User:D3x/Sandbox/sanmdboxthesequel/Unused Textures

This article is a work in progress. ...Well, all the articles here are, in a way. But this one moreso, and the article may contain incomplete information and editor's notes.

To do: Check which reflection textures are completely unused and which are used but just have unused 1 to 1 duplicates, which there are a bunch of, especially in the reflection textures.

This game had a really rough development cycle, as well as needing to borrow assets from 3 cancelled games, so it's no surprise that there's a lot of unused textures that ended up in the files for this game, some of which have even made it into the files for Kirby's Dream Collection, which for most of those, are still unused in there.

Unused Ability Textures

Bomb

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/bomb/Hat.brres.cmp

Bomb (Kirby's Return to Dream Land, Unused)	Sword (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)

Inside Bomb Kirby's hat files, there stands a texture that depicts an alternate design for the hat. This texture appears to be the older hat that first appeared in Kirby Super Star! It's unknown if this is a leftover from the game's GameCube incarnation due to the party hat being shown in the game's trailer, showing that this most likely isn't the case. The texture won't display correctly if applied to the standard Bomb hat model, however, it can be applied to Sword Kirby's hat model from Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The name of the texture is KbBombHat.

Flare Beam

File locations:

• Both, DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/superbeam/Hat.brres.cmp
• HrKirbyBeamHat2, DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/beam/Hat.brres.cmp

Kirby's Return to Dream Land (Unused)	Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Inside Flare Beam's hat files, there is an earlier texture for the hat that cannot be applied to the hat model for Flare Beam nor the one for Beam. This texture is actually the exact same texture used on the Beam Kirby trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl - a particular curiosity, since Beam, unlike many of the abilities depicted as trophies in that game, wasn't in Kirby Air Ride and uses newly made assets! The variant within Flare Beam's files is downscaled, and potentially may have been planned for Kirby's Return to Dream Land earlier in its development cycle and reasonably assumed to have been for the GameCube incarnation. The unused texture in this game is named HrKirbyBeamSuperHat while the texture in Super Smash Bros. Brawl is named HrKirbyBeamHat.

Unused/Super Smash Bros. Brawl	Used

There's also another unused hat texture inside both Beam and Flare Beam's files which is also the exact same as the one used for Beam Kirby's trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl but in the RGB5A# format instead of the RGBA8 one. This time, said hat texture can be applied to the hat model for Flare Beam and the one for Beam. The unused/Super Smash Bros. Brawl texture is named HrKirbyBeamHat2 while the final texture is named KbBeamHat2.

Grand Hammer

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/superhammer/Hat.brres.cmp

Specular (Unused)	Hat Texture

In-game	Restored Mockup

Grand Hammer appears to have a specular texture for its hat model that goes unused for unknown reasons. What makes this interesting is that the hat model for Hammer doesn't have a specular texture present at all! The unused specular texture is named KbHammerSuperHatSMap while the main texture for it is named KbHammerSuperHat.

Mike

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/mike/Mike.brres.cmp

Early	Final

The file of the model for Mike's microphones contains an unused texture of what seems to be an earlier version of the texture used for the Stand Mike. The unused texture is named KbMikeWeapon01 while the used texture is named KbMikeWeapon03.

Spark

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/spark/Hat.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

With Unused Texture	With Used Texture

Spear

File locations:

• DATA/files/g3d/step/weapon/spear/Spear.brres.cmp
• DATA/files/g3d/step/effect/spear/Spear.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

With Unused Texture	With Used Texture

The files for the Spear ability's spear projectile models have an unused version of the reflection effect texture for the spear tip, which appears to be of a lighter shade than the used texture. The unused version of the texture is named KbSpearEdgeRef while the used version of texture is named KbSpearEdgeRef2. The unused texture is not found in the held spear model, nor is it found in any of the models for Bandana Waddle Dee's spear, where the held spear model and the projectile spear models are also separate. Expectedly, the texture used for those spear models is the exact same as the one used in the projectile variants for the spear model for the Spear ability.

