Zelda: Ocarina of Time speedrunning has always been an exhilarating and competitive field, with top players constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the game. Over the years, speedrunners have managed to bring Any% runs down to under four minutes, showcasing their dedication and skill in manipulating the game to achieve incredible times.
A key technique utilized by OOT speedrunners is Stale Reference Manipulation (SRM), specifically Lightnode SRM, which involves manipulating the game’s code and memory through characters in the save file’s filename. By executing specific inputs in the opening Kokiri Forest section, players are able to trigger the end credits, signaling the completion of the speedrun. While this may not encompass the full game experience, it is the essence of an Any% speedrun, focusing on completing the game in the shortest time possible.
Traditionally, speedrunners relied on the Wii’s Virtual Console for their runs due to a bug in its N64 emulation that enabled certain manipulations. However, a recent breakthrough by speedrunner MrCheeze has introduced a new filename that works for the Wii U, taking advantage of the console’s improved framerate to save precious seconds. This innovation has opened up new possibilities for speedrunning in Ocarina of Time.
One of the most intriguing discoveries in the latest speedrunning advancements is the use of a rubber band in conjunction with the Wii U GamePad. To execute the precise button inputs required for Lightnode SRM, speedrunner bradyONE found that securing the joystick at a Y-43 angle with a rubber band was the most efficient method. This seemingly unconventional approach has the potential to streamline the speedrunning process and shave off valuable seconds from the overall run.
Despite the ingenuity of using a rubber band and the Wii U GamePad to enhance speedruns, there are concerns within the speedrunning community regarding the legality of such techniques. Current Ocarina of Time speedrunning rules strictly dictate that players are only allowed to use one controller with one analog mapping per controller port, prohibiting any form of controller switching or calibration adjustments during a run. This poses a dilemma for speedsters who wish to integrate the GamePad’s unique features into their strategies.
As the speedrunning community grapples with the implications of utilizing the Wii U GamePad and rubber band technique in Ocarina of Time speedruns, a decision must be made regarding their endorsement within the official rules. Will these innovative methods be embraced as part of the evolving landscape of speedrunning, or will they be deemed too disruptive to the integrity of the runs? Only time will tell how these new discoveries will shape the future of speedrunning in one of the most beloved Zelda games of all time.
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