mccJun 27, 2023

Speedrunning is kinda cursed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEQWT9rSkfM

Did you know this? Apparently if you bought a copy of Super Mario Bros. 3 in the US, depending on when you bought it the "bros" in the logo is either aligned left on the label or right.

*If the logo on your cart is aligned right, you can't get a world record under current strategies.*

And until *last year*, nobody realized this was a problem. It was believed the versions were functionally identical.

(image source reddit user stang189)

Mario 3 Version Difference Is Faster VS Slower!?

YouTube
Show threadmccJun 27, 2023

If this video confuses/bores you: Read this post then jump to 10:19.

In warpless SMB3 runs, there's an early (second world) instance of randomness where a hammer brother can run either right or left, and if it runs left you can skip three entire levels and save an entire minute:

https://smb3.bf0.org/smb3mechanics/2018-08-22-early-hammer/

Getting this randomness is important, so players use a "manipulation"– they play in a very precise way (in Mitch's case, literally miming along to a video of a TAS) to get exact random numbers.

Early Hammer

An in-depth description of Early Hammer and Hammer Brother movement

SMB3 0r4ng3
Show threadX ΘΔJun 27, 2023
@mcc that video is astoundingly insufferable (complete with a baked-in ad) for what amounts to "code changes result in slightly different frame timings, causing rng to be slightly off for manipulation"
Show threadWilliam D. JonesJun 27, 2023

@Xkeeper @mcc I can't watch videos like this, RGM Explained, etc for an orthogonal reason:

"I had this idea before the show existed, but never acted on it to make a reality. And now I'm bitter that it's too late".

Lmao, I'm petty. At least I'm honest?

Show threadmccJun 27, 2023
@cr1901 @Xkeeper It's not too late though there are like, still still a lot of retro game quirks that don't have explainer videos
Show threadWilliam D. JonesJun 27, 2023

@mcc @Xkeeper (To be fair, I am better suited for blog posts. And I still have one blog post in the pipeline that X helped me with:

How the batshit IKAAAE Game Genie code works and why it's so batshit.)

Show threadmcc
@cr1901 @Xkeeper I would watch this video
Jun 27, 2023 at 9:30pmWeb