Category Overview

Universal Bans

For all categories, the following bans are part of the rules and thus, will not be listed under each individual category. Bizhawk, Higan, Snes9x 1.43, ZSNES etc. emulators; these are banned due to inaccurate Super FX 2 chip emulation that results in fewer lag frames than the official console release. As such, the only allowed emulators are Snes9x 1.51, 1.53 - 1.56. Controller functions that are not possible on an unmodified, stock controller (e.g. macros, left+right, turbo) however, turbo is still allowed in the Japanese community. Outside tools (e.g. RAM watch, Lua script). Outside modification of the game's code. This includes things like cheat devices (e.g. game genie), crooked cartridges and modified ROMs.

Main Categories

Any% Warpless

Description: The no major glitches category of the game. It is the main category of the Yoshi speedrunning community. In the past, this was the main category for just the Japanese community, as they did not want to use 1-1 Warps, however, the rest of the world did and thus, the Any% Warps category was created. The Japanese also timed their runs to the last input, whereas the rest of the world finished the run on Bowser explosion. This is where the difference in timing methods between this category and Any% Warps came from.

Leaderboard: http://www.speedrun.com/yi#Warpless

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: On the last input when the last text box is advanced after Bowser is defeated. Note: The US version of the game has 2 text boxes here, while the Japanese version only has 1.

Bans: Resetting 1-1 Warps Tongue Glitch Null Egg Arbitrary Code Execution

Useful Page: Fast strat list

Any% Warps
Description: This was the original Any% category of the game before the Null Egg Glitch and ACE were discovered. This run takes advantage of 1-1 Warps and the 3-3 Tongue Glitch/map corruption to save time. It also allows resetting the console during the run to skip the cutscene at the end of each world. Other than that and the timing method, it is identical to Any% Warpless.
Leaderboard: http://www.speedrun.com/yi#Warps
Timing: Start: On new file select. End: On the first frame of the Bowser explosion.
Bans: Null Egg Arbitrary Code Execution
Useful Pages: 1-1 Warps Tongue Glitch

Any% Credits Warp

Description: The fastest category in the game. This run uses the Tongue Glitch to trigger the credits through arbitrary code execution.

Leaderboard: http://www.speedrun.com/yi#Any

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: When the screen completely fades to black (before the credits start).

This category has no restrictions other than the universal bans.

Useful Pages: Tongue Glitch Arbitrary Code Execution

100%

Description: The 100% category of the game. You must finish each level with 30 stars, 20 red coins and 5 flowers. Additionally, this run features the Extra level in each world, which normally does not appear in the Any% categories. 100% makes use of strategies from Any% Warpless, along with many egg shots and clever star routes to complete levels quicker. Red coins can be duplicated to skip slower ones and bonus games can also be reliably skipped in every level. This is by far the longest and toughest run in the game and it is advised to not run this category if you're new to the game, as it basically requires you to have mastered the basics first. It is certainly a fan favorite though with how crazy and flashy the run is. Hot take on Any% vs. 100% speedrunners.

Leaderboard: http://www.speedrun.com/yi#100

Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKMmi2_vil8&index=5&list=PLNwzr3j2ErcYAfCpS2-j4_M0OxhEOJxRg

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: When the last completed level card flips over. Note: When the run is completed, a score check of all worlds is usually done to confirm that all levels have a score of "100", though it is not required.

Bans: 1-1 Warps Tongue Glitch Null Egg Arbitrary Code Execution The Japanese community also bans resetting, except after defeating Bowser.

Required: A score of 100 in all levels (including Extras).

Useful Pages: Bonus Skips Red Coin Duplication

Any% Magical Journey

Description: The most unique category of the game and at one point, the fastest way to beat the game. Magical Journey uses the Null Egg Glitch in 2-3 through 6-8 to significantly shorten each level. Although the Any% Beat Bowser category obsoletes this one due to a save file corruption trick in 3-1, it is different enough to warrant keeping it. Some people might even enjoy this category more simply because continuing the run past 3-1 isn't luck dependent like it is in Beat Bowser.

Leaderboard: http://www.speedrun.com/yi#Any (click on Magical Journey)

Theory TAS: 38:11

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: On the first frame of the Bowser explosion.

Bans: Save File Corruption Arbitrary Code Execution

Useful Pages: 1-1 Warps Null Egg

Any% Beat Bowser

Description: Any% Beat Bowser is the second fastest category to complete the game. The main subjective for achieving top times in this category is using the Null Egg Glitch and then doing a Save Corruption in 3-1. This run used to be the Any% category of this game before ACE got found.

Leaderboard: http://www.speedrun.com/yi#Any (click on Beat Bowser)

Timing: Starts on File Select Ends on Bowser Explosion

Bans: Arbitrary Code Execution

Useful Pages: Resetting Null Egg Glitch Save Corruption 1-1 Warps