So I found it kind of strange that there was a rule for Low% about not spending any star coins since this didn't change the route from Any% at all. However, since the Warpless route DOES involve using star coins to buy levels, what if there was a Low% Warpless category? Not only would this have a few different levels than Warpless, but it would also eliminate the ability to fly over a lot of the levels, and make some of the secret exits only accessible by Racoon Mario impossible, thus changing the route even more. And speaking of secret exits, why not make a Low% No Secret Exits category? With a game that's already full of weird speedrun categories, why not add even more?

Also, since some of the other categories for this game are similar to SMW, I figured, why not make a No Leaf category similar to No Cape. I came up with a new power up route and plan on doing a run of this later today. But anyway, I have a few questions: where should I submit the run? Would this be added as a new category or a category extension? Also, what should be the name of this? I was thinking either Any% No Leaf, Leafless, or Racoonless.

Finally, how about making extended categories for individual levels where you're allowed to use the White Tanooki suit or a power star in reserve or even both? It would be interesting since these are banned in the normal IL runs. Also a low% IL category would be cool. And if you add me as a mod I’d be happy to add these categories myself. :D

honestly could see No Leaf working, but i don't see the Low% variants getting much attention so

Check out category extensions

Okay, I'm just going to put it out there: NOBODY CARES about category extensions. Anything somewhat feasable such as No Leaf should be put on the front page (and not the MISC tab). SMW does this, and many niche runs have 50-100 players. Now obviously this game isnt exactly as popular, but adding more main categories for new runners to try would not only bring in more consistent players but revive NSMB2 as a whole.

NSMBW and NSMBDS should especially do this.

I care about category extensions.

But most do not click on them, compared to the main page. Is any% usually the most popular category because it is good, or because it is the first thing new players see?

The category extensions in this series aren't meant to be taken seriously at all. Also more categories most definitely doesn't correlate with more runners. The main reason this game isn't run very often is because of it's difficulty to record and the fact that this game is the easiest and, in my opinion, most boring game in the series.

If you read my second comment you would see i am talking about the entire nsmb series. More categories would make the game more active, or would at least possible make it more active.

I don't think more categories will positively affect a board when almost all new runners are still going to run Any% lmao

More active runners will put the game higher up on speedrun.com.

Not to mention that more cagtegories means more variety for players. Sure, someone new might learn any% first, but they could stick around for powerless.

if they care enough about the game they will look at the CE board

i just verified 3 top level any% runs i think this game is plenty active thank you very much thread locked lol.