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Emulator: VisualBoyAdvance Emulator Version 1.7.2 re-recording 19.3
  • Aims for fastest time
  • Abuses programming errors
  • Manipulates luck
  • Takes damage to save time
  • Uses game restart
This run was done on the Japanese version of Zelda: Link's Awakening because text in the Japanese version is notably quicker than in the English version.
The gameplay was further optimised as well, through corner boosting, putting more thought into where Link should be before entering the next screen, and better manipulation and lag avoidance on the boss.

Tricks and glitches

Screenwarp

This is done by pressing select just before the screen starts changing when moving to another screen. It causes Link to warp to the other side of the screen.

Up/down + A and B

This is done by pressing up and down at the same time, then pressing the A or B button. Pressing A causes Link to become graphically distorted, and can lead to some cool side effects. As you'll see in the boss battle, I turn into Dark Link. Pressing B makes the game think Link is at another part of the screen, which was used to get the sword without actually going down to it.

Corner boosting

This only works on corners which you're moving away from, i.e., it won't work on the corner while exiting the house at the start of the game. It will, however, work on the two corners outside the house, and the one before entering the dungeon. It's done by moving Link into the corner on a certain frame, and it causes him to be pushed forwards a bit. It saves 1 frame each time it's done.

Conclusion

This run is 1448 frames faster than the previous run, which is 24.13 seconds. In the comparable sections, I saved 62 frames, which is just over 1 second.
Thanks to Soulrivers for his previous run, and advice on the boss battle, and Tompa, for checking my progress regularly and reporting back any improvable parts.

Truncated: I will reject this submission because it is in violation of the rules, specifically the section about using the correct version. Runs should preferably be made on the (U) version, and when choosing a different version from the published movie this should be negotiated in advance. (In fact this is to avoid exactly this kind of problem, where the runner's effort to produce a well-made movie is wasted, which noone wants to happen.)
An improved run on the (U) version would be very welcome.