would it be theoretically possible to, by any means, activate the BBG cannon without slowing down? is it even plausible? because if so, it could save several seconds.

You can try it with the aiison code and just run thorugh the last pipe jump before the stairs

But I am not sure if it will work

I've already made a forum about this. It isn't possible to manipulate the Bullet Bill so you don't slow down.

Link To Old BBG Forum: https://www.speedrun.com/smb1/thread/cxm4p

hmm... i suppose this makes sense. i didn't expect it to be possible. i suppose in the future optimizations for the trick willl be found.

HappyLee looked into it by changing the games code to Make the bullet shoot as early as possible no matter what in a TAS and even that was not fast enough to save a framerule over what we do currently. It is simply not RTA viable.

so long story short: it's impossible to do legitemately?

There is no long story. It just doesn't work lol. Very plain and simple.

Or does it?

^