Timing starts when you select Continue on a run file (see below for info on how to set up a run file), and timing ends when the criteria for the category you're running has been met on that same run file. Loading any file other than the one selected at the start of the run footage invalidates the run, unless otherwise indicated.
To set up a run file, watch the intro of the game and then go back to the main menu. This will give you a file that skips the intro every time you do a run.
To verify that your run file is valid, load the file from the "Load Game" menu. If, after the loading screen has passed, Samus is in the Artaria "Basement" with no major items collected, 99 energy, zero Power Bombs, and 30 (Rookie) or 15 (Normal, Hard, Dread) missiles, your run file is considered valid for leaderboard purposes. (See this pic for reference.)
Note: if using the honor system (see "Still Image Proof" below), you do not need to submit a screenshot of Samus in the starting area.
Video proof is required for all submissions unless otherwise specified. All videos must include the following:
The only acceptable image host for IGT proof is "Proof", our community-managed image host. This service can be found at https://proof.hijumpboots.com Use of any service other than this one will result in your run being rejected.
In all cases, you must submit some sort of proof that you achieved the RTA time you did in order for your run to be accepted to the leaderboards. However, you may submit a run with only proof of IGT if it is permitted in the specific category's rules. In this case, we'll ask you to upload a screenshot of the "Clear Time" or "Mission Result" screens.
Note: you only need to submit a screenshot of the "Clear Time" or "Mission Result" screens for full game runs. Other still images ("proof of run file", "proof of starting location") are not necessary. For Boss Rush, submit the "Boss Rush Complete" or "Dread Rush Complete" screens.
The only acceptable image host for IGT proof is "Proof", our community-managed image host. This service can be found at https://proof.hijumpboots.com Use of any service other than this one will result in your run being rejected.
Route | Video Proof Required? |
---|---|
Any% | Higher than 30th place AND faster than 1h 30m 00s |
100% | Higher than 15th place AND faster than 2h 00m 00s |
All Bosses | Higher than 15th place AND faster than 1h 45m 00s |
Minimalist Routes | Always |
Category Extensions | Always |
Boss Rush | Faster than 8 minutes |
For more information on which specific controllers are leaderboard legal, check the Controllers page.
Exploits are defined as unintended behavior performed using the intended mechanics of the game. Unlike with glitches, there is no malfunction; everything is functioning as intended, just being used in unintended ways.
For example, Water Space Jump (gaining height underwater with Space Jump) is an exploit, not a glitch. Space Jump giving the player more height when rubbing against underwater collision is an intended mechanic built into the game, in order to make Space Jumping across gaps more lenient. Speedrunners can exploit this to continuously gain height up the same wall, sequence breaking the game.
As another example, Water Bomb Jump is considered a glitch. Normally, bomb jumping in the air underwater is only allowed after bomb jumping from the ground. However, when unmorphing after a bomb jump before touching the ground, the game doesn't reset the flag that allows the player to bomb jump in the air underwater, since it only exists on Samus when she's in her morph ball form, not when she's standing. Despite bomb jumping underwater being an intended mechanic, a programming oversight allows the player to carry this flag around after unmorphing.
Beat the game as fast as possible.
For runs that use Pre-Skew, timing starts the first time you select Continue on any file in the File Selection screen.
Starting a run while already in the Axis Skew state is permitted, as well as achieving an Axis Skew state mid-run by loading a save file, achieving the state, and continuing on with your original save file. However, you may not use the Boss Rush mode to achieve an Axis Skew state.
Beat the game without using certain restricted glitches. This is defined as follows:
Any glitch that either (a) allows Samus to move entirely into collision or (b) results in Samus's rotation suffering a lasting displacement is disallowed.
Instances of collision updating, failing to update, or respawning do not invalidate a glitch. It is possible to die with pseudo waves and ledge warps this way, but they do not allow you to directly clip out of bounds (OoB).
You can easily check what is considered an OoB collision by seeing if it's possible for Samus to die in it.
Beat the game without using any glitches.