Okay, can you show us what these glitches are that you're talking about? The ones that make sub 40 possible?
Yes. You don't start on selecting "Area 01" after playing on a file under any circumstances. New Game is required. I know about the "NG+" aspect sort of thing. And sure, I'll make video required (and upload my own).
So I just did some testing. Yes it is faster by about 30 seconds. The problems with this route show themselves during the race. I do have to push the block around the side of the building to get platforms and I do have to get the target to open the door. Below is a 7:58 (or 8:12 best segment) of the route.
Any% No MTD would definitely use this somewhere. For 100% I don't think I would repeatedly try for the trick. I imagine we'd have a backup route in case it happens (and we'd try once upon entering the water anyway, like i did in the video). For Any%, no. The token in Hut, Hut, Hike! is very fast. That route is solid and is just a boss rush outside of duping. If you're talking about using it in Peacock Purgatory, I don't think it would work. We need to be able to glide out of it to be the horizontal distance to reach the end of the level. Getting the glide ability is right near the end of that level anyway.
Any ideas on where this would be useful?
I pressed triangle on the first frame of entering the water. As I bobbed back up I was transforming while doing so.
I think this works because you can use the muck monster ability at the surface of water, regardless of your vertical speed.
Update:
Unlock HUB while getting spring-pad and BONUS token in Peacock Purgatory. Dupe until 26 Fight Noseferatu Fight WereBear Dupe until 62 Fight Ker-Monster Fight Muck Monster Dupe until 106 Fight Bride Slide Fight The Master
The level directly after each boss is automatically unlocked! No evil energy is required to visit Hike of the Haunted or Hut, Hut, Hike!
Duping until 62 on the first Hike of the Haunted token is faster than the Peacock Purgatory token. Duping until 106 on the first Hut, Hut, Hike! token is faster than the Hike of the Haunted token.
There is also potential for duping the underwater token in The Monstery Monastery. It will not be faster than the Hut, Hut, Hike! token but it would be more consistent. More testing/timing required to balance risk/reward.
That's just a rating. The same mechanic is used in Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3.
Spyro 2 100% does not require skill points. Spyro 3 117% does not require skill points. Crash 3 105% does not require platinum relics (or dev times). Banjo-Kazooie 100% does not require all Mumbo Tokens. Donkey Kong 64 101% does not require all coin pickups (or even all small bananas!).
Every speedgame is different. Yes, you would be able to list just as many counterpoints to this. I don't think requiring a high score would be realistic for a speedrun. If the 5 million points / 5 stars unlocked like an extra stage IN THE GAME, then sure, I could obviously see it being a requirement. As it stands, I don't think the category requirements will change.
When you need to make a sharp turn, spin. You won't have to loop around, or turn around. It's instantaneous.
"Story Mode 2 Skips" is a bad idea. Runs change as new strats are found. We adapt, we move on. Sure, sometimes we keep a category spinoff of an older category (16 star is a good example) but there is no good reason to keep Story Mode 2 Skips. Not only do we already have Story Mode All Levels, but 2 Skips isn't even a nostalgic category (it wasn't used for long).
Update:
Unlock HUB while getting spring-pad and BONUS token in Peacock Purgatory. Dupe until 26 Fight Noseferatu Fight WereBear Dupe until 106 Bosses until Master
The level directly after each boss is automatically unlocked! No evil energy is required to visit Hike of the Haunted. Duping the last 80 on the first Hike of the Haunted token is faster than the Peacock Purgatory token.
YW1, this is a very serious speedgame and I will optimize it to its extent. I love this game very thoroughly and I swear I will give love and attention to every bump and crevice the game has to offer. Not only will I forever have my dick out for Robin, but you should as well.