A while ago, TiKevin83 resynced and also console-verified the current normal mode TAS
here.
Since I had
previously proven that the normal mode TAS can still be improved, I looked into implementing the improvement in the resynced bk2 movie file.
I don't know how TiKevin83 managed to resync the normal mode run VBM because I had to add idle frames after every level and didn't get the same bonus game as in my "known improvement" VBM. After adding a "Pause, nothing, nothing, Unpause" input after 3-3's scoring finished, I managed to get a fireflower bonus game anyway.
It didn't save 7 frames like anticipated, but actually 20 frames over the resynced bk2.
The resynced bk2 kills the 1-3 boss and fades white from the bonus screen on frame 8496.
The new bk2 which does not kill the boss fades white from the bonus screen on frame 8476.
There are also these facts which played a role into getting more improvements:
- I managed to find a 3 frame improvement in 1-3 by optimizing the pyramid section in the middle
- For now, due to observations I made with the frame rules, I will assume that omitting the boss is faster than killing him.
- I found that selecting a different color pattern during boot-up changes bonus game luck. So I went through world 1 without inserting any idle frames and then got a fireflower by pressing Down+B at frame 12 during boot-up.
This made the bonus game fade-out at 8470, therefore saving 26 frames.
- I still have to optimize world 1 for points before I can continue.
- With the current movie, the Down+B input is the only color pattern that will give a flower in 1-3 bonus game.
- If you use different button combinations during boot-up, one after the other, then it will give the result as if you had only pressed the last one. Sometimes it will give a start screen that is delayed by 1Frame so the movie desyncs. Therefore, selecting a color pattern multiple times will not give more control over the bonus game luck.
-----
Press on frame 12: Outcome:
< A Ladder-2up (2, f, 3, 1)
^ A Ladder-flower
> A (late start screen)
v A Ladder-2up
< B 1up
^ B 2up
> B 1up
v B Flower (Success!)
< 2up (3, 1, 2, f)
^ (undesired outcome not noted)
> Ladder-2up (2, f, 3, 1)
v (undesired outcome not noted)
press nothing (undesired outcome not noted)
-----
Press on frame 12: <A
Press on frame 14: >B
Outcome: 1up
Press on frame 12: ^A
Press on frame 14: vB
Outcome: (late start screen)
Press on frame 12: <
Press on frame 14: vB
Outcome: (late start screen)
Press on frame 12: vB
Press on frame 14: <
Outcome: 2up
Press on frame 12: ^a
Press on frame 14: >
Outcome: Ladder-2up
Press on frame 12: <
Press on frame 14: >
Press on frame 16: va
Outcome: Ladder-2up
Found another 2 frame improvement, by taking mush and fireflower in 1-1 instead of 1-2. Maybe the obtaining of mush or fireflower in 1-2 was suboptimal.
Getting Flower in 1-1 is better for getting points.
Unfortunately, with the 2 frame improvement, I had to find a new suitable color pattern but there was no color pattern that gave a bonus game with fireflower.
So I will have to insert an idle frame or two.
EDiT: It seems the 2 frame improvement got defeated by the frame rule in 1-3.
So I didn't save any more time, but this is good anyway. I found points improvements and there are possibly more color patterns that will get fireflower in 1-3 and maybe in world 2.
