Crash Bash Speedrun Tech / Tips

This guide is missing some newer stuff like Komodo 0 but it is still very useful for new runners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD6T9KzzvFo

How to Start Running 200%

Netplay via the Mednafen Emulator

**This Guide assumes you know how to setup Mednafen for single-player. If you don't, look up a Guide for that first.**

The Mednafen Emulator allows to have Netplays, which can be used for speedrunning the Adventure Mode in Co-op. To set it up, you'll need:

- The same Mednafen version (e.g. 1.26.1)
- The same Crash Bash ISO (ideally NTSC)
- Synchronized Controller Configurations

The controller configs can be changed in *mednafen.cfg*. Alternatively, you may also create a dedicated Config File for Crash Bash in the pgconfig folder titled *ISONAME.psx.cfg.*

I recommend the following configurations:

----------------------------

*psx.input.pport1.multitap 1*

*psx.input.pport2.multitap 0*

*psx.input.port1 dualshock*

*psx.input.port2 dualshock*

*psx.input.port3 dualshock*

*psx.input.port4 dualshock*

*psx.input.port5 gamepad*

*psx.input.port6 gamepad*

*psx.input.port7 gamepad*

*psx.input.port8 gamepad*

*cheats 0*

----------------------------

(*pport1* enables the 1st Multitap, allowing to play with four players. *pport2* disables the 2nd Multitap, but port5-8 still have to be synchronized. Having Cheats enabled can cause confusion for some builds, so they should be disabled as well.)

Next step is looking up a server with your preferred search-engine. The closer to you, the lower the lag. For this example I'll use the default fobby server.

Once the game is booted, press T to open the Netplay console, and type the following:

*/nick YOURNAME*

*/gamekey PASSWORD*

*/server fobby.net 4046*

The password will be displayed. If you are worried about stream-sniping, you can use something long. In my example I used 400 characters. Here's the result:

https://i.imgur.com/6Meswh9.gif

Nick, gamekey and server will be saved, so the next time you'll only have to type "*/server*".

You can "switch the controllers" by typing:

*/swap 1 2*

That covers the basics. For more in-depth info, check here:

https://mednafen.github.io/documentation/netplay.html

Recording movies on emulator

This guide will use BizHawk as an example.

After booting your game, go File > Movie > Record Movie
Name things however you like, make sure to **record from Power-On** and hit Ok

Once you're done with the run you can hit Stop Movie and it'll automatically save to your chosen destination (Movies folder by default) as <nameofmovie>.bk2

Upload the file somewhere. The file must be zipped if uploaded to [TASvideos](http://tasvideos.org/userfiles/my#uploadfile). Personally I really hate Mediafire right now and anything that isn't MEGA so consider muh feelings

Config > Hotkeys
Misc... > Clear All
If you're using controller there is a good chance you'll accidentally hit the "fast forward" button accidentally.

Routing guide for Any% (No Memory Manipulation)

The following is intended to act as a routing guide for the Any% (No Memory Maniuplation) category, with the major most examples of relevant data I can think of.

Let's begin at the most obvious starting point: the absolute fastest route.

## TAS Route
*Polar Panic - Gem, Crystal*
*Pogo Painter - Gem*
*Jungle Bash - Gem, Crystal*
*Tilt Panic - Gem, Crystal*
*Pogo-A-Gogo - Gem*
*Space Bash - Gem, Crystal*
*Desert Fox - Gem, Crystal*
*Melt Panic - Gem, Crystal*
*Snow Bash - Gem, Crystal*
*Metal Fox - Gem, Crystal*
*Dot Dash - Gem, Crystal*
*Manic Panic - Gem, Crystal*
*Drain Bash - Gem, Crystal*
*Jungle Fox - Gem, Crystal*
*Ring Ding - Gem*

I tell a lie here as the true TAS route would do Toxic Dash gem in favour of Pogo-A-Gogo gem, due to lap skips. However I decided to not count that as it's a real time irrelevant anomaly. Additionally, in a real time situation you're far more likely to do Toxic Dash gem faster than Pogo-A-Gogo gem. So that would be the "RTA Optimal Route". I doubt I have to note how absurdly inhospitable said route is, but that's it if you wanna go for gold.

