Essentials

  • Emulator used: SNES9x 1.43 v9
Note: Due to an input display bug in SNES9x v9, it is recommended, but not required, to view the run with this bug-fixed SNES9x located here. However, the run will sync correctly on the standard SNES9x v9, and v7 as well.
  • Genre: Platform
  • Items: 100%
  • Aims for fastest time
    • Takes damage to save time
    • Abuses programming errors
    • Manipulates luck
  • Suggested screenshot:
This is an improvement of 2 minutes and 25 seconds to my previous run. I never expected to get anywhere close to this much improvement.
I aimed for real time instead of game time - this means that I took efforts to reduce lag, pause screens, and door transitions, even at the cost of in-game time.
The in-game timer for this run ended at 37 minutes, 54 seconds, an improvement of 2 minutes and 1 second over my previous version.

Breakdown of improvement (rough estimates)

Ceres & Crateria (Introduction and Bomb Torizo)
  • 2 seconds saved, mostly from tiny optimizations.
Brinstar (Kraid)
  • 2 seconds saved, again just little improvements here and there throughout.
Norfair (Crocomire and item collection)
  • 2 seconds saved by optimizations in earlier item collection.
  • 6 seconds saved on Crocomire.
  • 3 seconds saved in Crocomire's area.
Wrecked Ship & Crateria (Phantoon and item collection)
  • 3 seconds saved on the way to the ship.
  • 1 second saved not getting Phantoon's refills.
  • 7 seconds saved during item collection by better strategies and better robot manipulation.
  • Changing the route to do the Gauntlet area (to the upper-left of Samus's ship) at this point to save time later.
Brinstar (item collection)
  • 19 seconds saved directly and indirectly by removal of the crystal flash.
  • 6 seconds gained by better strategies during item collection.
  • The missile in the green tube is obtained now to save time later.
Maridia (Botwoon, Draygon, and item collection)
  • 6 seconds saved on item collection before Botwoon by better strategy and more optimized play.
  • 5 seconds saved from Botwoon to Draygon from better technique and not collecting refills.
  • 11 seconds saved on item collection after Draygon by better strategy and speed management.
Norfair (Gold Torizo, Ridley, and item collection)
  • 5 seconds saved from better speed management on the way to Gold Torizo.
  • 6 seconds saved on Gold Torizo from less strict manipulation and better shooting.
  • 3 seconds saved on the route to Ridley from better strategy.
  • 1 second saved on Ridley from better manipulation and avoiding refills.
  • 10 seconds saved on remaining item collection in Norfair.
Brinstar & Crateria (Item collection)
  • 6 seconds gained from better strategies up to and skipping the green tube missile.
  • 3 seconds gained in old Brinstar from better speed management.
  • 16 seconds gained due to changing the route for the Gauntlet.
Tourian & Crateria (Mother Brain and escape)
  • 21 seconds gained from skipping the baby Metroid.
  • 2 seconds gained from various other small optimizations.

Additional Information

The basis for techniques used in this run are explained on the Super Metroid Tricks page.
Controller input animation was added with an Input Animator utility I wrote. (This utility can also be used to remove the player 2-5 input, if desired.)
As mentioned above: Due to an input display bug in SNES9x v9, it is recommended, but not required, to view the run with the bugfixed SNES9x located here. The run will sync correctly on the standard SNES9x v9, and v7 as well.
For those interested in a more detailed breakdown of the time saved, you can check the spreadsheet (HTML) I used for comparisons during the making of the run. This spreadsheet will probably answer many specific questions, so I recommend taking a look at it if you are wondering about part of the run.
If anyone is interested in improving this run, contact me if you would like either (1) a 1-player SMV with no extraneous input, or (2) a spreadsheet similar in style to this one, set up to compare a new version.

