gallery>
Image: Mr. X.jpg|<center>Mr. X, an abandoned character from ''Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest''.
</gallery>

=== ''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'' ===

''[[Donkey Kong Land 2]]'' originally had the sub-title "Diddy's Kong Quest", this was later removed, probably because it would cause people to think the game was an exact port of the game it was based on, ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]''.

=== ''[[Donkey Kong Land 3]]'' ===

''[[Donkey Kong Land 3]]'' originally had the sub-title "The Race Against Time", it was later removed, presumably due to the fact that the other two installments in the ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'' series did not possess, so it would seem slightly pointless to give ''Donkey Kong Land 3'' one.

===''[[Mario's Tennis]]===
The character list in this game's coding features the name "CASSARIN", which is notable for, unlike the other characters, not having any sprites. "Cassarin" happens to be Japanese for "Catherine", which is [[Birdo]]'s Japanese name; it can therefore be assumed that Birdo was initially planned for playability in ''Mario's Tennis''.

===''[[Super Mario 64]]===
In the Beta version, it would've had a numbered health bar instead of the pointed one. Many stages and bars would be different. Thwomp would also have a scarier look and Mario would have a different [[jump]] (one that let him spin around after a triple jump in a way similar to the result of being hit by a [[Tweester]] in [[Shifting Sand Land]]). There would also be a tanish Cheep-Cheep. Mario was voiced differently (possessing a screechy, childlike voice rather than his current Italian accent), Bowser sounded more tiger-like. There was also going to be a [[Blargg]] that would appear in the [[Lethal Lava Land]] stage.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6BjjLFJBq4&mode=related&search= Source][http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HODfFcpecI&mode=related&search= Source 2 and 3][http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chFm9rcgT_0&mode=related&search= Source 4]

<gallery>
Image:SM64beta.jpg|Beta screenshot of ''Super Mario 64''.
Image:SM64_Blargg.PNG|A Blargg as it would have appeared in ''Super Mario 64''.
</gallery>

=== ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' ===

Beta-screenshots of ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' showed that [[Donkey Kong's Treehouse]] originally had a shower stall in it with a poster of [[Banjo]] and Kazooie on it. Also, the boss [[Mad Jack]] was originally known as "Junk-in-the-Box" and was also drastically different in appearance. Mad Jack/Junk-in-the-Box was also originally a mini-boss fought in the R&D Room in [[Frantic Factory]] instead of being a full boss fought at the area's end.

Also, the weapons the Kongs weilded in the early screenshots looked like real-world weapons instead of the wooded, somewhat cartoonish ones seen in the final version of the game. Donkey Kong's [[Coconut Shooter]] resembled a double-barreled shotgun while Diddy Kong's [[Peanut Popgun]]s resembled actual pistols.

<gallery>
Image: BanjoKazooieTreehouse.jpg|<center>The shower stall and Banjo and Kazooie poster originally found in [[Donkey Kong's Treehouse]] in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]''.
Image: Junk.jpg|<center>Junk-in-the-Box, what [[Mad Jack]] looked like before ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' was fully completed.
</gallery>

===''[[Paper Mario]]===
Early screenshots of this game showed that [[Poochy]] was going to play some sort of role in the game. Another screenshot showed that [[Nep-Enut]]s were going to be in this game also. Also the early version of [[Forever Forest]] showed that it would be much smaller, with all the forest's trees having sinister faces. ''Paper Mario'' was also originally going to be named ''Super Mario RPG 2'', though due to complications involving [[Square Enix]], the makers of ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'', the name was changed to ''Paper Mario''.

