The speedrunning community is buzzing over a peculiar phenomenon that seems to be making the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) run games faster as it ages. The discussion ignited in early February when Bluesky user Alan Cecil (@tas.bot) shared observations suggesting that the iconic console is now performing better than when it was fresh off the production lines in the 1990s. This theory implies that the nearly 50 million SNES units sold might be offering enhanced performance in games like Super Mario World, Super Metroid, and Star Fox, rather than deteriorating with time.

While the concept of a video game console improving with age sounds far-fetched, Cecil's research points to a specific component that may be behind this unique occurrence.

The Fastest Thing Alive

In an interview with 404 Media, Cecil explained that the SNES's audio processing unit (APU) SPC700 is supposed to have a digital signal processing (DSP) rate of 32,000Hz, dictated by a ceramic resonator running at 24.576MHz, according to official Nintendo specifications. However, enthusiasts have noted that these figures aren't always accurate, with recordings over the years showing variations in DSP rates influenced by factors like temperature. This means the console often processes audio at a different rate than advertised, and as the DSP rate fluctuates, so does the game speed, albeit subtly.

The intrigue deepened when Cecil noticed that recent DSP rates were higher than those previously recorded. After asking SNES owners to record data, he collected over 140 responses, revealing a clear trend of increasing DSP rates. The average DSP rate recorded in 2007 was around 32,040Hz, but Cecil's recent findings show an increase to 32,076Hz. Although environmental factors like temperature can affect these readings, they don't account for the significant rise observed.

“Based on 143 responses, the SNES DSP rate averages 32,076Hz, rising 8Hz from cold to warm,” Cecil noted in a subsequent Bluesky post, accompanied by a layout of the data. “Warm DSP rates go from 31,965 to 32,182Hz, a 217Hz range. Therefore, temperature is less significant. Why? How does it affect games? We do not know. Yet.”

Any%

Cecil acknowledges that while the findings are intriguing, further research is necessary to understand how much faster the SNES is processing game audio and to pinpoint the cause. Historical data from the console's early years is scarce, making it challenging to draw definitive conclusions. Nonetheless, as the SNES approaches its 35th anniversary, it appears to be aging gracefully.

This phenomenon has stirred excitement and concern within the speedrunning community. A faster SPC700 could theoretically reduce load times in specific game sections, potentially affecting longstanding leaderboard records. However, the impact on a game like Super Mario World isn't straightforward. APU speeds don't directly translate to visual game speed, and even in the most extreme cases, the new findings might only shave off less than a second from an average speedrun. The exact impact on longer speedruns remains uncertain, and the community's research is still in its early stages.

As Cecil continues to explore the inner workings of the SNES, the console is defying expectations and seemingly improving with age. For those interested in the SNES's legacy, you can see its position on the list of best-selling consoles of all time.