Dinosaur Planet was going to be Rare’s swan song on the Nintendo 64. However, the game was finally released in 2002 only on the Gamecube, and the title changed to Star Fox Adventures. According to many, in the porting Rare dropped some of the most interesting features, so we may never know if the Nintendo 64 version was better. Certainly much has been changed in the porting process: the main character, Saber, became Fox Mc Cloud, Crystal’s role was heavily cut (she should have been a fully playable character), and many scenes from the old Dinosaur Planet build are missing. Even more interesting are the pre-production artworks, which shown a more adult version of the characters, maybe because Saber was required to grow up during the adventure, or because there was a time traveling device like in Ocarina of Time.
For more info, check the Starfox Adventure GameCube Beta page too.
[English Translation by yota]
Thanks to Karrunaniara and Ducky Wensel for the contributions! Huge props to IOnEIFalcon for sharing more than an hour of gameplay from Dinosaur Planet’s E3 1999 / 2000 (?) demo!
Images:
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(24 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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According to an old post at Lost Levels, Rare left some Dinosaur Planet dialogue in the Starfox Adventures files. Not quite the leaked ROM Monokoma mentioned, but probably the next best thing.
That was an interesting post, but it seems that he did not got any replies about the unused files, i wonder if he found some more infos in the meantime.. on YouTube there are a couple of videos about those unused voices:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs4pG2sG9TY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffx_fAMai40
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Im_91W-6ys
Very weird seeing this…it really is exactly like Starfox Adventures but on N64. The hero even looks like Fox! Considering that this was a straight conversion from N64 to Gamecube reusing most of the visual and level designs, I’m surprised the final game looks so good graphically, as these sorts of projects often wind up with a dated look that reveals the history of their development.
Also I just found out that at one point in development Tricky had a brother named Rocky that would accompany Krystal during the first part of her adventure
Rocky? Interesting, was it named in some old interview?
I believe it was actually. Either that or in the part of the script that was released/leaked
My boss played this when it was still being developed and naturally has seen the beta cart in the N64 pod they were playing so at least one exists.
There was a cart on the e3 2000… anyone have one or know someone?
if the game was near complete means that, If one gets the demo, could get more that the demo gives….maybe??
Im goin to talk with the doc, get his time-traveling car and steal a cart 11 years before I post this
Whew… i just finished reading ALL of the comments and i really wanted to point something out:
it seems that krystal and sabre were in different areas of the planet, and the player could swap to any of them only with the “swapstone” (Not sure if that´s the name) for krystal, and his twin brother “Rocky” for sabre…
I got this file, from some webpage of krystal fans (Krystal-archive… i think). It´s basically a bunch of dialogues from star fox adventures, but it also has a LOT of Dinosaur Planet dialogues, including:
“Now, now … Don’t be scared. Krystal’s friend, Sabre, is on the other side of the planet. To complete the adventure you will have to guide both characters. To do this you must visit me, or my twin brother Rocky. Do you understand? Good, now let’s swap to Sabre.”
there was also this one:
“I wouldn’t do that. Give me the SpellStone Wait! Did the king earthwalker not tell you? If you shut down this temple how do think you are going to get back to your planet. The moment that it is placed, the power in the Communication Chamber will stop. You’ll be trapped here forever. Don’t listen to him he’s lying. You may speak the truth Scales, But I’d rather remain here and save this wonderful planet than watch you destroy it! NOOOOOOOooooooo! Close your eyes Kyte.”
Notice that Kyte was the Cloudrunner (Pterodactyl) partner of krystal.
The game Also needed the expansion Pak to work properly.
Also, this one, it´s a bit long, and i don´t even know if it´s from Dinosaur Planet or SFA (I never Played SFA… T_T).
“I can taste your fear animal It is very sweet Do not believe everything the Krazoa have told you. We Kamerians did not start the Great War. But now it is time to end it. But by defeating the Krazoa You will destroy Dinosaur Planet. Why should I, Drakor be concerned With the fate of a pitiful race of dinosaurs? I will not stop even If I must obliterate this planet and all that live here. Nothing is more important!
