Well, its finally here. I present to you the first Nintendo DS Tool Assisted Speedrun. The emulator used is DeSmuME 9.2rr which can be found here.
You can watch the movie via youtube part1, part 2, part3. Thanks to paul_t!

Notes

  • Getting the flag at the bottom is faster than the top.
  • 1-1 - I slowdown at the end in order to manipulate the flying ? on the map screen. This is necessary in order to get the blue shell
right away.
  • 8-4 - I take damage in order to avoid fireworks. Also I wanted to take damage to lose the blue shell so that I have some levels
without an overpowered item. The blue shell is less impressive in the basic "run to the right" levels.
  • 8-6 - More slowdown to avoid fireworks.

Time comparisons to the 23:55 console speedrun (by SDA timing).

Since I wasn't able to compare frames to a speedrun, I used the game clock. For reference, the speedrun can be found
Time remaining in each level. Speedrun vs TAS.
  • 1-1 370 370
  • 1-2 353 356
  • 1-C 450 463
  • 5-1 362 363
  • 5-2 362 363
  • 5-G 321 328
  • 8-1 268 268
  • 8-2 243 247
  • 8-F 440 447
  • 8-3 302 306
  • 8-4 264 265
  • 8-F 472 476
  • 8-5 265 268
  • 8-6 353 366
  • 8-7 354 359
  • 8-8 371 374
  • 8-F2 325 325

Special Thanks

  • The rest of the desmume rerecording branch team: Paul_t and Zeromus
  • choronorox for his very impressive speed run
  • The rest of the desmume team who have really turned around this emulator and turned it into something nice.

