This is a list of beta elements for the game New Super Mario Bros..
Development
New Super Mario Bros. was designed as a successor to the Super Mario Advance series; Hiroyuki Kimura decided that an original 2D platformer for the conveniently-released Nintendo DS would take the place of a prospective "fifth" entry of the series.[1]
Early builds
During early stages of production, Mega Goombas 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. There was also supposed to be a Mario and Luigi co-op mode at one time, which is now available in the direct sequel of the game. An illustration of early 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. Spindrift was also supposed to be in the game, but got replaced by the blue spinning platforms in World 1-3 and other levels.
As seen in an image, it was possible to obtain the Blue Shell by first defeating a Blue Koopa Troopa. Then when the player Ground Pounded on the shell, the player got in the shell and became Shell Mario. The idea was removed from the Story Mode in the final game, but it survives in Vs. Mode, although the player no longer had to Ground Pound the shell. The advertisement showing the Vs. mode revealed some levels that were not available on the final release, including a desert stage, an underwater stage and a few others. The Mega Mushroom was originally just a Super Mushroom from Super Mario 64 DS. Later, it was red with white spots instead of yellow with red spots.
During the near-final state when screens were shown in Nintendo Power, there were some very slight differences in level design, etc. A screenshot at this stage suggests that World 3-B, a sky level, was originally intended to be a desert level.[2] The coin sprites were different and the music wasn't at its final state (the vocals "ba-baa" were originally an orchestra-like "hit" similar to one made by a MIDI keyboard). The Desert overworld was shown in a video from E3 2006 (before the other songs were known), and the main song was completed but did not have vocals; therefore, the enemies did not dance. Additionally, the game did not pause as Mario transformed after obtaining a powerup. In addition, the theme that was used in the beta was slower than in the final. It was possible to kick and punch in the game, but it was removed because of the way Mega Mario moves in the game. Mario was also meant to sideflip. Mega Mario was also able to run, and was given a point counter.
Unused data
There is also data to support a single player snowball throwing mini-game, that was possibly scrapped due to the DS's inability to support sophisticated enough AI. Also, as seen in video footage, the way the enemies are defeated is different.
There is an unused E3 ring object called "obj_e3_ring.nsbmd" in the final ROM. There is also a file called "obj_e3_ring.nsbtp" This ring looks similar to those found in early versions of the game.[3]
In the map directory, there are eight 3D models that are based of the 8 world themes in the game. However, World 4 and 6 do not display forest and mountain themes, respectively, but rather World 4 is named "ancient" with an island with a volcano in its graphic. World 6 is named "machine" and its graphic seems to be a placeholder. This implies that the world themes were much different in the early builds.
There is an unused fauna-like image named "Junglekusa" hidden in the game. It is sprite number 255, and is not a default sprite (like Goombas or Koopa Troopas), and also has a "Swimmable" nybble.
Gallery
- The Original NSMB.jpg
The original opening title of New Super Mario Bros.
- Beta3 NSMB.jpg
A Giant Whomp attacking Mario and Luigi. Also note the blue box from Super Mario 64, but instead of giving out a Vanish Cap, it gives out coins just like the yellow boxes that are also from Super Mario 64.
- Beta4 NSMB.jpg
Some type of rope land.
The Mega Goomba species.
- Beta2 NSMB.jpg
An unused underwater stage with a Manta Ray.
- Beta9 NSMB.jpg
Notice the designs of the item boxes and Spindrift.
- BetaNSMBMarioandluigionshrooms.jpg
Mario and Luigi in an unknown world with mushrooms.
Mario in some type of mushroom land doing an unknown jumping pose.
Mario and Luigi going around the level. Additionally, the bottom screen looks different.
The original World 4 castle. Note that the bottom screen says Fortress.
An unused spook-themed level.
The early map icons from page twelve of the final game's manual.
- Beta1 NSMB.jpg
An unused desert that remains in the game's code.
- Beta8 NSMB.jpg
An early Mega Goomba boss battle.
- Beta10 NSMB.jpg
The brothers in an unused castle level with more simple-looking lava.
- Beta5 NSMB.jpg
An unused secret area with many objects not seen in the final game.
- Beta6 NSMB.jpg
A World 8 style level with Raining Debris falling from the sky. It is actually similar to World 8-1 of New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
- Beta7 NSMB.jpg
A water level similar to the final game but with a more colourful background.
- Betansmb2.jpg
- Betansmb4.jpg
- Betansmb1.jpg
Beta screenshot of Level 8-4, note the grass.
- CheepCheep.jpg
An early placement of the coin count and timer.
