are nes clone consoles allowed?
2 years ago
Richmond, VA, USA

hi! I come from sm64 speedruns. there are no n64 clones out there yet, so this is kinda unknown to me. if I got a Hyperkin retron1 AV, would I be able to use it in runs, or do I have to get an actual unit?

Québec

Clone consoles aren't allowed. Every accepted comsoles/emulators are listed in the game's rules

ItsPietroFelix likes this
Richmond, VA, USA

ah, alright thanks. would you mind telling me why? it doesn't make much sense to me.

Edited by the author 2 years ago
Oklahoma, USA

The game operates on a whitelist of approved emulators/systems, rather than a blacklist of illegal emulators/systems

Any time an option is added, a lot of testing goes into ensuring that it properly emulates the original hardware - and if it DOES deviate (in framerate), what the EXACT difference is, so that the end time can be correctly calculated to the millisecond.

It's possible for the emulator to mostly emulate accurately except small things that would be hard to notice, like properly emulating lag (for example in bowser levels where the hammers will significantly lag original hardware) - or other areas which do make a difference, but would be hardly noticeable outside of the precise timing of a run.

Edited by the author 2 years ago
India

Is the Super Famicom allowed for the original SMB1? Is it allowed if I use SD2SNES to input the NES ROM or should I use Original NES?

Edited by the author 2 years ago
Richmond, VA, USA

It still doesn't make much sense though, the retron is a scaled down nes in a cheaper housing. right? that's all it is? why wouldn't it be allowed? the controllers are the same, (I use official ones), and the internals may be cheaper, but it's the same exact thing as an original nes, so why wouldn't it be allowed?

Richmond, VA, USA

@SavirTheSpeedrunner no. that is a flash cart. flash carts are not allowed for various reasons. most notable, the use of save states.

India

@Apianbelle Flash carts are allowed for runs if you are using the original ROM to play the particular game… Many people play on flash carts for example Kosmic (PowerPak) and Miniland (EverDrive N8), I was curious if we could speedrun SMB1 on SNES/Super Famicom (through SD2SNES or Super Everdrive).

Edited by the author 2 years ago
Echon likes this
Richmond, VA, USA

hmm... idk then. I know in sm64, flash carts are not allowed, so that's what I was basing my statement on.

as for the snes through sd2snes, I don't know, I wasn't aware that flash carts were allowed in any game, but I would guess that it would be okay? as long as it doesn't increase performance(aka reduce lag in a noticable way) then it shouldn't be a problem.

India

@Apianbelle it’s allowed in this game, read the SNES category rules:

SNES Categories

Original SNES or Super Famicom Original SNES or Super Famicom with Super Everdrive or SD2SNES Wii All-Stars Rerelease Snes9x or Bizhawk Frontends used in conjunction with these emulators that can alter the performance (ex. RetroArch) are not permitted

Edited by the author 2 years ago
India

Anyway, my question wasn’t that if it was allowed. My main question was if I could speedrun SMB1 (NES version) on SNES. Can I?

Colorado, USA

@SavirTheSpeedrunner the SD2SNES/FXPak does not have the capability of running NES games.

@Apianbelle A lot of (but not all) NES/SNES games do allow the use of flash carts, and we do allow them on this board. However, you can't use any functions such as savestates with submitted runs. Regarding clone consoles (Retron, etc.), they are known to have inaccuracies. The audio is usually different as well and it's rather noticeable. If I'm verifying a run, I can tell it's a clone console within 2 seconds of hearing audio. It's not the same hardware as an original NES. We do the small list of whitelisted platforms because this game has reached an absurd level of optimization where individual frames are significant. It would become an unmanageable mess if we allowed submissions on any platform possible

sadida likes this
Richmond, VA, USA

gotcha. alright thanks roopert. I'll just get an OG NES from eBay then.

I do have a question about flash carts though, which one would you recommend for a budget flash cart? one of the everdrives? maybe a different one?

India

EverDrive N8 and PowerPak are popular and are used by many runners, Kosmic & Darbian etc. use PowerPak. Miniland & LeKukie etc. use EverDrive N8 so even I’d prefer one of these if I got an opportunity to choose…

(Krikzz.com manufactures Everdrives so you can go to their website for information too)

EverDrive N8 Pro: https://krikzz.com/store/home/57-n8-pro.html To buy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052URJS4 To buy EverDrive N8: https://www.amazon.com/EverDrive-N8-NES-Nintendo/dp/B079WYDPX5/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Powerpak+NEs&qid=1634380944&sr=8-2

Edited by the author 2 years ago
India

@roopert83 oh ok! I thought it could run NES games :/ Then guess I’ll only speedrun all stars :|

Richmond, VA, USA

@SavirTheSpeedrunner thanks! that's really appreciated!

Game stats
Followers
7,783
Runs
8,788
Players
1,781
Latest news
Requirements for High-Level Any% Runs

Any% (NTSC) runs below 4:57.000 must now fulfill additional requirements in order to be verified.

  • The run's full session must be included in the submission description.
  • For emulator runs below 4:57.000, some form of input display must be visible for the duration of the run. A hand-cam or input
3 months ago