Category Overview

Universal Bans

Allowed Emulators: Snes9x 1.51, 1.53 - 1.56. SD2SNES, Bizhawk/Higan/BSNES, Snes9x 1.43, Snes9x 1.57+, ZSNES etc. are banned due to inaccurate Super FX 2 chip emulation that results in fewer lag frames than the official console release. If you have reason to believe an emulator update has changed the SFX2 emulation to an acceptable level, contact a moderator on Discord or Twitter, or post about it on the leaderboard rules thread. (Here is a spreadsheet with emulator and SD2SNES timings so you can see exactly how they compare to console). No use of controller functions that are not possible on an unmodified stock controller (e.g. macros, left+right, turbo). Turbo however, is still allowed in the Japanese community. No use of outside tools (e.g. RAM watch, Lua script). No outside modification of game code. This includes things like cheat devices (e.g. Game Genie, crooked cartridges, and modified ROMs).

Main Categories

Any% Warpless

Description: The no major glitches category of the game and the the main category of the Yoshi speedrunning community. In the past, this was the main category for just the Japanese community, as they did not want to use 1-1 Warps, however, the rest of the world did and thus, the Any% Warps category was created. The Japanese also timed their runs to the last input, whereas the rest of the world timed up until the Bowser explosion. This is where the difference in timing methods between this category and Any% Warps came from.

Leaderboard: http://www.speedrun.com/yi#Warpless

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: On the last input when the last text box is advanced after Bowser is defeated. Note: The US version of the game has 2 text boxes here, while the Japanese version only has 1.

Bans: Resetting 1-1 Warps Tongue Glitch Null Egg Arbitrary Code Execution

Useful Page: Fast strat list

Any% Warps
Description: The original Any% category of the game before the Null Egg Glitch and credits warp were discovered. This run takes advantage of 1-1 Warps and the 3-3 Tongue Glitch/map corruption to save time. It also allows resetting the console during the run to skip the cutscene at the end of each world. Other than that and the timing method, it is identical to Any% Warpless.
Leaderboard: http://www.speedrun.com/yi#Warps
Timing: Start: On new file select. End: On the first frame of the Bowser explosion.
Bans: Null Egg Arbitrary Code Execution
Useful Pages: 1-1 Warps Tongue Glitch

Any% Credits Warp

Description: The fastest category in the game. This run uses the Tongue Glitch to trigger the credits through arbitrary code execution.

Leaderboard: http://www.speedrun.com/yi#Any

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: When the screen completely fades to black (before the credits start).

This category has no restrictions other than the universal bans.

Useful Pages: Tongue Glitch Arbitrary Code Execution

100%

Description: The 100% category of the game. You must finish each level with 30 stars, 20 red coins and 5 flowers. Additionally, this run features the Extra level in each world, which normally does not appear in the Any% categories. 100% makes use of strategies from Any% Warpless, along with many egg shots and clever star routes to complete levels quicker. Red coins can be duplicated to skip slower ones and bonus games can also be reliably skipped at the end of every level. This is by far the longest and toughest run in the game and it is advised that you do not run it unless you have mastered the basics first. It is certainly a fan favorite though with how crazy and flashy the run is. Hot take on Any% vs. 100% speedrunners. Red coin despawn quirk to be aware of.

Leaderboard: http://www.speedrun.com/yi#100

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: When the last completed level card flips over. Note: When the run is completed, a score check of all the worlds is usually done to confirm that all the levels have a score of "100", though it is not required.

Required: A score of 100 on all levels (including Extras).

Bans: 1-1 Warps Tongue Glitch Null Egg Arbitrary Code Execution The Japanese community also bans resetting the console, except after beating Bowser.

Useful Pages: Red Coin Duplication Bonus Skips

Legacy Categories

Any% Beat Bowser

Description: The second fastest category in the game, Any% Beat Bowser is the same as Any% Magical Journey up until 3-1, where it takes advantage of save file corruption to unlock 6-8 and subsequently beat Bowser. This run used to be the quickest way to beat the game until credits warp was found.

Leaderboard: http://www.speedrun.com/yi#Any (click on Beat Bowser)

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: On the first frame of the Bowser explosion.

This category has no restrictions other than the universal bans.

Useful Pages: 1-1 Warps Null Egg Save File Corruption

Any% Magical Journey

Description: The most unique category in the game and at one point, the fastest. Magical Journey uses the Null Egg Glitch in 2-3 through 6-8 to significantly shorten each level. Although the Any% Beat Bowser category obsoletes this one due to save file corruption in 3-1, it is different enough to warrant keeping it. Some people might even enjoy this category more simply because continuing the run past 3-1 isn't luck dependent like it is in Beat Bowser.