Even though the Dinosaurs believe in the Kamerian Dragon? They worshipped this heart as a god AAahh ..Yes, The great Kamerian Heart Though haven’t you just destroyed their God? Even If I believed that the Krazoa were an evil race, Why would the Quan Ata Lachu be asking us to complete the alignment? They talk only of peace in the universe.
You are more foolish than I thought The Quan Ata Lachu are a rare life form of pure evil Each individual spirit holds no powers But when combined they become The most deadly weapon in the Universe It will be focused through Warlock Mountain, creating the ultimate weapon of destruction
You talk of destruction and evil without once mentioning yourself My Father lies dying of wounds inflicted by you You do not understand! I understand the Krazoa have done nothing to harm us They built everything on this world Which the Dinosaurs use for peace The Quan Ata Lachu are not what you say
The alignment will finally bring peace to this Universe Your only wish is to continue the Great War The Krazoa only started the war to stop YOU from destroying us all As you wish If you will not see the truth then you must DIE!
“
Bonjour! I bring some awesome news from DeviantaART! An fan group of Dinosaur Planet found the old voice recording of the first (probably) cutscene of Dinosaur Planet (When Krystal first meet General Scales) deep between StarFox Adventures. The scene was seen in a extended trailer in E3, but the sound was cut after the two first dialogues. So we can finally heard the mysterious dialogue that where taking place between the two! Let me just say it’s not at all like the one we heard in StarFox Adventures!
http://imageshack.us/clip/my-videos/828/tl0w.mp4/
Here’s a writing of what we can heard! Sorry if it’s not completely accurate (my English is not perfect, but feel free to correct!
(GS = General Scales, Kr = Krystal and K = Kyte)
” – (GS) General Scales, ruler, tyrant and dictator of the SharpClaw tribe. And who might you be animal girl?
– (Kr) My name is Krystal and I’ve come for the princess!
(End of the dialogue we usually heard in trailers, but here it continue!)
– (GS) You seem a long way from home, Krystal. I can’t believe the wizard asked a girl to do it’s dirty work.
– (Kr) Who do you know the wizard?
– (GS) Let’s just say, we had a nice little chat. And he’s agreed to take a rest for a while. At least, until I’ve taken over the planet.
– (K) You coward Scales! My mother will send an army against you!
– (GS) Ah! Yes, princess Kyte. Your mother. Once I’ve deal with this… animal, then we’ll pay your mother a visit. (Krystal try to interfere between the two by engaging General Scales) Haha. Nice try. But you’ll have to kill me before you could save the princess. (The lighting hits General Scales because his claw/hook was stuck on the metal cage, as seen in the extended trailers.) Ahh!! ”
Voilà! We also ust bought Starfox Adventures… and my gosh it’s… erm special? Well, you really have to ignore it’s past to enjoy it haha!
Hi
I made this clip because I recognized this dialog galleon. There are many others.
I research a tool that could do a better division of voices.
I am looking for someone who had the tools to dissect GC files.
There must be data that I can not see. Perhaps part of the data is compressed using a particular method of the game developer.
You’ve made great work already Gilgamesh! Thank you ever so much and good luck for the suite! :)
Thanks to everyone for their work on finding more and more Dinosaur Planet stuff! :D
Just thought I should bring it to everyone’s attention here that I’ve made a tumblr blog for any of my findings on anything Dinosaur Planet related (though I also post some SFA-related stuff and things on other cancelled Rare games!). <:
http://fyeahdinosaurplanet.tumblr.com/
Feel free to follow if you wish. Trying to get some interesting stuff posted on there orz
Hi! I follow Dinosaur Planet very closely and this morning, this tumblr Fyeahdinosaurplanet made an uptade with a other deleted dialog.
