diff --git a/src/GPU.cpp b/src/GPU.cpp
index f24d8ab5..c736fe60 100644
--- a/src/GPU.cpp
+++ b/src/GPU.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ namespace melonDS
 using Platform::Log;
 using Platform::LogLevel;
 
-#define LINE_CYCLES  (355*6)
+#define LINE_CYCLES   (355*6)
 #define HBLANK_CYCLES (48+(256*6))
 #define FRAME_CYCLES  (LINE_CYCLES * 263)
 
@@ -878,6 +878,11 @@ void GPU::StartHBlank(u32 line) noexcept
 {
     DispStat[0] |= (1<<1);
     DispStat[1] |= (1<<1);
+    
+    // TODO: not quite the correct update time, but... close enough i guess?
+    int scanline = (VCount == 262 ? 0 : (line+1));
+    if (!(scanline & 1)) GPU3D.ScanlineSync(scanline);
+    if (GPU3D.UnderflowFlagVCount == scanline) GPU3D.DispCnt |= (1<<12);
 
     if (VCount < 192)
     {
@@ -1013,11 +1018,11 @@ void GPU::StartScanline(u32 line) noexcept
     {
         if (VCount == 192)
         {
-            // in reality rendering already finishes at line 144
+            // in reality rendering already finishes at line 144 (can take up to ~191 depending on load)
             // and games might already start to modify texture memory.
             // That doesn't matter for us because we cache the entire
             // texture memory anyway and only update it before the start
-            //of the next frame.
+            // of the next frame.
             // So we can give the rasteriser a bit more headroom
             GPU3D.VCount144(*this);
 
diff --git a/src/GPU3D.cpp b/src/GPU3D.cpp
index 4a1426aa..207d0076 100644
--- a/src/GPU3D.cpp
+++ b/src/GPU3D.cpp
@@ -183,6 +183,8 @@ void GPU3D::ResetRenderingState() noexcept
 
     RenderClearAttr1 = 0x3F000000;
     RenderClearAttr2 = 0x00007FFF;
+
+    RenderFrameIdentical = false;
 }
 
 void GPU3D::Reset() noexcept
@@ -236,7 +238,7 @@ void GPU3D::Reset() noexcept
     TotalParams = 0;
 
     GeometryEnabled = false;
-    RenderingEnabled = false;
+    RenderingEnabled = 0;
 
     DispCnt = 0;
     AlphaRefVal = 0;
@@ -254,6 +256,9 @@ void GPU3D::Reset() noexcept
     ClearAttr2 = 0x00007FFF;
 
     ResetRenderingState();
+    
+    UnderflowFlagVCount = -1;
+    RDLines = 63;
 
     AbortFrame = false;
 
@@ -549,12 +554,16 @@ void GPU3D::DoSavestate(Savestate* file) noexcept
 
     file->Bool32(&AbortFrame);
     file->Bool32(&GeometryEnabled);
-    file->Bool32(&RenderingEnabled);
+    file->Var8(&RenderingEnabled);
     file->Var32(&PolygonMode);
     file->Var32(&PolygonAttr);
     file->Var32(&CurPolygonAttr);
     file->Var32(&TexParam);
     file->Var32(&TexPalette);
+    
+    file->Var8(&RDLines);
+    file->Var8(&RDLinesTemp);
+
     RenderFrameIdentical = false;
     if (softRenderer && softRenderer->IsThreaded())
     {
@@ -567,9 +576,19 @@ void GPU3D::DoSavestate(Savestate* file) noexcept
 void GPU3D::SetEnabled(bool geometry, bool rendering) noexcept
 {
     GeometryEnabled = geometry;
-    RenderingEnabled = rendering;
-
-    if (!rendering) ResetRenderingState();
+    if (rendering)
+    {
+        if (RenderingEnabled == 0)
+        {
+            RenderingEnabled = 1;
+            RDLinesTemp = 63; // CHECKME
+        }
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        ResetRenderingState();
+        RenderingEnabled = 0;
+    }
 }
 
 
@@ -2458,12 +2477,16 @@ bool YSort(Polygon* a, Polygon* b)
 
 void GPU3D::VBlank() noexcept
 {
+    if (RenderingEnabled)
+        RDLines = RDLinesTemp;
+
     if (GeometryEnabled)
     {
-        if (RenderingEnabled)
+        if (RenderingEnabled >= 3)
         {
             if (FlushRequest)
             {
+                swap:
                 if (NumPolygons)
                 {
                     // separate translucent polygons from opaque ones
@@ -2517,6 +2540,15 @@ void GPU3D::VBlank() noexcept
             RenderClearAttr1 = ClearAttr1;
             RenderClearAttr2 = ClearAttr2;
         }
+        else if (RenderingEnabled != 0)
+        {
+            if (FlushRequest)
+            {
+                RenderingEnabled++;
+                if (RenderingEnabled >= 3)
+                    goto swap;
+            }
+        }
 
         if (FlushRequest)
         {
@@ -2545,6 +2577,10 @@ void GPU3D::SetRenderXPos(u16 xpos) noexcept
     RenderXPos = xpos & 0x01FF;
 }
 
+void GPU3D::ScanlineSync(int line) noexcept
+{
+    CurrentRenderer->ScanlineSync(line);
+}
 
 u32* GPU3D::GetLine(int line) noexcept
 {
@@ -2672,7 +2708,7 @@ u16 GPU3D::Read16(u32 addr) noexcept
         return DispCnt;
 
     case 0x04000320:
-        return 46; // TODO, eventually
+        return RDLines;
 
     case 0x04000600:
         {
@@ -2716,7 +2752,7 @@ u32 GPU3D::Read32(u32 addr) noexcept
         return DispCnt;
 
     case 0x04000320:
-        return 46; // TODO, eventually
+        return RDLines;
 
     case 0x04000600:
         {
diff --git a/src/GPU3D.h b/src/GPU3D.h
index d10df55f..39be1f3f 100644
--- a/src/GPU3D.h
+++ b/src/GPU3D.h
@@ -25,10 +25,12 @@
 #include "Savestate.h"
 #include "FIFO.h"
 
