Hey, I'm new to this whole speedrunning thing, and I'd like to try the game Running Battle for the Master System, which doesn't seem to have been officially run yet (I've seen some gameplay on YouTube tho). I got it working on my 3DS XL right now, and I wanted to try and set some PBs while I save up to get the real hardware soon.
Thus, the question titling this post came up, and I'd really like some advice on what is usually ok or not in that sorta category. Thanks in advance!
Given that the game isn’t on the site, you can technically create whatever rules you want if you get the game added. So you could decide what versions/platforms of a game are allowed.
Given that you’re basically using a 3DS XL as an emulator, I certainly wouldn’t recommend comparing that version of the game around any official ones and it should probably be considered an emulator run. You’d probably need to do extensive testing to determine whether or not playing the game that way provides any better performance over an actual console or traditional emulator.
In the end though, I really wouldn’t recommend running the game that way. Handheld consoles can be very difficult to capture, so if you’re looking to emulate the game I would just use a standard Master System emulator for your computer and forget about trying to do it on a handheld device (if for no other reason than to make recording runs easier on you).
I see! I just feel it's easier to concentrate on the game on a device that doesn't let me use Twitter, YouTube, and search random stuff on Google easily haha (I might have ADHD but I don't really know 😨). Also I've always had speed issues with PC emulators, specially on my 6 years old laptop. On top of that, playing the 3DS flat on a table is very comfortable for me.
I'll look into it tho!
I mean if it’s comfortable or more feasible for you don’t let me dissuade you from it! You’ll just have to rig up some kind of way to capture your gameplay with your phone or some other camera unless you plan on getting a 3DS capture board installed. People have gotten creative with stacks of legos or books or boxes to mount cameras on, so there’s plenty of options. You just need a video of a full run for the submission process per site rules when requesting a new game.
I've gotten a hold of the emulator for SMS and it seems to give no issues so far. I just need to get used to the controls on the keyboard now! And figure out the best way to record my keyboard.
Why do you need to record your keyboard? There’s no rule that states you need to show your hands during the run, you just need video of the gameplay, not of yourself. And you can always look into a USB adapter or something like that to use any controller on your computer rather than keyboard (it’s just generally not allowed to use map buttons in a way that gives you functionality a real controller for the console can’t do).
As long as you’re not creating any bindings that aren’t possible on a real controller (like pressing both left and right on a dpad by binding those two buttons to L/R triggers) then yes it will be fine. You just can’t exploit anything a real controller can’t do.
I see. I decided to not use the PS1 controller. It has far too much travel before registering button presses and It'd destroy my fingers in a long training session! So instead, I ordered a NES-style controller. As soon as that arrives, I'll record a run.
The NES USB controller I got isn't that great. Better than the PS1, but I just don't like how much travel the membranes have! I guess I'm just used to the feel of the clicky tactile buttons on the 3DS (it HAS been my main gaming platform since 2013 so there's that). I figured out a way to use my 3DS as a controller over Wi-Fi, and couldn't tell any noticeable lag when playing, so I guess I'll go with that instead.
(I might add tactile buttons to the NES controller later just for fun tho.)
Time to try a couple runs!
Yeah, having a REAL hard time with controller issues. The 3DS works, but my Wi-Fi just LOVES to drop out in the most inconvenient moments, so that's a pass unfortunately. And besides the feel, that NES USB controller has a tendency to register all directions at once if you press a little harder on the D-Pad. Fun stuff huh >:/
I'd really love some suggestions of controllers I could get for this, tho. Wired USB, Bluetooth, I don't care, just something that works. It's so frustrating!!!