Multi layered backgrounds?

Here's a picture from Donkey Kong Country 2.



Notice the water? In game it's 3D from multiple backgrounds scrolling ar different speeds. Making a 3D like effects.

Many other parts are background objects scrolling at different speeds. I think this would allow cool effects and such.

You can already use multiple backgrounds with different transparency and scrolling speeds, but to get the effect in the screenshot you would probably use actors mostly.

could you do a quick tutorial on parallax backgrounds? there not working for me. thanks

I know this is really really old but  it's something I was wondering myself. I think that if someone really wants very complex backgrounds then you'll have to use actors. From the looks of it this is what Cuphead did: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omPcC_cfluk