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New Animations#
Hero/Partner#
The hero or partner tripping from a standing position. This animation is very similar to two other animations used by the partner during the main story ending, and shares some but not all of their sprites.
Non-Selectable Partners#
Meowth, Skitty and Munchlax cannot be chosen as the partner, which leaves a few unused animations. They would eventually be made available as partner candidates in Explorers of Sky. Additionally, since Pikachu as a partner will always be male, female Pikachu's variants of these animations remain unused in all versions of Explorers.
The partner yawning, on the night before the guild expedition members are revealed. The sprites for Meowth and Skitty are reused from Rescue Team, which had a similar animation they also couldn't use.
The partner fainting, after the fight at the Crystal Lake. Meowth and Skitty's sprites are reused once again.
Main Story Ending
The following animations were intended for the main story ending. Interestingly, variants of these animations and most of the related sprites are not included for Meowth, Skitty and Munchlax within the game's data, and would eventually be included in Explorers of Sky.
The partner losing balance after an earthquake.
The partner breaking down, during the bridge scene.
The partner tripping, while returning to the Rainbow Stoneship.
Wigglytuff (Shadow)#
Wigglytuff is seen in silhouette during the Dimensional Scream cutscenes at Waterfall Cave. Simple blackened variants were made of all of Wigglytuff's animations, but only a handful are used. For the sake of brevity, only the animations that use unique sprites are shown here.
The cutscenes do not use any of Wigglytuff's idle animations.
Only the down and up-facing walking animations are used. One of the southeast-facing sprites notably has a misplaced transparent pixel, which is also present on the regular Wigglytuff's equivalent sprite.
Intended for use with certain physical moves within dungeons.
Similarly intended for use with certain ranged moves.
Used when afflicted by a sleeping status in dungeons.
Only the right-facing hurt sprite is used, right before Wigglytuff gets swept away by the flood.
Wigglytuff's Guild Apprentices#
Diglett, Dugtrio and Croagunk only ever face upwards while posing, leaving the down-facing variants unused.
Drowzee#
This animation was most likely intended for the Mt. Bristle cutscene or one of the cutscenes involving Azurill's nightmare.
Scizor#
Scizor lying fainted on the floor and getting up. Scizor is found trapped within a block of ice instead, and remains standing when freed.
Celebi (shiny)#
A simple palette swapped copy of an animation that was used by the regular Celebi in Rescue Team. It does not use any unique sprites.
Shiftry (male)#
New male variants were made of Shiftry's cutscene animations from Rescue Team. Both male and female variants of these animations remain unused in all versions of Explorers.
Azurill#
A unique crying animation. It might have been intended for the Mt. Bristle cutscene, which uses the generic "sweat/tears" animation for this purpose.
Mesprit#
Mesprit getting back up, after getting knocked down by Grovyle. In-game, she just gets up instantly after the Time Gear is stolen.
Azelf#
Azelf seemingly getting beaten up, presumably by Grovyle, and subsequently collapsing and possibly recovering. In-game, Azelf has already been defeated by the time the hero and partner reach the Crystal Lake, and Grovyle doesn't get a chance to attack him again.
Somewhat unusually, the animations occupy a single ground animation ID, alongside one used animation seen during the Crystal Lake cutscene. They are organized using the system normally used for directions, highly suggesting they were originally supposed to directly follow one another. Other cutscene animations that are organized in this manner and are used follow each other chronologically in a counter-clockwise order. Applying the same logic to Azelf's animation ID 13 results in the following sequence:
S |
SE (Used) |
E |
NE |
N/NW/W/SW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
 |
|
 |
|
The final game uses the static "fainted" sprite through animation ID 15 instead.
Dialga#
Primal Dialga's cutscene animations were palette swapped for Dialga's regular form, where they remain unused. This would not be done for the new animations Primal Dialga would eventually gain in Explorers of Sky.
Primal Dialga#
Similarly, this unused animation is a palette swap of an animation used by the regular Dialga.
Darkrai (Shadow)#
Darkrai is briefly seen in silhouette in one of the cutscenes preceding Mt. Travail, which only uses the down-facing idle animation.
Blackened variants of Darkrai's walking animations were also made, but are never seen in-game. Unlike Wigglytuff, Darkrai's other animations were not converted.
Rescue Team Leftovers#
Explorers of Time and Darkness were built on Rescue Team as a base, and inherited the vast majority of its character sprites and animations. This includes many cutscene animations that no longer have a purpose.
Hero#
Unlike all returning hero/partner candidates, the veterans that didn't make the cut retain all of their original cutscene animations, with their original timing left intact. Notably, Psyduck's new color palette also applies to its unused sprites. Explorers of Sky would eventually re-introduce Eevee as a hero/partner candidate, and would remove or redraw the majority of its sprites that are listed here.
A second sleeping animation, which was used in cutscenes.
The accompanying waking animation.
The partner looking down the cliff at Mt. Steel. The variations listed here were unused in Rescue Team as well, as these four Pokémon could not be chosen as the partner.
The hero bracing for the Mankey gang's attack.
The pose animation.