+
 namespace melonDS
 {
 class GPU;
 
+
 struct Vertex
 {
     s32 Position[4];
@@ -112,6 +114,7 @@ public:
 
     void SetRenderXPos(u16 xpos) noexcept;
     [[nodiscard]] u16 GetRenderXPos() const noexcept { return RenderXPos; }
+    void ScanlineSync(int line) noexcept;
     u32* GetLine(int line) noexcept;
 
     void WriteToGXFIFO(u32 val) noexcept;
@@ -241,9 +244,18 @@ public:
     u32 TotalParams = 0;
 
     bool GeometryEnabled = false;
-    bool RenderingEnabled = false;
+    // 0 = powered off
+    // 1 = powered on, inactive
+    // 2 = one swap buffers, inactive
+    // 3 = two swap buffers, active;
+    u8 RenderingEnabled = 0;
 
     u32 DispCnt = 0;
+
+    u16 UnderflowFlagVCount = 0;
+    u8 RDLines = 0;
+    u8 RDLinesTemp = 0;
+
     u8 AlphaRefVal = 0;
     u8 AlphaRef = 0;
 
@@ -329,6 +341,69 @@ public:
     u32 ScrolledLine[256]; // not part of the hardware state, don't serialize
 };
 
+    // Rasterization Timing Constants
+
+    static constexpr int TimingFrac = 1; // add a fractional component if pixels is not enough precision
+
+    // GPU 2D Read Timings: For Emulating Buffer Read/Write Race Conditions
+    static constexpr int DelayBetweenReads = 809 * TimingFrac;
+    static constexpr int ScanlineReadSpeed = 256 * TimingFrac;
+    static constexpr int ScanlineReadInc = DelayBetweenReads + ScanlineReadSpeed;
+    static constexpr int InitGPU2DTimeout = (51875+565) * TimingFrac; // 51618? 51874? 52128? | when it finishes reading the first scanline.
+    static constexpr int FrameLength = ScanlineReadInc * 263; // how long the entire frame is. TODO: Verify if we actually need this?
+        
+    // compile-time list of scanline read times
+    // these *should* always occur at the same point in each frame, so it shouldn't matter if we make them fixed
+    static constexpr std::array<u32, 192> SLRead = []() constexpr {
+    std::array<u32, 192> readtime {};
+
+    for (int i = 0, time = InitGPU2DTimeout; i < 192; i++, time += ScanlineReadInc)
+    {
+        readtime[i] = time;
+    }
+    return readtime;
+    }();
+
+    static constexpr int PreReadCutoff = 565; // time before a read that a scanline is cutoff.
+
+    // the point at which rdlines decrements. not sure why it's different...?
+    static constexpr std::array<u32, 192> RDDecrement = []() constexpr {
+    std::array<u32, 192> dec {};
+
+    for (int i = 0; i < 192; i++)
+    {
+        dec[i] = SLRead[i] - 39 - (!(i % 2));
+    }
+    return dec;
+    }();
+
+    // GPU 3D Rasterization Timings: For Emulating Scanline Timeout
+
+    static constexpr int FinalPassLen = 500 * TimingFrac; // 496 (might technically be 500?) | the next scanline cannot begin while a scanline's final pass is in progress
+                                                          // (can be interpreted as the minimum amount of cycles for the next scanline
+                                                          // pair to start after the previous pair began) (related to final pass?)
+    static constexpr int ScanlinePushDelay = 242 * TimingFrac;
+    static constexpr int EMGlitchThreshhold = 502 * TimingFrac; // The threshold for the edge marking glitch behavior to change.
+    static constexpr int EMFixNum = 571 * TimingFrac; // Arbitrary value added to fix edge marking glitch, not sure why it's needed?
+
+    // GPU 3D Rasterization Timings II: For Tracking Timing Behaviors
+
+    //static constexpr int FirstPolyScanline = 0 * TimingFrac; 
+    static constexpr int PerPolyScanline = 12 * TimingFrac; // 12 | The basic timing cost for polygons. Applies per polygon per scanline.
+    static constexpr int PerPixelTiming = 1 * TimingFrac; // 1 | 1 pixel = 1 pixel
+    static constexpr int NumFreePixels = 4; // 4 | First 4 pixels in a polygon scanline are free (for some reason)
+    static constexpr int MinToStartPoly = 2 * TimingFrac; // 1 | if there aren't 2 (why two?) cycles remaining after the polygon timing penalty,
+                                                          // do not bother rendering the polygon (CHECKME: I dont think this should decrement timings by anything?)
+    static constexpr int EmptyPolyScanline = 4 * TimingFrac; // 4 | the ignored "empty" bottom-most scanline of a polygon
+                                                             // which shouldn't be rendered for some reason has timing characteristics.
+
+    // GPU 3D Rasterization Timings III, For First Polygon "Pre-Calc" Timings
+    // should be added before other timings, as these are "async" pre-calcs of polygon attributes
+
+    static constexpr int FirstPolyDelay = 4 * TimingFrac; // 4 | Min amount of cycles to begin a scanline? (minimum time it takes to init the first polygon?)
+                                                          // (Amount of time before the end of the cycle a scanline must abort?)
+
+
 class Renderer3D
 {
 public:
@@ -349,6 +424,7 @@ public:
     virtual void RenderFrame(GPU& gpu) = 0;
     virtual void RestartFrame(GPU& gpu) {};
     virtual u32* GetLine(int line) = 0;
+    virtual void ScanlineSync(int line) {};
     virtual void Blit(const GPU& gpu) {};
 
     virtual void SetupAccelFrame() {}
diff --git a/src/GPU3D_Soft.cpp b/src/GPU3D_Soft.cpp
index a9d0bd64..8a9fbfc7 100644
--- a/src/GPU3D_Soft.cpp
+++ b/src/GPU3D_Soft.cpp
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include "GPU3D_Soft.h"
 