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Active player (308)
Joined: 2/28/2006
Posts: 2275
Location: Milky Way -> Earth -> Brazil
GreenaLink wrote:
Sorry if my previous post sounds a bit harsh but I was quite impressed overall how my favourite system can be TASed.
I wonder when MY favourite systems will have it's chance... The classic Polystation: The Funstation 3 The PX-3600 Or the revolutionary Chintendo Vii but Neo Double Games will do for now:
"Genuine self-esteem, however, consists not of causeless feelings, but of certain knowledge about yourself. It rests on the conviction that you — by your choices, effort and actions — have made yourself into the kind of person able to deal with reality. It is the conviction — based on the evidence of your own volitional functioning — that you are fundamentally able to succeed in life and, therefore, are deserving of that success." - Onkar Ghate
Bisqwit wrote:
Drama, too long, didn't read, lol.
Former player
Joined: 12/1/2007
Posts: 425
Patashu wrote:
Maybe a no blue shell run would be more interesting?
Hardly. An "all star coins" run would be interesting, however.
Senior Moderator
Joined: 8/4/2005
Posts: 5770
Location: Away
Well, I can't say I was terribly impressed by the run or the game in general, but it wasn't bad, either. Bonus points for being a first DS TAS! Btw, adelikat, I have some nitpicking to do: the platform acronym should be "NDS", not just "DS".
Warp wrote:
Edit: I think I understand now: It's my avatar, isn't it? It makes me look angry.
Former player
Joined: 12/5/2007
Posts: 716
Finally got around to watching it on YT. It looks ok to me, but there seem to be some parts where I wasn't sure it that's the right way to go. Despite those concerns, it was a weak yes vote from me.
Former player
Joined: 4/17/2009
Posts: 88
did you read through the faqs on gamefaqs to check all the secrets? i know there is some VERY hidden secrets in this game
Joined: 4/25/2004
Posts: 498
moozooh wrote:
the platform acronym should be "NDS", not just "DS".
By that reasoning, though, GB/SGB/GBC/GBA should be changed to NGB/NSGB/NGBC/NGBA... :p *thinks back to that ridiculous "GB vs. DMG" debate* also this run needs more weegee. GO WEEGEE
Player (58)
Joined: 7/7/2008
Posts: 872
Location: Utah
Okay, I have to know this. When you are TASing a DS game, how do you use the stylus?
Joined: 1/27/2008
Posts: 236
Location: Somewhere
Johannes wrote:
Patashu wrote:
Maybe a no blue shell run would be more interesting?
Hardly. An "all star coins" run would be interesting, however.
Yes that would. If it's not taken by the time I finish R4CW, that'll be what I do.
See Youtube page (GIRfanaticTAS) for all runs and stuff.
Player (60)
Joined: 9/2/2008
Posts: 289
Location: United Kingdom
Captain Forehead wrote:
Okay, I have to know this. When you are TASing a DS game, how do you use the stylus?
Use the mouse pointer it is easy for tap inputs but for sliding inputs, well it will be a nightmare holding the left mouse button and pressing the next frame button.
greenalink.blogspot.com
Player (58)
Joined: 7/7/2008
Posts: 872
Location: Utah
I think it will be pretty easy actually, you know, on the next frame, take a short break, then continue on, it's that simple. Oh, and by the way, I voted yes.
Senior Moderator
Joined: 8/4/2005
Posts: 5770
Location: Away
4matsy wrote:
By that reasoning, though, GB/SGB/GBC/GBA should be changed to NGB/NSGB/NGBC/NGBA... :p
No, no, no, don't get me wrong. "Nintendo" is the part of the console's name as much as in the case of "Nintendo Entertainment System", "Nintendo 64", and so on.
Warp wrote:
Edit: I think I understand now: It's my avatar, isn't it? It makes me look angry.
Former player
Joined: 12/5/2007
Posts: 716
Captain Forehead wrote:
I think it will be pretty easy actually, you know, on the next frame, take a short break, then continue on, it's that simple
So you not only want to click your mouse, but also press a direction key and and at least one button button AND hit frame advance? Good luck with that! See you when your fingers are crippled and/or when you're pressing a button with your nose or tongue (both even?). This is, of course, assuming you're not using Autohold.
Active player (441)
Joined: 3/21/2006
Posts: 940
Location: Toronto, Canada
As much as I loved watching this run, I have to vote meh due to the tech problems already mentioned. Since the question changed from "did you enjoy this movie" to "do you think this should be published", my vote changes with it. This is the best movie I've ever voted meh on ;) I really hope someone does an optimized any% or all-levels version of this.
My current project: Something mysterious (oooooh!) My username is all lower-case letters. Please get it right :(
Joined: 11/4/2007
Posts: 1772
Location: Australia, Victoria
I decided to vote Meh. It has bonus points for being a TAS. But the main problems for me is that it was really monotone, and that it is, of course, improvable. I look forwards in the future for a MKDS run though. ^.^
Former player
Joined: 3/16/2009
Posts: 42
Location: In the USA, nowhere else.
