Super Mario Bros: The Human Limit

Name: Super Mario Bros: The Human Limit
Uploaded: 2021-05-30T02:16:38.000Z
Duration: 1 h 28 min 59 s

Super Mario Bros Speedrunning: A Journey Through Optimization

Overview of Speedruns

Super Mario Bros speedruns focus on completing individual levels as quickly as possible, rather than the full game.

The eight levels in an any percent run have been optimized significantly over the years, with players discovering complex tricks to break the game.

Understanding the Any Percent Run

To complete an any percent speedrun, players navigate through specific levels: 1-1, 1-2, warp to 4-1, play 4-2, warp to 8-1, and finish with levels 8-2, 8-3, and finally 8-4.

The fastest recorded time for a tool-assisted speedrun (TAS) is 454.26 seconds by Maru; however, a slightly faster TAS exists at 454.03 seconds but uses controller techniques not available on standard NES controllers.

Frame Rule System Explained

Super Mario Bros checks level completion every 21 frames (0.35 seconds), meaning players can only gain time in these increments. This system creates a unique challenge for speedrunners.

Former world record holder Darbian explains this frame rule using an analogy of buses departing every 0.35 seconds; players must aim to catch the same bus as perfect runs to save time effectively.

Historical Context of Speedrunning Times

In 2016, the best human-run was at a time of 457.01 seconds—2.75 seconds behind the theoretical perfect run due to being one frame rule behind in each stage before level 8-4.

Human runners typically relied on straightforward strategies like running fast without executing advanced tricks that were known in TAS runs until later developments emerged within the community.

Key Trick: The Flagpole Glitch

The flagpole glitch allows players to end a level without waiting for Mario's flag slide by clipping into the flagpole block precisely; this trick was crucial in saving frames during certain stages (1–1, 4–1, and 8–3).

The Evolution of the Flagpole Glitch in Super Mario Bros

The Breakthrough by Darbian

On August 19, 2016, Darbian became the first player to successfully execute the flagpole glitch in level 1-1 of Super Mario Bros, achieving a perfect frame roll.

Following this achievement, two additional levels (4-1 and 8-3) were identified where the flagpole glitch could be applied, but executing these required precise subpixel manipulation and frame-perfect maneuvers.

Community Contributions and Innovations

In September 2016, speedrunning expert Sockfolder began working on making the flagpole glitch more consistent by controlling Mario's subpixel values through extensive input testing.

Sockfolder developed a setup that allowed for reliable execution of the flagpole glitches in levels 1-1 and 4-1 by manipulating inputs to achieve necessary subpixel values.

Achievements and Challenges

By September 30th, Mav successfully executed the flagpole glitch in level 8-3, marking three stages completed perfectly within two months. This led to a significant reduction in sum of best times.

Increasing Difficulty with Advanced Tricks

Level-Specific Challenges

The remaining four stages presented much greater challenges than previous levels due to their complex tricks. For instance:

Level 1-2 required a pipe clip that involved precise timing and movement to save frames effectively.

Level 4-2 necessitated a wrong warp technique that was theoretically possible but extremely difficult to execute consistently.

Frame Rule Requirements

In level 8-1, players needed to save an unprecedented number of frames (21 total), which was complicated by needing both a fast acceleration at the start and executing a challenging flagpole glitch at the end.

The Complexity of Level Execution

Advanced Techniques Required

To achieve optimal performance in level 8-2, players had to flawlessly execute multiple frame-perfect actions including:

Fast acceleration,

A precise jump over obstacles,

A bullet bill glitch that would need to be performed on the first possible frame.

Conclusion on Feasibility

The Journey to Perfect Frame Rules in Super Mario Bros

The Initial Struggles and Breakthrough

After months of frustration, progress was made in April 2017 when a Mario runner demonstrated rapid advancements in achieving the one-two frame rule.

On April 16th, Andrew G became the first player to save the frame rule in level one-two, mastering critical techniques like the one-frame press and optimal sub-pixel management.

Achievements and Remaining Challenges

With one-two perfected, only three stages remained unsolved; however, these were significantly more difficult than the initial four levels.

The remaining challenges included complex tasks such as task-like movement in 4-2 and intricate glitches required for levels 8-1 and 8-2.

Community Innovations

In early 2018, a community member known as "420 Blaze It" introduced a setup for saving the frame rule on level 8-1 by creating humanly viable methods for executing hard tricks.

Blaze It showcased a technique involving precise left taps during jumps that allowed players to clip into blocks without slowing down.

Progress Towards Perfection

Stuck In A Plate aimed to be the first player to execute this trick successfully. He spent extensive time refining his approach to make sub-pixel manipulation easier.

After significant practice, he achieved success with full-level attempts within about twenty minutes, marking another stage's completion.

Setbacks and Renewed Efforts

Despite earlier successes, progress stalled throughout 2019 with levels 4-2 and 8-2 still deemed nearly impossible due to their complexity.

Level 8-2 was particularly challenging because it required flawless execution across multiple difficult tricks believed beyond human capability.

Breaking Misconceptions

Contrary to popular belief that perfecting level 8-2 was impossible due to its demanding requirements, it turned out that no serious attempts had been made prior.