So from that knowledge let's take a look at the next step down, the route(s) used by "top" runners.

Consensus amongst the large majority of runners is that Manic Panic and Drain Bash gems are particularly troublesome. Their location in Warp 4 makes them annoying to go for as they can both easily trash a run, and this would be over an hour and twenty minutes into a run. Crystal-wise, Metal Fox and Drain Bash are the two longest, and can both cause trouble. Drain Bash particularly features an issue where one of your power-up attacks hitting an item crate results in your health being reduced to one hit remaining. Melt Panic crystal can also cause problems due to the nature of the challenge, aggressive or stupid AI can easily kill you.

So, what can be done? Replacing them, of course!

*El Pogo Loco - Gem*
*Toxic Dash - Gem, Crystal*

Unfortunately, at the "sub 2" route level there's not much room for movement. It'll mostly come down to your personal preferences as to what is substituted. Toxic Dash gem is a very good choice and you're unlikely to see a route that doesn't do it. El Pogo Loco gem, however, is not an "easy" item and costs a lot to fail. Some runners still find it preferable to Manic Panic or Drain Bash. Toxic Dash crystal is a solid replacement for either Metal Fox or Drain Bash, as on average it'll be a similar length but less problematic than either.

Finally, we have the low tier route choices, looking mostly to remove as much of the worst as possible.

Crashball - Gem
Pogo Painter - Crystal

Crashball gem is significantly slower than any other gem in the route is likely to be on a first try basis. However it's easy and right at the beginning of the game. Pogo Painter WILL take you 2 minutes, due obviously to the timer. Again, like Crashball gem, it's very easy and at the start. Including Toxic Dash crystal, only if you really can't do one of Metal Fox or Drain Bash crystals should you consider this.

Therefore the "safest" route would look like:

## "Safest Route"
*Crashball - Gem*
*Polar Panic - Gem, Crystal*
*Pogo Painter - Gem, Crystal*
*Jungle Bash - Gem, Crystal*
*Tilt Panic - Gem, Crystal*
*Pogo-A-Gogo - Gem*
*Space Bash - Gem, Crystal*
*Desert Fox - Gem, Crystal*
*Melt Panic - Gem, Crystal*
*Snow Bash - Gem, Crystal*
*Metal Fox - Gem*
*Dot Dash - Gem, Crystal*
*Manic Panic - Crystal*
*Jungle Fox - Gem, Crystal*
*Toxic Dash - Gem, Crystal*
*Ring Ding - Gem*

Or with Melt Panic crystal replaced with one of Metal Fox or Drain Bash. I must reiterate that it really is down to your preferences/experiences as to what your personal route should look like. It's entirely possible to sub 2 using the safe route.

So there you go, hope runners find some use out of the information here. However I must remind you that the **true most intelligent play in Crash Bash speedrunning is to not speedrun Crash Bash.**

Semi-comprehensive list of garbage

http://pastebin.com/GQ9PXbbP here you go idiots

Starting your game through BIOS on emulator

[big]**Mednafen & BizHawk**[/big]:

BIOS required can be seen [here](http://mednafen.fobby.net/documentation/psx.html#Section_firmware_bios).

Add your BIOS to a folder called Firmware and you're good to go. If the emulator doesn't run with them properly, check if everything is correctly set up in Config > Firmwares



[big]**ePSXe**[/big]:

Create a shortcut of the emulator

Right click the shortcut -> Properties
The Shortcut tab should open by default

Type -slowboot at the end of Target as shown in the image. Quotation marks may or may not be needed and results vary from person to person. Go with whatever you have by default and then switch if it doesn't work.

Start your game through Run ISO
Run -> Reset restarts the game through BIOS now, too

oh yeah and apparently this shit can be done through cmd commands if you wanna be a nerd

Nome	Autore
Crash Bash Speedrun Tech / Tips	doctor_eggy 9 months ago
How to Start Running 200%	alexmandi 9 years ago
Netplay via the Mednafen Emulator	Eliminato 4 years ago
Recording movies on emulator	Pull 7 years ago
Routing guide for Any% (No Memory Manipulation)	Rabini 6 years ago
Semi-comprehensive list of garbage	Pull 8 years ago
Starting your game through BIOS on emulator	Pull 7 years ago