<gallery>
Image:SMRPG2_BetaScreenshot1.jpg|<center>''Paper Mario''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s title screen from its ''Super Mario RPG 2'' days.</center>
Image: PaperPoochy.jpg|<center>A beta-screenshot of ''[[Paper Mario]]'' with [[Poochy]] in it.</center>
Image: PaperNep-Enut.jpg|<center>A [[Nep-Enut]] as seen in a beta-screenshot of ''[[Paper Mario]]''.</center>
Image:Smrpg2.jpg|<center> An early screen shot of ''Paper Mario''. </center>
</gallery>
===''[[Yoshi's Story]]===
It seems as if [[Flower]]s were going to appear in the game, which was once called by '''Yoshi's Island 64''' [http://dhost.info/crazystuff/z64station/images/yoshi/yo02_bg.jpg Screenshot]. Also, [[Big Guy]]s were going to appear and [[Bone Dragon]]s would be purple, flesh-covered dragons rather than bony, undead ones. Finally, [[Jungle Puddle|Stage 4-2: The Jungle Puddle]] was known to be much scarier, with strange bubbles and a Bone Dragon. There was also going to be a playable [[Brown Yoshi]] and [[Purple Yoshi]]. Note that there are big rumors about unlocking Purple Yoshi in the game. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7NFp4UodwE]

<gallery>
Image: Yoshi'sIsland64.gif|<center>The logo for ''Yoshi's Island 64'', ''[[Yoshi's Story]]'s'' original name.
Image: Ys48.jpg|<center>A beta-version of a [[Bone Dragon]] from ''Yoshi's Story''.</center>
</gallery>

===''[[Mario Kart 64]]===
[[Kamek]] or a [[Magikoopa]] was going to be in this game playable, but got replaced by [[Donkey Kong]]. Also note that the Character Select Screen was going to be very different. The working title was ''Mario Kart R''.

<gallery>
Image:Mario Kart 64 Beta 01.gif|<center>The beta title screen of ''[[Mario Kart 64]]''. It was named ''Super Mario Kart R'' at this point.</center>
Image: MarioKartDriversPreRelease.jpg|<center>[[Kamek]] or a generic [[Magikoopa]] would have once been playable in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]''.</center>
</gallery>
===''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]===
The models of the characters are from ''Super Smash Bros Melee'', and Mario and Luigi are seen in this game's only known beta trailer driving separately and each having a simple, blue [[kart]]. It was originally called ''Mario Kart for Gamecube'', and it is likely that this early build of ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' was completely scrapped and redone for the final game.

<gallery>
Image:Mariokartproto01.jpg|<center>The original title for ''Mario Kart: Double Dash''.
Image:Mariokartproto02.jpg|<center>Mario and Luigi in a beta ''Mario Kart: Double Dash''.</center>
</gallery>

===''[[Super Smash Bros.]]===
Two beta [[Kirby]] stages are only playable with a GameShark. The stages have strange elements, such as invisible barriers. Finally, a working Dream Land stage can be viewed in the "How to Play" tutorial, which itself can be seen by waiting on the title screen.

===''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]===
Through an Action Replay, a large, gray stage with the background appearing to be some kind of pub, is accessible. The music is the same as used on [[Fox]] and [[Falco]]'s stage [[Corneria]]. There are also four stages, named AKANEIA, 10-2, IceTop, and Dummy, which freeze the game when opened. (It should be noted that "Akaneia" is the name of a ''Fire Emblem'' kingdom and could've therefore been a home stage for [[Marth]] and [[Roy]]; it is also worth noting that the word "dummy", when used in programming, often refers to a nonexistent item used for mere testing and that IceTop may have had some relationship to the [[Ice Climber]]s.) In addition to this, the entire Debug Menu, which was used in pre-release testing, can be used when the game is hacked, allowing for complete editing of anything in the game. Finally (and quite oddly), [[Giga Bowser]], both male and female [[Fighting Wire Frames]], [[Master Hand]], [[Crazy Hand]], and even [[Sandbag]] are all playable (to a limited extent) via the Debug Menu. Finally, early screenshots showed the [[Motion-Sensor Bomb]] to be much different; these screenshots actually showed it to be a Proximity Mine from ''[[wikipedia:Perfect Dark|Perfect Dark]]'' rather than the Motion-Sensor Bomb from "TOP SECRET" (actually ''[[wikipedia:GoldenEye 007|GoldenEye 007]]'') that appeared in the final game. A screenshot of this Proximity Mine's [[trophy]] has also been released, and this screenshot shows that (in an almost cheap manner) the text in the Proximity Mine trophy was only tampered minorly (with only a few removals of references to ''Perfect Dark'') for the final Motion-Sensor Bomb trophy. Why the ''Perfect Dark'' Proximity Mine was changed to a ''GoldenEye 007'' Motion-Sensor Bomb remains unknown to this day and is rather ridiculous, especially considering that the games from which the items originated were even made by [[Rare|the same company]], although the fact that Nintendo hides the Motion-Sensor Bomb's trophy's debuting game entry with the words "TOP SECRET" in the final game suggest that the item change may very well have had to do with copyright infringement.

<gallery>
Image: MeleeMotionSensorBeta.png|<center>''Super Smash Bros. Melee''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s mysterious beta Motion-Sensor Bomb's trophy.</center>
Image: Meleebetasel.jpg|<center>The old character-selection screen before the final version of the game. Note that [[Kirby]], Peach, [[Princess Zelda]], and [[Ice Climbers]] are missing.</center>
</gallery>

===''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]===
In ''Super Mario Sunshine'', [[Delfino Plaza]] is the main plaza of the game. However, in movies before release, it showed that there was going to be a different plaza (or possible prototype for Delfino Plaza), with a giant [[Strollin' Stu]]-like creature walking all over the place, similar to the odd banana-like creature in the test level, and many more different things. It was allegedly called a Tramplin'Stu. A [[Human]] girl was going to appear here, wearing a pink dress. It is unknown whether she was important or not or what she was doing. She may have also been a citizen. [[FLUDD]] was going to be skinnier and [[Gooper Blooper]] was going to be dark blue and fought on top of the bridges of [[Ricco Harbor]] instead of in the market and helicopter area. Additionally, Mario's health bar would simply be a sun with a number in the middle indicating his health. 
There was also going to be a brown Pokey, and they were going to have white flowers.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7Z9MzMg9vM Source]
A test level is playable through an Action Replay. There you can see Rock Blocks that were edited out, possibly in favor of Watermelons.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l4nXCxJHwsSource]

<gallery>
Image: Gooperbeta.JPG|<center>[[Gooper Blooper]]'s "beta-version", Mario's health bar, as well as FLUDD, also looks different than in the final version of ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''.</center>
Image: Tramplin' Stu.jpg|<center> A giant [[Strollin' Stu]]-like creature, cut out of ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''. Also note that there's another, different beta health bar.</center>
Image: Old FLUDD.jpg|<center> FLUDD's old, thinner design.</center>
Image: Beta.jpg|<center> An unused human citizen of Isle Delfino.</center>
Image: Old Plaza.jpg|<center> An unused plaza on Isle Delfino.</center>
</gallery>
===''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]===
[[Wario]], [[Fox McCloud]], [[Pikmin|Captain Olimar]], [[Samus]], an Excitebike Racer, and [[Link]] were going to show up in the [[Starbeans Café]] after Mario and Luigi made coffee, instead of [[E. Gadd]] (who was only scheduled to make one appearance). The [[Bean Fruit]]s were also going to be multi-colored, and a few unused items include Neon Beans, a [[Game and Watch]], and something known as the "Spiritual Bros.", which may be a [[badge]]. One of this game's more interesting Beta Elements is that the name "Sharkbone" appears alongside names for enemies found in [[Gwarhar Lagoon]] in the game's coding, and "Sharkbone" is presumed to be an alternate name for the [[????]] enemies that are actually found in the final game (these enemies actually can come in a  bony shark form, although they are also found in a living, [[Cheep-Cheep]]-like variety). Even more interestingly, a [[Nintendo Power]] guide actually referred to the ????s' undead shark forms as "Sharkbones" and their living Cheep-Cheep forms as "[[Puffer-Cheep]]s", which were actually completely different Cheep-Cheep varieties present in the final game; it is presumed that Nintendo based this naming off of beta material (and it may be worth noting that the German version of ''Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga'' replaces "Sharkbone" with "Sand-Cheep").

===''[[Mario Power Tennis]]===
In the intro of the game where [[Wario]] and [[Waluigi]] are drawing on the scorechart in the left the player can see [[Toad]] and [[Toadette]]'s heads. It is unknown if they were going to be playable and they forgot to take their faces off the scorechart.

===''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]===
This game was initially going to simply be called ''Paper Mario 2'' and feature a far different logo, one reminiscent of the original ''Paper Mario''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s logo. There were also many unused badges. See [[Badges#Unused Badges|Badges]] for information on them.

All of the [[partner]]s from ''Paper Mario'' were going to appear but were cut-off as well. [[Bow]] and [[Parakarry]] were the only ones left. There was also a strange robot creature and two palette swaps of [[Screamy]]. [[Bobbery]] also had a prototype sprite, which depicts him wearing army gear. There was also going to be a probable mini-boss called Dark Atomic Boo. Dark Atomic Boo would be a [[Dark Boo]] version of [[Atomic Boo]], and some have theorized that it may have been a more powerful Atomic Boo fought in the Dark Boo-inhabited [[Poshley Sanctum]].

Also, in the original trailer, one can see a [[HP Plus]] badge that is located on a ledge beyond a moving platform which has a wall over it in midcourse (and assumedly could be reached with the help of [[Vivian]]). None of this made it into the final game (except the area where these things are, minus the things themselves of course). The trailer also showed that [[Item Shop]]s would be labeled with Mushrooms rather than the [[Fire Flower]]s seen in the final game.  [[Red Bones]] was initially named "Red Koopa Skeleton".In the same trailer you can see that "Tornado Jump" was initially called "Hurrican Jump".

Aside from scenery, there are also two songs that were unused in the game. One sounds like a theme used for an introduction of a character, and the other sounds like a boss fight. This may mean that another character was going to be in the game but was written out of the final version like these songs.

First song: [http://www.esnips.com/doc/a0f1f2be-af83-483f-8b84-e75462cfa58e/Paper-Mario:-The-Thousand-Year-Door---Unused-Theme-1 Unknown Theme]
*It should be noted that this song is somewhat similar to the introduction of a new [[Pixl]] in ''[[Super Paper Mario]]''.

Second song: [http://www.esnips.com/doc/c822f306-73a0-4d4c-adde-8aa1984757cf/Paper-Mario:-The-Thousand-Year-Door---Unused-Theme-2 Beta Boss Theme]

<gallery>
Image:TTYDbetascreenshot.png|<center>The beta location of the [[Badge#Paper_Mario:_The_Thousand-Year_Door|HP Plus Badge]].</center>
Image: gauge.gif|<center>The bizarre, unused robot from ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''.</center>
Image:Better old bobbery.PNG|<center>A prototype sprite of [[Bobbery]].</center>
Image: Hamburger.gif|<center>An unused [[Spinia]] creature.</center>
Image: Dark Boo.PNG|<center>Dark Atomic Boo glares.</center>
Image: Dark Atomic Boo.PNG|<center>Dark Atomic Boo's "confused" pose.</center>
Image:Goombario1000yeardoor.gif|<center>[[Goombario]]'s unused sprite from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.</center>
Image:Kooper1000yeardoor.gif|<center>[[Kooper]]'s unused sprite from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.</center>
Image:Bombette1000yeardoor.gif|<center>[[Bombette]]'s unused sprite from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.</center>
Image:Watt1000yeardoor.gif|<center>[[Watt]]'s unused sprite from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.</center>
Image: Sushi1000yeardoor.gif|<center>[[Sushie]]'s unused sprite from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.</center>
Image:Lakilester1000yeardoor.gif|<center>[[Lakilester]]'s unused sprite from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.''</center>
</gallery>

