Map showing all the squares that contain beta mountains. Picture by Nomad Colossus.
The fan-dubbed Beta Mountains are unused geometry that can be found out of bounds in Shadow of the Colossus. Check Nomad's blog for more info.
Many of the beta mountains were auto-generated from a height map image, and were not edited much besides being given a single texture; while others are either leftovers of unused areas or tests.
Below is a list of every beta mountain.
A3[]
First found by Pikol. These are lands which are untextured and unfinished, and they connected to the early version of quadrant B3, when it used to house Yamori A in the Sluice arena.
The model below the main one is likely to have been used for reflections, as it is the case with any other places with water.
B0[]
Auto-generated from the height map. This can be only seen in the Preview and earlier versions of the game.
B1[]
A large flat, mottled brown plain only seen in the Preview and earlier versions of the game.
B2[]
Cliffs only seen in the Preview and earlier versions of the game. Years ago, they were speculated to be the leftover remains of the Worm's arena, but was discovered to just be an old world border and not a colossus arena. This area was created with a "parts library" made up of pre-designed mountains when the world map was still being designed.
C0[]
Auto-generated from the height map. This can be seen only seen in the Preview and earlier versions of the game.
D0[]
Auto-generated from the height map. Area with a large crater only seen in the Preview and earlier versions of the game.
E0[]
Auto-generated from the height map. A large flat mountain with another large crater only seen in the Preview and earlier versions of the game. They are very close to the Forbidden Lands.
G0[]
Cliffs only seen in the Preview and earlier versions of the game, they share a design with B2 as they also were created using the "parts library". Just like B2, this was originally thought to be the left over remains of a colossus arena, but this time for Spider due to its location near the bridge. However, it was later discovered that this was originally an old world border before the map was properly designed and not a colossus arena.
H0 / I0[]
H0 and I0 are connected, seemingly forming a huge valley that goes from I1 to the northern end of the Forbidden Lands, although I0 and I1 don't seem to match 100% for some reason. The eastern part of I0 was auto-generated by a height map, as its vertices are squared; however, H0 and the western part of I0 appear to be man-made.
These lands are also seen in the pause menu map together with I1.
I1[]
Auto-generated from the height map, although having an extra second texture in order to make the path leading up to what was going to be the unused arena location of the discarded final boss stand out.
Originally, the I1 quadrant crashed the game whenever someone tried to access it, but thanks to Wisi, this quadrant is now accessible. It features paths deep into the quadrant and bizarre tower-like mountains and massive square-shaped holes.
It's likely that this quadrant once connected to the valley at the end of Parthenon, when it was located in 'H1'.
I2[]
A pathway that used to connect H2 and I3. It features a giant dam that was created using an asset from "Ico". that became famous for its unique design in contrast to other structures in the game.
Check its page for more info.
I6[]
Auto-generated from the height map. Area with a stretched texture back when the locations around this quadrant were surrounded by mountains, only seen in the Preview and earlier versions of the game.
I7[]
This quadrant was the location of Buddha, but after it was deleted, it was then replaced by an older version of I7. This area is only visible via a modified Preview version created by Wisi. It's another early world border made with the "parts library" back when the map was entirely flat, from the same era as B2 and G0.
I8[]
First ever Beta mountain to be discovered; initially found by Khfan1.
This land used to connect to J7 and another version of I7 when it was the arena of Buddha.
J0[]
Auto-generated from the height map. Beta mountains at the northeastern edge of the map.
J1[]
Auto-generated from the height map. Flat area except for the western edge which features angulated mountainous structures.
J2[]
Auto-generated from the height map. Beta mountains with a depression next to the Beta Dam.
J3[]
Auto-generated from the height map. Beta mountains with undulating plains. They existed next to the old location of the 9th colossus.
J4[]
A thin band of brown mountains. These mountains were part of Phoenix's arena.
J5[]
Auto-generated from the height map. A flat empty plain connected to some rounded hills.
J6[]
Auto-generated from the height map. Sheer cliffs on the other side of J7.
J7[]
Mountains with a high flat wall that originally started the theories about Griffin living in I7; the geometry and textures don't match however. This area is also known to have a low resolution texture when viewed from far away, which isn't the case for most out of bound areas.
It used to connect to I7 when it was the arena of Buddha and I8.
| The game | ICO ( Demo · Revisions from U.S. version · Ico HD ) | |
| Characters | Ico · Yorda · The Queen · Shadows · Shinkan | |
| The Castle | Idol Gates · Yorda's language · Saving Benches Altar • Warehouse • Spiral Stairs • Old Bridge • Stairs • Trolley 1 • Trolley 2 • Crane • Chandelier • Drawbridge • Main Gate • Graveyard • Dark Room • Sunbeams • Stone Pillar • East Crag • East Arena • East Idol Stairs • East Reflector • Waterfall • Sluice • Cogwheel • Gondola • Water Tower • West Crag • West Arena • West Idol Stairs • West Reflector • Cage • Pipe • Elevator • Wharf • Queen's Room • Sandy Beach | |
| Other Media | Ico ~Melody in the Mist~ · Official Game Guide · Ico: Castle in the Mist | |
 Walkthrough | |
|---|---|
| Characters | Wander · Mono · Agro · Dormin · Lord Emon · Guards · Shadows |
| Colossi | I · II · III · IV · V · VI · VII · VIII · IX · X · XI · XII · XIII · XIV · XV · XVI |
| Locations | The Forbidden Lands · Shrine of Worship · Colossus Arenas |
| Main Items | Power-ups (Lizards · Fruit) · Weapons (Ancient Sword · Sword of the Sun · Queen’s Sword · Sword of Dormin · Bow & Arrow · Ancient Bow · Harpoon of Thunder · Life Sword) · Collectibles (Relics) |
| Gameplay | Hard Mode · Save shrines · Time Attack · Reminiscence Mode · Watermellon · Barrel |
| Media | Roar of the Earth (OST) · Official Art and Guide Book · Nico Bonus DVD · Film · Interview Archive |
| Releases | OPM Demo · PS2 original · PS3 remaster · PS4 remake · Credits |
| Early Builds | Preview version · PSU Preview version · E3 Demo |
| Unused Content | Unused Colossi · Colossus Test Stages · Unused Locations · Beta Mountains · Development Timeline of Shadow of the Colossus |