Honestly, if you've ever spent hours scouring eBay or local retro shops for Nintendo 64 gems, you've probably run into a wall of confusion regarding region codes and version numbers. It’s a mess. But among the sea of grey cartridges, the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Collector's Edition PLZE01 stands out as something a bit different, especially for collectors in the PAL regions like Australia and parts of Europe. Most people just see a gold cartridge and think "shiny." Collectors, though? They're looking for that specific PLZE01 code.
It’s weird.
We usually think of the "definitive" version of Ocarina of Time as the original NTSC 1.0 release—the one with the fire temple chants and the crescent moon on the mirror shield. But the PLZE01 variant represents a specific slice of history for the PAL market. It wasn't just about the gold plastic. It was about how Nintendo handled the transition from the first wave of hype to the long-term retail life of what many consider the greatest game ever made.
What’s the Deal with the PLZE01 Code Anyway?
You’ve got to understand how Nintendo coded their stuff back then. The "PL" usually denotes the Australian region (PAL-AUS), while "ZE" is the game ID for Zelda. The "01" is the kicker. That's the revision. While the NTSC (North American and Japanese) markets had version 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2, the PAL regions had their own staggered rollout.
Most PAL gold cartridges are version 1.0. They have the original, uncensored content.
However, the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Collector's Edition PLZE01 is effectively the "v1.1" of the PAL world. If you find one, you're holding a version that fixed a few minor bugs but, more importantly, started the transition toward the "censored" versions we saw later on the GameCube and Virtual Console. It’s a transitional fossil. It’s the middle child of the N64 Zelda family.
The Gold Plastic Curse
Let's talk about the physical cart. It's beautiful. It's also terrifyingly fragile.
Collectors call it "Gold Plastic Syndrome." Over time, the pigments used in the gold-colored resin for these N64 shells can make the plastic more brittle than the standard grey stuff. If you drop a standard grey Zelda cart, it might scuff. If you drop a Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Collector's Edition PLZE01, there's a non-zero chance the screw posts inside just... shatter.
I’ve seen it happen. It’s heartbreaking.
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Why Australia Got the Best Version
Interestingly, the Australian "Gold" edition was often bundled or sold as a pre-order incentive, much like the US version. But because the Australian market was smaller, the print runs were tighter. Finding a PLZE01 in mint condition with a box that hasn't been crushed by thirty years of humidity is like finding a needle in a haystack made of needles.
The box for this version is distinct. It features that classic gold foil that catches the light and makes every other game on your shelf look dull. But because it’s a PAL release, it has that specific "AUS" or "PAL" branding that sets it apart from the more common US gold carts.
Technical Quirks and the 50Hz Struggle
Playing the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Collector's Edition PLZE01 today is a trip. If you’re playing on original hardware, you’re dealing with the 50Hz PAL signal.
For the uninitiated: PAL games ran about 16.7% slower than their NTSC counterparts. Link runs slower. The music is slightly lower in pitch. The "Great Hyrule Field" theme feels just a bit more lethargic.
- The NTSC version runs at 20fps (mostly).
- The PAL version runs at 16.7fps.
It sounds unplayable by modern standards. But for those of us who grew up in PAL territories, that was the game. That was the speed of Hyrule. The PLZE01 revision didn't fix the speed—that was a hardware limitation—but it did ensure the game was more stable. It’s the most "polished" version of the original N64 experience for PAL gamers before Nintendo started hacking out the religious symbols and the red blood.
The Censorship Question
This is where things get nerdy. Really nerdy.
In the very first NTSC 1.0 and PAL 1.0 versions, the Fire Temple music featured a sample of an Islamic chant. Nintendo, wanting to avoid controversy, pulled it in later versions. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Collector's Edition PLZE01 sits right on the edge of these changes. Depending on the specific factory run, some 1.1 versions kept the chant while others moved toward the synthesized choir.
The same goes for the blood. In the original fight with Ganon, he coughs up bright red blood. By the time version 1.2 rolled around (which corresponds to later grey carts), that blood was changed to green.