Leaderboard: http://www.speedrun.com/yi#Any (click on Magical Journey)

Theory TAS: 38:11

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: On the first frame of the Bowser explosion.

Bans: Save File Corruption Arbitrary Code Execution

Useful Pages: 1-1 Warps Null Egg

Miscellaneous Categories

100% No Restrictions

Description: A variation of 100% with no restrictions. 1-1 Warps and the Null Egg glitch are used to speed up the run considerably, saving an estimated 12-13 minutes.

Leaderboard: https://www.speedrun.com/yi#100_No_Restrictions

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: When the last completed level card flips over. Note: When the run is completed, a score check of all the worlds is usually done to confirm that all the levels have a score of "100", though it is not required.

Required: A score of 100 on all levels (including Extras).

This category has no restrictions other than the universal bans.

Useful Pages: 100% No Restrictions Red Coin Duplication Bonus Skips

Left+Right

Description: A very unique category that takes advantage of left+right warping. In the tutorial level, 15 coins are collected to allow for a warp to 2-3 from the level select screen. Then while in 2-3, 53 coins are collected, totaling 68 which will allow you to warp to 6-8 and subsequently beat the game.

Leaderboard: https://www.speedrun.com/yiext#Left%2BRight

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: On Bowser explosion.

Bans: Arbitrary Code Execution

Useful Pages: Left+Right Warping

Fasting

Description: Complete an Any% Warpless without swallowing/turning enemies into eggs. (Enemies can still be tongued/spit out). If you accidentally swallow an enemy, it is acceptable to die and restart the level (or restart from a mid-ring activated prior to the infraction).

Leaderboard: https://www.speedrun.com/yiext#Fasting

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: On the last input when the last text box is advanced after Bowser is defeated. Note: The US version of the game has 2 text boxes here, while the Japanese version only has 1.

Bans: The same bans as a full-game Any% Warpless run apply to this category, as well as swallowing/turning enemies into eggs.

Softlock

Description: Softlock the game as quickly as possible. Any softlock is allowed.

Leaderboard: https://www.speedrun.com/yiext#Softlock

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: On final softlock screen.

This category has no restrictions other than the universal bans.

Useful Page: Softlocks

Best Bonus Outcomes

Description: Using a 100% save file, complete all 6 bonus games with the best possible outcome (e.g. maximum possible 1ups/items)

Leaderboard: https://www.speedrun.com/yiext#Best_Bonus_Outcomes

Timing: Start: When selecting the first bonus game. End: When the screen completely fades to black after completing the final bonus game.

This category has no restrictions other than the universal bans.

Useful Page: Bonus Games

One Hand Warpless

Description: Complete an Any% Warpless run using only one hand.

Leaderboard: https://www.speedrun.com/yiext#OneHand

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: On the last input when the last text box is advanced after Bowser is defeated. Note: The US version of the game has 2 text boxes here, while the Japanese version only has 1.

Required: A webcam pointed at your controller for the duration of the run.

Bans: The same bans as a full-game Any% Warpless run apply to this category.

No Tongue Warpless

Description: Complete an Any% Warpless run without using Yoshi's tongue.

Leaderboard: https://www.speedrun.com/yiext#No_Tongue

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: On the last input when the last text box is advanced after Bowser is defeated. Note: The US version of the game has 2 text boxes here, while the Japanese version only has 1.

Bans: The same bans as a full-game Any% Warpless run apply to this category, as well as tonguing, except for during the Prince Froggy boss fight.

World 1

Description: A world 1 run of Any% Warpless, Any% Warps or 100%.

Leaderboard: https://www.speedrun.com/yiext#World_1

Timing: Start: When selecting the first level on the map screen. End: On the first frame of the boss explosion in the last level of the world.

Bans: The same bans apply to each category's respective full-game run.

Warpful

Description:

Leaderboard: https://www.speedrun.com/yiext#Warpful

Timing: Start: On new file select. End: When the score screen completely fades out after beating 6-8.

Bans: Boss key and boss explosion as a result of the null egg. Arbitrary Code Execution

Warpless 2x Speed

Description:

Leaderboard:https://www.speedrun.com/yiext#2x_Speed_Warpless

Timing: Start: On new file select. End:

Bans:

Warpless Blindfolded

Description:

Leaderboard: https://www.speedrun.com/yiext#Warpless_Blindfolded

Timing: Start: On new file select. End:

Bans:

Warpless All Bosses

Description:

Leaderboard: https://www.speedrun.com/yiext#All_Bosses_Warpless

Timing: Start: On new file select. End:

Bans: