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| ''Also see [[Donkey Kong Beta Elements]]''. | | [[File:Beta Wendys Castle Room.png|thumb|A room in an early version of [[6 Wendy's Castle|#6 Wendy's Castle]] from ''[[Super Mario World]]'' (top), and the room that appears in the final game (bottom)]] |
| | '''Pre-release and unused content''' are components of a video game that, for whatever reason, are removed or altered before the game is released. Knowledge about pre-release elements usually comes from information released about a game by its creators before the game is complete or from data found within a game that is not used in the final product but may have been intended to be used at some point during development. |
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| 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'''.
| | Pre-release and unused content definitions: |
| | * '''Prototype (version) / early version / Pre(-)release (version)''' = A non-final version of a game or part of a game. Pre(-)release (version) is sometimes used to specifically mean an early version that is seen in pre-release materials. |
| | * '''Pre(-)release material''' = Screenshots, videos, interviews, etc. depicting or describing a prototype version of the game or the game's development history. |
| | * '''Unused''' = Describes content that is in the game data, but not used. |
| | * '''Cut/scrapped''' = Describes content that was in a prototype version, but is absent in later builds. Also describes content that was planned to be or suggested to be in the game, but was never actually implemented. |
| | * '''Beta''' = A near-final version of a game or other software that is used to test for bugs before the final release. |
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| == Beta Elements==
| | Pre-release elements should not be confused with [[List of unreleased media|unreleased media]], entire games which never see release. |
| Here is a list of Beta Elements appearing in [[Mario]] [[games]]:
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| === ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' ===
| | To some extent, this can apply to television shows and movies. For example, there were some [[List of Super Mario Bros. (film) deleted scenes|early depictions of characters and deleted scenes]] found for the [[Super Mario Bros. (film)|''Super Mario Bros.'' film]], which can be often found in the special features section of DVD and Blu-ray releases. |
| 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).
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| [[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.''.
| | The full list of pre-release and unused content can be found [[:Category:Pre-release and unused content|here]]. |
| | | {{Pre-release and unused content}} |
| 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.
| | [[Category:Pre-release and unused content|*]] |
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| === ''[[Super Mario World]]'' ===
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| [[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.
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| [[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.
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| === ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' ===
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| 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.
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| === ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' ===
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| 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.
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| 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]]' 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.
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| 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]
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| === ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' ===
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| 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) and Bowser sounded more tiger-like.[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]
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| ===''[[Paper Mario]]''===
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| 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.
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| === ''[[Yoshi's Story]]'' ===
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| 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, [[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]]. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7NFp4UodwE]
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| === ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' ===
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| [[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.
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| === ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' ===
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| Two beta [[Kirby]] stages are only playable with a GameShark. The stages have strange elements, such as invisible barriers.
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| === ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' ===
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| 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.
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| === ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' ===
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| 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, and many more different things. 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. Also [[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. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7Z9MzMg9vM Source]
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| === ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'' ===
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| [[Wario]], [[Fox McCloud]], [[Pikmin|Captain Olimar]], [[Samus]], an Excitebike Racer, and [[Link]] were going to show up in the [[Starbeans Cafe]] after Mario and Luigi made coffee, instead of [[E. Gadd]] (who ''was'' going to make an appearance, but only one).
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| === ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]'' ===
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| 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.
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| === ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' ===
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| There were many unused badges. See [[Badges#Unused Badges|Badges]] for information on them.
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| 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-like creature and two pallette 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 be a more powerful Atomic Boo fought in the Dark Boo-inhabited [[Poshley Sanctum]].
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| === ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'' ===
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| In this game, there were going to be some [[Blooper]] enemies appearing in the [[Vim Factory]] wearing red shoes. While the screenshot only showed [[Luigi]] attacking one, it isn't known what their attacks were.
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| === ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'' ===
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| 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 utilising hats to be able to swing Bowser).
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| === ''[[Super Princess Peach]]'' ===
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| 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 are recently 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]].
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| === ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' ===
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| 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 also was an underwater stage which also featured [[Manta Ray]] in VS. Mode.
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| === ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]'' ===
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| As stated below, ''Yoshi's Island DS'' 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.
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| === Wi-Fi ===
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| 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.
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| === Gallery of Beta Images ===
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| <gallery>
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| Image: koop.gif|<center>A Koopa Troopa hosting an item mini-game in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''.</center>
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| Image: hammer.gif|<center>A Hammer Bro. hosting a card mini-game in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''.</center>
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| Image: toad.gif|<center>''Super Mario Bros. 3''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "Toad Suit" as it appears in the game's programming.</center>
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| Image: BeatDinosaurLand.jpg|<center>A beta screenshot of [[Dinosaur Land]] from ''[[Super Mario World]]''.</center>
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| Image:BetaDinosaurLand2.jpg|<center>Another screenshot of the beta-version of [[Dinosaur Land]].</center>
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| Image: YoshiPlane.gif|<center>The "Yoshi Plane", a canceled transformation from ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''.
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| Image: YoshiShroom.gif|<center>The "Yoshi Mushroom", another canceled transformation from ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''.
