diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index a6351deb..1985ae96 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 *.sw[op]
 build/
 tools/*.exe
+tools/asar
 .vscode/launch.json
 .vscode/tasks.json
 /names/custom_names.txt
diff --git a/src/cutscenes.asm b/src/cutscenes.asm
index 6b977cf7..adc3f622 100644
--- a/src/cutscenes.asm
+++ b/src/cutscenes.asm
@@ -7,12 +7,12 @@ endif
     JSR cutscenes_load_ceres_arrival
 
 if !FEATURE_PAL
-org $8B92B5
+org $8B9287
 else
-org $8B930C
+org $8B92DE
 endif
-    JSL cutscenes_nintendo_splash
-    NOP : NOP
+    JSR cutscenes_nintendo_logo_hijack
+    NOP
 
 
 org $80AE5C
@@ -108,16 +108,23 @@ endif
 org $8BF800
 print pc, " cutscenes start"
 
-cutscenes_nintendo_splash:
+cutscenes_nintendo_logo_hijack:
 {
-    LDX #$0078
-    LDA !sram_cutscenes
-    AND !CUTSCENE_SKIP_SPLASH
-    BEQ .done
-    LDX #$0001
-  .done
-    STX $0DE2
-    RTL
+    JSL $80834B     ; hijacked code
+
+    LDA !sram_cutscenes : AND !CUTSCENE_QUICKBOOT : BNE .quickboot
+    STA !ram_quickboot_spc_state    ; A is 0
+    RTS
+
+.quickboot
+    PLA ; pop return address
+    PLB
+    PLA ; saved processor status and 1 byte of next return address
+    PLA ; remainder of next return address
+
+    LDA #$0001 : STA !ram_quickboot_spc_state
+
+    JML $808482  ; finish boot code; another hijack will launch the menu
 }
 
 cutscenes_add_elevator_speed:
diff --git a/src/defines.asm b/src/defines.asm
index 338048b3..95f54e13 100644
--- a/src/defines.asm
+++ b/src/defines.asm
@@ -157,6 +157,11 @@
 !ram_itempickups_hidden             = !WRAM_PERSIST_START+$62
 !ram_frames_held                    = !WRAM_PERSIST_START+$64
 
+!ram_quickboot_spc_state            = !WRAM_PERSIST_START+$66
+    ; 0: SPC load completed/not requested
+    ; 1: SPC load requested
+    ; ROM address: routine to perform next initialization step
+
 ; ^ FREE SPACE ^ up to +$7A (!WRAM_START+$FC - !WRAM_PERSIST_START)
 
 ; -----------------------
@@ -702,6 +707,7 @@ endif
 !CUTSCENE_FAST_PHANTOON = #$0200
 !CUTSCENE_FAST_KRAID = #$0400
 !CUTSCENE_SKIP_SPLASH = #$0800
+!CUTSCENE_QUICKBOOT = #$0800
 !CUTSCENE_SKIP_GAMEOVER = #$1000
 !CUTSCENE_FAST_BOWLING = #$2000
 !CUTSCENE_KRAID_DEATH_CAMERA = #$4000
diff --git a/src/init.asm b/src/init.asm
index 847b907d..e6eece9c 100644
--- a/src/init.asm
+++ b/src/init.asm
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ org $808455
 
 ; hijack when clearing bank 7E
 org $808490
-    PHA
+    ; Save quickboot state since it needs to distinguish between a soft and hard reset
+    LDY.w !ram_quickboot_spc_state
     LDX #$3FFE
   .clear_bank_loop
     STZ $0000,X
@@ -16,14 +17,19 @@ org $808490
     DEX : DEX
     BPL .clear_bank_loop
     JSL init_nonzero_wram
-    PLA
+
+    STY.w !ram_quickboot_spc_state
     BRA .end_clear_bank
 
+
 warnpc $8084AF
 
 org $8084AF
   .end_clear_bank
 
+org $80856E
+    JML init_post_boot
+
 
 org $81F000
 print pc, " init start"
@@ -94,7 +100,12 @@ init_sram:
     TDC : STA !sram_top_display_mode
     STA !sram_room_layout
     INC : STA !sram_healthalarm
+
+if !FEATURE_DEV
+    LDA !CUTSCENE_QUICKBOOT|$0003 : STA !sram_cutscenes
+else
     LDA #$0003 : STA !sram_cutscenes
+endif
 
