Both Hardcore mode and the new SEGA Villains DLC have had categories added to the leaderboard.

Hardcore mode will now be a selectable subcategory (a variable) in the same vein as difficulty or platform.

A new category called All DLC Levels has been added, and runs for this category will be able to be completed via a first-time story playthrough or via Arcade mode. This should be the most accessible option for all players as it does not require repeated backing up and reloading of save files.

As always, if you wish to share feedback or point out a discrepancy in the leaderboard or rules as things get shifted around please let us know on the forum or Discord.

• Faust and zanto

(updated at 4/5/26 7:58 PDT)

With the release of the SEGA Villains Stage DLC come new speedrun challenges! Seven new ILs have been added to the Arcade leaderboard including the two new boss rush modes.

Furthermore, the game's main rule #3 has been updated to now read

DLC and Starter Pack items may be installed and present on runners' files so long as the amulets and ninpo are not equipped and used. Any cosmetic outfit is allowed. This rule does not apply to runs of the DLC-exclusive modes or stages.

to reflect the new items added to the premium DLC and to continue keeping runs of the base game fair for players without paid downloadable content.

In the coming days, the community will also deliberate on how to best implement the new Hardcore mode into the leaderboard. If you'd like to share your feedback, feel free to let us know on the forum or Discord.

• Faust and zanto

We asked the Shinobi speedrun community whether or not to open the Shinobi difficulty as a separate subcategory for Arcade, and after a majority vote, they have finally been added to the leaderboards! Existing runs that met the criteria have already been moved to the new categories, but if we missed yours or moved it incorrectly, feel free to let a moderator know through direct messages. You can check them out and submit your own runs here.

If you'd like to join the community in sharing or learning routes, strategies, tech, glitches, or discussing and voting on leaderboard changes for Art of Vengeance or other games in the Shinobi series, you can join us on the Shinobi Speedrunning Discord.

• Faust and zanto

For the sake of simplicity and parity between different platforms, Boss Rush will now be timed via the in-game timer displayed on the clear screen like other Arcade Mode stages.

Furthermore, times not required for submissions will now be removed before verification, with the only exception being RTA for LRT runs. That means IGT will be removed from Full Game runs and RTA will be removed from Arcade runs. Please keep this in mind if you want to have one of these times shown and instead display it in your run description.

These changes are reflected respectively in the leaderboard's rules under Arcade -> Category Rules -> Timing and Game Rules -> Timing.

• Faust and zanto