 #include <algorithm>
+#include <initializer_list>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include "NDS.h"
@@ -138,6 +139,108 @@ void SoftRenderer::SetThreaded(bool threaded, GPU& gpu) noexcept
     }
 }
 
+bool SoftRenderer::DoTimings(s32 cycles, s32* timingcounter)
+{
+    // add timings to a counter and return false if underflowed.
+    *timingcounter += cycles;
+    if (RasterTiming + *timingcounter <= ScanlineTimeout) return true;
+    else return false;
+}
+
+bool SoftRenderer::CheckTimings(s32 cycles, s32* timingcounter)
+{
+    // check if there are 'cycles' amount of cycles remaining.
+    if (RasterTiming + *timingcounter <= ScanlineTimeout - cycles) return true;
+    else return false;
+}
+
+u32 SoftRenderer::DoTimingsPixels(s32 pixels, s32* timingcounter)
+{
+    // calculate and return the difference between the old span and the new span, while adding timings to the timings counter
+
+    // pixels dont count towards timings if they're the first 4 pixels in a polygon scanline (for some reason?)
+    if (pixels <= NumFreePixels) return 0;
+    
+    pixels -= NumFreePixels;
+    
+    *timingcounter += pixels;
+    pixels = -(ScanlineTimeout - (RasterTiming + *timingcounter));
+
+    if (pixels > 0)
+    {
+        *timingcounter -= pixels;
+        return pixels;
+    }
+    else return 0;
+}
+
+void SoftRenderer::FindFirstPolyDoTimings(int npolys, s32 y, int* firstpolyeven, int* firstpolyodd, s32* timingcountereven, s32*timingcounterodd)
+{
+    // TODO: actually figure this out
+
+    // The First Polygon in each scanline pair has some additional timing penalties (presumably due to pipelining of the rasterizer)
+
+    bool fixeddelay = false;
+    bool perslope = false;
+    bool etc = false;
+
+    for (*firstpolyeven = 0; *firstpolyeven < npolys; (*firstpolyeven)++)
+    {
+        RendererPolygon* rp = &PolygonList[*firstpolyeven];
+        Polygon* polygon = rp->PolyData;
+
+        if (y >= polygon->YTop && y <= polygon->YBottom)
+        {
+            fixeddelay = true;
+            break;
+            /*if (y == polygon->YBottom) break;
+            if (y == polygon->YTop) {perslope = true; break;}
+            else if ((y == polygon->Vertices[rp->NextVL]->FinalPosition[1] || y == polygon->Vertices[rp->CurVL]->FinalPosition[1]) ||
+                    (y == polygon->Vertices[rp->NextVR]->FinalPosition[1] || y == polygon->Vertices[rp->CurVR]->FinalPosition[1]))
+            {
+                perslope = true;
+            }
+            else etc = true;
+            break;*/
+        }
+    }
+
+    y++;
+    for (*firstpolyodd = 0; *firstpolyodd < npolys; (*firstpolyodd)++)
+    {
+        RendererPolygon* rp = &PolygonList[*firstpolyodd];
+        Polygon* polygon = rp->PolyData;
+
+        if (y >= polygon->YTop && y <= polygon->YBottom)
+        {
+            fixeddelay = true;
+            break;
+            /*if (y == polygon->YBottom) break;
+            if (y == polygon->YTop) {perslope = true; break;}
+            else if ((y == polygon->Vertices[rp->NextVL]->FinalPosition[1] || y == polygon->Vertices[rp->CurVL]->FinalPosition[1]) ||
+                    (y == polygon->Vertices[rp->NextVR]->FinalPosition[1] || y == polygon->Vertices[rp->CurVR]->FinalPosition[1]))
+            {
+                perslope = true;
+            }
+            else etc = true;
+            break;*/
+        }
+    }
+    
+    *timingcountereven = fixeddelay ? FirstPolyDelay : 0;// + perslope*FirstPerSlope + etc*2;
+    *timingcounterodd = fixeddelay ? FirstPolyDelay : 0;// + perslope*FirstPerSlope + etc*2;
+    /*if (!perslope)
+    {
+        *timingcountereven += etc*2;// + perslope*FirstPerSlope + etc*2;
+        *timingcounterodd += etc*2;// + perslope*FirstPerSlope + etc*2;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        *timingcountereven += perslope*FirstPerSlope;// + perslope*FirstPerSlope + etc*2;
+        *timingcounterodd += perslope*FirstPerSlope;// + perslope*FirstPerSlope + etc*2;
+    }*/
+}
+
 void SoftRenderer::TextureLookup(const GPU& gpu, u32 texparam, u32 texpal, s16 s, s16 t, u16* color, u8* alpha) const
 {
     u32 vramaddr = (texparam & 0xFFFF) << 3;
@@ -705,7 +808,31 @@ void SoftRenderer::SetupPolygon(SoftRenderer::RendererPolygon* rp, Polygon* poly
     }
 }
 
-void SoftRenderer::RenderShadowMaskScanline(const GPU3D& gpu3d, RendererPolygon* rp, s32 y)
+void SoftRenderer::Step(RendererPolygon* rp)
+{
+    rp->XL = rp->SlopeL.Step();
+    rp->XR = rp->SlopeR.Step();
+}
+
+void SoftRenderer::CheckSlope(RendererPolygon* rp, s32 y)
+{
+    Polygon* polygon = rp->PolyData;
+
+    if (polygon->YTop != polygon->YBottom)
+    {
+        if (y >= polygon->Vertices[rp->NextVL]->FinalPosition[1] && rp->CurVL != polygon->VBottom)
+        {
+            SetupPolygonLeftEdge(rp, y);
+        }
+
+        if (y >= polygon->Vertices[rp->NextVR]->FinalPosition[1] && rp->CurVR != polygon->VBottom)
+        {
+            SetupPolygonRightEdge(rp, y);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+bool SoftRenderer::RenderShadowMaskScanline(const GPU3D& gpu3d, RendererPolygon* rp, s32 y, s32* timingcounter)
 {
     Polygon* polygon = rp->PolyData;
 
