Category Rules

Changes

• Rules may change, any changes will be announced in the Speedrun.com Discord under #challenge-discussion

Casual Submissions Welcome

Not all runs require exact timing. A full uncut video showing both games back-to-back is sufficient, and moderators will re-time runs as necessary. Advanced timing methods are recommended for accuracy but are not required in order to participate.

Submission requirements

• Include the platforms used for both games in your run description.
• Runs must include game audio, at a minimum of 30 fps.
• Show at least 5 seconds before the start and 5 seconds after the end.
• Keep your timer visible for the entire run.
• Runs must be performed on vanilla game versions with no modifications.
• Nothing in the video should cover major gameplay elements.
• No macros, autoclickers, or external tools.
• The run video must be one continuous recording showing the full transition between games.
• If the autosplitter fails to start, pause, or stop, keep playing and explain the issue in your submission notes. Moderators will verify by video.

Category

SHINOBI Ninja Legacy Challenge

Complete both SHINOBI III and the SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance Demo in a single run (one after the other)

SHINOBI III

• Complete on any difficulty. Completion is when the top HUD disappears after defeating the Shadow Master.
• Cheat codes are not permitted.
• Approved platforms:
  • SEGA Genesis
  • Nintendo Switch Online (with Expansion Pack)
  • RetroArch (Genesis Plus GX Core)
• If playing on a platform with multiple versions of SHINOBI III available, the most recent USA release should be used (i.e. not the Genesis Mini or Beta versions)

Setup

• After finishing SHINOBI III, runners may take a short setup break before starting SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance.
• The setup period must not exceed 3 minutes.
• Setup time is not included in the run time, since the timer for SHINOBI III stops and the timer for SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance starts separately.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance Demo

• From New Game in Story Mode, complete the demo on any unmodified Difficulty Preset (no custom difficulty).
• Reach the “Stage Clear” screen, then continue in-game to finish the Ankou Rift.
• Approved platforms:
  • Steam (PC)
  • PlayStation 5
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PlayStation 4
  • Xbox One

Timing

0) Key Definitions

• Load-Removed Time (LRT) – the timer removes loading screens or other non-play time.
• Real-Time Attack (RTA) – the timer runs the whole time, including loads.
• Split file – your LiveSplit splits file (.lss) listing the segments for your run.

1) Start and End of the run

• Start – the timer starts on the first frame after you press START in SHINOBI III
• End – the timer ends when you finish the Ankou Rift in SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance and exit it.

2) How timing works

Setup: LiveSplit and autosplitter

• Install LiveSplit: https://livesplit.org/downloads/
• Learn the basics:
• Activate the autosplitter for each game separately:
• • Open LiveSplit.
• • Right-click → Edit Splits.
• • Enter the game name (Shinobi III or Shinobi: Art of Vengeance) and click Activate.
• • Save a Splits File for that game
• • Repeat for other game

Timing By Platform

• RTA for SHINOBI III (all platforms, including RetroArch). When loaded, Autosplitter will prompt you to change your timing comparison to Real-Time.

• LRT for SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance (PC). When loaded, Autosplitter will prompt you to change your timing comparison to Game-Time.

• Console Art of Vengeance runs (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch) use RTA.

• Runners are required to use two split files (one per game) to keep timing methods separate when LRT is used

Additional Notes

• When starting the timer for SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, runners are encouraged to set the starting time to match their finishing time from SHINOBI III (via Edit Splits → Start Timer at). This keeps your timing continuous across both games. In cases where runners don't do this, a moderator will retime as necessary.
• For leaderboard parity, top run times will be manually re-timed by moderators to ensure fairness.