Stone

Hand Statue

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/stone/stonebody/Glove.brres.cmp

The Hand Statue has an unused specular texture for it that cannot be applied to the model as not only the layout of the specular doesn't match the model, but the model itself doesn't use a specular for it! Due to the mapping of this texture being similar to the texture of the "Master Hand" Game Over glove, as well as "Glove" being the Hand Statue's internal name in this game, this suggests that the Hand Statue's model in this game was originally going to look more glove-like, akin to how it is in Kirby Super Star Ultra.

Rounded Stone Star Block

Location of files: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/stone/stonebody/FirstKirby.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

With Unused Star Texture	With Used Star Texture

The files of the Pixel Kirby Statue contain unused versions of the textures for the Star Block sculpture, will instead call the Rounded Stone Star Block. Also present in the contents is an unused version of a reflection effect texture used for the default sword's blade, which interestingly, is of a higher resolution than the used one. The unused texture is named FlyingSwordRef while the thexture that goes used is named KbSwordSdgeRef2.

Inutamago Statue

Tornado

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/tornado/Hat.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

Ultra Sword

Default Sword

File locations:

• DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/supersword/Hat.brres.cmp
• DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/supersword/Sword.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

With Unused Textures	With Used Textures

The files of Ultra Sword's hat and sword files contain an earlier, cruder version of the handle texture for the default sword model that goes unused. The unused texture is named FlyingSwordUV, while the used texture is named KbSwordSuperSword.

Also present in the contents is an unused version of a reflection effect texture used for the default sword's blade, which interestingly, is of a higher resolution than the used one. The unused texture is named FlyingSwordRef while the the texture that goes used is named KbSwordSdgeRef2.

The unused textures' filenames are interesting as "FlyingSword" not only isn't the final internal name for Ultra Sword (It's SuperSword), but the name doesn't match up with the context used in the final game, nor do any of the other Super Ability textures have "Flying" in the name.

Cutlass

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/supersword/Hat.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

With Unused Textures	With Used Textures

Water

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero/kirby/water/Plume.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

The files for the Water ability's plume model, has an unused version of the reflection effect texture for the hat model for the Water ability. Although that may not be interesting, the filename of the unused texture on the other hand, certainly is! This is because the unused version's filename, which is KbWaterSuperHatWaterOutLineRef, implies the existence of an unused super version of the Water ability as the filename format matches the ones used for some of the hat textures for the Super Abilities. The used version is named KbWaterHatWaterOutLineRef.

Unused Expressions

Expressions that exist in the files, but for reasons go unused. Some of those expressions, however, are used in the characters' "Model" animations that also go unused in-game.

Enemy Damage Textures

File locations:

• Hot Head, DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Hothead.brres.cmp
• Waddle Doo, DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Doo.brres.cmp
• Cappy, DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Cappy.brres.cmp
• Craby, DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Craby.brres.cmp
• Nruff, DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Nruff.brres.cmp

• 

  Hothead.01

• 

  ChDooEye.01

• 

  ChCappy.01

• 

  Craby.01

• 

  ChNruff.01

The enemies Hot Head, Waddle Doo, Cappy, and Craby all have "damage" textures found in their files that never show up anywhere in-game. These were supposed to appear whenever they got hit or grabbed, but they ended up unused for an unknown reason, most likely due to an error. Unlike Hot Head, Super Hot Head's damage texture does show up in-game. Despite Nruff appearing in Kirby's Dream Collection, their damage texture is nowhere to be found in there rather than still being present, the latter being the case of Hot Head, Waddle Doo, and Cappy.

• 

  Hot Head

• 

  Waddle Doo

• 

  Cappy

• 

  Craby

• 

  Nruff

If applied to the models, the textures display correctly. It's worth noting that these textures are used in later games starting with Kirby: Triple Deluxe, albeit modified. However, the damage textures of all of the enemies listed except for Hot Head and Nruff still don't display correctly in the remake.