It’s incredibly interesting because it make the time device true; in the conversation a person tell Krystal if she wants to save Sabre, she must get back into past and change the current time line.
http://fyeahdinosaurplanet.tumblr.com/post/18127406084/conversation-between-randorn-and-krystal-from
I can work out to write it out, but my English isn’t the best. ^^
Here’s the transcription of the unused dialogue! Oh my, this is so exciting! :> Though this is not a dialogue between RANDORN, because the mysterious character mentions RANDORN, that’d be surprizing RANDORN speaking in a third person manner. x) Maybe this is one of the sidekicks SABRE had to help him fight the KAMERIAN DRAGON? (Though probably not KRADOR since he’s the final boss, but I could be wrong here!) Like the dinosaur he ride with KRYSTAL in the E3 expo or a Earthwalker?
” – (?????) […] T’was the dragon. After you entered the TIME RIP, he completed his task and then unleashed the power of the ANCIEN KAMERIAN HEART — (deep, elaborate breathing) SABER had tried to stop him, but he was… destroyed.
– (Kr) SABER is dead?
– (?????) We fought our final battle here — The palace — The KRAZOA are — no more. The — dinosaures are no more… Dinosaur Planet has been destroyed. Somewhere within the remains of the palace, RANDORN left a SPELLCAGE. Find this, return to the past and stop the SPELLSTONES from ever being taken. Maybe then, this future will never happen. Find the SPELLCAGE and return to the past…
– (Kr) I must […] ”
Also, on SFA forums, theses discoveries where also found:
(Unused dialogue?)
” I Can Feel Something Strange !
Randorn… Are You There ??
Be Careful..Skeetas Everywhere !
Stay Close to a Torch!
Light Kills Them
Krystal! How Is My Son?
Sabre Is Just Glad Your Alive
When His Brother Died I blamed Myself
I Couldn’t Face Being A Father
Until I Found You My Dear Girl
He Understands Why You Left Him
He Is A Good Son
I’ve Yet To See Him To Apologise
He Has Already Forgiven You
When This Is Over You Shall Be Reunited!
What’s happening to you Randorn?
There’s not much energy left in this Mountain
I’m dying..I need food
Do You Remember How We Got Here?
Of Course I Remember…
Back On Our Own Planet We Found A
Strange Room In The Lost City..
There We Uncovered A Message From The
King EarthWalker, Begging Us To Help Him.
And Then I Entered A Wormhole
And Arrived On Dinosaur Planet
You Followed Later With Sabre
Yes, We Ended Up In A Chamber Beneath
One Of The Earthwalker Temples
Unless You Can Find A Cure For Me
I’m Not Going To Last Much Longer
But What Can We Do
There Must Be A Similiar Room Here
That Will Allow Us To Return
Either You Or Sabre Must Find It ”
(Dinosaur Planet WAS Diddy Kong Racing II at some point)
STEREO
MONO
HEADPHONES
SFX VOLUME
MUSIC VOLUME
RETURN AUDIO OPTIONS
MUSIC TEST 00
ENTER YOUR INITIALS
BEST TIME
BEST LAP
SILVER COIN
GOLD COIN
CHALLENGE
ENTER CODE
CLEAR ALL CODES
CODE LIST
MAGIC CODES
Sorry, the code was incorrect
All cheats have been deleted
MAGIC CODES LIST
ON OFF
TRY AGAIN
SELECT TRACK
RETURN TO LOBBY
SELECT CHARACTER
SAVE GHOST
QUIT LAP
TIMES OVERALL
TIME RACE
ORDER RECORD
TIMES RANKINGS
ENGLISH
CONTROLLER PAK
OPTIONS CHANGE
VEHICLE
HELP
CHALLENGES VEHICLE
SELECT CAR
HOVERCRAFT
PLANE
MAIN MENU
CHALLENGE
SELECT CAR
CHALLENGE HOVER
CHALLENGE PLANE
CHALLENGE
BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME!
EXIT
HI, I’M TT.
