A big hand to SM for correcting every single aspect of the run that I forgot/got wrong. And since you all seem so set on what #1 is, I'll do the honourable mentions now.
I did the honourable mentions a bit differently this time. In this case it's not so much videos that deserved entry into the top ten (because there's just too many of those to count)... Rather, I've picked out videos that have a distinct quirk. Here goes:
Eternal Engine 1 - SM - I think I should get this one out of the way. You might be feeling a bit ripped off because I described SM's vid of the same level as one of the most outstanding ones a year ago. However, I personally think that after seeing three or four iterations of what are essentially the same vid with more refining each time, it's pretty well old hat. Sorry about that. (Psyknux's EE5 would rate a similar mention, but it was submitted after the 14th and therefore wasn't eligible for selection.)
Chemical Plant 1 - Both the rings vid and RPG's Knuckles vid are breaches of TSC rules - and are in fact the only vids on the site which are, on the same level! The rings vid is a TAS (but it looks pretty cool), and the Knuckles vid actually doesn't finish the level, he dies during the tallying of points. Ironically, if he got a lesser time bonus he could've survived. X)
Aquatic Ruin 1 Knuckles - mike89 - For having the lowest frame-to-time ratio of any vid on the site. (Per RPG's request)
Cannon's Core 1 - Blaze - For having the
highest real time to game time ratio of any vid on the site - 7 minutes real time (apparently with more cut out!) to 1:32 game time. And no, SM's hunting vids don't count.
Security Hall 2 - yoshifan - Because it's 44"44. And times like that are pro.
Death Egg 1 - yoshifan - One of those odd vids which presents an entirely new route while being minimally optimised - but all the while, nobody was able to beat it! It took two years before eredani finally knocked it over.
Green Hill 1 (0:25) - Why are there so many of these? One day I'm going to have to record 24 and obsolete the lot.
Final Egg - F-Man - For sheer WTF value, this takes the cake. Who would have imagined there would be a capsule in the middle of nowhere at the beginning of the stage - and better yet, that someone would be able to reach it?
Red Mountain - F-Man - For getting
oh-so-close to that magical 1 minute barrier. (He later beat it, though.)
Neo South Island 1 - mike89 - Because it's a vid. For SPA. Which nobody cares about. It's proven, you know.
Dishonourable mentions go to Groudon and KS8 to putting vids on Youtube and Google Video in favour of TSC. Shame on you.
And as soon as RPG confirms what you all know, it'll be time to pack away the Top Tens for another six months. We hope you've enjoyed this edition of the list, and we'll have another list whipped up for you some time in April.
In the meantime, have fun and
DON'T DO DRUGS keep on gaming!