Goriath

File locations:

• DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/goliath/Model.brres.cmp
• DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/goliath/ModelEx.brres.cmp

• 

  GoliathFace.02

Goriath has a few unused face expression textures, GoliathFace.02 surprisingly, isn't used in his Model animations. Said expression, along with another unused expression named GoliathFace.03 however do get used in an also unused material animation named DeathEye. Goriath EX doesn't have a separate variant of GoliathFace.02 as the version found inside Goriath EX is exactly the same as the one found in normal Goriath, but it does have a separate variant of GoliathFace.03.

Galacta Knight

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Galactic.brres.cmp

• 

  MetaEye.2

• 

  MetaEye.3

Galacta Knight has textures for closing his eyes, which end up going unused in-game as when he breaks out of the crystal, which is the only time where he doesn't open his eyes, his eyes instead fade quickly from black when he reveals them. The eye expressions, however, do also get used in an animation of his named Model, that expectedly, also goes unused.

Tick

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Tick.brres.cmp

ChTickBody.03

Tick has an unused expression that doesn't show up in-game. Interestingly, in the game's remake, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, they have that same expression in their files but in better quality, where it is also unused. The unused expression was going to be used for a moving animation like in Kirby's Dream Land 3 and Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, which along with the expression, also goes unused in this game as Tick never moves around in this game.

Totenga

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Togekuki.brres.cmp

• 

  ChTogekukiBody.01

• 

  Totenga's model with the texture applied.

Totenga has an unused texture for a ma-looking expression that goes unused in-game. What said expression could've been used for is unknown as the expression is used in none of their animations other than their "Model" test material animation that also goes unused in this game.

Kirby (Ninja Dojo)

File location: DATA/files/g3d/subgame/setsuna/chara/Kirby.brres.cmp

Unused Ninja Dojo Variant	Used in Main Mode

With Texture	Mockup

Unused Enemy Textures

Walf

Location of files: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Walf.brres.cmp

Early	Final

With Unused Texture	With Used Texture

The files for the turtle-like enemy Walf include textures for an alternate design. Compared to the final design, the early one is missing the blue cap on its head, has a lighter shell, and a simpler eye. There are no alternate facial expression textures to go with it. The early texture is named EmWalf00, while the final texture is named EmWalf.00.

• 

  EmWalfEye.00

• 

  EmWalfEye.03

Also included in the files is this eye texture along with its damage variant. It appears to be another unused design for Walf's eye that appears to be even simpler than the others. The model is set up to use a single texture, so this eye cannot even be applied to it properly. The eye textures are named EmWalfEye.00 and EmWalfEye.03.

Gordo

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Gordo.brres.cmp

Super Smash Bros. Brawl	Kirby's Return to Dream Land (Unused)	Kirby's Return to Dream Land (Used)

The files for the enemy Gordo include an unused, earlier version of their body texture which isn't compatible with the final model, but it is compatible with the model from Super Smash Bros. Brawl. This texture eventually gets used in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS albeit slightly modified. The early texture is named ChGordoBody00 while the final texture is named ChGordoBody01.

Galbo

Location of files: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Galbo.brres.cmp

Early	Final

The files for the enemy Galbo contains unused earlier versions for their textures which cannot be applied to their model due to the final model being set to use one texture at a time rather than multiple. The unused textures also greatly resemble the style used in the third cancelled game. For some reason however, the damage and closed eye texture order is swapped, therefore the unused versions have the damage eye first and then the closed eye while the opposite is true for the ones used in-game. The unused versions are named with just "ChGalbo" in the beginning of their filenames while the ones used in-game are instead named with "ChGalboAllS".

Water Galbo

Location of files: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Wgalbo.brres.cmp

Early	Final

The same case with Galbo also applies to Water Galbo as well, although one difference being that the unused versions are named with just "ChWGalbo" in the beginning of their filenames while the ones used in-game are instead named with "ChWGalboAllS".

Needlous

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Broom.brres.cmp

Early	Final

With Unused Texture	With Used Texture

Needlous has an unused version of their texture, which can be applied to the model perfectly, that yes, is found in the files for Broom Hatter's model rather than Needlous's own. Compared to the final version, it has less shiny eyes, lighter shading, and basically less detailed in general. The unused texture doesn't have a damage variant present in the files, unlike the final one. Both of the textures are named ChNeedlous.00.

