General Guidelines

Note: Rules may be updated periodically.

1. Use of Unofficial Emulation Hardware

When submitting "High Score" results, the use of emulators is fully accepted. Emulators must run at a consistent 100% speed, and an unaltered version of the Star Fox 64 ROM must be used. There are no restrictions regarding which emulator or ROM version you can use.

Speedscore Submissions

For Speedscore submissions, the following settings must be applied:

• Emulator: Project 64
• ROM: Star Fox 64 (U) v1.0 (SUPPLIED BY YOURSELF, NOVA-SCORE DOES NOT AND WILL NOT SUPPORT PIRACY!)
• Max Memory: 4MB
• Counter Factor: 2
• Leave all other settings at their default values

2. Use of Non-Official Controllers

Non-Nintendo 64 controllers are allowed, provided the player has full control over all inputs. "Turbo" controllers are not permitted due to their automatic assistance, and "2-to-1 button macros" (e.g., pressing one button for both A and B) are also prohibited as they give an unfair advantage. Having multiple buttons mapped to a single function (such as multiple A buttons) is allowed, as long as each button is pressed individually. This also extends to alternative controllers like GameCube controllers or keyboards.

3. Video Evidence Required

All submissions must include video proof of the run. In order for a submission to be validated:

• For "Total Hits" runs, the entire level sequence must be shown, and the final score after completing Venom must be visible.
• For "Individual Level" runs, the entire level from start to finish must be shown.
• Editing the video to shorten runtime is allowed, but you must also provide the raw footage for moderators to verify the legitimacy of the run.

4. Usage of Cheats and Gameshark

For "Individual Level" runs, using Gameshark codes to jump directly to specific levels is allowed, including using emulator "save states" to begin at the start of a level. The following cheats are permitted:

• Cheats that alter your bomb count, laser power, or grant infinite lives, as long as these cheats are achievable at the beginning of the level.

Cheats that modify the core gameplay mechanics are not allowed, including those that give infinite health, indestructible wings, or similar advantages.

Level-Specific Cheat Restrictions

• For Corneria (Main Game or Expert), you must start with single lasers, 3 bombs, and all teammates alive.
• For Sector Y (Expert), the maximum number of bombs allowed at the start is 7.

For "Total Hits" and "Single Life" runs, the use of cheats or save states is strictly forbidden.

5. Definition of "Infinites"

"Infinites" refer to techniques used to gain an endless number of points, such as:

• Accumulating points from Wolfen 2 enemies in Venom 2.
• Grinding additional points from Andross' Eyes (this is allowed).
• Gaining points from Bolse enemies before their shield is destroyed.
• Accruing points from the fire plumes during Vulcain (Solar boss).

Categories

Submissions will be divided into two primary categories: "No Infinites" and "Infinites Allowed." Each category allows submission to any of the 25 possible routes to complete the game, and each route will also be split into Main Game and Expert modes. Please note that these categories are mutually exclusive.

No Infinites

• Infinites, as defined earlier, are not allowed in this category—no exceptions.
• Any run that uses infinites will be disqualified and must be resubmitted under the correct category.
• Runs will be classified into one of the 25 available routes.
• Runs will also be categorized based on whether they are Main Game or Expert mode.

Infinites Allowed

• Infinites may be used in this category, as described earlier.
• If you choose not to use infinites but submit to this category, it will be accepted. Please be sure this is your intent before submitting.
• Each run will be classified into one of the 25 available routes.
• Runs will also be categorized based on whether they are Main Game or Expert mode.

Single-Life Runs

For a Single-Life run to be valid, it must be completed without dying or restarting the game. The run is only considered complete when the player defeats Robot Andross (Venom 1) or exits the tunnel in Venom 2.

These runs will be categorized based on whether they use Infinites or not, the route taken, and the difficulty level chosen.

Exceptions:

• For Corneria, retries are allowed, but only from the beginning of the level, not from a checkpoint. This is defined as pressing "Retry Course" after pausing the game.

Individual Level Runs (ILs)

Individual Level runs must be completed from start to finish. Each level will be categorized individually, and these runs will be split into the "Infinites Allowed" or "No Infinites" categories, based on the methods used in the run.

Levels will also be categorized into Main Game or Expert mode.

For detailed information on allowed cheats or Gameshark usage, refer to the "Usage of Cheats/Gameshark" section above.

Important Note for IL Submissions

If you are submitting an Individual Level, do not fill in any other categories or fields on the submission page unless they are relevant to your run.

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DISCORD RULES

Additionally ALL discord community guidelines, and discord specific rules will apply here, and in the discord.