Original Post

Summary

On May 9, 2020, the world record for the 120 Shine RTA (Real-Time Attack) was updated.

The runner was an overseas player named Paperario, who achieved a time of 2:58:27, beating the previous record held by Nanashi (2:58:29) by 2 seconds. However, the two runs used notably different routes, which indicates that considerable route optimization had taken place since Nanashi’s record.

To clarify, the new route showcased here wasn’t originally devised by Paperario (the exact creator is unknown), but over the past few months, most runners attempting the 120 Shine category have been using this newer route. I personally don’t actively follow RTA streams very often, so I only recently realized that the route had changed.

Differences in Route

If you're not familiar with watching 120 Shine RTAs, the following are some major differences in the routes used by the two runners.

Paperario's video: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/615119831 🔗

Nanashi's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh88dv14xO0 🔗

Before Unlocking Corona Mountain

• Blue Coins after defeating Shadow Mario for the first time:
  • New: 2 Twin Blue Coins
  • Old: 2 Underground Blue Coins
• Stage visited after the first Pinna Park:
  • New: Grassland (or Box Game)
  • Old: Ricco Harbor
• Route after riding Yoshi in Delfino Plaza:
  • New: Eat only one blue bird and enter Sirena
  • Old: Eat two blue birds, collect the blue coin above the police station, and enter the Poison River

After Unlocking Corona Mountain

• Location visited after escaping Corona Mountain:

  • New: Go directly to Pianta Village
  • Old: Collect 10 underground coins, do the Box Game, then collect shines in Delfino Plaza

• Stage order:

  • New: Pianta → Gelato Beach

    Bianco → Coconut Job → Pinna → Box Game Round 2 (or Grassland)

    Banana Job → Noki → Sirena → West Bell Tower (+ 9 Underground Coins)

    In front of Grand Pianta Statue → Ricco

  • Old: In front of Grand Pianta Statue → Gelato Beach

    Bianco → Banana Job → Noki → Pianta → Pinna → Grassland

    In front of Grand Pianta Statue → Sirena → West Bell Tower

    In front of Grand Pianta Statue → Coconut Job → Ricco

• Lighthouse Shine:

  • New: Get 2 underground blue coins, rocket to the police station blue coin, then fly to the lighthouse
  • Old: Head straight to the lighthouse after getting the rocket

• Path to Poison River:

  • New: Carry a banana, swim to the pipe, and clip through
  • Old: Enter via Yoshi as described above

• Nozzle used in Bianco Hills Story 6 Red Coins:

  • New: Rocket Nozzle
  • Old: Hover Nozzle

These are the major differences, particularly noticeable in the latter half of the run.