Zelda Ocarina Of Time Cartridge Trivia
December 30, 2008 - 9:32 pm - Posted by Sean
As most of my friends know, I’m an avid collector of classic games and retro gaming systems, which is why Modern Classic Gaming came to be.
So with being a collector, over the years I’ve learned some pretty cool gaming trivia and this evening I wanted to share a little bit of that knowledge.
Tonight, I’ll be sharing some cool trivia about The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time game cartridge for the Nintendo 64.
A lot of gaming companies, like Nintendo for example, release various versions of game software. Some with bug fixes or removing elements of the game.
Below is what I’ve come to learn about the N64 version of “The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time” cartridge.
Basically there are 3 versions of the game cartridge that were released in the USA. I’m not sure about other countries.
You really want to play a version 1.0 or 1.1 of the game to appreciate the subtle differences that were edited out in version 1.2.
You inherit more glitches but Ganon bleeds red blood in version 1.0 unlike 1.1 where its red or green depending on which tunic you are wearing.
In version 1.2 Ganon’s blood is always green.
Fire temple has Muslim chanting in version 1.0 and 1.1 but it was later removed in 1.2 due to complaints.
Side note, the GameCube version removes the original symbols found on Link’s shield and various symbols throughout the game.
What the GameCube version does offer is the harder Master Quest version of the game which was one of many scrapped 64DD games.
From a collector’s standpoint, a not so well known fact is that the most uncommon Zelda Ocarina Of Time cartridge is indeed a gray cart.
To know if your gray or gold cart is a 1.0 check the code on the front of the cartridge label:
- V1.0: NUS-CZGE-USA
- V1.1: NUS-CZLE-USA
- V1.2: NUS-CZLE-USA (01)
The gold cart is actually quite common considering all pre-orders (and there were many) resulted in a gold cartridge.
Only a small amount of gray 1.0 cartridges were found in stores before 1.1 cartridges were issued by Nintendo.
However, be aware that some gold Legend Of Zelda Ocarina Of Time cartridges are version 1.1 but usually version 1.0.
So there you go, a few little fun facts and classic gaming trivia.
Remember, I know for sure that there were 3 versions of cartridge released in the USA. I’m not sure about other markets, so if you know, please comment.
I still like Majora’s Mask better. All of its cartridges were gold, as I recall, but preorders got holographic labels. (Plus it was a better game.)
So in OoT 1.1, which tunic causes which color of blood?
@Luke: I’m still on the fence with Majora’s Mask, and yes, the pre-orders do have the hologram label.
As for which tunic causes which color of blood in version 1.1, I don’t recall off the top of my head, so I’ll have to play it again and see.
Thanks for sharing this information. After checking my copy of OoT I’ve got a gray version 1.1.
There was also the exclusive Target releases and I think the Toys R Us ones. I forgot how to tell, but a chap I met a E3 a few years back that use to work for EGM, went over with me on this… when I have some time, I will email him regarding this.
One of the best games ever made, with or with out glitches LOL but I am also a sucker for little things like this… good find Sean, kudos.
@Bitmaster: It would be cool to hear what your from has to say about the game.
Speaking of EGM, I was bummed to hear that Electronic Gaming Monthly closed their doors. They will be missed for sure.
@Sean
Yeah I know, EGM has been around and finally got it together with great editors, a few I personally still follow. Sucks they will be no more, but I think 1UP.com will still be, which is a lot better IMO.
I will email my pal and hopefully he will get back to me.
BTW interesting little story, speaking of Zelda, the way Miyamoto came up with it, was, from what I heard, taking the train and looking off into the mountains and imagining what adventuring would be like… and there you have it.
I will try emailing my contact…
I’m confused. My version reads as this:
NUS-006(-01)(USA)
NUS-CZLE-USA-1
It doesn’t match any of them.
@Aaron: Sorry for the confusion. Your Zelda is version V1.2: NUS-CZLE-USA (01) on my list.
My cartridge says almost the same as Aaron’s, but is missing the last number….
NUS-006(-01)(USA)
NUS-CZLE-USA
Is mine version V1.2 as well, or an older version?
I could swear I remember the chanting in the fire temple at lest, but I could be wrong….
@Dan: Without seeing the back of your cartridge I can’t say for sure, but it does look to me from what you commented to be a version 1.1.
what about Pal?
As in England, Europe?
I have a gold cartridge which says NUS-EUR-1 and NUS-NZLP-AUS
And a grey one which says the exact same.
@RoryMyster: As for the PAL version, I honestly don’t know because I don’t have a PAL setup or cartridges to test. Maybe it’s something you can do and let me know?
@Sean: I am buying different cartridges of Zelda in PAL, so I could check on each one I buy. I was just confused as the gold was exactly the same as grey.