When a console reaches the end of its commercial cycle and stops being produced, finding one in good condition can be challenging. Many players turn to online stores and secondhand markets, hoping to find the retro platform they want. In this case, a fortunate fan got quite a surprise when they bought a used Nintendo DS.
When talking about the most influential video games of the last decade, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild from 2017 is certainly up there. Thanks to its unique mechanics that offer an incredible sense of freedom, it became one of the best open-world games of its kind.
While the game launched on Wii U and Nintendo Switch, it’s naturally impossible for it to run on Nintendo’s older consoles. Still, a player found it preloaded on a Nintendo DS they purchased online. How is this possible?
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A Nintendo DS with an Unofficial Breath of the Wild Version Sold on AliExpress
This unusual story went viral when someone shared it on social media after buying the handheld console from AliExpress, an online marketplace. Interestingly, the DS’s flash memory included an unofficial demake of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
This version of the open-world game recreates the Hyrule map but doesn’t include enemies or objectives. Essentially, it’s a walking simulator where Link simply roams the landscape. The original story was shared on Reddit a few weeks ago and gained traction after media coverage.
Many questions remain unanswered, such as the original owner’s identity and how the demake of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ended up on the DS. However, it’s worth noting that this unofficial project has existed since 2019.
Amid the speculation, a user named Ermelber, one of the creators of this unique version, responded to the discovery. He explained that the ROM was an old project he worked on with friends, which eventually leaked online.
“It’s funny to see people speculating about this as if it’s some mysterious developer’s dark piece when it was just something we made years ago.”
Ermelber clarified that his role in the demake of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was minimal and primarily involved animating Link. He further explained that a friend created the impressive terrain engine.
What do you think of this story? Have you ever found something unexpected when buying a console online? Let us know in the comments.
For more information on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, follow this link. Or, check out this page for more news on the Nintendo DS.
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