YOU CAN ASK ME ABOUT YOUR GAME STATUS OR SELECT MY TIME TRIAL MODE TO PRACTICE A LEVEL.
I CAN ALSO SAVE YOUR BEST GHOSTS.
PAK ERROR
TIME TRIAL ON
TIME TRIAL OFF
NO CONTROLLER PAK
CONTROLLER PAK FULL
BAD CONTROLLER PAK
TROPHY RACE STATUS
GAME A
GAME B
GAME C
NEW GAME SELECT
SELECT GAME TO COPY
CHOOSE GAME TO COPY
TO SELECT GAME
TO ERASE COPY
ERASE GHOST DATA
NO GHOSTS SAVED
ERASE GHOST CANCEL
CONTROLLER PAK 1
CONTROLLER PAK 2
CONTROLLER PAK 3
CONTROLLER PAK 4
CONTROLLER PAK ~ IS NOT PRESENT.
REPLACE PAK AND RETRY CONTAINS CORRUPT DATA.
ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IRREPARABLY DAMAGED.
REFORMAT PAK FULL.
CONTINUE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE REQUESTED FILE.
RETRY CANNOT STORE ANY MORE GHOSTS.
SORRY, BUT YOU CAN’T LOAD GAMES FOR THE SECOND ADVENTURE UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE FIRST.
PAK NOTES
DELETE NOTE ~ ?
DELETE
CANCEL
FREE PAGES: ~ NOTE
FILENAME
PAGES
MORE
GAME PAK
TIMES GHOSTS
EMPTY SLOT
VIEW GHOSTS
PLEASE WAIT
GAME ERROR
RESTART RACE
RESTART CHALLENGE
ABANDON CHALLENGE
QUIT TROPHY RACE
QUIT TROPHY RACE?
QUIT GAME
QUIT GAME?
PAUSE
OPTIONS
OK
PLAYER
SELECT NUMBER OF RACERS START
ROUND ONE
ROUND TWO
ROUND THREE
ROUND FOUR
ADVENTURE
ADVENTURE TWO
TRACKS TROPHY
CEREMONY ADVENTURE
ADVENTURE TWO
CLEAR ALL CODES?
OK
CANCEL
NO CONTROLLERS
CAUTION
Rumble Pak Detected
Insert any Controller Paks you wish to use now!
If you wish to use any Rumble Paks then please insert them now.
If you wish to use the Controller Pak the Rumble Pak insert it now!
Switch off the N64 and remove the controller pak.
SAVE OPTIONS
Please do not change Rumble Pak or Controller Pak during gameplay.
Controller Pak is required to save and load ghost data in Time Trial mode.
If Controller Pak has limited capacity, you will be unable to save ghost data.
If you wish to change Controller Pak or Rumble Pak, please do so now.
Cannot save Ghost Data
ENTER TROPHY RACE
GAME PAK BONUSES
SUBTITLES ON
SUBTITLES OFF
CORRUPT DATA.
TRY AGAIN!
(Levels and various events found)
LEVEL NOT AVAILABLE
NEW GAME
LOAD GAME
SWAPSTONE HOLLOW
SWAPSTONE CIRCLE
DARKICE MINES
DARKICE MINES TWO
WALLED CITY
DRAGON ROCK
CLOUDRUNNER FORTRESS
KRAZOA PALACE
BLACKWATER CANYON
NORTHERN WASTES
EARTHWALKER TEMPLE
WILLOW GROVE
DIAMOND BAY
DISCOVERY FALLS
MOON MOUNTAIN PASS
CAPE CLAW
GOLDEN PLAINS
TEST OF COMBAT
TEST OF STRENGTH
TEST OF FEAR
TEST OF CHARACTER
TEST OF KNOWLEDGE
TEST OF SACRIFICE
TEST OF SKILL
TEST OF MAGIC
DARKICE BOSS
GENERAL SCALES BOSS
BLACKWATER BOSS
CLOUDRUNNER RACE
KAMERIA DRAGON BOSS
DRAKOR FINAL BOSS
ICE MOUNTAIN
DESERT FORCE POINT
VOLCANO FORCE POINT
EARTHWALKER ACT TWO
ENERGY DEMO
WARLOCK ACT ONE
WARLOCK ACT TWO
WARLOCK ACT THREE
WARLOCK ACT FOUR
WARLOCK ACT FIVE
WARLOCK ACT SIX
CONTINUE SWAP TO WARLOCK
And finally a interesting bit of an interview:
” Could you tell us a little bit about the differences between Dinosaur Planet and Star Fox Adventures?