New Attempts at Level Eight-Two

In July 2019, Blaze It began working on a proof of concept for saving the frame rule on level eight-two using strategic save states before crucial sections of gameplay.

The Role of Top Players

The Journey to Save the Last Frame Rule

Achievements and Discoveries

The community celebrated a significant milestone, realizing that Taven didn't need to be frame perfect to save the frame rule due to a margin of error created by combined efforts.

The last frame rule was distinct; it required Mario to move forward on-screen by at least 20 pixels for the wrong warp trick, necessitating quick execution.

Methods for Achieving the Wrong Warp

Two primary methods emerged:

A wall clip method (discovered by 420 Blaze It), which involved clipping into a wall for pixel advancement.

Two backward bumps (discovered by Andrew G), each pushing Mario forward by 10 pixels.

King of Johnny Boy demonstrated that with perfect execution, the two bump method could achieve optimal speed, but it required precise inputs and sub-pixel management.

Challenges in Execution

Achieving the necessary precision was significantly more difficult than previous stages, involving complex inputs and timing.

An alternative method introduced by Happy Leash involved clipping into a wall's top brick but also proved challenging due to its demanding input requirements.

Progress Stagnation

By 2019 and into early 2020, attempts to solve this level stalled; it seemed insurmountable.

Breakthrough in Strategy

In June 2020, a new strategy emerged that initially appeared unpromising but later showed potential due to its slight margin for error.

This method began with an 11-pixel bump from an elevator through precise manipulation of subpixel values.

Advanced Techniques Required

A specific glitch allowed Mario to perform a wall jump under strict conditions—both pixel-perfect and frame-perfect jumps were essential for success.

Additional precision was needed during pipe entry and subsequent actions in the warp zone.

Historic Achievement

Nitsuki became the frontrunner in late 2020/early 2021 with this strategy, aiming to save the final frame rule after years of community collaboration.

Saving the Last Frame Rule

Momentous Success

Nitsuki successfully saved the last frame rule for an Any% speedrun of Super Mario Bros., marking a historic achievement after five years of effort from various players.

Understanding Level 8-4 Mechanics

Unique Timing Mechanism

Level 8-4 is unique as it does not follow traditional frame rules; timing ends precisely when Mario touches the axe at level's end.

Stage Breakdown

The stage consists of five rooms:

Starting room: Run straight through to enter a pipe.

Wall jump room: Execute a wall jump off a pipe quickly.

Turnaround room: Perform a wrong warp while scrolling screens efficiently.

Water room: Swim swiftly towards the end.

Final room: Jump past Bowser before touching the axe.

8-4: The Path to Perfection in Super Mario Bros

Achievements in Level 8-4

The gameplay showcased a near-perfect execution of level 8-4, with the player achieving fast acceleration and precise jumps, including a frame-perfect jump to avoid obstacles.

In the water section, the player navigated through fire bars almost flawlessly, losing only one frame due to an early ground touch before running under Bowser at the end.

This performance added to an already perfect first seven stages, resulting in a human sum of best time of 454.71 seconds, just 0.45 seconds away from the theoretical limit of 454.26 seconds.

Evolution of Records

Cosmic improved his record to 454.56 seconds by optimizing fast accelerations; initially believed to save only one frame but later found capable of saving up to five frames with optimal execution.

Subsequent records were achieved using ROM hacks that provided pace information without altering gameplay legality; further improvements came from mastering fast accelerations.

Advanced Techniques for Time Saving

Players began utilizing double fast accelerations for quicker speed gains; however, these techniques required rapid input switches and were previously deemed TAS-only due to their difficulty.

A new method emerged where players could perform a fast acceleration after turning around in the turnaround room, potentially saving up to five frames if executed perfectly.

Breakthrough Moments

Taven Webb successfully executed this challenging technique in 2019, leading him to save multiple frames during runs and significantly lower existing records.

Taven's record was set at 454.39 seconds, reducing the gap between human performance and perfection down to eight frames.

Competitive Landscape and Record Progression

Kriller tied Taven's record shortly after it was set; within hours another competitor matched it as well, showcasing intense competition among top players.

Nifski eventually broke the tie by achieving a time of 454.36 seconds through meticulous execution across all sections while incorporating advanced techniques like falling fast accelerations.

Approaching Perfection

Super Mario Bros Speedrunning: The Quest for Perfection

The Challenge of Fast Accelerations

The pursuit of fast accelerations in Super Mario Bros has been deemed impossible, yet the community is determined to push boundaries beyond the established 8-4 record.

Over the past five years, players have achieved previously thought impossible tricks, demonstrating that with persistence, nothing is truly unattainable in speedrunning.

Current State of Human Performance

The current human sum of best times is just two frames away from perfection, with only a 30th of a second separating players from achieving an optimal run.

One critical frame involves manipulating sub-speed in the turnaround room; while it's challenging, it’s expected to be saved eventually.

Technical Difficulties and Controversies

A significant challenge lies in executing a falling fast acceleration in the first room; doubts exist about whether human reflexes can achieve this precision at full speed.

There’s speculation that using a keyboard might make this trick easier than using a controller, which could spark future debates within the community.

Future Prospects and Time Savings

No new time-saving techniques have been discovered in over ten years, but there may still be undiscovered secrets that could lead to further improvements.