Aging SNES Consoles Show Up to 182 Hz Boost in APU Frequency Over 35 Years

Alan Cecil, a seasoned security consultant and the brains behind TASBot, recently unearthed a fascinating revelation about Super Nintendo consoles. It turns out that over time, these consoles have become slightly quicker, thanks to a particular chip. This insight, highlighted by a report from 404 Media, delves into the inner workings of the SNES, revealing how its Sony SPC700 audio processing unit (APU) was discovered to operate at a slightly higher frequency than initially documented. Originally set at 32,000 Hz, programmers later noticed in 2007 that this rate was actually a bit higher, clocking in at 32,040 Hz. To maintain game functionality, they had to adjust their emulator settings accordingly.

The SPC700’s frequency is governed by a ceramic resonator that runs at 24,576 Hz. As delicate as it is, this component’s performance can vary with changes in heat and other environmental conditions. Back in February, Cecil took to Bluesky via the TASBot account, sharing his theory and reaching out to SNES enthusiasts for data. Initially, the data pointed to an interesting trend: as these consoles age, their SPC700 chips begin to run faster. The top frequency recorded so far is 32,182 Hz. Though this spike is under 1% from the standard 32,000 Hz, it can still influence in-game audio and might disrupt certain titles.

The quirks of this increased frequency pose specific challenges for speedrunners. While the SPC700 only affects audio data, meaning your gameplay remains unchanged through its silence or sound, the implications for precision tasks are noteworthy. In speedrunning or when programming bots that depend on precise timing, the marginally quicker data delivery could alter load times. After a stage ends and as the screen fades out, the console preps for the next level, including loading audio. If the APU operates a bit faster, it hands off data to the CPU sooner, potentially shaving milliseconds off load times.

While this might sound like a boon for regular gamers, it throws a wrench into the works for speed-running records and bots. On the upside, human-run speed attempts remain unaffected by this minor uptick in performance. Cecil cautions that “we don’t yet fully understand the potential long-term impact on extended speedruns, but it’s undeniable that it influences the data exchange speed between the CPU and APU.”

For TASBot, whose operations rely on split-second accuracy, these changes could present challenges. Cecil, however, is committed to gathering further data to understand these aging components better. As more SNES consoles develop this quirk, comprehending and adapting to these changes is crucial. This knowledge aids in emulating the SNES and safeguarding the cherished games that marked our early days in gaming.