We've updated our "Game Rules" today, answering some frequently asked questions where every potential runner can easily read them.

The rules seem rather lengthy, but the only changes to our previous verification standards are as follows (and I'll expand on each): --We are explicitly allowing P2 Up+A to be bound to a single input. --We are now provisionally accepting runs on ARM/Mobile devices (e.g. smartphones). --We have a recommended emulator core list. --We are asking users to indicate what emulator, FPGA, or hardware mods were used.

P2 Up + A single binding. First of all, speedrunners had already been taping, clamping or rubber banding buttons on original hardware. The net effect for the runner is that one less button needs pushed. We accepted runs that did this. So, we're expanding the rules to allow all our potential runners that convenience. When previously asked about it we didn't think it was unfair if anyone had used a trick to make P2 Up + A a single input, but we discouraged runners from doing it in the future. Our ableist rationale was that it's trivial either way. But the fact is that while for most of us there is no difference between pressing one button or the two, for someone out there it could make a difference. We'd rather even the field for such a runner. But this allowance is intended to be limited to P2 Up+A. We don't intend for runners to further expand this rule for any other purpose. If you want to duplicate P1 input to P2, which due to a quirk in the game's program can cut a lot of lag frames, you have to do it manually.

About Smartphone emulation I've done preliminary testing and found no inaccuracy. We've researched the programs and what we learned has given us some confidence in their quality. The recommended smartphone apps use well-known x86/PC cores like Nestopia and FCEU. So, we don't have any specific reason to think they are advantageous, or less accurate than x86/PC emulators which themselves are not perfect. Should we find a significant inaccuracy in any gaming device we will of course examine it and per our standards for comparison to original hardware, remove runs that gained an advantage due to CPU/PPU inaccuracy.

We are recommending emulator cores now, as this is one of our most frequently asked questions. There are multiple resources on the internet, but this contains tables http://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Nintendo_Entertainment_System_emulators#cite_note-libretro-1

Indicating emulator, FPGA, modification use. As we're allowing a new platform provisionally, we'd like to keep a better public record of what programs are being used in case we do need to go back and check videos. We're expanding that to all platforms. No comment would imply unmodified original hardware. We will message you to get that information if you do not add it.