An up-facing variant of the previous animation that was unused in Rescue Team.
An animation which was also unused in Rescue Team. It is unknown what this was meant to be used for.
The hero falling onto Sky Tower's entrance platform.
The hero trying to fake illness.
The partner taking a deep breath, after meeting Ninetales at Mt. Freeze. The variations listed here were unused in Rescue Team as well, as these four Pokémon could not be chosen as the partner.
A nodding animation. These Pokémon lack the down- and up-facing variants of this animation, which were added in Explorers of Time and Darkness.
A static animation which was also unused in Rescue Team. It is unknown what this was meant to be used for.
The partner walking across clouds at Sky Tower's entrance. The variations listed here were unused in Rescue Team as well, as these four Pokémon could not be chosen as the partner.
The hero getting knocked back by Ninetales.
A variant of the sleeping animation, which was used in one of the ending scenes.
A static variant of the sleeping animation.
A single sprite of Cubone sleeping without its bone. It does not appear to have any animation data associated with it.
Ninetales#
Breaking up the fight between the hero and Alakazam at Mt. Freeze. Unusually, Explorers of Sky completely removes the second animation and sprite from Ninetales's animation data.
Alakazam#
This animation was also unused in Rescue Team. Unlike the previous game, Explorers uses an incorrect color palette for the effects sprites.
Getting knocked back by Ninetales.
This animation was also unused in Rescue Team.
Alakazam, as found after defeating Groudon at Magma Cavern.
Golem#
Golem, after returning from Magma Cavern.
Magnemite#
This animation was also unused in Rescue Team.
Gengar#
This animation was also unused in Rescue Team.
Gengar dragging the hero. This animation does not use any unique sprites, but does use unique timing.
Gengar's taunt. Same deal as the previous animation applies here.
Articuno#
After its defeat at Frosty Forest.
Zapdos#
After defeat, this time at Mt. Thunder.
Moltres#
More post-battle animations, as seen at Mt. Blaze.
Xatu#
This static animation was also unused in Rescue Team.
Octillery#
Octillery, after returning from Magma Cavern.
Skarmory#
Skarmory calling in anger.
Leaving and entering the scene.
Raikou#
Turning the Red Wing into the Sunset Wing, as seen during the Mirage Pokémon quest.
Entei#
Turning the Clear Wing into the Red Wing.
Suicune#
Turning the Sunset Wing into the Rainbow Wing. This animation does not use any unique sprites.
Tyranitar#
All of Tyranitar's sprites received a paler color palette between games.
This animation was also unused in Rescue Team.
Lying fainted on the floor, after getting defeated by Groudon.
Lugia#
Challenging the player's team.
Celebi#
Bouncing around, after the player accepts its request to join the player's rescue team. This animation does not use any unique sprites.
Lombre#
Lombre picking up a news flyer, plus a static variant of the same animation. Unlike the previous game, Explorers uses an incorrect color palette for the flyer's sprites.
Shiftry (female)#
Shiftry's original sprites are used by female Shiftry in Explorers.
Shiftry, as found at Silent Chasm.
This animation was also unused in Rescue Team.
Pelipper#
Pelipper delivering mail to the hero's mailbox.
Separately stored parts of a single longer animation, that was used while Pelipper drops flyers.
A simple flying animation, which was used in the intro to Rescue Team.
This animation was also unused in Rescue Team. It appears to be a test related to the previous animations.
Gardevoir#
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Gardevoir's ghostly appearance during dream sequences. The images have been hidden by default due to flickering.
Spinda#
Spinda tripping and falling flat on its face.
Kecleon#
The Kecleon brothers jumping in surprise.
Absol#
Absol stopping Articuno from fighting.
Absol performing a running jump.
Latias & Latios#
These sprites were part of a longer animation of Latios embracing Latias, after her rescue from Pitfall Valley.
The full animation, as it was seen in-game in Rescue Team. This is a mockup using the (identical) sprites from Explorers, but the timing and positioning matches the original scene.
Latios, after his defeat at the Northern Range.
Latios looking around in confusion and... crouching?
This animation was also unused in Rescue Team.
Rayquaza#
Rescue Team used a cloned version of Rayquaza to carry cutscene animations. While the clone did not carry over, sprite ID #592 in Time/Darkness or #598 in Sky still refer to its animation set.
Rayquaza, after getting defeated.
Rayquaza recovering, and getting ready to strike back.
Rayquaza finally looking up and noticing the impending meteor impact.
Rayquaza blowing up the meteor using a beam attack. While the graphics related to the beam are not found alongside the character animations, they're still present alongside the effects graphics.
Jirachi#
All of Jirachi's sprites received a paler color palette between games.
Jirachi's pose while asleep. This animation would eventually be reused in Explorers of Sky.
Jirachi encased inside its crystal shell from the sixth Pokémon movie, Jirachi: Wish Maker, which was also unused in Rescue Team. Unlike the previous game, Explorers uses an incorrect color palette for this sprite.
Jirachi emerging from the crystal, including the same palette inaccuracies. While the sprites remain in Explorers of Sky, the accompanying animation data does not.