Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs (2003) was the third Spyro game to be released for the GBA.
Game objectives
- Emulator used: VBA-rr-v24-svn422
- Aims for fastest time
- Any% completion
- Uses death to save time
The main objective of the run is to collect the required ability items and get back to the Lab in order to access the final two levels of the game. However, one of the ability items, the Dynamo, which is required to open the door to the Lab (and is also used against the final boss), requires 2000 Gems in order to be obtained. As a result, gems are collected throughout the run. The gem route mainly collects Purple, Yellow and Cyan gems (worth 5, 10 and 25 respectively), with reds and greens being collected less frequently.
Tricks
Quick Turnaround
The fastest way to turn around is to press opposite to the direction Spyro is currently facing - e.g. if facing Up, pressing Down will turn to the side faster than pressing Left or Right.
Hover Jump
This is done by pressing A twice in mid-air. This is used to jump up walls or steps which are 2 blocks high.
Quick Escape
This ability is used in order to return to Dragon Shores quickly. It is used in Fairy Library, Rabbit Habitat and Moneybags Mansion once the required gems/items have been obtained.
Fence-Walking
Fences are 3 blocks high, so you normally cannot jump on top of them. However, by standing on higher ground is is possible to get on top of certain fences. This allows shortcuts in Thieve's Guild and Chateau Ripto.
Wind Breath Hover
By using Wind Breath and pressing B once every 30 frames, Spyro can hover on air after going over an edge. This is used to skip the Ripto battle in Dragon Shores.
Chateau Ripto Statue Skip
The statue in this level normally has to be destroyed using a Bomb Egg in order to proceed. However, the wall behind it is lower than it looks, so I can get up it just by hover jumping behind the statue.
Fairy Library
The Rhynopede boss has a moderately long invulnerability period between hits.
Yeti Serengeti
Burning Ripto banners or baskets inside a dark cave causes a lot of lag.
Rabbit Habitat
You cannot charge or jump while towing one of the magician's 'halves'... Quick Escape to return to Dragon Shores.
Banana Savannah
This level is mostly without music, because I enter a doorway while the Item jingle is playing.
Thieves' Guild
During the Butler Battle before this level, being in midair at the same time that Butler gets hit allows me to move around between hits.
Kangaroo Hoodoos
One of the hedgehogs in this level has to be charged twice, for some reason...
Moneybags Mansion
Another Butler battle before getting the Dynamo.
Rhynocs 'n Clocks
Gliding to the other side of the level without jumping up to the higher ground first is ALMOST possible.
Chateau Ripto
Grabbing both items at the same time after defeating Ripto allows me to move and play around during the Butler scene.
Improvements
Using a deathwarp to return to the entrance more quickly in Byrd Barracks would save about 130 frames.
Suggested screenshot
Frame 41374
In-game stats: 00:18:23, 21.7%
Noxxa: While there are reportedly some tricks that could've been used to save time, this run looks good enough for a first run of this game, and has received good viewer response. Accepting for Moons.