@@ -727,19 +854,8 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderShadowMaskScanline(const GPU3D& gpu3d, RendererPolygon*
         memset(&StencilBuffer[256 * (y&0x1)], 0, 256);
 
     PrevIsShadowMask = true;
-
-    if (polygon->YTop != polygon->YBottom)
-    {
-        if (y >= polygon->Vertices[rp->NextVL]->FinalPosition[1] && rp->CurVL != polygon->VBottom)
-        {
-            SetupPolygonLeftEdge(rp, y);
-        }
-
-        if (y >= polygon->Vertices[rp->NextVR]->FinalPosition[1] && rp->CurVR != polygon->VBottom)
-        {
-            SetupPolygonRightEdge(rp, y);
-        }
-    }
+    
+    CheckSlope(rp, y);
 
     Vertex *vlcur, *vlnext, *vrcur, *vrnext;
     s32 xstart, xend;
@@ -748,6 +864,7 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderShadowMaskScanline(const GPU3D& gpu3d, RendererPolygon*
     s32 l_edgecov, r_edgecov;
     Interpolator<1>* interp_start;
     Interpolator<1>* interp_end;
+    bool abortscanline; // to abort the rest of the scanline after finishing this polygon
 
     xstart = rp->XL;
     xend = rp->XR;
@@ -831,7 +948,7 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderShadowMaskScanline(const GPU3D& gpu3d, RendererPolygon*
     // similarly, we can perform alpha test early (checkme)
 
     if (wireframe) polyalpha = 31;
-    if (polyalpha <= gpu3d.RenderAlphaRef) return;
+    if (polyalpha <= gpu3d.RenderAlphaRef) return false; // TODO: check how this impacts timings?
 
     // in wireframe mode, there are special rules for equal Z (TODO)
 
@@ -841,10 +958,28 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderShadowMaskScanline(const GPU3D& gpu3d, RendererPolygon*
     int edge;
 
     s32 x = xstart;
-    Interpolator<0> interpX(xstart, xend+1, wl, wr);
+    xend += 1;
+    Interpolator<0> interpX(xstart, xend, wl, wr);
 
     if (x < 0) x = 0;
     s32 xlimit;
+    
+    // determine if the span can be rendered within the time allotted to the scanline
+    s32 diff = DoTimingsPixels(xend-x, timingcounter);
+    if (diff != 0)
+    {
+        xend -= diff;
+        r_edgelen -= diff;
+        abortscanline = true;
+    }
+    else abortscanline = false;
+    
+    // we cap it to 256 *after* counting the cycles, because yes, it tries to render oob pixels.
+    if (xend > 256)
+    {
+        r_edgelen += 256 - xend;
+        xend = 256;
+    }
 
     // for shadow masks: set stencil bits where the depth test fails.
     // draw nothing.
@@ -852,14 +987,13 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderShadowMaskScanline(const GPU3D& gpu3d, RendererPolygon*
     // part 1: left edge
     edge = yedge | 0x1;
     xlimit = xstart+l_edgelen;
-    if (xlimit > xend+1) xlimit = xend+1;
-    if (xlimit > 256) xlimit = 256;
+    if (xlimit > xend) xlimit = xend;
 
     if (!l_filledge) x = xlimit;
     else
     for (; x < xlimit; x++)
     {
-        u32 pixeladdr = FirstPixelOffset + (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
+        u32 pixeladdr = (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
 
         interpX.SetX(x);
 
@@ -879,13 +1013,12 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderShadowMaskScanline(const GPU3D& gpu3d, RendererPolygon*
 
     // part 2: polygon inside
     edge = yedge;
-    xlimit = xend-r_edgelen+1;
-    if (xlimit > xend+1) xlimit = xend+1;
-    if (xlimit > 256) xlimit = 256;
+    xlimit = xend-r_edgelen;
+    if (xlimit > xend) xlimit = xend;
     if (wireframe && !edge) x = std::max(x, xlimit);
     else for (; x < xlimit; x++)
     {
-        u32 pixeladdr = FirstPixelOffset + (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
+        u32 pixeladdr = (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
 
         interpX.SetX(x);
 
@@ -905,13 +1038,12 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderShadowMaskScanline(const GPU3D& gpu3d, RendererPolygon*
 
     // part 3: right edge
     edge = yedge | 0x2;
-    xlimit = xend+1;
-    if (xlimit > 256) xlimit = 256;
+    xlimit = xend;
 
     if (r_filledge)
     for (; x < xlimit; x++)
     {
-        u32 pixeladdr = FirstPixelOffset + (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
+        u32 pixeladdr = (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
 
         interpX.SetX(x);
 
@@ -929,14 +1061,13 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderShadowMaskScanline(const GPU3D& gpu3d, RendererPolygon*
         }
     }
 
-    rp->XL = rp->SlopeL.Step();
-    rp->XR = rp->SlopeR.Step();
+    Step(rp);
+    return abortscanline;
 }
 
-void SoftRenderer::RenderPolygonScanline(const GPU& gpu, RendererPolygon* rp, s32 y)
+bool SoftRenderer::RenderPolygonScanline(const GPU& gpu, RendererPolygon* rp, s32 y, s32* timingcounter)
 {
     Polygon* polygon = rp->PolyData;
-
     u32 polyattr = (polygon->Attr & 0x3F008000);
     if (!polygon->FacingView) polyattr |= (1<<4);
 
@@ -953,19 +1084,8 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderPolygonScanline(const GPU& gpu, RendererPolygon* rp, s3
 
     PrevIsShadowMask = false;
 
