Dinosaur Planet (found build of cancelled Nintendo 64 action-adventure game; 1999-2000)

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Dinosaur Planet.JPG

Original artwork and logo of the game.

Status: Found

Date found: 20 Feb 2021

Found by: Forest of Illusion

Dinosaur Planet was planned to be Rare Software's last game for the Nintendo 64.[1]

It was available in a mostly playable form in E3 1999 or 2000 (the exact date is unknown), which showed off huge levels and varied combat options.

Premise

From what was shown of the game, it was an action-based 3D platformer that took a more realistic route with its graphics, set in a world that appeared to be mostly inhabited by dinosaurs.

Gameplay focused on two separate characters: Saber and Krystal. Both were fully playable, appeared to have sidekicks or helpers, and specialized attacks.

Retool

In 2002, after the Nintendo GameCube was released and the game had to be ported over to the new console, it was changed to Star Fox Adventures, and suffered heavy changes in content.[2]

Saber was changed to Fox McCloud, Krystal was heavily demoted (and infamously changed into a "damsel in distress" role), entire scenes were removed, and the final boss fight was also cut, but the information within the game's files reveal some of what was planned.

The final game was well-received by critics but received mixed reviews from fans of the Star Fox franchise; the game received praise for its detailed visuals and its Legend of Zelda-inspired gameplay, but there were common criticisms including the lack of the franchise's famed shoot'em up gameplay and its weak voice acting.[3]

From what is known of the Nintendo 64 version, it had high-quality graphics for the time and decent sound effects (it's possible many heard are placeholders).

Availability

On February 20th 2021, Forest of Illusion announced that a build of Dinosaur Planet was released to the public. The leak was possible thanks to the purchase of a CD-ROM with the game in it, from a Swedish video game collector. The build is dated December 1st 2000, meaning that is a late version of the game, shortly prior to its revamp into Star Fox Adventures.[4]

Gallery

One hour of gameplay.

Gameplay video of the December 1st 2000 build.

External Link

References