Is there any reason why "Duckstation is the only emulator that is allowed on the Playstation (Emulator) board."? PPSSPP is also mentioned in the rules despite this game not having been released for the PSP, so I suppose the text was copied from elsewhere and doesn't necessarily pertain to this game. I think mednafen should be allowed, as it is a competent emulator for both the PlayStation and Sega Saturn (the console for which this game initially released) and is allowed on the leaderboards of other PlayStation/Sega Saturn games. Aside from that, the way this leaderboard is structured as a whole should be reconsidered. I could explain my reasoning, but I'd rather layout my ideal leaderboard and see what people think of it. Here it is:

• Timing starts when the first loading screen appears (i.e., Zack's House Upstairs). Runs on the leaderboard already split at other loading screens and timing ends when the final cutscene plays, so why not base the start time on this?
• Make IL (individual level) leaderboards. 6 categories for each main segment of the game, from the first loading screen to the loading screen after talking to the Dreamflight in Limbo. 4 more categories for the bosses.
• Cheats are disallowed for the main Any% and IL leaderboards and existing runs with cheats are moved to other categories.
• NTSC/PAL runs are given distinction using tags (if anyone completes a PAL run).

Duckstation because it the most stable emulator to run it. Other emulators have minor issues, so Duckstation is what was decided on. Following the standards on other PS1 games that allow for emulation.

The PPSSPP is due to there being a PSP Boot Rom out there, though I have now removed it since no one, other than myself, has probably even tried that rom, and does look like it was a fan made project more than an official PS Store release. So thank you for point that out. Much appreciated.

We don't do Sega Saturn emulation, so to the many issues with the various emulators. I also do not know if there is any extensive changes, I would assume not, between the Saturn and PS1 version. As some games, like Baroque, have extensive changes between their Saturn to PS1 ports.

To address your points.

Starting time starts when you hit the start button as it is the easiest to time manually, as there is no auto splitter for this. And we select the start of the ending cutscene as there is no more input from the player needed and begins an animated cut scene then directly into the credits. The ending for the Pumpkin Boss% is the final blow of the boss, following other boss% in other game spaces.

As for individual levels. If anyone starts running individual levels, I have no mind adding them. Though I am unaware of ways to select a level, at least on PS1. There is a start menu code that been floating around online that enables level select. Though I never gotten it working, might be a sega saturn exclusive code, but I have yet to try it on the sega release of the game. Which is why the only Boss run is the Pumpkin Boss currently. If you find a way to easily select the individual levels, do let me know.

As for the main category allowing for screen/pause codes, they are apart of the game. If anyone decides to submit a run without using the screen/pause code, I'll be glad to make a category for it. The reason it is there is mostly for accessibility and of course for speed.

And for adding NTSC/Pal as variables. I will do that right now. Didn't consider anyone to run the EU release, but I have no issues adding that. Just adds to the accessibility for those who might wanna try out this game.

I appreciate your suggestions and I am glad you enjoyed this game enough to want to see more categories and the game expand.

I went ahead and added a No Pause Code category for Any%.Mainyl cause I think the 'No Pause Code' Run abbreviated as NPC is super funny to me, and I wanted to see it listed.

But also doesn't hurt to had a single one, since that cat would be easier to run.

Once individual level runs are wanting and ready to be submitted, I'll add Individual Level runs for the 6 levels.

If you're following the standards of other PS1 games that allow for emulation, then allow mednafen and maybe some other emulators like BizHawk and XEBRA. See for yourself: https://www.speedrun.com/games?platform=wxeod9rn. They're just as good as DuckStation, especially when running this game. I didn't have any frame drops or anything when I was playing compared to DuckStation, so I'm not sure what minor issues you're referring to.

I didn't know the PSP had official emulation for PS1 games, although games being ported to that unofficially is basically homebrew, so it probably shouldn't be allowed in a speedrun.

I played through the Sega Saturn version and yeah, there isn't much of a difference. Some music is missing, some assets are different, but nothing that would be too different from something like the PAL PlayStation release. I don't know what you mean by "We don't do Sega Saturn emulation," plenty of games do, just have the option available if that's how someone wants to play the game.

It may be easy to start manually that way, but not everyone will use a LiveSplit display and thus it's difficult to re-time. The "NEW GAME" text fades from dark to light in a cycle and if you start the game while the text is dark then there's no visual cue to pinpoint when someone starts a run. The audio cue for selecting the option is delayed, the disc that pops up in the corner is almost on time but still slightly delayed and probably very variable. It's also sort of difficult to tell when the ending cutscene starts, so maybe timing could begin on the first frame of gameplay and end when the last Dreamflight container is broken after beating the Swagman. And no, the time for the Pumpkin Boss category does not end on the final blow of the boss, you're not being consistent with your rules.

I've been using a lot of save states for practice, so hopping between levels was routine for me and I didn't consider the fact of not actually being able to save legitimately before any given section (or at least the ones that are listed in the splits). I was suggesting IL leaderboards because the Pumpkin Boss Any% could fit into that sort of thing along with other areas of the game, but it's not possible so leave it as is. Also, that level select code is perpetuated by the same people who claim an "Infinite Swags" code is in the game, so they're just making it up. The pause code is the only "cheat" I've found to work.

My demands were a bit unreasonable and misguided. I'm glad you added the distinction between pause code runs. Still, do consider allowing other emulators, if you will.

For PS1 emulators, my issue not so much with this game. But I've had issues with games like Megaman Legends, which is the first to come to mind. Generally graphic issues, though newer releases of other emulators might have resolved those.

I forgot that XEBRA existed, It's what I used prior to Duckstation when my PS1 finally failed. (First the memory card slots stopped working, then the whole board decided to go, not accepting any power.)

Seeing that the Spyro 1 game allows for Duckstation, Mednafen, Xebra, and Bizhawk, I'll probably follow their lead. As my biggest deciding factor with emulator being Duckstation, beyond it the one I have the most experience with, was it being either the only one accepted for the games I run casually, and mentioned as the preferred emulator for some of the larger games. Though I'll test out these emulators, quickly loading up XEBRA and running the game for 5 minutes. I see no graphical issues or any frame drops. Nothing feels sped up animation wise either, which PS2 emulation has that problem with some games. But we ain't on a PS2, lol.

Though lot of PS1 games don't mention emulators, for the PS1, since they are found on other platforms and have been, thankfully, rereleased in some way. Though I don't expect this game to ever get a re-release of any kind, lol.

But I'll go ahead and add Mednafen, Xebra, and Bizhawk, and add a rule to name the emulator in the comments. Following the Lead of the Spyro Community.

And yeah, the only working cheat code is the life one. There are codes for level select floating around, which don't work. (I've tried them all in hopes to practice levels easier. Though I run this game casually when I can squeeze time)

I also wanted to say that I appreciate you taking such an interest in this game and want to expand its runs. I hope more people become interested in running the game. I wish I was more actively running it, but life keeps me a bit to busy. (Hoping life slows down soon, lol)