consider this a loose sequel to the Stop n Swop thread.
completely out of nowhere, especially considering the expectation was that it would have just been the N64 version emulated like most other titles released for the Evercade (specifically this is a standalone handheld with built-in titles).
they added an unlockable sound test to this build, accessible through 100% completion. which contains over 21 beta tracks.
some of this stuff has been released before by Grant Kirkhope, both on his personal website (mainly Project Dream tracks) and a standalone album that was on Bandcamp for a few years.
though there is still some interesting context to gleam from how they're listed here, the track "Babe" from Project Dream might have actually been intended for a beach area for example.
but it's the completely new stuff that's a massive deal. the themes for the unused Mine & "Fantasy Level" are exactly what you'd expect. early versions of Glitter Gulch Mine and Cloud Cuckooland from Tooie. matching with the concept art Gregg Mayles shared a while back.
but the lava level is probably the most unexpected, it had been rumoured for years because a mention of it was mistakenly left in the final game. Gobi the camel claims he's traveling there after you get his last Jiggy.
obviously it went on to become Hailfire Peaks. but the theme for the level is decidedly not that.
evolving into Fungi Forest from Donkey Kong 64 of all things. a carnival level was also being considered in the vein of Witchyworld, but it's original theme is a far cry from the cynical & shady dump that appeared in Tooie.
in terms of other unused stuff returning. the "Exit to Witch's Lair" option which was inexplicably disabled late enough in development to appear in the manual is back.
and the Stop'n'Swop items are officially accessible as another 100% completion reward, but it remains to be seen if they'll actually do anything in Tooie (it's coming as part of a separate double pack being released on cartridge) this time around.
completely out of nowhere, especially considering the expectation was that it would have just been the N64 version emulated like most other titles released for the Evercade (specifically this is a standalone handheld with built-in titles).
they added an unlockable sound test to this build, accessible through 100% completion. which contains over 21 beta tracks.
some of this stuff has been released before by Grant Kirkhope, both on his personal website (mainly Project Dream tracks) and a standalone album that was on Bandcamp for a few years.
though there is still some interesting context to gleam from how they're listed here, the track "Babe" from Project Dream might have actually been intended for a beach area for example.
but it's the completely new stuff that's a massive deal. the themes for the unused Mine & "Fantasy Level" are exactly what you'd expect. early versions of Glitter Gulch Mine and Cloud Cuckooland from Tooie. matching with the concept art Gregg Mayles shared a while back.
but the lava level is probably the most unexpected, it had been rumoured for years because a mention of it was mistakenly left in the final game. Gobi the camel claims he's traveling there after you get his last Jiggy.
obviously it went on to become Hailfire Peaks. but the theme for the level is decidedly not that.
evolving into Fungi Forest from Donkey Kong 64 of all things. a carnival level was also being considered in the vein of Witchyworld, but it's original theme is a far cry from the cynical & shady dump that appeared in Tooie.
in terms of other unused stuff returning. the "Exit to Witch's Lair" option which was inexplicably disabled late enough in development to appear in the manual is back.
and the Stop'n'Swop items are officially accessible as another 100% completion reward, but it remains to be seen if they'll actually do anything in Tooie (it's coming as part of a separate double pack being released on cartridge) this time around.