-    if (polygon->YTop != polygon->YBottom)
-    {
-        if (y >= polygon->Vertices[rp->NextVL]->FinalPosition[1] && rp->CurVL != polygon->VBottom)
-        {
-            SetupPolygonLeftEdge(rp, y);
-        }
-
-        if (y >= polygon->Vertices[rp->NextVR]->FinalPosition[1] && rp->CurVR != polygon->VBottom)
-        {
-            SetupPolygonRightEdge(rp, y);
-        }
-    }
-
+    CheckSlope(rp, y);
+    
     Vertex *vlcur, *vlnext, *vrcur, *vrnext;
     s32 xstart, xend;
     bool l_filledge, r_filledge;
@@ -973,6 +1093,7 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderPolygonScanline(const GPU& gpu, RendererPolygon* rp, s3
     s32 l_edgecov, r_edgecov;
     Interpolator<1>* interp_start;
     Interpolator<1>* interp_end;
+    bool abortscanline; // to abort the rest of the scanline after finishing this polygon
 
     xstart = rp->XL;
     xend = rp->XR;
@@ -1091,18 +1212,35 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderPolygonScanline(const GPU& gpu, RendererPolygon* rp, s3
     int edge;
 
     s32 x = xstart;
-    Interpolator<0> interpX(xstart, xend+1, wl, wr);
+    xend += 1;
+    Interpolator<0> interpX(xstart, xend, wl, wr);
 
     if (x < 0) x = 0;
     s32 xlimit;
 
     s32 xcov = 0;
 
+    // determine if the span can be rendered within the time allotted to the scanline
+    s32 diff = DoTimingsPixels(xend-x, timingcounter);
+    if (diff != 0)
+    {
+        xend -= diff;
+        r_edgelen -= diff;
+        abortscanline = true;
+    }
+    else abortscanline = false;
+    
+    // we cap it to 256 *after* counting the cycles, because yes, it tries to render oob pixels.
+    if (xend > 256)
+    {
+        r_edgelen += 256 - xend;
+        xend = 256;
+    }
+
     // part 1: left edge
     edge = yedge | 0x1;
     xlimit = xstart+l_edgelen;
-    if (xlimit > xend+1) xlimit = xend+1;
-    if (xlimit > 256) xlimit = 256;
+    if (xlimit > xend) xlimit = xend;
     if (l_edgecov & (1<<31))
     {
         xcov = (l_edgecov >> 12) & 0x3FF;
@@ -1110,10 +1248,9 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderPolygonScanline(const GPU& gpu, RendererPolygon* rp, s3
     }
 
     if (!l_filledge) x = xlimit;
-    else
-    for (; x < xlimit; x++)
+    else for (; x < xlimit; x++)
     {
-        u32 pixeladdr = FirstPixelOffset + (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
+        u32 pixeladdr = (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
         u32 dstattr = AttrBuffer[pixeladdr];
 
         // check stencil buffer for shadows
@@ -1201,15 +1338,13 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderPolygonScanline(const GPU& gpu, RendererPolygon* rp, s3
 
     // part 2: polygon inside
     edge = yedge;
-    xlimit = xend-r_edgelen+1;
-    if (xlimit > xend+1) xlimit = xend+1;
-    if (xlimit > 256) xlimit = 256;
-
+    xlimit = xend-r_edgelen;
+    if (xlimit > xend) xlimit = xend;
+    
     if (wireframe && !edge) x = std::max(x, xlimit);
-    else
-    for (; x < xlimit; x++)
+    else for (; x < xlimit; x++)
     {
-        u32 pixeladdr = FirstPixelOffset + (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
+        u32 pixeladdr = (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
         u32 dstattr = AttrBuffer[pixeladdr];
 
         // check stencil buffer for shadows
@@ -1290,8 +1425,7 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderPolygonScanline(const GPU& gpu, RendererPolygon* rp, s3
 
     // part 3: right edge
     edge = yedge | 0x2;
-    xlimit = xend+1;
-    if (xlimit > 256) xlimit = 256;
+    xlimit = xend;
     if (r_edgecov & (1<<31))
     {
         xcov = (r_edgecov >> 12) & 0x3FF;
@@ -1301,7 +1435,7 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderPolygonScanline(const GPU& gpu, RendererPolygon* rp, s3
     if (r_filledge)
     for (; x < xlimit; x++)
     {
-        u32 pixeladdr = FirstPixelOffset + (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
+        u32 pixeladdr = (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
         u32 dstattr = AttrBuffer[pixeladdr];
 
         // check stencil buffer for shadows
@@ -1386,24 +1520,36 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderPolygonScanline(const GPU& gpu, RendererPolygon* rp, s3
                 PlotTranslucentPixel(gpu.GPU3D, pixeladdr+BufferSize, color, z, polyattr, polygon->IsShadow);
         }
     }
-
-    rp->XL = rp->SlopeL.Step();
-    rp->XR = rp->SlopeR.Step();
+    Step(rp);
+    return abortscanline;
 }
 
-void SoftRenderer::RenderScanline(const GPU& gpu, s32 y, int npolys)
+void SoftRenderer::RenderScanline(const GPU& gpu, s32 y, int firstpoly, int npolys, s32* timingcounter)
 {
-    for (int i = 0; i < npolys; i++)
+    bool abort = false;
+    for (; firstpoly < npolys; firstpoly++)
     {
-        RendererPolygon* rp = &PolygonList[i];
+        RendererPolygon* rp = &PolygonList[firstpoly];
         Polygon* polygon = rp->PolyData;
 
