My xmas miracle came early, SMB2 mastery

[FoxNtd]

As far as I know only the ending takes advantage of the added audio capabilities

This is true. Only the ending BGM uses the FDS synth. It produces very vibrant audio, I love this sound chip.

the NES is fully capable of utilizing those after a very simple mod.

But this is false. Or maybe it isn't, it depends what mod you're talking about. I'm only aware of the mod that connects the missing audio channels, which would allow games with sound chips to be audible on the NES. However the FDS' FM synth is not present in an NES system. So either you're wrong or there is now a mod I don't yet know about that allows you to solder a compatible synthesizer sound chip into the NES. (Similarly I know there's a mod to solder a Yamaha FM synth chip into the US SMS but the system was supposed to have support for it to begin with. The NES was not. I'll let you tell me what is the case for NES and FM synth.)

Wow man! Congrats! I wish I had the devotion to accomplish something like this.

Thanks. It's not so much about skill though. It's not that hard to learn the stages and have the skill to navigate traps. The challenge was getting the entire run perfectly. As I hinted I have so many low-death runs it's not even funny. In Japanese we'd say 運ゲー which literally means Luck Game. There are a few elements across the game which I literally depend on luck to accomplish. The last hammer brother in 8-1 comes to mind. The two underwater stages and two stages with flying fish both require just being sharp and smart about where you're going. Hell, this run was nearly ruined but I got a little lucky, right around that spot where I accidentally ate that mushroom. (Grr.)

7-4 is by far the most difficult Koopa to beat. It's insanely dangerous the way it's set up. In my run I cut it so closely he could've taken Mario's hat off. XD

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

This is true. Only the ending BGM uses the FDS synth. It produces very vibrant audio, I love this sound chip.

But this is false. Or maybe it isn't, it depends what mod you're talking about. I'm only aware of the mod that connects the missing audio channels, which would allow games with sound chips to be audible on the NES. However the FDS' FM synth is not present in an NES system. So either you're wrong or there is now a mod I don't yet know about that allows you to solder a compatible synthesizer sound chip into the NES. (Similarly I know there's a mod to solder a Yamaha FM synth chip into the US SMS but the system was supposed to have support for it to begin with. The NES was not. I'll let you tell me what is the case for NES and FM synth.)

It appears we're both misinformed. The FDS does not use a FM synth chip. It uses 64x64 wave table. However, I do not know what that is

What I have found is that most of the information relating to the resistor mod implies it allows all the missing audio from the FDS to be heard when using the powerpak, including the "fm synth" audio. Perhaps the powerpak includes the missing hardware, or provides a software solution.

[FoxNtd]

It appears we're both misinformed. The FDS does not use a FM synth chip. It uses 64x64 wave table. However, I do not know what that is

What I have found is that most of the information relating to the resistor mod implies it allows all the missing audio from the FDS to be heard when using the powerpak, including the "fm synth" audio. Perhaps the powerpak includes the missing hardware, or provides a software solution.

The FDS has a physical chip. English Wiki fucking sucks and doesn't explain this to you. Japanese Wiki however goes into detail and even has a picture of the damn thing too. I could translate the relevant paragraph from there if you really need to know.

There is absolutely no way you're getting those sounds from an NES without figuring out how to connect a compatible sound chip to it. It doesn't matter what software instructions you feed, a machine can't do what it's not equipped to do.

[Hawksmoor]

I consider just beating SMB2j on the GBC Mario Deluxe to be one of my finest gaming accomplishments. To beat the game with no deaths is an amazing feat. My hat's off to you sir.