   .sram_upgrade_CtoD
     TDC : STA !sram_preset_options
@@ -217,30 +228,30 @@ init_menu_customization:
     RTL
 }
 
-init_controller_bindings:
+init_post_boot:
 {
-    ; check if any non-dpad bindings are set
-    LDX #$000A
-    LDA.w !IH_INPUT_SHOT+$0C
-  .loopBindings
-    ORA.w !IH_INPUT_SHOT,X
-    DEX #2 : BPL .loopBindings
-    AND #$FFF0 : BNE .done
-
-    ; load default dpad bindings
-    LDA #$0800 : STA.w !INPUT_BIND_UP
-    LSR : STA.w !INPUT_BIND_DOWN
-    LSR : STA.w !INPUT_BIND_LEFT
-    LSR : STA.w !INPUT_BIND_RIGHT
-
-    ; load default non-dpad bindings
-    LDX #$000C
-  .loopTable
-    LDA.l ControllerLayoutTable,X : STA.w !IH_INPUT_SHOT,X
-    DEX #2 : BPL .loopTable
+    ; Load the last selected file slot (so that the user's controller
+    ; bindings will apply if they load a preset without loading a save file)
+    LDA $701FEC     ; Selected save slot
+    STA !CURRENT_SAVE_FILE
+    CMP #$0003 : BCC .valid_index
+    LDA #$0000
+  .valid_index
+    JSL $818085     ; Load save file
+    BCC .check_quickboot
+
+    ; No valid save; load a new file (for default controller bindings)
+    JSR $B2CB
+
+  .check_quickboot
+    ; Is quickboot enabled?
+    LDA !sram_cutscenes : AND !CUTSCENE_QUICKBOOT : BEQ .done
+
+    ; Boot to the infohud menu
+    JML cm_boot
 
   .done
-    RTL
+    JML $82893D     ; hijacked code: start main game loop
 }
 
 print pc, " init end"
diff --git a/src/mainmenu.asm b/src/mainmenu.asm
index 34173291..28821651 100644
--- a/src/mainmenu.asm
+++ b/src/mainmenu.asm
@@ -1817,7 +1817,6 @@ action_teleport:
     STZ $0E18 ; Set elevator to inactive
     STZ $1C1F ; Clear message box index
 
-    JSL init_controller_bindings
     LDA !SAMUS_HP_MAX : BNE .branch
     LDA #$001F : STA !SAMUS_HP
 
@@ -2934,7 +2933,7 @@ game_debugfixscrolloffsets:
 ; ---------------
 
 CutscenesMenu:
-    dw #cutscenes_skip_splash
+    dw #cutscenes_quickboot
     dw #cutscenes_skip_intro
     dw #cutscenes_skip_ceres_arrival
     dw #cutscenes_skip_g4
@@ -2955,8 +2954,8 @@ CutscenesMenu:
     dw #$0000
     %cm_header("CUTSCENES AND EFFECTS")
 
-cutscenes_skip_splash:
-    %cm_toggle_bit("Fast Nintendo splash", !sram_cutscenes, !CUTSCENE_SKIP_SPLASH, #0)
+cutscenes_quickboot:
+    %cm_toggle_bit("Boot to Menu", !sram_cutscenes, !CUTSCENE_QUICKBOOT, #0)
 
 cutscenes_skip_intro:
     %cm_toggle_bit("Skip Intro", !sram_cutscenes, !CUTSCENE_SKIP_INTRO, #0)
diff --git a/src/menu.asm b/src/menu.asm
index e54f2247..35deca9d 100644
--- a/src/menu.asm
+++ b/src/menu.asm
@@ -2,10 +2,6 @@
 org $85FD00
 print pc, " menu bank85 start"
 
-wait_for_lag_frame_long:
-    JSR $8136
-    RTL
-
 initialize_ppu_long:
     PHP : %a16()
     LDA $7E33EA : STA !ram_cgram_cache+$2E
@@ -41,6 +37,8 @@ cm_start:
     PHB : PHX : PHY
     PHK : PLB
 