-        if (y >= polygon->YTop && (y < polygon->YBottom || (y == polygon->YTop && polygon->YBottom == polygon->YTop)))
+        if (y == polygon->YBottom && y != polygon->YTop)
         {
-            if (polygon->IsShadowMask)
-                RenderShadowMaskScanline(gpu.GPU3D, rp, y);
+            if (!abort) abort = !DoTimings(EmptyPolyScanline, timingcounter);
+        }
+        else if (y >= polygon->YTop && (y < polygon->YBottom || (y == polygon->YTop && polygon->YBottom == polygon->YTop)))
+        {            
+            if (!abort) abort = (!DoTimings(PerPolyScanline, timingcounter)
+                        || !CheckTimings(MinToStartPoly, timingcounter));
+
+            if (abort)
+            {
+                CheckSlope(rp, y);
+                Step(rp);
+            }
+            else if (polygon->IsShadowMask)
+                abort = RenderShadowMaskScanline(gpu.GPU3D, rp, y, timingcounter);
             else
-                RenderPolygonScanline(gpu, rp, y);
+                abort = RenderPolygonScanline(gpu, rp, y, timingcounter);
         }
     }
 }
@@ -1447,7 +1593,27 @@ u32 SoftRenderer::CalculateFogDensity(const GPU3D& gpu3d, u32 pixeladdr) const
     return density;
 }
 
-void SoftRenderer::ScanlineFinalPass(const GPU3D& gpu3d, s32 y)
+bool SoftRenderer::CheckEdgeMarkingPixel(u32 polyid, u32 z, u32 pixeladdr)
+{
+    if ((polyid != AttrBuffer[pixeladdr] >> 24) && (z < DepthBuffer[pixeladdr])) return true;
+    else return false;
+}
+
+bool SoftRenderer::CheckEdgeMarkingClearPlane(const GPU3D& gpu3d, u32 polyid, u32 z)
+{
+    // for some reason it never checks against the bitmap clear plane?
+    if (polyid != gpu3d.RenderClearAttr1>>24)
+    {
+        u32 clearz = ((gpu3d.RenderClearAttr2 & 0x7FFF) * 0x200) + 0x1FF;
+
+        if (z < clearz) return true;
+        else return false;
+    }
+    else return false;
+}
+
+template <bool push>
+void SoftRenderer::ScanlineFinalPass(const GPU3D& gpu3d, s32 y, bool checkprev, bool checknext)
 {
     // to consider:
     // clearing all polygon fog flags if the master flag isn't set?
@@ -1460,7 +1626,7 @@ void SoftRenderer::ScanlineFinalPass(const GPU3D& gpu3d, s32 y)
 
         for (int x = 0; x < 256; x++)
         {
-            u32 pixeladdr = FirstPixelOffset + (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
+            u32 pixeladdr = (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
 
             u32 attr = AttrBuffer[pixeladdr];
             if (!(attr & 0xF)) continue;
@@ -1468,11 +1634,45 @@ void SoftRenderer::ScanlineFinalPass(const GPU3D& gpu3d, s32 y)
             u32 polyid = attr >> 24; // opaque polygon IDs are used for edgemarking
             u32 z = DepthBuffer[pixeladdr];
 
-            if (((polyid != (AttrBuffer[pixeladdr-1] >> 24)) && (z < DepthBuffer[pixeladdr-1])) ||
-                ((polyid != (AttrBuffer[pixeladdr+1] >> 24)) && (z < DepthBuffer[pixeladdr+1])) ||
-                ((polyid != (AttrBuffer[pixeladdr-ScanlineWidth] >> 24)) && (z < DepthBuffer[pixeladdr-ScanlineWidth])) ||
-                ((polyid != (AttrBuffer[pixeladdr+ScanlineWidth] >> 24)) && (z < DepthBuffer[pixeladdr+ScanlineWidth])))
+            // check the pixel to the left
+            if (x == 0)
             {
+                // edge marking bug emulation
+                if (checkprev ? CheckEdgeMarkingClearPlane(gpu3d, polyid, z) : // check against the clear plane
+                    CheckEdgeMarkingPixel(polyid, z, pixeladdr-1 - ScanlineWidth)) // checks the right edge of the scanline 2 scanlines ago
+                    goto pass;
+            }
+            else if (CheckEdgeMarkingPixel(polyid, z, pixeladdr-1)) goto pass; // normal check
+            
+            // check the pixel to the right
+            if (x == 255)
+            {
+                // edge marking bug emulation
+                if (checknext ? CheckEdgeMarkingClearPlane(gpu3d, polyid, z) : // check against the clear plane
+                    CheckEdgeMarkingPixel(polyid, z, pixeladdr+1 + ScanlineWidth)) // checks the left edge of the scanline 2 scanlines ahead
+                    goto pass;
+            }
+            else if (CheckEdgeMarkingPixel(polyid, z, pixeladdr+1)) goto pass; // normal check
+
+            // check the pixel above
+            if (y == 0)
+            {
+                // edge marking bug emulation
+                if (CheckEdgeMarkingClearPlane(gpu3d, polyid, z)) goto pass; // check against the clear plane
+            }
+            else if (CheckEdgeMarkingPixel(polyid, z, pixeladdr-ScanlineWidth)) goto pass; // normal check
+            
+            // check the pixel below
+            if (y == 191)
+            {
+                // edge marking bug emulation
+                if (CheckEdgeMarkingClearPlane(gpu3d, polyid, z)) goto pass; // check against the clear plane
+            }
+            else if (CheckEdgeMarkingPixel(polyid, z, pixeladdr+ScanlineWidth)) goto pass; // normal check
+
+            if (false)
+            {
+                pass:
                 u16 edgecolor = gpu3d.RenderEdgeTable[polyid >> 3];
                 u32 edgeR = (edgecolor << 1) & 0x3E; if (edgeR) edgeR++;
                 u32 edgeG = (edgecolor >> 4) & 0x3E; if (edgeG) edgeG++;
@@ -1508,7 +1708,7 @@ void SoftRenderer::ScanlineFinalPass(const GPU3D& gpu3d, s32 y)
 
         for (int x = 0; x < 256; x++)
         {
-            u32 pixeladdr = FirstPixelOffset + (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
+            u32 pixeladdr = (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
             u32 density, srccolor, srcR, srcG, srcB, srcA;
 
             u32 attr = AttrBuffer[pixeladdr];
@@ -1573,7 +1773,7 @@ void SoftRenderer::ScanlineFinalPass(const GPU3D& gpu3d, s32 y)
 