We ported DP from the N64, cut about 1/3 of the levels, and then changed the main character to make SFA. The biggest difference was that Krystal was intended to be as prominent as the male character Sabre. The game was divided equally between them. 1/2 the game was Krystal, 1/2 the game Sabre. But when it became Star Fox, all Krystal’s levels were either switched to Fox or cut. There was a beautiful level called “Discovery Falls.” I was very sad to see it go. There were originally two Swapstones “Rocky and Rubble” (not Warpstones) and you swapped between the two characters. The very earliest pitch for the game was for an adventure/racing game. Each level was intended to have a race track. You can still see this on the ice level track and the mines race track. The last project the director had worked on was “Diddy Kong Racing” so its not that surprising really. ”
Voilà! Oh god this is so fantastic! I’d really wish even more DINOSAUR PLANET came out! This would have been one heck of a game! Cheers and a big thanks for everyone that found new and interesting infos!
http://fyeahdinosaurplanet.tumblr.com/post/21040348228
Just thought I should drop this find here. Low-res scan of Nintendo’s “Guide to E3 2000” booklet, featuring renders of the Swapstone, a Sharpclaw, and a Krazoa render that was reused as a render in Star Fox Adventures.
I haven’t found a higher-res scan of this, but if anyone happens to have the booklet and can scan it, please do so and submit it to me at fyeahdinosaurplanet!
http://www.rareminion.com/dp.html
For those who haven’t seen it yet, some bloke managed to get a bunch of all-new DP media (including the leaked story and character profiles!). Anyone with any sort if interest in Dinosaur Planet should give it a look. It seems the game was MUCH different than what Star Fox Adventures was.
theres an 1 hour gameplay of the game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOVBRJToVDY&feature=my_liked_videos&list=LLGOZkiOtB6lJoMU5nMOpszA
I have added the new video! That is really awesome, maybe the E3 Demo of Dinosaur Planet could be leaked in the future? :O
Yuriofwind released this video two weeks ago, not much new information but it could be worthwhile to add. This is a very minor note of no big importance but a user called “Shaun Read” (http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/shaun-read/7/7b2/b10) posted this:
“Very well informed video, from someone who spent 5 years of his life making the bloody thing! :)”
If nothing else the research done by the community/internet have been “confirmed” by people in the know. If it’s the genuine guy, we may never know. ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfQbUWLKje0
Thanks Martin! I will add the video to the page later :)
KarrunaNiara/the artist formerly known as diablosIntellect/that bloke who runs FYeahDP here.
I’d like to point out that the hour-long footage of DP might be from an early alpha build of the game (could be from 1999, I dunno), seeing as there’s some changes from the E3 version (some of which including Sabre having Krystal’s sounds and interface, Warlock Mountain’s textures/modeling being less defined, and the Sharpclaws’ ship in Ice Mountain). Still a good deal of info noneoftheless.