+    LDA #$0000 : STA !ram_quickboot_spc_state
+
     ; Ensure sound is enabled when menu is open
     LDA !DISABLE_SOUNDS : PHA
     STZ !DISABLE_SOUNDS
@@ -94,6 +92,41 @@ cm_start:
     RTL
 }
 
+cm_boot:
+{
+    PHK : PLB
+    LDA !ram_quickboot_spc_state : BEQ .skip_spc
+    LDA #cm_spc_init : STA !ram_quickboot_spc_state
+
+    ; Disable sounds until we boot the SPC
+    LDA #$0001 : STA !DISABLE_SOUNDS
+.skip_spc
+
+    %a8()
+    LDA #$5A : STA $2109 ; BG3 tilemap base address
+    LDA #$04 : STA $212C ; Enable BG3; disable all else
+    %a16()
+    JSR cm_init
+    JSL cm_draw
+    JSR cm_loop
+
+  .spc_loop
+    JSR cm_wait_for_lag_frame
+    LDA !ram_quickboot_spc_state : BMI .spc_loop
+
+  .done
+    LDA !ram_custom_preset : BNE .preset_load
+    LDA !ram_load_preset : BEQ .main_game_loop
+
+  .preset_load
+    JSL preset_load
+
+  .main_game_loop
+    PEA $8282 : PLB : PLB
+    %a8()
+    JML $828944
+}
+
 cm_init:
 {
     ; Setup registers
@@ -134,6 +167,28 @@ cm_set_etanks_and_reserve:
     RTL
 }
 
+cm_wait_for_lag_frame:
+{
+    PHP : %ai16()
+    LDA !ram_quickboot_spc_state : TAX
+
+    LDA $05B8   ; lag frame counter
+                ; (it's only 8 bits, but it's OK if we mix it up with the variable after)
+  .loop
+    CMP $05B8
+    BNE .done
+
+    CPX #$0000 : BPL .loop
+    PHA : PHP : PHB : JSR cm_jump_x : PLB : PLP
+    LDA !ram_quickboot_spc_state : TAX : PLA
+    BRA .loop
+
+  .done
+    PLP : RTS
+}
+
+cm_jump_x:
+    DEX : PHX : RTS
 
 ; ----------
 ; Drawing
@@ -507,7 +562,7 @@ cm_tilemap_menu:
 
 cm_tilemap_transfer:
 {
-    JSL wait_for_lag_frame_long  ; Wait for lag frame
+    JSR cm_wait_for_lag_frame  ; Wait for lag frame
 
     %a16()
     LDA #$5800 : STA $2116 ; VRAM addr
@@ -1560,7 +1615,7 @@ menu_ctrl_clear_input_display:
 cm_loop:
 {
     %ai16()
-    JSL wait_for_lag_frame_long
+    JSR cm_wait_for_lag_frame
     JSL $808F0C ; Music queue
     JSL $8289EF ; Sound fx queue
     JSL MenuRNG
@@ -2021,7 +2076,7 @@ kb_main_loop:
     RTL
 
   .new_input
-    JSL wait_for_lag_frame_long
+    JSR cm_wait_for_lag_frame
     JSL $808F0C ; Music queue
     JSL $8289EF ; Sound fx queue
     JSR kb_handle_inputs
@@ -3461,6 +3516,135 @@ MenuRNG2:
     RTL
 }
 
