We need somebody to make a program that allows you to draw objects, break them down into smaller sprites, store the patterns in the ROM, and lets you know the relative locations of the sprites that make up the metasprite.

...And as the saying goes, "If you want something made, make it yourself!"

Although I agree, that would be useful.

For NES this kind of functionality is implemented in NES Screen Tool.

I'm working on an animation editor for the NES. You would still have to edit everything manually, but it's better then having to deal with pages of db/byte or whatever.

http://imageshack.com/a/img12/284...

There are a few options for how the data is stored.

We need one for the SNES too, because when I was working on Gunstar Heroes, I spent a lot of time manually compressing sprites down, so I was able to run a lot of animated characters at once.

If the tool stores metasprite data into the ROM itself, that would be even better, because it will allow for DKC quality animation in a homebrew. There's always the question on how the data will be stored, and having to code the game for compatibility, but it will be a lot better than doing it all by hand. Just as long as it has the basic oam attributes, the ability to select between normal or dynamic (DMA) animated sprites, ROM address, and size of dynamic slot, it is worth programming around somebody else's format.