I figure that, more than any other action, I spend the most time jumping. Each time I jump, it is the same spinning animation. Now, it is a really cool looking animation (especially when you pause mid spin
), but it is still the same each time. Just like Contra.
As for my suggestion, what about stealing something from WoW (don’t hate me). The Night Elf characters jump just like everyone else, except for about 10% of the time where they do a spin jump. I don’t know how many times I’ve jumped as a NE, but I still notice the spin jump and smile a little, at least on the inside.
In the interest of no additional artwork, the falling animation is a great jumping one as well. Maybe the super cool spin could be used only 10% of the time. This would give some variety to the main mode of transportation in the game, your awesome magic leg propulsion.
If you don’t like the Night Elf random chance, there is also the Metroid way. Samus only spin jumped if she had forward momentum. Her standing high jumps were without spin.