This was a meh vote for me. While the game is popular in general, that doesn't nessacarily mean it's a good choice to TAS. First off, I think this game is just...slow. When making a TAS, you think speed. But I digress... While I sort of liked this run in general, I began noticing one improvment that could have saved a lot- facing backward when touching the flagpole. Since Mario doesn't turn, it would of saved time. I did see you say that you weren't thinking when saving the game, but that's still a mistake that really points out. I realize I'm not supposed to expect an unimprovable TAS for a first, but these two mistakes just got in my way too much. However, there were good points. I liked how some of the levels in World 8 went. The final castle was really nice too. I unfortanatly, must say this may not be good for publishing.
Lego is awesome!
Hoe
Joined: 7/31/2004
Posts: 183
Location: USA
i've waited a while for this one :) yes vote
Player (58)
Joined: 7/7/2008
Posts: 872
Location: Utah
ShinyDoofy wrote [quote="ShinyDoofy"][quote="Captain Forehead"]I think it will be pretty easy actually, you know, on the next frame, take a short break, then continue on, it's that simple[/quote]So you not only want to click your mouse, but also press a direction key and and at least one button button AND hit frame advance? Good luck with that! See you when your fingers are crippled and/or when you're pressing a button with your nose or tongue (both even?). This is, of course, assuming you're not using Autohold.[/quote] Autohold? That just made things a lot easier, I thank you ShinyDoofy!
Joined: 1/22/2008
Posts: 319
Location: Brasil
out of sync here, i cant watch, im sure using the right rom but i watched the youtube video, its a great run, very fun
Run..Run...Run.....
Banned User, Former player
Joined: 3/10/2004
Posts: 7698
Location: Finland
adelikat wrote:
This is the first ever TAS run or wip of any kind for the game or platform. There's no way I'm making an unimprovable movie on the first try.
That might have been an alleviating circumstance 7 years ago, but I think the site's standards have been upgraded a bit since then. The site rules do not say that TASes of new consoles should be judged more leniently. As I said, the very first TAS of a new console is admirable, but not grounds for lowering the quality standards. Btw, do I have the impression that many people are voting yes for the precise reason that this is the first DS submission ever? Where was that list of lousy excuses for publication, again?-)
Skilled player (1670)
Joined: 6/11/2006
Posts: 818
Location: Arboga, Sweden
I call publish. While this game is not the most entertaining game to TAS (Like any Mario-game, SMW and SMB2u excluded(Self-pwn I know, but I don't like SMB3 too much)), it's still publishworty and most importantly, brings a new console to the site. I think it would be folly to wait 3 months for the first NDS-TAS to be published, especially when one which at very least is publishable exists.
Warp wrote:
omg lol this is so fake!!!1 the nes cant produce music like this!
Banned User, Former player
Joined: 3/10/2004
Posts: 7698
Location: Finland
Cardboard wrote:
I call publish. While this game is not the most entertaining game to TAS (Like any Mario-game, SMW and SMB2u excluded(Self-pwn I know, but I don't like SMB3 too much)), it's still publishworty and most importantly, brings a new console to the site.
1) Since when has a run, which the author himself admits is sloppy, been publishworthy? 2) Since when has "brings a new console to the site" been grounds for more lenient judging, overlooking glaring sloppy play?
I think it would be folly to wait 3 months for the first NDS-TAS to be published, especially when one which at very least is publishable exists.
Is having runs of games of new consoles some kind of status symbol for us? Why is it so important and outright urgent to have this run published as soon as possible?
Skilled player (1670)
Joined: 6/11/2006
Posts: 818
Location: Arboga, Sweden
It's not about status or lack thereof. It's about bringing a new console to the site which allows for a wider fanbase, more members, more TASers, and more TASes of hopefully high quality. Also.
1) Since when has a run, which the author himself admits is sloppy, been publishworthy?
There are known cases of this yes. I could bring them up if you wish. There are also cases of runs known by everyone and their mums to be improvable but they still got published so yeah. It might not be a rule but it happens for the greater good.
Warp wrote:
omg lol this is so fake!!!1 the nes cant produce music like this!
Banned User, Former player
Joined: 3/10/2004
Posts: 7698
Location: Finland
Cardboard wrote:
There are known cases of this yes. I could bring them up if you wish. There are also cases of runs known by everyone and their mums to be improvable but they still got published so yeah. It might not be a rule but it happens for the greater good.
As someone has said, past mistakes don't justify making them again. In some cases yes: There might have been very good reasons for publishing a run with known flaws. However, is "this is the first DS TAS" good reason enough? How long did it take to make this TAS? How long would it take to remake it with the flaws fixed?
Former player
Joined: 7/21/2006
Posts: 747
Location: Northern Hemisphere
From the few hours I've had playing with this game, it looked great to me. And wow, DS TASing? I call Brain Age!* *No I don't.
Editor, Active player (296)
Joined: 3/8/2004
Posts: 7469
Location: Arzareth
I say go for it [publication]. If the movie is sloppy, it gives the newcomers (or anyone else) another TAS they can try to beat! :)
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