In the current world record run for breaking the 5th wall by @ImPunBeatable he does not acquire 12 birds but is able to break the wall.

I will test (in one of next few days) if the game requires the player to spawn all 12 birds or only requires to have 12 birds to break the world wall. I personally think it would make sense if the latter is true. It is because the purpose of the upgrade might be used for having more birds to break the building instead of being used for breaking world wall. If the latter is the case, I think it is ok to keep the run. Otherwise, I will reject the run as the use of glitches will break the spirit of the category.

[quote=supercrazestar] In the current world record run for breaking the 5th wall by @ImPunBeatable he does not acquire 12 birds but is able to break the wall. [/quote]

Entirely possible that you miscounted

I have tested. The result is that the runner does not require the upgrade to break 5th walls. They can break it as long as they have 12 birds, not necessarily spawn 12 birds. The run is not a glitched run and the run will not be rejected.