Okay. Then maybe we could just replace a decoration sprite (like the seaweed maybe?)

Replace the unused Jungle FG thing.
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I don't think it was a decoration... first of all because if we look at the other screenshots of the same beta version, there wasn't any background object, not even a bush... so a 3D manta ray, i don't think so...

Maybe it could replace the shark, but not replace it. What I mean is would it be possible to copy over all of the shark's data over the giant unagi eel? If so then you could have the manta ray with the same behavior of the shark, only bigger. Or maybe I have no idea on what is possible, but hey.
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If manta was meant to act like in SM64 (except for the blue rings), then the pattern was surely similar to Sushi's, so it could work.

Yea, that is what I meant, I forgot the name of the enemy.

So to rephrase it:
"Would it be possible to copy the Sushi's code over the Giant Unagi's code and replace the Giant Unagi model with the Manta Ray?"
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As long as Unagi uses a 3D model and not a 2D sprite, not so sure about the pattern coding though...

and what's the point of replacing a jungle foreground with a still image of a pre rendered 3D ray manta anyway...

That screenshot is from a slightly later beta, through. (Note the final ? boxes here) And BTW I saw that screenshot before, and I didn't notice that thing used

Anyways thanks for pointing that out.
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Now we know this foreground object was meant to be used in a late version of the game.

But it wasn't

And to replace it with the manta ray would probably require more work than placing the Giant Ungai eel, mainly because of having to animate it and whatnot.



The code from the Sushi (assuming that would be the plan) would have to be carried over too, which would not lessen the work. However, maybe the manta ray could function like the eel and chase the player? It doesn't seem to do that in the screenshot though...
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But its hitbox could as well be restriced to a small part of its body that doesn't really change in size when turning around.

Or we could as well assume that it was scrapped because it didn't work properly.

@MarioFanatic
I agree with that. I think he looks more than decoration than an enemy on that screenshot.

But would you know a (decoration) sprite to replace with Manta?

We know nothing about this level anyway so what's the point...

Hm..

Maybe we can better discuss this later. I mean, there isn't the possibility to convert BCA to NSBCA yet.

Indeed. I think the focus should be on levels that have videos showing off the whole thing.

SPEAKING OF UNDERWATER LEVELS

Those are all the beta Underwater screenshots I've got:



I hope the first 5 images will be useful enough to remake the level except the Manta Ray. The last one should be made into 4-3 or 8-3 because Sushi and Mega Unagi can't be in same level.
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