         for (int x = 0; x < 256; x++)
         {
-            u32 pixeladdr = FirstPixelOffset + (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
+            u32 pixeladdr = (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
 
             u32 attr = AttrBuffer[pixeladdr];
             if (!(attr & 0xF)) continue;
@@ -1615,39 +1815,17 @@ void SoftRenderer::ScanlineFinalPass(const GPU3D& gpu3d, s32 y)
             ColorBuffer[pixeladdr] = topR | (topG << 8) | (topB << 16) | (topA << 24);
         }
     }
+    if constexpr (push)
+    {
+        memcpy(&FinalBuffer[y*ScanlineWidth], &ColorBuffer[y*ScanlineWidth], ScanlineWidth*4);
+        Platform::Semaphore_Post(Sema_ScanlineCount);
+    }
 }
 
 void SoftRenderer::ClearBuffers(const GPU& gpu)
 {
-    u32 clearz = ((gpu.GPU3D.RenderClearAttr2 & 0x7FFF) * 0x200) + 0x1FF;
     u32 polyid = gpu.GPU3D.RenderClearAttr1 & 0x3F000000; // this sets the opaque polygonID
 
-    // fill screen borders for edge marking
-
-    for (int x = 0; x < ScanlineWidth; x++)
-    {
-        ColorBuffer[x] = 0;
-        DepthBuffer[x] = clearz;
-        AttrBuffer[x] = polyid;
-    }
-
-    for (int x = ScanlineWidth; x < ScanlineWidth*193; x+=ScanlineWidth)
-    {
-        ColorBuffer[x] = 0;
-        DepthBuffer[x] = clearz;
-        AttrBuffer[x] = polyid;
-        ColorBuffer[x+257] = 0;
-        DepthBuffer[x+257] = clearz;
-        AttrBuffer[x+257] = polyid;
-    }
-
-    for (int x = ScanlineWidth*193; x < ScanlineWidth*194; x++)
-    {
-        ColorBuffer[x] = 0;
-        DepthBuffer[x] = clearz;
-        AttrBuffer[x] = polyid;
-    }
-
     // clear the screen
 
     if (gpu.GPU3D.RenderDispCnt & (1<<14))
@@ -1655,7 +1833,7 @@ void SoftRenderer::ClearBuffers(const GPU& gpu)
         u8 xoff = (gpu.GPU3D.RenderClearAttr2 >> 16) & 0xFF;
         u8 yoff = (gpu.GPU3D.RenderClearAttr2 >> 24) & 0xFF;
 
-        for (int y = 0; y < ScanlineWidth*192; y+=ScanlineWidth)
+        for (int y = 0; y < 192; y++)
         {
             for (int x = 0; x < 256; x++)
             {
@@ -1671,7 +1849,7 @@ void SoftRenderer::ClearBuffers(const GPU& gpu)
 
                 u32 z = ((val3 & 0x7FFF) * 0x200) + 0x1FF;
 
-                u32 pixeladdr = FirstPixelOffset + y + x;
+                u32 pixeladdr = (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
                 ColorBuffer[pixeladdr] = color;
                 DepthBuffer[pixeladdr] = z;
                 AttrBuffer[pixeladdr] = polyid | (val3 & 0x8000);
@@ -1684,6 +1862,8 @@ void SoftRenderer::ClearBuffers(const GPU& gpu)
     }
     else
     {
+        u32 clearz = ((gpu.GPU3D.RenderClearAttr2 & 0x7FFF) * 0x200) + 0x1FF;
+
         // TODO: confirm color conversion
         u32 r = (gpu.GPU3D.RenderClearAttr1 << 1) & 0x3E; if (r) r++;
         u32 g = (gpu.GPU3D.RenderClearAttr1 >> 4) & 0x3E; if (g) g++;
@@ -1693,11 +1873,11 @@ void SoftRenderer::ClearBuffers(const GPU& gpu)
 
         polyid |= (gpu.GPU3D.RenderClearAttr1 & 0x8000);
 
-        for (int y = 0; y < ScanlineWidth*192; y+=ScanlineWidth)
+        for (int y = 0; y < 192; y++)
         {
             for (int x = 0; x < 256; x++)
             {
-                u32 pixeladdr = FirstPixelOffset + y + x;
+                u32 pixeladdr = (y*ScanlineWidth) + x;
                 ColorBuffer[pixeladdr] = color;
                 DepthBuffer[pixeladdr] = clearz;
                 AttrBuffer[pixeladdr] = polyid;
@@ -1706,7 +1886,46 @@ void SoftRenderer::ClearBuffers(const GPU& gpu)
     }
 }
 