+!cm_spc_db      = $30
+!cm_spc_data    = $31
+!cm_spc_index   = $33
+!cm_spc_len     = $34
+
+cm_spc_init: {
+    ; wait for SPC to be ready
+    LDA #$BBAA : CMP $2140 : BNE .return
+
+    LDA #$FFFF : STA $0617   ; disable soft rest
+
+    %a8()
+    LDA #$CC
+    STA !cm_spc_index
+
+    %a16()
+    LDA #$CFCF
+    STA !cm_spc_db
+    LDA #$8000
+    STA !cm_spc_data
+
+    LDA #cm_spc_next_block
+    STA !ram_quickboot_spc_state
+
+.return
+RTS
+}
+
+cm_spc_next_block: {
+    %a8()
+    PHB : LDA !cm_spc_db : PHA : PLB
+    LDY !cm_spc_data
+
+    ; Get block size
+    LDA #$01
+    LDX $0000, y
+    BNE .not_last : LDA #$00
+  .not_last
+    INY : BNE + : JSR cm_spc_inc_bank
+  + INY : BNE + : JSR cm_spc_inc_bank
+  + STX !cm_spc_len
+
+    ; Get block address
+    LDX $0000, y
+    INY : BNE + : JSR cm_spc_inc_bank
+  + INY : BNE + : JSR cm_spc_inc_bank
+  + PLB : STX $2142
+
+    STA $2141
+
+    %a16()
+    LDA #cm_spc_next_block_wait
+    STA !ram_quickboot_spc_state
+
+    RTS
+}
+
+cm_spc_inc_bank: {
+    PHA : LDA !cm_spc_db : INC A : STA !cm_spc_db
+    PHA : PLB : PLA
+    LDY #$8000
+    RTS
+}
+
+cm_spc_next_block_wait: {
+    %a8()
+    LDA !cm_spc_index : STA $2140 : CMP $2140 : BNE .return
+
+    STZ !cm_spc_index
+    %a16()
+    LDA !cm_spc_len : BEQ .eof
+    LDA #cm_spc_transfer
+    STA !ram_quickboot_spc_state
+    STY !cm_spc_data
+    RTS
+
+  .eof
+    LDA #$0000 : STA !ram_quickboot_spc_state
+    STZ !DISABLE_SOUNDS
+    STZ $0617
+
+  .return
+    RTS
+}
+
+cm_spc_transfer: {
+    ; Determine how many bytes to transfer
+    LDA !cm_spc_len : TAX
+    SBC #$0040 : BCC .last
+    LDX #$0040 : STA !cm_spc_len
+    BRA .setup
+  .last
+    STZ !cm_spc_len
+
+  .setup
+    %a8()
+    PHB : LDA !cm_spc_db : PHA : PLB
+    LDY !cm_spc_data
+
+    LDA !cm_spc_index
+
+    %a8()
+  .transfer_loop
+    XBA : LDA $0000, y : XBA
+
+    %a16() : STA $002140 : %a8()
+
+  .wait_loop
+    CMP $002140 : BNE .wait_loop
+
+    INC A
+    INY : BNE + : JSR cm_spc_inc_bank
+  +
+    DEX : BNE .transfer_loop
+
+    LDX !cm_spc_len : BNE .timeout
+    ; Done with the transfer!
+    CLC : ADC #$03 : STA !cm_spc_index : STY !cm_spc_data
+    %a16() : LDA #cm_spc_next_block : STA !ram_quickboot_spc_state
+
+    PLB
+    RTS
+
+  .timeout
+    STA !cm_spc_index : STY !cm_spc_data
+
+    PLB
+    RTS
+}
 
 ; ----------
 ; Resources
diff --git a/src/presets.asm b/src/presets.asm
index 39aa1433..847ceba9 100644
--- a/src/presets.asm
+++ b/src/presets.asm
@@ -569,7 +569,6 @@ endif
     TDC : STA !ram_transition_flag
     JSL init_heat_damage_ram
     JSL init_physics_ram
-    JSL init_controller_bindings
 
     LDA #$E737 : STA $099C ; Pointer to next frame's room transition code = $82:E737
 
diff --git a/src/symbols.asm b/src/symbols.asm
index 61c05c72..aedfcdb8 100644
--- a/src/symbols.asm
+++ b/src/symbols.asm
@@ -157,6 +157,8 @@ ram_itempickups_chozo = !ram_itempickups_chozo ; !WRAM_PERSIST_START+$60
 ram_itempickups_hidden = !ram_itempickups_hidden ; !WRAM_PERSIST_START+$62
 ram_frames_held = !ram_frames_held ; !WRAM_PERSIST_START+$64
 
+ram_quickboot_spc_state = !ram_quickboot_spc_state ; !WRAM_PERSIST_START+$66
+
 ; ^ FREE SPACE ^ up to +$7A (!WRAM_START+$FC - !WRAM_PERSIST_START)
 
 ; -----------------------