Super Waddle Doo

Location of files: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/SpDoo.brres.cmp

Early	Final

With Unused Texture	With Used Texture

The super variant of Waddle Doo, Super Waddle Doo contains an earlier, unused version of their body texture, which compared to the final texture, has a more saturated body color and a more lighter shade for the hair color. The unused texture is named ChDooBody, the same filename for Waddle Doo's body textures in this game, while the used texture is named ChSpDooBody.

Character Model	In-game

• 

  ChDooEye.00

• 

  ChDooEye.01

• 

  Super Waddle Doo's model with the damage texture applied.

Super Waddle Doo has separate eye textures that are used for their model, which are green rather than blue unlike those for the regular Waddle Doo. However, due to unknown reasons, said eye textures go unused in-game, resulting in the regular variant of Waddle Doo's eye textures being used instead despite Waddle Doo's eye textures being absent in Super Waddle Doo's files. Additionally, Super Waddle Doo and Waddle Doo's eye textures have the same filenames as shown above. The separate eye textures are later implemented in-game in the remake, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, suggesting that them going unused in-game was due to an error. The damage texture however, still goes unused in the remake like with the damage texture for Waddle Doo.

Additionally, Super Waddle Doo also has an unused texture named ChDooKari00 which is basically just completely black! It is unknown where it was going to be used as "Kari" has multiple meanings in Japanese, but in this instance, it most likely means temporary.

Pacto

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Pacto.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

Pacto appears to have an unused body texture named ChPacto01 that likely was for its back (which in this game, doesn't have an eye unlike the front), but as Pacto's back is never seen in-game, it would be unnecessary to use it, so therefore the back instead uses the same texture as the front, but is still mapped differently to not have an eye on the back. Pacloud however, doesn't have a variant for the unused texture.

Poppy Bros. Jr.

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/weapon/poppyjr/Bomb.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

Poppy Bros. Jr. has unused versions of his textures that aren't compatible with his final model. Like Needlous's, the unused textures don't have a hurt variant present in the files unlike the final ones. The unused textures are instead found in the model for the bombs he throws rather than his own character model. Like Galbo and Water Galbo's unused textures, Poppy Bros. Jr.'s unused textures also greatly resemble the style used in the third cancelled game. His used and unused textures also both have the same filenames as well, with the body texture being named ChPoppyJrBody.00 and the specular texture being named ChPoppyJrBodySp in both instances.

Halcandran Bowby

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/weapon/halcanbowby/Arrow.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

Inside the files of the arrow model used for the Halcandran variant of Bowby, contain an unused version of their body texture that isn't compatible with their final model, that also has some visual differences such as the eyes and more. The unused texture contains a full mapping for the arrow, which as the arrow model is set to not use any texture whatsoever, renders this texture unused! The unused texture is named ChHalcanBowbyArrow, while the texture used in-game is named ChHalcanBowby.00. Unlike the used face texture, there aren't variants for the expressions for the unused face texture.

Armor Halcandle Dee

Squishy

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Squishy.brres.cmp

Early	Final

Squishy has an unused body texture in their files that isn't compatible with their final model, which also doesn't have any variant for the eye textures it as they seem to have became the used body textures, judging by their filenames. The unused texture is named EmSquishyBody, while the used texture is named EmSquishyEye.00. Just like the unused textures for Galbo, Water Galbo, and Poppy Bros. Jr., Squishy's unused body texture again, greatly resembles the style used in the third cancelled game.

Darpa

File locations:

• LarpaBody, DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Larpa.brres.cmp
• Early duplicates, DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Lupa.brres.cmp

Earlier	Early	Final

With Unused Textures	With Used Textures

Darpa has an unused, simpler body texture named LarpaBody that cannot even be applied to the model due to the model being set up to use multiple textures rather than a single one. Interestingly, Darpa also has unused versions of all of their used textures inside files for Dupa, where the only textures that are different being body marble texture, with it being brighter than the one used in-game as well as the wing texture, with it looking more basic. This time, those versions can be applied onto their character model. The used textures, along with their unused duplicates are named in order, LarpaWing, LarpaBodyMarble00, LarpaBodyWarp00, and LarpaEye.