===''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]===
A certain beta screenshot depicts Mario, Luigi, and their baby selves fighting two red show-clad [[Blooper]] foes in the [[Vim Factory]]. Almost nothing is known about this Blooper creature, which was unused, although the timing of the taking of the screenshot featuring them (which depicts Luigi, upon being thrust by a [[Trampoline]], stomping one) conveniently shows fans both its normal and pained poses. Another early screenshot shows the gang using a [[Mix Flower]] on two [[Boo Guy]]s in [[Hollijolli Village]], while Boo Guys were not present in this area in the final game. Finally, it may be notable that [[Baby Mario]]'s initial artwork erroneously depicted him as having red shoes rather than his normal blue ones (this mistake was eventually changed and the artwork was re-released), although his shoe coloration would appear to have always been consistent throughout all of the actual game's programming.

<gallery>
Image: UnusedBlooper.jpg|<center>The bizarre shoe-wearing Bloopers from ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]''.</center>
Image: PiTBetaBooGuyLocation.jpg|<center>Boo Guys in Hollijolli Village, where they were never seen in the final version of ''Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time''.</center>
</gallery>

===''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]===
The working title for this game was ''Super Mario 64x4''. Also, several beta screenshots were released for the game. Originally, all four characters could fight Bowser at the same time, and fly. This feature was removed, as the four characters can only fight Bowser by their own (with Yoshi utilizing hats to be able to swing Bowser).

<gallery>
Image: UnusedboxartSM64DS.jpg|<center>Unused Box art for ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''.</center>
Image: Flying.JPG|<center>All four characters flying in an early promotional screenshot.</center>
Image: All4.PNG|<center>All four fighting Bowser under the castle.</center>
Image: SM64DS_UnusedImage1.jpg|<center>Like the last image. Additionally, the status bar is at the bottom of the dual screen before the final version. The status bar also looks differently.</center>
</gallery>

===''[[Mario Kart DS]]===
This game's [[Retro Grand Prix]] was going to include a few more tracks, such as [[Mario Circuit]] from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' (which was incomplete in that it featured no Goombas or [[Piranha Plant]]s), [[Koopa Troopa Beach]] (under the name "Nokonoko Course") from ''Mario Kart 64'', and ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Block City]] battle area. There was also an mysterious "Dokan Course" stage with little theme and [[Moo Moo Farm]] music, as well as a simple, circular test area smaller than even [[Baby Park]]; both of these (and the latter one for sure) could've been debugging stages not planned for inclusion in the final game. Waluigi Pinball was also slightly different (mostly in texture and music, the latter of which was strangely from [[Yoshi Falls]]) in betas, and demo copies of the game actually showed it with quite a few object differences (such as more bumpers and a less direct launch towards the beginning). The demo version also depicted [[DK Pass]] with (perhaps more thematic for its eponymous character) a grassland theme rather than a snow one and a lone [[Thwomp]] near the finish line, as well as many other small differences mostly regarding walls and jumps. Finally, demo version guides released for stores by Nintendo depicted the [[Chain Chomp]] (which could not actually be retrieved in the demo version itself) as an item; it is presumed that this Chomp munition would work in a manner similar to that of the Chain Chomps in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'', making it likely that Chain Chomps were removed from the game in favor of [[Bullet Bill]]s (although the listing of the Chain Chomp in these beta guides may have been a simple mistake, though this is unlikely).