From rareware.com circa 2000
Game page with screenshots/description/movies/music/wallpaper/concept art
http://web.archive.org/web/20000816192406/http://www.rareware.com/recent/games/dino/
I forgot who posted this or replied but they helped attain info of a Game Designer on the game and SFA. I happened to message him and he replied quite quickly stating this:
Me: Hello Shaun, I appreciate you taking your time to read this message. I am basically representing countless of thousands of fans across the world that wants to know one thing related to this title… Dinosaur Planet We understand how it was scrapped, the story, etc. but we’ve managed to find a person who was on the team that may answer this question that people have been wondering since like, ’03… Is there an attainable cartridge or ROM of Dinosaur Planet? Or even a file locked up somewhere. If so, can the file be dumped? Any information on top of an answer would be a blessing. I thank you for all you have done and to please have a blessed life. Thank you, -Mike Mint + 1000’s of cult fans
3:04 PM
Shaun: “Hi Mike. As I’m sure you’re aware, Dinosaur Planet was an N64 game and was only ever 30% a complete game at most. Rare archive all unreleased work so I’m sure there may be a development cartridge locked up in a cupboard somewhere. I left Rare in 2012 so obviously don’t have regular contact with the studio. Sorry I can’t be anymore help. Regards, Shaun.”
I don’t know how much this helps guys but knowing the game wasn’t even half done makes me feel at ease.
How can a game be 30% complete and still be considered late in development like it’s mentioned so many times? Still, it’s good to know, though i still want my hands on what was done…
Thanks for the effort, Mike. I got Starfox Adventures a couple of days ago, and i find the story of its beta a beautiful tragedy :/
It is likely that the game is very advanced in its development, several levels were achieved. We can have confirmation with the one hour video.
If you watch this video, you will see a CHAPTER SELECT I already compared to the long list located in the DLLS.bin file.
https://tcrf.net/images/1/17/Dino_Planet_Levels_select.jpg
But we must remain lucid, Rare used physical medias, which are the demo cartridges shown in 2000 at the E3 in Los Angeles (USA) and ECTS in London (UK).
Four levels were playable:
GALLEON BATTLE
ICE MOUNTAIN
T-REX BOSS
DARKICE MINES BOSS
Game development was on an SGI system (Silicon Graphics) between 1999 and early 2001.
Finally, I have a user page that I devoted to Star Fox Adventures Kiosk and Dinosaur Planet leftovers.
https://tcrf.net/User:Gilgamesh
Hi
That great and great work must not have been lost, someone has to have it and Dumpear the rom to share with the world. It is one of the Holy Grail of N64. Any ideas? Thank you.
No one in this world actually privately owns the prototype Cart of Dinosaur Planet expect for Rare themselfs.. and i doubt they will EVER release it.
It is possible Nintendo could convince Microsoft and Rare to let them (Nintendo) release a playable build of Dinosaur Planet on a classic console, on the Virtual Console, or through a physical means in a compilation of unreleased, unfinished, or prototype games. But, it is very unlikely Nintendo would want to do that.
There is a interesting comment on the 55 Minute video of the N64 build of Dinosaur Planet, where someone stated the game was about 90% finished right before it got cancelled.
“I was actually the lead software engineer for this game. From what I can remember, we were about 90% finished with this game before Shigeru Miyamoto requested us to make it into a Star Fox game. The sudden change was not really accepted willing by the team. Our relationship with Nintendo was a strong one with trust and respect. I’am proud that I worked on Adventures and we pushed the Gamecube’s hardware to it’s limits. I still feel bitter sweet that Star Fox Adventures got released instead of Dinosaur Planet. We were all so attached to the original project. Also it’s a shame we got bought out by Microsoft. The Rare that I worked for in the 90’s doesn’t exist anymore and the new Rare is a highly evolved form of Rare. I left the company in 2010 after my last game Kinect Sports.”
Consolemania 100
https://archive.org/stream/Consolemania-100#page/n35/mode/2up
http://michaelcawood.com/characters/starfox-sketches/
There are some concept art that isnt here.
These look more like fan art. such a drastic difference in the style compared to the original art by Nick Southam
I’ve uploaded a video with all of the voices left-over in the Kiosk build of Star Fox, many of which appear to be from when the game was still Dinosaur Planet.
http://talonbrave.info/?p=1780
https://twitter.com/forestillusion/status/1363090008916193282
A build of dino has finally released..
There’s a build over on Forest of Illusion’s Twitter.