Dippa

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Liepa.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

Dippa, like Darpa has an earlier, simpler version of their body texture that cannot be applied to their model as like stated before, the model is set up to use multiple body textures rather than a single body texture. The unused body texture is named LiepaBody, while the textures used in-game are named, in order LiepaWing, LiepaBodyMarble00, LiepaBodyWarp00, and LiepaEye and are found in DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Liepa.brres.cmp, with Liepa being Dippa's internal name.

Dupa

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Lupa.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

Dupa, like Darpa and Dippa has an early, unused version of their body texture that like with Darpa and Dippa isn't compatible with their final model due to the model being set to use multiple textures rather than one. Dupa's early, unused body texture is the most interesting out of the others as it shows that Dupa was originally a different color, specifically blue rather than mainly greenish cyan! The unused body texture is named LupaBody, while the used textures are named LupaFoot, LupaBodyMarble00, LupaBodyWarp00, and LupaEye and can all be found in DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Lupa.brres.cmp, note that Lupa is Dupa's internal name.

Mr. Sandbag

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Sandbag.brres.cmp

Early	Final

Same case goes with Mr. Sandbag, with his earlier, unused texture not being compatible with his model and also being less detailed than than the final texture as well. Said early and unused texture is named ChSandbagBody, while the texture used in-game is named SandbagBody0.

Volttzo

Location of files: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Volttzo.brres.cmp

Early	Final

Coconut

Location of files: DATA/files/g3d/step/weapon/bonkers/Coconutbomb.brres.cmp

Coconut01	Coconut02 (used)	Coconut03

Coconut01	Coconut02 (used)	Coconut03

The model for the Coconut has 2 unused versions for the texture for it, one being more of a cartoony style, which is named Coconut01 and the other, named Coconut03 having slightly more shading at the top than the one used in-game, which is named Coconut02.

Mega Rocky

Location of files: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/moundeath/ModelEx.brres.cmp

Mega Rocky	Rocky

Yes, specifically only the files for Moundo EX's model. There are textures for an unused, larger (mid-boss presumably) variant of the enemy Rocky, which the textures name as just "Mega Rocky". The only leftovers of them in the files are said unused textures as they don't have a leftover model, presumably due to getting replaced by Moundo.

Mega Rocky's headband textures aren't compatible with Rocky's model. Unlike Rocky, Mega Rocky has a red and white headband rather than a blue and white one, their body textures are of a higher resolution than Rocky's, Mega Rocky also lacks Rocky's specular texture, named "RockySp", which like Mega Rocky's body textures is of a higher resolution than Rocky's body textures.

Despite already being unused in this game, their textures managed to make its way into the files for Kirby's Dream Collection, still unused. This is simply because they're just leftovers from porting Moundo and his EX variant from this game.

Unused Boss Textures

Dedede Robo leftovers in HR-D3

Location of files: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/hrd3/Motion.brres.cmp

• 

  BsDedederoboDedede0

• 

  BsDedederoboDededeEyeL0

• 

  BsDedederoboDededeEyeR0

• 

  BsDedederoboStar0

• 

  BsDedederoboStar1

• 

  BsDedederoboGlass0

• 

  BsDedederobo1Ref0

The Warp Star model with the unused texture.

Unused versions of textures for King Dedede and the Warp Star are included in HR-D3. King Dedede's texture sheet here is incompatible with his actual model, although his eye textures are identical to those used in Kirby Air Ride. Interestingly, this seems to indicate that his Air Ride model was either used as a basis for, or was reworked from, his model from the GameCube era of development, as the body texture sheet is incompatible with his Air Ride model. Since HR-D3 is based on Dedede Robo from said cancelled game, where it was piloted by King Dedede, this is almost certainly a leftover from that model. The presence of Warp Star textures also seem to corroborate this, as the Warp Star could be seen inside Dedede Robo in footage of the game.

