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 Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) seems to be running games faster as it ages.

This intriguing observation surfaced in early February when Bluesky user Alan Cecil (@tas.bot) reported that SNES consoles, released in the 1990s, appear to be executing games slightly faster now than they did upon release. This suggests the nearly 50 million SNES units sold might be experiencing improved performance in games like Super Mario World, Super Metroid, and Star Fox—a stark contrast to the typical performance degradation expected with aging technology.

The notion of a video game console becoming more efficient over time seems counterintuitive, but Cecil's research points to a specific component as the potential culprit.

The Accelerated Audio Processor

According to official Nintendo specifications, the SNES's audio processing unit (APU), the SPC700, boasts a digital signal processing (DSP) rate of 32,000Hz, governed by a 24.576MHz ceramic resonator. However, retro console enthusiasts have long noted discrepancies, with recordings revealing variations in DSP rates influenced by environmental factors like temperature. This means the console's audio processing and CPU communication rates often deviate from Nintendo's stated figures, subtly impacting game speed.

Previous recordings from 2007 indicated an average DSP rate of around 32,040Hz. Cecil's data raises this average to 32,076Hz. While temperature fluctuations influence the rate, the observed increase is far more significant than temperature alone can account for. In essence, the SNES appears to be processing audio faster over time.

"Based on 143 responses, the SNES DSP rate averages 32,076Hz, rising 8Hz from cold to warm," Cecil detailed in a Bluesky post, including a data visualization. "Warm DSP rates range 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."

Implications for Speedrunning

Cecil acknowledges the need for further research to determine the precise extent of the speed increase and its underlying cause. Data on early SNES performance is limited, hindering a comprehensive analysis. Nevertheless, the possibility of a popular console gradually accelerating game execution has captivated the speedrunning community.

A faster SPC700 could theoretically impact game performance, potentially shortening load times in certain segments. This raises questions about the validity of speedrun records spanning decades, though the actual impact is likely minimal. The effect of altered audio processing on game speed is complex and varies significantly between games. Currently, the consensus among speedrunners is that the impact is likely negligible.

APU speed doesn't directly translate to visual game speed. Even under extreme conditions, the observed changes would likely only shave off a fraction of a second from average speedruns. The precise impact on individual games remains uncertain. While research is ongoing, the speedrunning community currently views the phenomenon as having minimal impact on record validity.

As Cecil continues his investigation, the SNES, nearing its 35th anniversary, continues to defy expectations, showcasing remarkable resilience and a surprising performance boost. For more information on the SNES's legacy, explore its position among the best-selling consoles of all time.