So, I was looking at my previous posts, and I realized I was WAY off on my frame calculations. I somehow misplaced a digit, and the actual total time saved as of the last segment is 1556 frames. Even worse, I've been making mistakes converting to seconds (which means that 2556 frames actually equals 43 seconds, while the actual 1556 frames equals 26 seconds). Aargh! There is good news, though...
So, this next WIP goes up to the dungeon 3 entrance. I wasn't planning on posting it, but using several tricks, I saved over
1000 frames. So I had to post it :)
http://dehacked.2y.net/microstorage.php/info/3905/Testrun4.vbm
This brings the new, real, total up to 2573 frames over the published run (43 seconds, I threw it into a calculator). Improvements include:
-S&Q after getting the Slime Key
-Avoiding an item switch by using the mentioned S&Q (I didn't need to equip the sword for chopping the grass again, and since I can time the power bracelet switch with the text at the beginning of dungeon 3).
-Edit: Saved a little time taking a better route through the grass maze.
-Using the "key in keyhole from the side" trick with the level 3 key (remember the level 1 key trick?)
Tompa inspired me to thoroughly search for a way to perform the key trick... and I discovered that it can be performed from the left side of the statue! I just needed to backwards-diagonal-walk into the corner (to keep Link facing upwards) to make the key register with the statue (it doesn't work on the right side because of some technical reasons). It's hard to explain, you should watch the movie to get a better idea of what I'm talking about... Anyway, this trick saves ~8 screen transitions and tons of walking.