BCPS3 is optimal, but it is highly highly recommended not to play on it, especially when starting out.
General rule of thumb: run with what you have, there is no bad/detrimental version of the game. If you have a PS2, run on that. If you have a PS4, run on that. If you don't have anything, run on emulator, see if you like the game and speedrun before making any huge investments. Worst thing you can do is spend a bunch of money on hardware for a speedrun you don't enjoy.
That being said, for the Original version, if you have plenty of choices, the general hierarchy is:
- PS5
- BCPS3 (requires you to maintain the console)
- PS2 (Slim PS2)
- PS4
PS4 is technically slightly faster than PS2, but the game feels much better to play on a PS2. PS5 only loses a handful of seconds to BCPS3 and is significantly more sustainable (and depending where you live, a second-hand PS5 is more worth than a second-hand BCPS3). PS5 also has the benefit of always having the NTSC version with it, regardless of where in the world you buy the game from.
At this point, BCPS3 is only "worth" if you're gunning for any of the world records. Nowadays, second place/top 3 is more than obtainable on a PS5 given enough practice and dedication.
Might be worth noting that the Remaster (PS3/Vita) version is a very different speedrun to the Original version. There, your choices are pretty much just (fat) PS3, on the NTSC version, which you can easily get via modded console. Functionally every PS3 release is the same, NTSC is just faster due to "health & safety skip" which saves time in game resets. Same rule of thumb applies, run with what you got, see if you enjoy the game before investing time or money into the optimal setup.
Can't speak for Bellum and Adam's setup specifically but from my previous experience it's likely just done via a program like Parsec, which allows remote connection to a computer with gamepad, keyboard, and mouse support.
Local co-op for FFA in particularly is significantly faster, due to loading times and both players sharing weapon XP, so even if RPCN (PS3 emulator's netplay service) was supported for this game it would be much slower than emulating a Local setup.
@SWIL just getting around to this now. Currently there isn't a need for more moderators on this boards, as runs are infrequent and current moderators are active. Moreover, being a moderator requires you to excel in interest in the community and leaderboards, while you have no present runs on the leaderboards. As an example, prior to asking Ultra was very active in the community, frequently did runs, and even had a movement towards a notable leaderboard change (pencil shapes). Being a moderator on SRC is more than just being willing to verify runs, it is also willing to take part in the community and make progressive changes to the leaderboard.
Waiting for the goat Double account to come back....
Camera Code Error Fix (which is also a part of Speedrun Mod) is allowed
I come from the future. I can confirm watching this is a nightmare
Hitless (any%) runs have already been done by @septerna on base Jak II -> https://www.speedrun.com/jak2ext/runs/yod3x65m. I'm unsure if All Missions hitless runs have really been considered.
As for glitchless, since this topic often pops up across the Jak games, it's just very hard to reach a mutual conclusion on what a glitch really is. Is percentage-warping a glitch if it's just triggering a later cutscene? Are extended front-flips "glitches" if you're just doing a very fancy jetboard trick? Therefore, is hovering a glitch if it's multiple fancy jetboard tricks? It can be quite hard to reach a decision. So the answer to that is, feel free to make your own route and definition. Unsure if it will be a popular or accepted definition, but you are always free to do as you like on the All Missions leaderboards and submit your run as you please.
Hey guys can i have mod? I have moderator experience with playstation all stars battle royale and I love this game so I think i would be an ideal great fit for the role. Let me know if theres an open slot available and i look forward to hearing back. Thanks guice, stay groovy bros