Thought I’d pop in here as really the only person who has ever really used the IL board. Timing starts on the first visible frame of the level and ends upon the first visible frame of the “Level Completed” screen, so load times don’t really factor in too much. The only real “load time” difference would be the time it takes from the fade to black to the level completed screen. Granted that might be a big difference between PC and N64, but idk how much it really differs. I think the biggest issue that was present at the time of making the board PC only was the fact that if all platforms were allowed, in order to get the fastest time on levels like Riverbed or City Entrance you’d have to play on N64 due to the console specific tricks, since then the under clover forest route means N64 would most likely be the fastest platform for that level as well. Since the board was made PC only though we’ve since unbanned N64 Emu, which would arguably make getting the fastest time in those levels more accessible, but seeing as there are differences when it comes to emu vs console I’m not really sure that would solve the problem. Personally I am all for making the IL board more appealing, just don’t know the best solution.

As far as I’m concerned The Tree is the only level that is boring. As for using the first six levels as a way to learn the game I definitely think it’s a great idea, when I first started running I learned the game up to bug bar and did runs until I consistently got runs under 13 minutes there, but but I don’t see why you’d need a leaderboard to do that. If you’re just looking for something “less boring” I’d suggest the misc categories.