Thank You

I would like to give thanks to those involved in helping Super Metroid TASing become what it is today. This includes:
  • Michael Flatley
  • Terimakasih
  • Saturn
  • catnap
  • hero of the day
  • moozooh
  • Kejardon
  • Graveworm
  • Frenom
Though I don't know them by name, thanks also to the many people who have done and researched console speedruns for the game, as they have found many strategies which were the basis for a tool-assisted speedrun.
Thanks to Gocha for his memory watcher utility for SNES9x which saved me a lot of time.
Thanks to Upthorn, nitsuja, and Fabianx for their help in removing the input display bug from SNES9x.
Thanks to Fabian for help with ideas for controller input.
Thanks to Bisqwit for a very handy HTML conversion of the spreadsheet.
Thanks to you for watching this run!

DeHackEd: Wow, that's a lot of votes.

1 2 3
7 8
jaysmad
Other
Experienced player (834)
Joined: 12/1/2006
Posts: 629
Location: Mom's
Why did you take the screw attack off at the end? Edit: Oh! Thanks moozooh!
Senior Moderator
Joined: 8/4/2005
Posts: 5770
Location: Away
jaysmad wrote:
Why did you take the screw attack off at the end?
http://tasvideos.org/SuperMetroidTricks.html#pass_through_robots_zebetites_
Warp wrote:
Edit: I think I understand now: It's my avatar, isn't it? It makes me look angry.
KennyMan666
He/Him
Joined: 8/24/2005
Posts: 375
Location: Göteboj
Seeing as how I don't use snes9x, I can't watch the smv, so I will eagerly await the publication of this. However, with all the stuff people are saying about the input display, is there any possibility for an avi with the input display visible being created?
Det man inte har i begåvning får man ta ut i energi. "I think I need to get to Snoop Dogg's level of high to be able to research this post." -Samsara Read my fanfic, One Piece: Pure Corruption
Banned User, Former player
Joined: 12/23/2004
Posts: 1850
Er. Any reason you don't use SNES9x?
Perma-banned
Player (198)
Joined: 12/3/2006
Posts: 151
Like most people I really enjoyed the input display animations you put in this movie, but I'm not sure if this should be taken that into consideration when voting. After all, the AVI file will not contain these animations. Also, if someone creates a movie a few frames faster than this one (or any other movie with input display animations for that matter), should/could that movie be rejected for being not as entertaining?
Joined: 8/3/2004
Posts: 380
Location: Finland
An improvement and an über movie to boot. Definite yes. I found the input animations to be pure win, but they need to used sparingly like in this movie. Overusage will make them dull as well.
"Kids! Bringing about Armageddon can be dangerous. Do not attempt it in your home." ( Pratchett & Gaiman: Good Omens )
Senior Moderator
Joined: 8/4/2005
Posts: 5770
Location: Away
Gunty wrote:
Also, if someone creates a movie a few frames faster than this one (or any other movie with input display animations for that matter), should/could that movie be rejected for being not as entertaining?
It's actually possible to create a movie a few minutes faster, but it would be absolutely lame (getting the last item, equipping space/time beam, triggering the explosion and flying away). I guess it kinda shows that entertainment takes considerable preference in any case. And in this run in particular, there's a lot of work put into entertaining the audience as much as possible beside the input animation (example: Crocomire fight) with excellent style. If a new run would fail at this, I'd vote no. Though it should be noted that I would vote no anyways, because it's possible to improve this run by a bit more than just few frames (my guess is about 3—5 seconds + something I don't know about yet). :P As for the matter of whether input animation should be a decisive factor of voting — no, it shouldn't. However, author's attention to entertaining the audience should. But there's not many people willing to improve 100% metroid runs (or even make them, for what it's worth), so it's really a moot point.
Warp wrote:
Edit: I think I understand now: It's my avatar, isn't it? It makes me look angry.
Active player (432)
Joined: 4/21/2004
Posts: 3517
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
