Bully

Bully is an action-adventure video game that was first released on 17 October 2006 for PlayStation 2. A remastered version of the game, subtitled Scholarship Edition, was released on 4 March 2008 for Xbox 360 and Wii and on 21 October 2008 for Microsoft Windows. Bully was re-released for PlayStation 4 available via PlayStation Network on 22 March 2016. An updated version of the Scholarship Edition, titled Anniversary Edition, was released for Android and iOS on 8 December 2016.

Version Differences

Version differences listed below can have an effect on speedrunning the game.

Scholarship Edition Mission Exclusives: Scholarship Edition features additional (Christmas) missions to the game resulting in a longer play-time and a different route than in classic. However, the route is only slightly different for Chapter 3. The anniversary edition includes all bonus content from the scholarship edition.

Loading Times: The PC has the fastest loading times out of all the ports, followed by the PS3 version. The PS4 version has the same loading times as the PS2 version (as its a perfect emulation copy). The xbox 360 has very long loading screens. Note that loading times have no effect on the in-game time.

Game Crashes: All editions of Bully can crash but is more prevalent on the PC version (especially on Windows 10). On PC, the game crashes after playing for approximately 3 and a half hours, in a single session. The most stable version of Bully is the xbox 360 version followed by the PS2/3 version. [Be sure to have the most updated version of Bully to prevent crashes - the xbox 360 latest patch is 1.03 while the latest PC version patch is 1.20]. A windows 10 unofficial beta patch (by CookiePLMonster/Silent) can be found here.

Soft-locking: All versions of Bully have the possibility to soft-lock in some places and instances. For example, on the Classic version, the game can soft-lock if you run into the school academy before the clock appears at the very start of Chapter 3.

Consumo High-score: The high score for this arcade game, in Bully and Scholarship Edition, is 1010 lbs, but is only 800 in Anniversary Edition.

Running Shorts: In Bully Anniversary and Scholarship Edition the running shorts unlocks by running 100 km. However, in Classic the running shorts unlocks at 41.84kms (or 26 miles).

Clipping OoB with trash cans: When jumping out of trash-cans and simultaneously moving the camera controls, Jimmy can end up within walls of the school etc. By doing so, you can access parts of the world map earlier then intended or use it to do a knock-out warp. However, trash can clipping can only be done on the xbox or PC version. Furthermore, many cans have been patched on PC that would otherwise be useful.

Movement Sensitivity: On PC, the mouse has the fastest sensitivity out of all the ports and can be adjusted with a mouse's DPI. You can use an Xbox 360 controller on the PC version, however there is a set sensitivity with no way to adjust. Xbox 360 on console is much faster compared to using the same controller to play on PC, but slower than PC in regards to aiming. This means that some missions, for example Defender of the Castle, is easier on the PC than on consoles, since you can move the spud cannon faster with the mouse.

Quick Skateboard Equipping: On PC (by default) the middle button of the mouse equips the skateboard. This feature is only available by using the keyboard as there is no key binding for it when using the xbox controller.

Boxing Glitch (PC Only): There are two buttons available to box on the PC version. The second button on PC has a bug that when you spam that button, the boxers may not punch back, allowing for easier boxing than any other port.

Tagging Glitch (PC Widescreen Only): Switching to widescreen mode in game options causes a bug where once you lay down a tag on a wall, it will fade away and allow you to retag the same spot, just seconds after spraying it in the first place. (Used in the mission 'Tagging'.) This same glitch can be used to obtain ~$1000 during the same mission (is very useful when doing a 100% speedrun).

Faster Button Input: Opening garage doors on the PC version is faster than any other port as it requires less button inputs. During dodgeball, the amount of button inputs to obtain the ball is less on PC than on console as well.

Speedrun Categories

Rules usually need to be followed when you submit a run to a speedrun website/leaderboard. Check the rules on the speedrunning website carefully before commencing/submitting a run.

any%

The goal of an any% speedrun is to beat the game as quickly as possible, which is signified as chapter 6 in Bully.

all missions

The goal of an all missions speedrun is to beat all the missions in the game (check the stats menu for the amount of missions completed). Bully Classic has a total of 71 missions and Bully Scholarship/Anniversary Edition has a total of 79 missions. (You can complete the side-missions in the game in any chapter).

100%

The goal of a 100% speedrun is to reach 100% in the stats menu as quickly as possible.

Speedrun Strategies

General Tips

Faster Movement: While moving always sprint (as Jimmy's stamina is infinite) or use the skateboard if no bike is available. A bike can be purchased, from the bike shop, as soon as Chapter 2 starts and is accessible at every garage.

Cutscene Skipping: Cutscenes should be skipped as soon as possible as they add onto the in-game timer. Most cutscenes can be skipped by tapping or holding down the interaction button.

Busted Warping: Getting busted by police/prefect can be used to teleport to nearby class or to the principle office/police station, saving time traveling on foot. Note that after getting busted a second time by a prefect (outside of class hours) will result into getting a detention. Also, getting busted during a mission will fail it.

Negating Fall Damage: Fall damage can be negated if you have the skateboard equipped when you fall off a building at a great height.

Knockout Warping: Knocking self out intentionally, by using fire-crackers, can be used to teleport to the nearest infirmary, saving time traveling on foot.

Knocked Out with 2 Fire-crackers: Jimmy can be knocked out with the use of only 2 fire-crackers (usually it takes the damage of 4-5 crackers). This can be achieved by throwing a fire-cracker, in manual mode, directly in-front of Jimmy and then jumping over the shockwave of the fire-cracker as it explodes. This usually takes a few goes to get right but can be easily mastered after a bit of practice.

First Person Mode/Scope Mode: Pressing the up button (on PC) or up on the D-Pad switches Jimmy to first person mode. If the slingshot is equipped then sniper mode can be used to 'headshot' opponents for higher damage than normal.

Weapon Drops in Wooden Boxes: Weapon drops (fire-cracker, eggs, beam cola and stink-bombs) can be found in wooden boxes scattered around various locations of the map.

Mission Specific Glitches

Bolt Cutter Glitch: It is possible that upon starting the mission, Revenge on Mr. Burton, you can have the bolt-cutters already spawned in your inventory.

Greaser Cutscene Skip: During Preppies Vandalized, you are able to skip the cutscene where you talk to the greasers in New Coventry by simply mashing A (on the xbox 360) or by pressing W and sprint key at the same time (for the PC).

External Links

• Bully Classic Guides (hosted by Speedrun.com)
• Bully SE Guides (hosted by Speedrun.com)