<gallery>
Image: MKDS_BetaImage.jpg|<center>The screenshot contains a different status bar of the rank rows. additionally, the lap is originally placed at the bottom of the dual screen.</center>
</gallery>

===''[[Super Mario Strikers]]===
Beta videos and beta screenshots showed that there would be no items in the game. Also in the beta version, [[Donkey Kong]] wouldn't hit the ball with his feet but with his fists. The costumes were very different as well and Donkey Kong would have another voice. [[Mario]]'s voice would also be different, making it possible that all characters as well had different voices.
<gallery>
Image:DKtiestrikers.jpg|Note in this picture Donkey Kong's bowtie, and [[The Palace]] stadium without audience. 
</gallery>

===''[[Super Princess Peach]]===
The [[Koopalings]] were originally going to be in the game, but were taken out for unknown reasons. All of the Koopalings' lost sprites have been discovered by now. Oddly enough, Morton's sprites were spread around the internet long before those of his siblings. Also, lost sprites of Glad and Calm Goombas have recently been discovered. In the game, only Mad and Sad variants appeared. The Glad Goomba (which was a bronze or yellow color), based on its sprite, could be able to bounce, and the Calm one (which was green and rather sickly-looking), has unknown abilities, although it is known that it would be able to sleep and therefore most likely be able to restore its [[HP]] (like most other Calm enemies). Finally, a very early screenshot shows the "Peach's face" screen, which ended up on the bottom screen, to be on the top screen and totally devoid of [[Heart Panel]]s and also having a bright green, solid background and a different design for Peach. The fact that the Heart Panels, which were used to change [[Vibe]]s in the final game, are lacking from this screenshot suggests that ''Super Princess Peach'' was once planned to not use Vibes and be a more average side-scroller.

<gallery>
Image: koopaling_3.jpg|<center> The unused Koopaling sprites from ''Super Princess Peach''.</center>
Image:Sppgladcalmgoombas.PNG|<center> The unused Glad/Calm Goomba sprites from ''Super Princess Peach''.</center>
Image:SPPbeta.jpg|<center> The Heart Panel-less screenshot of ''Super Princess Peach'', which happens to take place in [[Fury Volcano]].</center>
</gallery>

===''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]===
The working title for this game was ''Super Mario Bros. DS''. Also, during early stages of production, [[Mega Goomba]]s were going to be a generic species (the result of a [[Goomba]] colliding with a [[Super Mushroom]] and powering up) rather than an individual boss. (It is possible that other enemies were to be compatible with this situation, too, considering the giant enemies like [[Super Dry Bones]] and [[Super Piranha Plant]] that remain in the game in generic, already-large forms.) There was also said to be a [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] co-op mode at a time. Interestingly, an illustration of beta map icons still exists as a screenshot on page twelve of the final game's manual. There were originally three item reserve spots rather than one. There also was an underwater stage which also featured [[Manta Ray]] in VS. Mode.

<gallery>
Image: Whomp Attack.jpg|<center> A Giant Whomp attacking Mario and Luigi. Also note the blue box from ''Super Mario 64''.</center>
Image: The Original NSMB.jpg|<center> The original opening title of ''New Super Mario Bros.''</center>
Image: Rope Land.jpg|<center> Some type of rope land.</center>
Image: Mega Goomba.jpg|<center> The Mega Goomba species.</center>
Image: Giant Manta.jpg|<center> An unused underwater stage.</center>
Image: Double Trouble.jpg|<center> Notice the designs of the item boxes and [[Spindrift]].</center>
Image: NSMB_World2.jpg|<center> Mario and Luigi going around the level. Additionally, the bottom screen looks different.</center>
</gallery>

===''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis]]''===
The top screen looked different. It was always outside on the top screen. Also, [[Cool Kong]]s used to wear spiked helmets, had purple goggles, and were darker, along with the "C" on their ties being a "W." The sprite used for when a Mini-Mario hanged onto a Cool Kong's tie was also different, with the Mini-Mario facing forward as he did so. Hearts were also present (apparently as collectable items) for unknown reasons. [[Mini-Shy Guy]]s were dark red instead of the red-pink color used in the final game. [[Wall Jump]] bars were also originally red, being reddish-pink (much like Mini-Shy Guys) in the final game. Falling poses were the same has unactivated poses as well. Additonoally, [[Gold Mini-Mario]]s were going to appear in every level, by looking at the top screen of screenshots.