He has got the flu! There are a lot of important things to mention about this fine run. Among the things I would like to acknowledge is the fact that you took a lot more damage, spinesharked to the extent that even spineshark himself raised his left eyebrow and also the massive use of spring ball. These highly important aspects really made a huge and visible difference compared with your first run. thrillingly beautiful and astonishing run. You will always have my deepest respect boi! Star run, yes vote and lots of gin & juice.
Nitrogenesis wrote:
Guys I come from the DidyKnogRacist communite, and you are all wrong, tihs is the run of the mileniun and everyone who says otherwise dosnt know any bater! I found this run vary ease to masturbate too!!!! Don't fuck with me, I know this game so that mean I'm always right!StupedfackincommunityTASVideoz!!!!!!
Arc wrote:
I enjoyed this movie in which hands firmly gripping a shaft lead to balls deep in multiple holes.
natt wrote:
I don't want to get involved in this discussion, but as a point of fact C# is literally the first goddamn thing on that fucking page you linked did you even fucking read it
Cooljay wrote:
Mayor Haggar and Cody are such nice people for the community. Metro City's hospitals reached an all time new record of incoming patients due to their great efforts :P
Joined: 5/13/2006
Posts: 283
Lovely use of inputs to brighten up otherwise dull moments. My favorite though was the use of players 3 and 5 during the Mother Brain battle script. And of course awesome handling of the game proper. Yes vote all the way. :D
<Zurreco> if so called professional players cant adapt to every playing field, theyre obviously not that great
P.JBoy
Any
Editor
Joined: 3/25/2006
Posts: 850
Location: stuck in Pandora's box HELLPP!!!
absolutely awesome, that must of took alot of work and it is one of the best and most up to date tas I've ever seen yet. also the input and input animator are excellent I especially liked the part going into [norfair?] when you were complaining that the elevator was so slow also why is there a player 5 in snes9x and why is there a 1+2 button, also how do you press 1+2 I wish you good luck for your next project Deserves a star :¬¦
Former player
Joined: 6/4/2006
Posts: 97
Location: Everywhere including nowhere
Yes vote without doubt. This is the finest run I've seen since the glitched Zelda 3. As for the input, I will encode this movie myself if I have to to get the input embedded into the AVI somehow. It'd probably be as a separate version though - most people would think of it as a distraction.
...?
Skilled player (1090)
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1139
Location: United Kingdom
Excellent. This movie is incredible for these following reasons in my opinion (in ascending order of contribution). 1) Technical accuracy seemed through the roof, a great improvement to what was already a highly optimised run. 2)The fast action on screen was very entertaining. After watching so many TASes I find it very difficult to be genuinely impressed by character movement purely because I've seen it all so often before. This movie had several moments where Samus darted across the screen moving fluidly and skilfully in ways that astounded me like it did when I saw my first TAS. 3) The input animation took my admiration of your work, JXQ, to a new, even higher, level. I've always thought that TASes (own opinion alert) should always have qualities that create what many would consider as art. These qualities are often drowned in the author's determination to simply "play the game awesomely", and many movies are made with very little unique creativity. I have voted 'Yes', this shall no doubt be getting a star and I think that JXQ will be worthy of ninja status if he continues to produce such refreshing and impressive movies.
Joined: 8/3/2004
Posts: 380
Location: Finland
For that fixed emulator JXQ has provided in the submission, you're going to need the FMOD.dll from a snes9x installation if you're using FMOD as the sound system. Just pointing this out since it's missing from that distribution.
"Kids! Bringing about Armageddon can be dangerous. Do not attempt it in your home." ( Pratchett & Gaiman: Good Omens )
Player (87)
Joined: 1/15/2006
Posts: 333
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
You, my friend, have just set a new standard for quality.
print reduce(lambda x,p:p/2*x/p+2*10**1000,range(6643,1,-2))
Joined: 6/9/2006
Posts: 614
Location: Mettmann
for sure yes! crazy stuff jxq crazy!! iam wordless right now ... ps: the inputstuff made me smilie a lot :D!
Kaz
Former player
Joined: 12/2/2005
Posts: 149
