Proto:Cave Story

This page details one or more prototype versions of Cave Story.

This article is a work in progress. ...Well, all the articles here are, in a way. But this one moreso, and the article may contain incomplete information and editor's notes.

On November 4th 2004, Pixel opened Cave Story to public testing, releasing 16 test builds over the span of about two months.

On March 7th 2024, Twitter user ざるそば (@znsYC47Jl54LgW4) uploaded two prerelease testing builds of Cave Story after almost 20 years of storage, being contacted due to mentioning having a test version in a tweet from 2020.

On March 9th 2024, Twitter user Lemm (@LemmR) uploaded 6 more builds and 1.0.0.0.

These builds are time-locked and only start when the time is set between 2004/12/01 and 2005/01/01. Despite these being relatively close to the final release, many small changes were made to the game.

(Source: Development Room Pixel discord)

Sub-Pages

Graphic Differences The fabled "line"

Script Differences Life capsule.

0.9.0.6 (November 28, 2004)

To do: 8 songs in total are different Compare map names

General Differences

• FPS display is enabled in the top right.
• Quote is missing the sound for head bumps.
• The yes/no prompt appears instantly with no slide up animation. As soon as it appears, you can input an option, making it really easy to accidentally press yes skipping through text.
• Map system doesn't show map name at the top.
• Invincibility isn't reset when opening the inventory.
• The dark blue background seen in many maps is a solid black color.
• The title screen background is also solid black.
• Weapon swap is in reverse order. The final game (since 0.9.1.5) adds an option to revert back to this old behavior by making s_reverse file in the game directory.

Map Changes

• The vines that block the enemies in Grasstown are missing.
• There is an extra block next to where the clock room is in the Outer Wall.

Sand Zone Warehouse cutscene

In the cutscene, Quote stands there and watches everyone die, even getting bumped out of the way by King. This would be changed in 0.9.1.4 to have Quote only show up at the end.

Iron Bond

The Iron Bond is missing from the game. In its place is probably an unfinished version, that sort of looks like a necklace or pendant. It is not centered and is touching the edges, so it may be a larger sprite/sketch that was cut off.

Curly does not give you the Iron Bond, so her dialogue is a bit different, but you still need to talk to her again to unlock the Prefab door.

0.9.0.6	0.9.0.8

Nikumaru/290 Counter

The 290 Counter is missing from the game, along with many of its code/assets and the special title screen songs it unlocks. In its place is a duplicate life capsule item, it does not seem to have any use. The clock room where it is found is missing, but its entrance exists in the outer wall.

0.9.0.6	0.9.0.9

0.9.0.6	English/Note	1.0.0.0	English (AGTP)
ライフカプセル	Life Capsule	にくまるカウンター	Nikumaru Counter
ライフカプセル。	Life capsule.	全自動のストップウォッチ。 ボタンは見当たらない。	A fully automatic stopwatch. You can't see any buttons.

Music

Game Over (GAMEOVER.org)

0.9.0.6	0.9.1.2

Part of the intro leading into the main tune is missing.

Got Item! (FANFALE1.org)

0.9.0.6	0.9.0.8

The older version is pitched lower, like several other pre-reset tracks.

Cave Story (CURLY.org)

0.9.0.6	1.0.0.0

A harsh sound effect is present across the entire track that was removed from the final release.

Seal Chamber (BALLOS.org)

0.9.0.6	0.9.0.7

The lead instrument is pitched 1 octave higher and was smartly lowered for the final release.

Cemetery (CEMETERY.org)

0.9.0.6	0.9.0.8

One instrument is changed to stand out more and is pitched an octave lower (sounds relatively the same) in the final release.

Mimiga Town (MURA.org)

In 0.9.0.6 in the 19th measure the volume of 3 notes is less than in 0.9.0.8 and later.

0.9.0.8 (December 5, 2004)

General Differences

• FPS display was removed from the top right.
• Added the sound for Quote's head bumps.
• The yes/no prompt animation was added.
• Map system shows map name at the top.
• Added dark blue background to some maps.
• Added the Iron Bond.

0.9.0.9 (December 7, 2004)

• Added Ballos's joke sprite. This is removed the next day in version 0.9.1.0.
• Added the Clock Room and 290 Counter in reference to the 290th post on the Shitaraba BBS thread.

0.9.1.1 (December 11, 2004)

• Invincibility is reset when opening the inventory.
• The statues in Hell now turn into characters when destroyed.

0.9.1.2 (December 15, 2004)

• The title screen's color was changed to the grayish one we know and love.

0.9.1.5 (December 19, 2004)

• Weapon swap order is changed to the final's.