===''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]===
As stated below, ''Yoshi's Island DS'' (which was initially referred to as ''Yoshi's Island 2'') was originally going to be compatible with Nintendo Wi-Fi. Also, one early screenshot showcasing a battle with [[Big Guy the Stilted]] seems to suggest that Big Guy was once going to be organic, as he had no patches on him in that picture (although one patch was visible near his right foot, which may merely mean his graphics were slightly incomplete). Finally, one screenshot of an unknown origin shows a [[Black Yoshi]] traversing a flowery area with [[Baby Peach]]. The particular event illustrated in the picture doesn't seem to be left in the final game.

<gallery>
Image:YIDSBeta.jpg|Beta-boxart of ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]''. Notice the name (''Yoshi's Island 2'') and this boxart's Wi-Fi logo; Wi-Fi compatibility was later canned in this game.
Image: Yidscreen6.jpg|<center> A ''Yoshi's Island DS'' beta battle with Big Guy the Stilted, who lacks mechanical features here.</center>
</gallery>

===''[[Super Paper Mario]]===
An early version of the game had a different looking version of the [[Whoa Zone]] from Chapter 4, and Mario is still wearing a helmet, when he wasn't supposed to be. Also, an early screenshot shows Mario under the effects of the [[Mega Star]], but is colored very differently (giving his current colors rather than the initial ones seen in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''). Oddly, he is shown in his proper colors in the official trailer that was released at the same time. Finally, in a screenshot featuring [[Big Blooper]], there's an odd [[Pixl]] that is shaped like a ladder. It never actually appears in the final game. Also, in the same screenshot, [[Tippi]] is present, but she was kidnapped by [[Francis]] at this point in the game, and by the time she is rescued, Big Blooper cannot be fought again. Finally, the scene depicting Bowser and Peach's wedding at the beginning of the game was also slightly different in beta versions; the ceremony would appear to have once taken place in more of a room than an open area, there were no flowers decorating the columns, the rising of the [[Chaos Heart]] was surprisingly light, and [[Count Bleck]] raised his cloak up earlier than he did in the final version.

<gallery>
Image:Betawhoazone.PNG|<center> An early [[Whoa Zone]] in ''[[Super Paper Mario]]''.</center>
Image:Betaspmmegamario.jpg|<center> Mega Mario has different colors here.</center>
Image:Betapixl.PNG|<center> The mysterious "ladder [[Pixl]]".</center>
Image:Wedding.jpg|<center> Bowser and Peach's beta wedding.</center>
</gallery>

=== Wi-Fi ===
Many Mario games were originally going to have [[Nintendo Wi-Fi]]; however, it was taken out of some. ''[[Mario Hoops 3 on 3]]'' and ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]'' (known as ''Yoshi's Island 2'' back then) were the two games that were going to have Wi-fi however got it removed. Most likely the Wi-Fi in Mario Hoops was going to be, facing off in a basketball match with another internet user. It is unknown what the Wi-Fi in Yoshi's Island DS was going to be for.

=== Gallery of Beta Images ===
==== ''Diddy Kong Pilot'' ====
<gallery>
Image:DiddyKongPilot.jpg|<center>''Diddy Kong Pilot'' 's (or prototypical ''Banjo-Pilot''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s) intro screen.
Image:DiddyKongPilotSelect.gif|<center>The beta ''Banjo-Pilot''/''Diddy Kong Pilot'' character select screen. Note the hillbilly Kong.
</gallery>

====''Mario Party Advance''====
<gallery>
Image: MPA_BetaImage1.jpg|<center>An early screenshot of [[Shroom City]]. Everything looks different even the dice is replaced by the Mushroom.</center>
</gallery>

====''Mario Superstar Baseball''====
<gallery>
Image: MSB_OldLogo.jpg|<center>The old logo before the final version of the game. It's also possible that the image would be the name for the game.</center>
</gallery>

== References ==
* Tilden, Gail, ed. 1990. The making of Super Mario Bros. 3. ''Nintendo Power,'' January-February, 20-23.

[[Category: Special Pages]]