Speedrunners Left Scratching Their Heads After New Discovery Suggests the SNES Works Faster as It Ages

The speedrunning community is buzzing about a peculiar phenomenon: the SNES seems to be running games faster as it ages. This intriguing theory emerged in early February when Bluesky user Alan Cecil (@tas.bot) observed that these iconic consoles, released in the 1990s, appear to be processing games slightly faster than their original specifications. This suggests that the nearly 50 million SNES units sold might actually be experiencing performance improvements over time with games like Super Mario World, Super Metroid, and Star Fox, defying the typical expectation of performance degradation with age.

While the idea of a console becoming more efficient with age seems counterintuitive, Cecil's research points to a potential culprit: the SNES's audio processing unit (APU).

The Unexpected Acceleration

According to official Nintendo specs, the SNES's SPC700 APU has a digital signal processing (DSP) rate of 32,000Hz, governed by a 24.576MHz ceramic resonator. However, retro gaming enthusiasts have long noted discrepancies, with recorded DSP rates varying slightly depending on factors like temperature. This means the console's audio processing rate, and consequently game speed, can fluctuate subtly.

Cecil's investigation took a fascinating turn when he noticed unusually high DSP rates in recent measurements. He solicited data from SNES owners, receiving over 140 responses. The results revealed a clear trend: increased DSP rates over time. While earlier recordings averaged around 32,040Hz (circa 2007), Cecil's findings show an average of 32,076Hz. Although temperature affects the DSP rate, the observed increase is too significant to be solely attributed to temperature fluctuations. In essence, the SNES seems to be processing audio faster as time passes.

"Based on 143 responses, the SNES DSP rate averages 32,076Hz, rising 8Hz from cold to warm," Cecil reported on Bluesky, providing a detailed data analysis. "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."

Speedrunning Implications

While intriguing, Cecil acknowledges the need for further research to understand the cause of this phenomenon and its precise impact on game speed. Data on early console performance is limited, hindering a complete picture.

Nevertheless, the possibility of a gradually faster SNES has significant implications for speedrunning. A faster audio processing rate could, theoretically, reduce load times in certain game sections. This raises questions about the validity of decades of speedrun records, though the effect is likely minimal. Even in extreme cases, the potential time savings are estimated to be less than a second in most speedruns. The impact varies significantly across games, and further research is needed to assess the true extent of the effect. For now, the speedrunning community largely agrees that the impact is likely negligible.

The Ever-Evolving SNES

The mystery surrounding the SNES's accelerating performance continues, but one thing is clear: this iconic console, nearing its 35th birthday, is defying expectations and proving its enduring appeal. For more on the SNES and its place in gaming history, see its ranking among the best-selling consoles of all time.