Whispy Woods

File locations:

• DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/whispy/Model.brres.cmp
• DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/whispy/ModelEx.brres.cmp

Mockup With Unused Textures	In-Game

• 

  WhispyBody1

• 

  WhispyNewBody1

• 

  WhispyBush6

• 

  WhispyBush7

Whispy Woods has sets of unused textures that differ from his final design. The unused versions of Whispy's foliage textures, along with his body textures greatly resemble the art style used in the "pop-up book" era of the game's development. A difference between the unused and used foliage textures being that the unused textures have only 2 sets while the ones used in-game for his regular and EX models have 3 of them. The textures for the most part with the exception of the eye in WhispyNewBody1 are compatible with his model, also do note that some of the leaves will be cropped out slightly when applied to the model. Additionally, the unused textures not only can be found in his regular model, but also his EX model as well.

"GTamarin" Goriath

File locations:

• DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/goliath/Model.brres.cmp
• DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/goliath/ModelEx.brres.cmp

Goriath's model with the Textures applied.

• 

  GTamarinBody1

• 

  GTamarinFace.00

• 

  GTamarinFace.01

• 

  GTamarinFace.02

• 

  GTamarinFace.03

• 

  GTamarinFace.04

• 

  GTamarinFace.05

• 

  GTamarinFace.06

Similarly, Goriath has sets of unused textures that differ heavily from his final design. His unused textures, depict him with red and purple fur, as well as teal facial markings and presumably also white hair. Unlike the textures used in-game, there aren't separate unused variants for the hair textures, along with the specular textures as well. The absence of a separate variant of the unused texture is due to the unused body texture presumably having an area for it, which although the textures display fine for the most part, this results in the areas around his ears and under his hair to look strange. Said unused textures simply refer to him as "GTamarin", which interestingly, is also what the graphics used for his effects refer him as. His textures used in-game in contrast refer to him as "Goliath" Like with the unused textures for Whispy Woods, Goriath's unused textures can also be found in the files of his EX model as well.

Backgrounds and Tilesets

airfort

cave

Unused	Used

desert

Unused	Used

Unused	Used

Unused	Used

Unused	Used

Unused	Used

grass

File locations:

• DATA/files/g3d/title/Map.brres.cmp
• DATA/files/g3d/step/map/grass/Bg.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

icebldg

Miscellaneous

Base Ability Star Texture

File locations:

• Normal, DATA/files/g3d/step/item/abilitystar/Base.brres.cmp
• Super, DATA/files/g3d/step/item/spabilitystar/Base.brres.cmp

Both of these textures were likely intended to represent the normal Copy Ability stars. These default stars are never used in-game, as it would be completely worthless to have a power-up that would return Kirby to normal. Although Ability Stars that return Kirby to normal exist in the game's code, they, like with every other unused Ability Star, instead just uses the texture for Sword's Ability Star. Both of the textures are named Icon.000.

• 

  Texture

• 

  Render

• 

  Render with Copy Esscence

Base Super Ability Star Texture

• 

  Texture

• 

  Render

Landia Ability Star

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/item/abilitystar/Landia.brres.cmp

There is an ability star texture for Landia that goes unused as you normally cannot get the Landia ability from an ability star in-game. Disappointingly, the texture for said ability star is also just completely blacked out! (Although what the ability star would look like is known, and it's due to the pause screen!) Despite there being code for an Ability Star for Landia, they instead just use the textures for Sword's Ability Star rather than their own. The texture itself is named Icon.022.

• 

  Texture

• 

  Render

• 

  Render with Copy Esscence

Unused Challenge Stage Door Icons

Location of files: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/HalcandleArmorDee.brres.cmp

Early	Final

Several unused versions of the icons for Copy Abilities are found inside the files of Armor Halcandle Dee's model. They appear to be earlier and lower-quality versions of the icons on the Challenge Stage doors inside the Lor Starcutter. The unused versions are stored in the CMPR format while the ones used in-game are stored in the RGB565 format. Kirby's icon as can be seen is the only one that looks vastly different to the version used in-game.

