Comments on: Retro video – Super Mario Bros. 3 -

By: Naznarreb

Naznarreb — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 19:00:54 +0000

After reading this I did some digging, and “Tool Assisted Speedruns” (TAS) as they’re known are actually very common. After poking around what seems to be the biggest site for this kind of thing (tasvideos.org) I have slightly mollified my opinion. According the site, they do not hack the game, but rather use the emulator to input commands that a human probably couldn’t and use that wacky input to stretch the ROM to it’s limit. For example, the developers probably never considered how the game would react if you pushed up and down simultaneously 27 times in one frame, something you can do with an emulator. So as an attempt at inhuman perfection, I guess it’s OK, as long as the makers of the videos own up to their tactics.

I watched several videos on the site and, yes, they are highly entertaining.

By: Velcor

Velcor — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 03:21:16 +0000

Hmm that is a good point of view, but the thing is, if the slo-mo and savestates rumor is true. . . he at least got it very well done, and even if his actions are not “legal”, it’s fun to watch.

By: Naznarreb

Naznarreb — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 02:43:50 +0000

I disagree with your last sentence. If this video was made on anything other than the NES with a stock controller, then it’s just cheap theatrics. If it’s okay to change up the equipment, then I have a 98mph fast ball (as long as I can use my pitching machine) and am a world class fisherman (just don’t take away my dynamite).

That being said, it’s still a blast to watch and I seethe with jealousy every time I see it because, dammit, I want to be that good, too!