IL Rules

These rules apply to the main tab, ILs; other tabs loosely abide by these but their rules are informal and have some deviations. Check example videos from the sheet you’re interested in and ask in the Discord’s #help channel if still unclear.
(Example: RTA Sheet permits starting from a save state)

Rules are non-italicised and guidelines (on best practices) are italicised.

  1. Platform rules: ILs may be run on Wii/GameCube (Nintendont or Swiss), or Dolphin emulator. They must be run:
    1. On 60Hz (if you are on PAL, ensure 60Hz is enabled by holding B during startup with intro skip practice code off; NTSC is always 60Hz).
    2. Never using save-states to reset (use the level select practice code and e.g. exit area).
  2. Permitted practice codes: all codes on the practice code website are generally allowed, but some levels have specific restrictions posted in the note on the level’s name. Specific rules:
    1. Free Pause is allowed but midair pausing is banned.
    2. Fast Text (DPad Functions) is allowed except for Pianta 5 Full, Secret and Reds.
    3. Remove Saveboxes is banned if it has an effect on gameplay.
    4. Any Fruit Opens Yoshi Eggs is always allowed.
    5. FMV Skips is allowed but skipping cutscenes by pressing a button (i.e. not exit area) is banned specifically in Pinna 1.
    6. Position Store/Load (DPad Functions) is allowed specifically outside the part of the level being timed – usually to set up a starting position.
    7. Fix Manta Splitting is required for Sirena 1.
  3. Timer: all times must be provided by the Quarter Frame Timer (QFT) practice code, with one exception: You don’t need the practice code when using vanilla IGT (like for Pianta 6/Ricco 2), you just need the Never Pause IGT practice code. Consult example videos to see where time starts and ends for a given level.
    1. Retimes may be requested by typing /ticket create in the SMS discord. The included video must be somewhat cropped (i.e. <5 mins long). Examples of common retime situations are: ILs performed in full-game runs, other players’ times around your recently achieved PB (due to old SGT being inaccurate, see section 3,b), or done without fast text by accident. We know, many ILs have to be retimed.
    2. Shine Get Timer (SGT) practice code, including version 2 or later (from Oct 2019) is no longer allowed for submissions as of 10/1/2026. The Shine Get Timer from Moonshine is acceptable as it displays the QFT time rounded to 2 decimal points. Two or three decimal points are allowed.
  4. Video requirement:
    1. Video is required for times in the top 3. Any PB that can’t be posted because of this should go in a note over the relevant cell.
    2. Videos are encouraged for every IL. Videos legitimize runs, show respect for the competition, and provide documentation/ideas for all to learn from, at all skill-levels/parts of the leaderboard.
  5. Video validity criteria: every link must be to a valid video, “valid” meaning:
    1. The video must include the entire run while the timer is running. The timer runs during the load into any of the seven worlds (e.g. Bianco Hills), and therefore the entire intro cutscene is required for valid video.
    2. The video ideally includes everything from the input that reset the level (and the ensuing load) to at least 2 seconds after the timer stops at the end.
    3. The time shown on the in-game timer in the video matches the time reported on the sheet.
    4. The video is of sufficient quality and without major frame-drops (per mod discretion). The standard for this is higher for top-3 times. Post-processed videos of gameplay are not permitted, and the gameplay must take up greater than or equal to 50% of the canvas in both width and height of the video.
    5. YouTube is highly encouraged for uploads. This is due to longevity and is easier to analyze.
    6. Game audio should be present (though it needn’t be the only audio).
    7. To link something that isn’t a valid video, you may put it in a note – e.g. a link to a video of a worse time, or a still image. You may choose between reporting a worse time with link or a better one without – a choice between more points or a medal maybe – but it’s nice to still keep the other time/video in a note.

  6. Deletions: removal of submissions is discouraged, because the sheet aims to record all runs that are known to have happened, which also improves the accuracy of the points system.

  7. Vandalism: you may choose any color for your name as long as its legible, but may not change the formatting of anything else on the sheet.