When will JXQ get his ninja title?
Joined: 4/17/2004
Posts: 275
Normally, when I start watching a TAS when I'm tired, I have the tendency to nod off or come close to falling asleep, even if I'm not lying down. I've been up for close to twenty hours, and not once did I come close to nodding off in my chair. Awesome job for both the quality of playing, and the hilariously awesome input displays. Yes vote, star vote, and vote for JXQ to obtain ninja status.
Player (209)
Joined: 2/18/2005
Posts: 1451
I see now why JXQ kept so quiet about his progress before this submission. I was right, something terribly serious happened in this run: A ingame time of 0:37!!! I honestly NEVER in hell thought a sub 0:38 time for 100% is possible to reach, even with all the newest tricks. I was blown away to see how many little tricks JXQ improved, especially: - the last shinespark after grapple beam to JUST reach the platform in time (I was shocked to see that even with 29 energy points it's still possible to get ammo refills because I thought the minimal limit for them was 30) - the long horizontal room full of enemies in WS with the absolutely unexpected skip of the first shinespark - Pink Brinstar PB without using a shinespark - Maridia shortcharge right before cracking the tube to save alot of time before shinesparking to the mainstreet Missile - Lower Norfair springballing through the bomb blocks room after Gold Torizo - Lower Norfair Elite Pirate room - Lower Norfair hidden energy tank room - Going to X-Ray scope without using the Space Jump in the spike room - Entire Blue/Old Brinstar cleanup The only slight mistakes you did were mostly in the boss fights: - Torizo can be improved by at least 10 frames - Phantoon can be improved by around 50 frames - Ridley's final grab was very good this time, but I still think one could squeeze out a few more frames by optimizing his position before the grab even more And the only obvious mistake I could see in the general run was in green Brinstar right when leaving the Etecoon room. Instead of making a additional jump on the platform just before the door, you could keep all the momentum by just jumping though it with a mid-air morph. That way you also save some frames in the next room by having the possibility to lay a PB immediately after the transition. Other than this slight errors, this is just a insanely good optimized TAS and because the exact timer is 37,90 I'm very sure that's the absolute limit for 100% no matter if aiming for realtime or not. Awesome work JXQ, my biggest respects to you and a obvious YES vote with a Star on this masterwork!! Oh and extremely nice Input animation, man! I especially liked the Tetris style at the beginning. :-)
See my perfect 100% movie-walkthroughs of the best RPG games on http://www.freewebs.com/saturnsmovies/index.htm Current TAS project (with new videos): Super Metroid Redesign, any% speedrun
Joined: 11/29/2005
Posts: 317
Location: Sao Paulo - Brazil
Can someone post what did he write? Some times it is just too fast to read it. The Tetris bit in the beginning was awesome.. Obviously YES vote.
Joined: 10/16/2006
Posts: 174
I've always been a big fan of JXQ's work, and this makes me like him even more. :) This must've taken TONS of work, so I applaud you. If this movie gets obsoleted, I'll be very sad.
Joined: 11/14/2005
Posts: 17
I feel like a moron, but how does one get the controller input to show up in SNES9x? I've looked through the menus and see no option.... Can't wait to see the movie. :) EDIT: Nevermind, just hit buttons until I found it. ^^; It's , by the way. Now to watch.
Joined: 5/13/2006
Posts: 283
To enable input display, press the comma , button. ;)
<Zurreco> if so called professional players cant adapt to every playing field, theyre obviously not that great
Player (147)
Joined: 11/27/2004
Posts: 688
Location: WA State, USA
This run deserves a galaxy.
Nach wrote:
I also used to wake up every morning, open my curtains, and see the twin towers. And then one day, wasn't able to anymore, I'll never forget that.
Former player
Joined: 8/17/2004
Posts: 377
Wow, just... wow. That has to be the best improvised commentary EVER. Is there any way to record the AVI with the command showing? Because I think this movie totally deserves it. Obvious yes vote, #40, woot!
Former player
Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 524
Location: USA
I need more pants after that...
Working on: Command and Conquer PSX Nod Campaign
1 2 3
7 8