Very Beginning
Filename: FightWithKnight1.gif
Size: 19 KB
Source: Zelda Headquarters
Comments: The very first screenshot of Zelda 64 ever released!
The graphics engine is still pretty much Mario-esque, of course, but this
image was released back in 1995 anyway, so it's easy to understand why!
In this and the following nine images, we see Link and a metallic knight
fight against each other. Link looks nothing like he does in the
screenshots below, which goes to show its age.
Filename: FightWithKnight2.gif
Size: 19 KB
Source: Zelda Headquarters
Comments: Hey, Link! Note his shield and sword have the
same metallic texture. Another piece of evidence as to its age.
Filename: FightWithKnight3.gif
Size: 21 KB
Source: Zelda Headquarters
Comments: Nice spark!
Filename: FightWithKnight4.gif
Size: 15 KB
Source: Zelda Headquarters
Comments: The knight has a rather awkward stance, doesn't he?
Filename: FightWithKnight5.gif
Size: 20 KB
Source: Zelda Headquarters
Comments: Personally, I'm glad they changed his hair from brown
to blond. I don't know why.
Filename: FightWithKnight6.gif
Size: 17 KB
Source: Zelda Headquarters
Comments: What the heck is the knight doing?
Filename: FightWithKnight7.gif
Size: 22 KB
Source: Zelda Headquarters
Comments: Face-off.
Filename: FightWithKnight8.gif
Size: 18 KB
Source: Zelda Headquarters
Comments: That's certainly one strange-looking knight.
Filename: FightWithKnight9.gif
Size: 16 KB
Source: Zelda Headquarters
Comments: Link again.
Filename: FightWithKnight10.jpg
Size: 21 KB
Source: Zelda Headquarters
Comments: I think this is from the knight's point-of-view.
Filename: Goobers!.jpg
Size: 21 KB
Source: N64.COM
Comments: A very early screenshot. This is most likely
a small arena where the programmers and graphic artists tested out different
routines that made Link perform actions, make Navi's wings flutter as she
moved, and make the goobers (I love that word!) "sense" for Link.
They probably tested the battle system here, too.
Filename: LinkInADesolateForest.jpg
Size: 18 KB
Source: Nintendo Power Source
Comments: You can just barely see the poe on the right,
about an inch (our inch) from Link, assuming your in 800x600 mode.
Nothing pretty new here. One thing I forgot to point out: the rupees
Link has are fixed obviously by the programmer to 123. No stores
or use of rupees would have been made at this time, so the only reason
they would have a rupee counter would be to test the "reward" system, where
you get rupees from creatures you slay. Not a big point, but something
to point out.
Filename: ASneakyPoe.jpg
Size: 21 KB
Source: Nintendo Power Source
Comments: All of it is primitive. The Trees are probably
rotating 2-D planes that always face the camera (gives the illusion of
3-D, like the trees in Mario 64). Link's face is distorted in this
picture, so it's hard to tell how different the facial expressions are.
The Triforce/Piece of Courage shield is evident, and the sword is, of course,
unknown. The poe is very primitive, though the lamp is pretty
good. The shadow routine uses the feet teardrop shadows for Link
and a circle for the poe.
Filename: ReallyOldPicture.jpg
Size: 21 KB
Source: Nintendo Power Source
Comments: Same arena as above, except now I take back what I
said about the trees. If you look, you can clearly see that the roots
are 3-D, so the trees are not made the same way as they are in Mario 64.
Here, the A and B buttons make the bow, so they wanted the bow to be useful
but limiting. The poe is the same one as above.
Filename: WithTheBow.jpg
Size: 24 KB
Source: N64.COM
Comments: So the bow doesn't switch to first-person perspective
when you don't have a lock... or at least, that's how it was when this
shot was taken.
If you have any other screenshots that would fit under this section,
please e-mail it or the location of the screenshot to the webmaster.