So, there's this weird glitch I found that at the moment appears very inconsistent, but it may be useful if we can figure out how to manipulate it, for both Real Time and TAS runs. *ahem*
Step 1. Go to a character switcher.
Step 2. Exit the character switcher. (I don't change characters as they would be reset during the next step anyway)
Step 3. Soft reset. (That's L+R+Select+Start)
Step 4. Load your save and enter the main game.
As long as you're in any of the Mu Continent levels, the first Atlantis level, or the first Bikini Bottom, you'll appear somewhere that isn't the start point, usually over a pit or out of bounds. However, I have encountered an instance where I was taken to the end of the first room in Atlantis, which means this trick CAN save time. The problem? It seems to have varying results each day I try it. (And yes, I tried changing the day on my DS, it doesn't read that data) And I'm not changing the process at all. Could anyone do some research on the glitch and see of there's a way to manipulate it?
Okay. I'll do that when I get home. ... That is, if soft resetting works the same way in an emulator as it does on an actual DS. (For example, you can soft reset (the button combo) Sonic Rush to go to the title screen, while on an emulator, as I've seen, it completely resets the rom. So I am not sure if it'll work properly.)
If it helps, I do have a video recorded showing the glitch from my actual DS and explaining the process to do it. Would that work?
I was really sick over the weekend and completely forgot to make a verification movie. Here's the video showing the glitch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd-UaFC-lJ4
Ignore the sucky commentary, as well as the fact that this is a sucky attempt at an AGDQ submission, please. The glitch in question occurs at 2:32.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcrhwhaAlps
Recorded a run. Bit rusty with a huge mistake during Atlantis, but a speedrun nonetheless. Now you can see the route.
Say, where'd you find the Japanese rom of the game anyway?
No, you have to unlock Atlantis first. I'm saying there's a way to warp to the end of the first room in Atlantis (and I'd assume other stages maybe), saving sometime, but it appears inconsistent. You still have to enter Atlantis's level to do the warp.