I've become interested in working on a warpless run of SMB2. I've got a WIP here:
http://www.kraftfam.org/~erk/nesvideos/smb2.zip
However, I'm not necessarily done with these three levels either. Notes:
- I finish level 1-1 6 frames faster than Genisto's current version.
- The second-to-last room can be done 16 frames faster, although it doesn't apparently change the boss timings. If that's so, I'll probably redo that part and try and hex-edit the rest back on.
- World 1-2 is done 2 frames slower than Genisto's current version. One is lost in the pot with the key (I'm not sure why). One is lost in the battle with Birdo, but since I have an idea how to fix that, I might redo from that point.
- World 1-3 has already been modified a few times from within the door. Short of any more ideas, I think it's optimum.
- Speaking of which, I did test jumping vs. simply turning around (during the falling-with-key part...the one just below the cave's entrance)
- I'm not entirely sure that I'm done with the Mouser battle, either. Many ideas have not panned out, but I haven't thrown in the flag yet.