A mystery has emerged among retro gaming enthusiasts as some aging Super Nintendo (SNES) systems appear to be running faster than newer counterparts. This phenomenon is linked to the console's 24.576 MHz APU clock that gains speed over time, leading to audio playback variances. Observations show a noticeable rise in APU sample rates on older consoles, suggesting potential implications for gameplay speed, particularly during loading screens and transitions. While the effects are minimal regarding overall speedruns, dedicated players continue to experiment and report findings that could alter traditional understanding of old hardware performance.
Most hardware breaks down and gets worse as it ages. Some old Super Nintendo systems, however, are actually running faster, as dedicated fans measure and research these changes.
The unusual mystery has to do with the 16-bit system's 24.576 MHz APU clock, which relies on a ceramic resonator that seems to speed up as it ages.
Cecil says that loading screens might be impacted by a faster APU, providing faster room-to-room transitions in games like Super Metroid, but not enough to significantly affect speedruns.
Evidence suggests that APU rates have increased over time, with one report suggesting they could eventually lead to measurable advantages in gameplay if trends continue.
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