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In a fascinating twist of gaming nostalgia, security consultant and mastermind behind the TASBot project, Alan Cecil, unearthed an intriguing development about the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It turns out that the beloved retro console, cherished by many, is running a tad faster due to one of its internal components. Originally reported by 404 Media, the story involves the SNES’s Sony SPC700 audio processing unit (APU), which traditionally operates at a 32,000 Hz digital signal processing (DSP) rate. But here’s the kicker: Back in 2007, emulator enthusiasts observed that the SPC700 was actually clocking in at 32,040 Hz. This seemingly minor discrepancy had to be accounted for to prevent certain games from acting up.
Now, let’s dive a bit deeper into the tech side of things. The SPC700 utilizes a ceramic resonator to maintain its frequency at 24,576 Hz. However, this delicate electronic part doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s susceptible to variations caused by heat and other environmental influences.
Fast forward to late February, Cecil took to Bluesky via the TASBot account, proposing a theory and inviting SNES users to share their data. Early findings suggested a noticeable pattern: as SNES consoles age, the SPC700 seems to accelerate. At present, the top frequency reported stands at 32,182 Hz. Although this alteration hovers under a 1% increase from the original 32,000 Hz, it still has the potential to disrupt in-game sounds and possibly render some titles unplayable.
### Increased Frequency On The SPC700: A Speedrunner’s Dilemma
Primarily handling audio processing, the SPC700’s elevated frequency doesn’t directly meddle with gameplay unless you’re meticulous about timing—as speedrunners or those crafting bots often are. Why? Well, after a stage concludes and the screen dims, the SNES swiftly readies data for the upcoming level, audio included. If the APU channels that data to the CPU more briskly than anticipated, it trims down the loading duration.
While this tweak may go unnoticed by the average gamer, it spells potential for turmoil in the speedrunning arena. Thankfully, regular players won’t experience any hitches due to the SPC700’s modest speed boost.
“We’re still figuring out the full ramifications on extended speedruns,” stated Cecil. “But we know for sure there’s some impact on the data transfer speed between the CPU and APU.”
As for TASBot, precise to the millisecond, even these slight modifications might pose a challenge. But Cecil’s mission to pool more data continues, aimed at understanding how time alters these consoles. Insights like these are crucial not just for smooth gameplay today, but for preserving the timeless classics that defined a generation.