Interestingly enough, also in the files of Armor Halcandle Dee's model, a Ninja icon for a Challenge Stage Door also exists, meaning a Challenge Stage for Ninja was planned, but ended up being cut.

Magolor

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/enemy/Maharoa.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

With Unused Texture	With Used Texture

The traitorous magician himself, Magolor has an unused version of one of his expressions in this game. The differences between the unused and used versions are really, really minor, but it's the eyes if you can't see! The unused one is named EmMahoroaBody01 while the used one is named EmMahoroaBody.0. The unused texture, however, eventually gets used in Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition, where it instead has the filename of the version used in Kirby's Return to Dream Land. (Also yes, he has 2 of the exact same textures but with different filenames in Kirby's Dream Collection!)

Meta Knight

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/chara/hero?meta/base/Default.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

With Unused Texture	With Used Texture

The playable masked swordsman, Meta Knight also has a lower quality version of one of his eye expressions in this game that goes unused! Unlike the used version of the eye texture and the other expressions, the unused texture isn't anti-aliased. The unused one is named just MetaEye while the one used in-game is named MetaEye.1. The other eye expressions, MetaEye.2 and MetaEye.3, however don't have unused variants present in the files. Additionally, Galacta Knight also doesn't have unused variants for any of his eye textures.

Arena Victory Stand

Location of files: DATA/files/g3d/arena/Victorystand.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

The Victory Stand for the Arena modes has unused versions of the textures used for it, with the body texture not being compatible with it, although the reflection texture can be applied to it. The unused textures are named in order just VictoryStand and VictoryStandSp, while the ones used in-game are named VictoryStandBody and VictoryStandBodySp.

Early Dimensional Rift Texture

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/weapon/mahoroabattle1/WarpHole.brres.cmp

An early Dimensional Rift texture that can be located in the files for Traitor Magolor's portals. Although said texture goes unused in the final game, it's actually used in prerelease footage of the game such as for the star on the Dimension Wall seen in the Nintendo Investor Relations Event 2011 trailer and the Dimensional Rift seen in the E3 2011 Trailer for the game.

Prism Shield

File location: DATA/files/g3d/step/effect/common/PrismShieldBarrier.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

With Unused Textures	With Used Textures

ItPrismShield2

Unused Door Effect

Unused	Used

Unused Ninja Dojo Toon Effect

File location: DATA/files/g3d/subgame/setsuna/chara/Kirby.brres.cmp

Unused	Used

With Unused Texture	With Used Texture

Early Ninja Dojo Hat

File locations:

• DATA/files/g3d/subgame/setsuna/chara/Kirby.brres.cmp
• DATA/files/g3d/subgame/setsuna/chara/Dedede.brres.cmp

Found exclusively inside the files for Kirby and King Dedede's models for Ninja Dojo, is this texture just named KbForehead, which was certainly intended to be for an early hat design for Ninja Dojo. However, it's unknown why the texture isn't found in the models for Meta Knight and Bandana Waddle Dee respectively. Oddly, for Kirby's instance of said texture, it's unknown why it's found inside the files for his character model rather than his hat model (yes, unlike the other playable characters, Kirby has his hat model separate from his character model).

Locked Boss Door Text

File locations:

• DATA/files/g3d/step/gimmick/Stageboard.US_FRA.brres.cmp
• DATA/files/g3d/step/gimmick/Stageboard.US_SPA.brres.cmp

There is a locked version of the "BOSS" sign for the Boss Stage doors in the level hubs that for obvious reasons goes unused. The graphic also differs from the "BOSS" sign used in the final game by using a different font that makes it more akin to the numbers used for the stage door signs. Interestingly, this is only found in the French And Spanish versions in the North American version, yes specifically the North American version, meaning that said graphic is completely removed in the files for the English/Japanese/Korean version of the sign, as well as the Italian and the European versions of the French and Spanish versions.

Energy Sphere

File locations:

• DATA/files/g3d/step/item/EnergySphere.brres.cmp