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Owning the PLZE01 is essentially owning the "Director's Cut" that was midway through being edited by the studio. It’s a piece of software in flux.
Is It Actually Worth the Money?
Value is subjective, but in the retro market, "rare" usually beats "better."
A standard grey cart might cost you $50. A gold Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Collector's Edition PLZE01 in a decent box? You’re looking at several hundred, potentially pushing toward a thousand if it’s "CIB" (Complete in Box) and the gold foil isn't peeling.
The market for Australian PAL exclusives has exploded lately. People realized that because the population was so much lower in the 90s, fewer of these were printed compared to the millions of copies in the US. It's basic supply and demand.
But honestly? Don't buy it to flip it. Buy it because you want to see that gold cart sticking out of your N64. It looks cool. There's no other way to put it.
Spotting a Fake
Warning: The market is flooded with "repro" (reproduction) shells.
People take a $20 Japanese cartridge, put it in a fake gold shell, and slap a "Collector's Edition" sticker on it. Here is how you tell the difference:
- The Stamp: Real N64 labels have a two-digit number stamped into the back label. Not printed. Stamped. If you don't see an indent of two numbers, it’s a fake.
- The "i" in Nintendo: Look at the back of the cartridge. The dot on the "i" in Nintendo should be square. If it’s round, it’s a knock-off.
- The Board: If you’re serious, buy a 3.8mm security bit and open it. A real Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Collector's Edition PLZE01 will have a high-quality Nintendo-branded PCB. If you see "glob tops" (black blobs of resin over the chips), you’ve been scammed.
How to Care for Your PLZE01
If you actually manage to get your hands on one, treat it like a museum piece.
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Avoid sunlight. The gold paint on these cartridges is notorious for fading or "greying" if left in direct UV light. Keep it in a protector. Not just a generic plastic sleeve, but a rigid acrylic case if you have the box.
And for the love of Hylia, don't blow on the pins.
We all did it as kids. We thought the moisture-laden breath fixed the connection. It didn't. It just caused the copper pins to oxidize over decades. Use 99% Isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip. Clean it once, and then leave it alone.
The Legacy of the Gold Cart
There’s something poetic about Ocarina of Time being the peak of the N64’s life. It was the game that proved 3D adventures could actually work. It gave us the Z-targeting system that every third-person game still uses today.
The PLZE01 isn't just a game; it's a specific regional artifact of that moment in 1998 when everything changed. It represents the height of Nintendo's "Gold" tradition, a trend they started with the original Zelda on the NES.
Whether you’re a speedrunner looking for specific glitches found in the 1.1/PLZE01 code or a shelf-collector who just wants the prettiest version of the best game, this specific variant holds a unique spot in the hierarchy. It’s not the most common. It’s not the "purest" 1.0. It’s the refined, slightly tweaked, rare-as-hell Australian gold standard.
Next Steps for Collectors
If you are looking to add this to your collection, start by checking Australian-based retro forums or eBay.com.au rather than the standard US site. Most sellers who know what they have will specifically mention "PLZE01" or "NUS-NZLP-AUS" in the description.
Verify the board revision. Always ask for a photo of the back label stamp. If a seller refuses to show the stamp, walk away. There are too many fakes out there to take a "trust me" at face value.
Once you get it, plug it in, endure the 50Hz slowdown, and enjoy the Fire Temple with the original music before it was scrubbed from history. It’s a vibe you just can't get on a Switch emulator.
Actionable Insights for Buyers:
- Verify the Region: Ensure the front label has the "AUS" code to confirm it's the specific Australian Collector's Edition.
- Check Revision Numbers: Look for the "01" suffix on the PCB or the back stamp to confirm it's the v1.1 revision.
- Inspect the Shell: Look for hairline cracks around the screw holes, a common sign of Gold Plastic Syndrome.
- Audio Test: If you're unsure of the version, head straight to the Fire Temple. The presence or absence of the original chant is the fastest way to identify the software revision on the cart.