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| Image: YoshiTree.gif|<center>The "Yoshi Tree"", another canceled transformation from ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''.
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| Image: Drill Bit.png|<center>The [[Drill Bit]] of ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' fame.</center>
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| Image: SMRPGbetaChancellor.jpg|<center>A bearded [[Chancellor]] in the ''Super Mario RPG'' beta.</center>
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| Image: BuzzerMushroomWay.png|<center>A [[Buzzer]] in [[Mushroom Way]].</center>
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| Image: SMRPGbetaTadpolePond.jpg|<center>[[Mario]], [[Frogfucius]], and several [[Tadpole]]s at a beta [[Tadpole Pond]].</center>
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| Image: SMRPGbetaBoostersTower.png|<center>A chaotic scene in a beta [[Booster's Tower]].</center>
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| Image: SMRPGbetaBoostersTower2.png|<center>A [[Fishin' Lakitu]] helps [[Mario]] through [[Booster's Tower]].</center>
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| Image: SMRPGbetaNimbusCastle.jpg|<center>A beta version of [[King and Queen Nimbus]]' castle in [[Nimbus Land]].</center>
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| Image: SMRPGbetaBowsersCastle.jpg|<center>[[Bowser]] directs a pair of [[Shy Away]] guardians at [[Bowser's Keep|his castle]].</center>
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| Image: MarioKartDriversPreRelease.jpg|<center>The [[Magikoopa]] that would have once been playable in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]''.</center>
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| Image: Yoshi'sIsland64.gif|<center>The logo for ''Yoshi's Island 64'', ''[[Yoshi's Story]]'s'' original name.
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| Image: Ys48.jpg|<center>A beta-version of a [[Bone Dragon]] from ''Yoshi's Story''.</center>
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| Image: PaperPoochy.jpg|<center>A beta-screenshot of ''[[Paper Mario]]'' with [[Poochy]] in it.</center>
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| Image: PaperNep-Enut.jpg|<center>A [[Nep-Enut]] as seen in a beta-screenshot of ''[[Paper Mario]]''.</center>
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| 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>
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| 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>
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| Image: Old FLUDD.jpg|<center> FLUDD's old, thinner design.</center>
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| Image: Beta.jpg|<center> An unused human citizen of Isle Delfino.</center>
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| Image: Old Plaza.jpg|<center> An unused plaza on Isle Delfino.</center>
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| Image: gauge.gif|<center>The bizarre, unused gauge-robot from ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''.</center>
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| Image: Bobombdummy.gif|<center>A prototype sprite of Bobbery.</center>
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| Image: Hamburger.gif|<center>An unused [[Spinia]] creature.</center>
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| Image: Dark Boo.PNG|<center>Dark Atomic Boo glares.</center>
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| Image: Dark Atomic Boo.PNG|<center>Dark Atomic Boo's "confused" pose.</center>
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| Image:Goombario1000yeardoor.gif|<center>[[Goombario]]'s unused sprite from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.</center>
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| Image:Kooper1000yeardoor.gif|<center>[[Kooper]]'s unused sprite from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.</center>
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| Image:Bombette1000yeardoor.gif|<center>Bombette's unused sprite from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.</center>
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| Image:Watt1000yeardoor.gif|<center>[[Watt]]'s unused sprite from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.</center>
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| Image: Sushi1000yeardoor.gif|<center>[[Sushie]]'s unused sprite from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''.</center>
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| Image:Lakilester1000yeardoor.gif|<center>[[Lakilester]]'s unused sprite from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.''</center>
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| Image: UnusedboxartSM64DS.jpg|<center>Unused Box art for ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''.</center>
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| Image: Flying.JPG|<center>All four characters flying in an early promotional screenshot.</center>
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| Image: All4.PNG|<center>All four fighting Bowser under the castle.</center>
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| Image: UnusedBlooper.jpg|<center>The bizarre shoe-wearing Bloopers from ''[[Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time]]''.</center>
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| Image: Whomp Attack.jpg|<center> A Giant Whomp attacking Mario and Luigi. Also note the blue box from ''Super Mario 64''.</center>
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| Image: The Original NSMB.jpg|<center> The Original opening title of ''New Super Mario Bros.''</center>
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| Image: Rope Land.jpg|<center> Some type of rope land.</center>
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| Image: Mega Goomba.jpg|<center> The Mega Goomba species.</center>
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| Image: Giant Manta.jpg|<center> An unused underwater stage.</center>
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| Image: koopaling_3.jpg|<center> The unused Koopaling sprites from ''Super Princess Peach''.</center>
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| Image:Sppgladcalmgoombas.PNG|<center> The unused Glad/Calm Goomba sprites from ''Super Princess Peach''.</center>
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| Image: Double Trouble.jpg|<center> Notice the designs of the item boxes and [[Spindrift]].</center>
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| Image: Yidscreen6.jpg|<center> A ''Yoshi's Island DS'' beta battle with Big Guy the Stilted, who lacks mechanical features here.</center>
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| </gallery>
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| == References ==
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| * Tilden, Gail, ed. 1990. The making of Super Mario Bros. 3. ''Nintendo Power,'' January-February, 20-23. | |
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| [[Category: Special Pages]]
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