Skylanders: Giants (Wii, Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

Prototype Info

Early Character Names#

Several of the game's characters (most of them coming from the original game) feature very different early development names, as indicated by their filenames in the game's characters folder. While several are merely generic titles, a few are very different.

In addition, the Winged Boots' filename refers to it as a Potion, suggesting that early versions of this item were different.

Unused Music#

The full version of the Air Guitar in Junkyard Isles. An unused lock puzzle theme for Rumbletown. A placeholder theme for Cutthroat Carnival. A placeholder theme for when you are in the Arkeyan War Machine in Secret Vault of Secrets. A placeholder theme for when you are outside the Arkeyan War Machine in Secret Vault of Secrets. While not technically unused theres a portion of the Molekin Mountain intro which goes unheard.

Unused Characters#

In the characters folder are two unused files that can be swapped for existing ones to use as playable characters: 099_Debug_Minion and 112_Sniper.

• Debug Minion uses Whirlwind's character model for gameplay, and a small coin icon for the stats screen. The Debug Minion is completely invincible, unable to die or take damage, and will do 100 damage with any hit it lands...however it also is completely unable to gain experience. It will shoot homing long-range rainbow attacks at enemies or breakable objects if X (Xbox), Square (PlayStation 3), or Y (Wii U) is pressed, or hearts if no target is available. Pressing A (Xbox) or X (PlayStation 3) will change the character's element, however this has no effect on elemental barriers. Lastly, pressing B (Xbox) or Circle (PlayStation 3) will move the character forward in relation to whatever direction they're facing, which can result in it getting stuck in walls. In addition, no upgrade screen exists, and hats worn on the character will appear massive, engulfing it. It does have a unique set of placeholder sounds, such as "Selected" when appearing on the loading screen or "Stats" on the statistics screen.

• Sniper is the more developed of the two, appearing as a pistol-carrying troll and wearing a large sniper-rifle on his back. Pressing X (Xbox) or Square (PlayStation 3) will cause him to become stationary and allow you to angle a shot displayed by the rifle's laser sight and foliage to appear around him in this state. A (Xbox) or X (PlayStation 3) will shoot his gun in a three-shot spread, and B (Xbox) or Circle (PlayStation 3) will have him drop a claymore weapon into the ground that detonates when an enemy goes in front of it. However, Sniper has several issues in-game: the gun does not work at close range, the rifle and claymores are untextured, the rifle itself clips through Sniper's body, and moving in a direction while shooting will result in Sniper sliding. Other bugs include the laser sight appearing randomly on the ship and clipping through objects, getting frozen in the claymore animation if interrupted by the aiming attack, and the foliage remaining onscreen if Sniper is killed while using the aiming attack. Worn hats will also appear improperly on the gun arm rather than his head. Interestingly enough, when using the sniping attack if you shoot, Sniper can move around while the gun will remain in place, angling depending on your direction, allowing you to lure enemies into the line of fire.
  • Sniper's portrait and upgrade screen are borrowed from Spyro, and he appears when summoned as a red-colored Spyro with placeholder titles for his available upgrades. No voice samples exist for the character.
  • Both Sniper and the red Spyro appear in the original prototype for Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure using the names "Bomb Troll" and "Red Dragon" respectively.

Unused Wow Pow Upgrades#

The game features "wow pow" attack upgrades for characters that appeared in the first game if their Series 2 figure is placed on the portal. However, several variant characters that don't feature Series 2 figures also have this upgrade and cannot access them: Dark Spyro, Legendary Spyro, and Legendary Trigger Happy.