GermanyTo clarify, my previous post didn't imply that separate boards for emu are always pointless. In this case however, I don't think it makes sense to add an emu-only board for what's generally regarded as the "bad" version of the game, when people can simply emulate the PS1 version instead (which doesn't need separate boards).
Well, in my opinion a separate category just for N64 emulator is pointless. People who don't have access to a console have the option of emulating the PS1 version, which can compete on the same leaderboard as console and is seen as the better version of the game anyways. I'm not a mod for Gex 3 though, so I guess it's not up to me to decide.
For real though, it's kinda baffling to me that someone who owns a PS2 console and a PS1 copy of the game prefers to run the vastly inferior N64 version on emulator, lmao.
Like it was stated in the Discord, N64 emulators are inaccurate and would grant an unfair advantage over console, as they don't emulate lag properly.
Since you already seem to have a console setup to run the PS1 version (PS2 is perfectly fine, in case that somehow wasn't clear), I would highly recommend giving that a shot instead. It's pretty much objectively the better version and you wouldn't have to resort to an emulator at all. :)
Besides some visual changes, JP patched Lion Head Clip and possibly a few minor things (for example, I know you can't skip jumping on the clock for the beginning shortcut in Smellraiser anymore).
Loading times don't seem significantly different, at least when playing on emu. I guess there's a chance that it performs better/worse on console than US, but I have no way of testing that since I don't own a JP copy, or a JP console for that matter. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Yeah it's a huge find for Any%. I didn't come up with it though, Bullskull did. ;)
This is definitely important enough to post in here, as it saves over 50 seconds if done well (at least on the PS1 version with SDS). Credit to Bullskull for finding out that you can clip into the central hub from below.
I roughly timed some route variations that you could go for with this, but the old level order still seems the fastest. So after Smellraiser, you clip into the central hub on the left side and enter Frankensteinfeld, proceed like normal (Mooshoo -> Fine Tooning -> Umpire -> Pangaea), then after Pangaea, backtrack to the central hub instead of voiding out and enter dotcom. You could technically save another 2 seconds by voiding out and doing the clip a second time on the right side, but ledge grabbing or any longer setup than what is shown in the video would most likely end up not being faster.
Alright, this is still kinda scary, but should be viable for runs. Worth noting that entering the next room with reversed camera starts the rotating platform cycle later, saving some additional time (~5 seconds total).
I've seen someone do the "wrong warp" into Gilligex on N64 before. Doesn't seem to work on the PS1 version though, always softlocks the game.
ZanderGoth does something similar in his PB, except he completely skips the charge power-up (N64 lag makes it easier to kick over the inactive bridge at the beginning). The main issue is the camera turning automatically on the bridge, which can mess up your karate kick angle. I'll play around with it a bit more, maybe I can get it consistently enough to consider doing it in runs. :)
