Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted Mansion (Game Boy Advance)

The Game Boy Advance adaptation of Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted Mansion, released a year after the 2000 PC game. A lot of content from the original version has been completely scrapped, but some things were likely planned to be present in the port and can still be found in the files.

Unused Items#

Screwdriver#

In the PC version, Nancy has to use a screwdriver to open the bedpost in the Chinese Room and find a key used for the desk in the attic. In the GBA version, this is done with the paint scraper instead, so this item goes unused.

Suitcase Key#

In the PC version, Nancy starts the game with the key to her suitcase in her inventory. Since the diary in her suitcase is replaced with the PDA option in this port, the suitcase can't be interacted with and the key goes unused.

Unused Graphics#

Font#

Tilemaps for a font can be found in the game's ROM. The final game uses a different font, and is entirely in English.

Main Menu#

Unused	Used

The active option in the main menu is highlighted white, inactive ones are yellow. Since the "Main Menu" text is always white and you can't select it, the yellow text for it goes unused.

Screens#

Main Stairs#

Two views of the main stairs that appear in the PC version are inaccessible in the GBA version.

Characters#

Three characters in the game have unused graphics that are more similar to the PC version. They can't be interacted with. The final version also uses a different UI for conversations with characters.

Abby, unused	Abby, final

Charlie, unused	Charlie, final

Louis, unused	Louis, final

Unused Text#

Bad ending#

At 0xDEDA8 - unused text for a bad ending where Nancy gets caught snooping in Abby's Room and told to leave. This can happen on PC, but not on GBA. Interestingly, on PC, the ending involves talking to Rose and has different dialogue.

Hannah:  Nancy, what's wrong?  Did something happen?
Nancy:  Abby caught me in her room and now Rose wants me to leave.  She says she can't trust me.
Hannah:  You should have known better.
Nancy:  I suppose so.
Hannah:  Well, better luck next time.
I should get back to work.  Goodbye.
Goodbye, dear. Don't work too hard.
Bye bye.

Descriptions#

There are a few unused strings meant to appear when inspecting an object or area. At 0xD56BC

It's a 1934 Washburn Piano Company upright piano.

0xD56F0

Antique Piano

0xD571C

Night Stand

0xD5700

Piano Bench Shelf

These could have been used for the piano in the Saloon. 0xD55730

Trunk

0xD5768

Inside of Trunk

0xD57E8

Journal

Probably used for Nancy's suitcases in her room. 0xD574C

Book of Illusions

0xD58D0

Mirror

0xD58D8

Secret Window

These were most likely supposed to be in Abby's Room and the Saloon, like in the PC version. 0xD6584

Under the Table

Most likely an early name used for the view of the bottom of the Seance Table. 0xD6C78

Business Card

Would probably be found in the Study.

References#