-void SoftRenderer::RenderPolygons(const GPU& gpu, bool threaded, Polygon** polygons, int npolys)
+#define RDLINES_COUNT_INCREMENT\
+    /* feels wrong, needs improvement */\
+    while (RasterTiming >= RDDecrement[nextreadrd])\
+    {\
+        slwaitingrd--;\
+        nextreadrd++;\
+        /* update rdlines_count register */\
+        if (gpu.GPU3D.RDLinesTemp > slwaitingrd) gpu.GPU3D.RDLinesTemp = slwaitingrd;\
+    }
+
+#define SCANLINE_BUFFER_SIM\
+    /* simulate the process of scanlines being read from the 48 scanline buffer */\
+    while (scanlineswaiting >= 47 || RasterTiming >= SLRead[nextread])\
+    {\
+        if (RasterTiming < SLRead[nextread])\
+        {\
+            timespent = SLRead[nextread] - RasterTiming;\
+            timespent += EMFixNum; /* fixes edge marking bug emulation. not sure why this is needed? */\
+            RasterTiming = SLRead[nextread];\
+        }\
+        scanlineswaiting--;\
+        nextread++;\
+    }
+
+#define RENDER_SCANLINES(y)\
+    /* update sl timeout */\
+    ScanlineTimeout = SLRead[y-1] - (PreReadCutoff+FinalPassLen);\
+    \
+    FindFirstPolyDoTimings(j, y, &firstpolyeven, &firstpolyodd, &rastertimingeven, &rastertimingodd);\
+    RenderScanline(gpu, y, firstpolyeven, j, &rastertimingeven);\
+    RenderScanline(gpu, y+1, firstpolyodd, j, &rastertimingodd);\
+    \
+    prevtimespent = timespent;\
+    RasterTiming += timespent = std::max(std::initializer_list<s32> {rastertimingeven, rastertimingodd, FinalPassLen});\
+    RasterTiming += std::clamp(ScanlineTimeout - RasterTiming, 0, 12);\
+    \
+    /* set the underflow flag if one of the scanlines came within 14 cycles of visible underflow */\
+    if ((ScanlineTimeout <= RasterTiming) && (gpu.GPU3D.UnderflowFlagVCount == (u16)-1)) gpu.GPU3D.UnderflowFlagVCount = y - (y&1 ? 0 : 1);
+
+void SoftRenderer::RenderPolygonsTiming(GPU& gpu, Polygon** polygons, int npolys)
 {
     int j = 0;
     for (int i = 0; i < npolys; i++)
@@ -1715,25 +1934,83 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderPolygons(const GPU& gpu, bool threaded, Polygon** polyg
         SetupPolygon(&PolygonList[j++], polygons[i]);
     }
 
-    RenderScanline(gpu, 0, j);
+    // reset scanline trackers
+    gpu.GPU3D.UnderflowFlagVCount = -1;
+    gpu.GPU3D.RDLinesTemp = 63;
+    RasterTiming = 0;
+    ScanlineTimeout = SLRead[2] - (PreReadCutoff+FinalPassLen+4); // TEMP: should be infinity, but i dont want it to break due to not being set up to handle this properly. //0x7FFFFFFF; // CHECKME: first scanline pair timeout.
+    s32 rastertimingeven, rastertimingodd; // always init to 0 at the start of a scanline render
+    s32 scanlineswaiting = 0, slwaitingrd = 0;
+    s32 nextread = 0, nextreadrd = 0;
+    u32 timespent, prevtimespent;
+    int firstpolyeven, firstpolyodd;
 
-    for (s32 y = 1; y < 192; y++)
+    FindFirstPolyDoTimings(j, 0, &firstpolyeven, &firstpolyodd, &rastertimingeven, &rastertimingodd);
+    // scanlines are rendered in pairs of two
+    RenderScanline(gpu, 0, firstpolyeven, j, &rastertimingeven);
+    RenderScanline(gpu, 1, firstpolyodd, j, &rastertimingodd);
+
+    // it can't proceed to the next scanline unless all others steps are done (both scanlines in the pair, and final pass)
+    RasterTiming = timespent = std::max(std::initializer_list<s32> {rastertimingeven, rastertimingodd, FinalPassLen});
+    // 12 cycles at the end of a "timeout" are always used for w/e reason
+    RasterTiming += std::clamp(ScanlineTimeout - RasterTiming, 0, 12); // should probably just be += 12 tbh but i'll leave it for now
+
+    // if first pair was not delayed past the first read, then later scanlines cannot either
+    // this allows us to implement a fast path
+    //if (SLRead[0] - timespent + ScanlinePushDelay >= 256)
     {
-        RenderScanline(gpu, y, j);
-        ScanlineFinalPass(gpu.GPU3D, y-1);
+        RENDER_SCANLINES(2)
 
-        if (threaded)
-            // Notify the main thread that we're done with a scanline.
-            Platform::Semaphore_Post(Sema_ScanlineCount);
+        scanlineswaiting++;
+        slwaitingrd++;
+
+        SCANLINE_BUFFER_SIM
+
+        RDLINES_COUNT_INCREMENT
+
+        // final pass pairs are the previous scanline pair offset -1 scanline, thus we start with only building one
+        ScanlineFinalPass<true>(gpu.GPU3D, 0, true, timespent >= EMGlitchThreshhold);
+
+        // main loop
+        for (int y = 4; y < 192; y+=2)
+        {
+            RENDER_SCANLINES(y)
+
+            scanlineswaiting += 2;
+            slwaitingrd += 2;
+
+            SCANLINE_BUFFER_SIM
+
+            RDLINES_COUNT_INCREMENT
+
+            ScanlineFinalPass<true>(gpu.GPU3D, y-3, prevtimespent >= EMGlitchThreshhold || y-3 == 1, timespent >= EMGlitchThreshhold);
+            ScanlineFinalPass<true>(gpu.GPU3D, y-2, prevtimespent >= EMGlitchThreshhold, timespent >= EMGlitchThreshhold);
+        }
+
+        scanlineswaiting += 2;
+        slwaitingrd += 2;
+        prevtimespent = timespent;
+
+        // emulate read timings one last time, since it shouldn't matter after this
+        // additionally dont bother tracking rdlines anymore since it shouldn't be able to decrement anymore (CHECKME)
+        SCANLINE_BUFFER_SIM
+
+        // finish the last 3 scanlines
+        ScanlineFinalPass<true>(gpu.GPU3D, 189, prevtimespent >= EMGlitchThreshhold, timespent >= EMGlitchThreshhold);
+        ScanlineFinalPass<true>(gpu.GPU3D, 190, prevtimespent >= EMGlitchThreshhold, true);
+
+        ScanlineFinalPass<true>(gpu.GPU3D, 191, timespent >= EMGlitchThreshhold, true);
     }
-
-    ScanlineFinalPass(gpu.GPU3D, 191);
-
-    if (threaded)
-        // If this renderer is threaded, notify the main thread that we're done with the frame.
-        Platform::Semaphore_Post(Sema_ScanlineCount);
+    /*else
+    {
+        Coming soon^tm to a melonDS near you
+    }*/
 }
 
+#undef RENDER_SCANLINES
+#undef SCANLINE_BUFFER_SIM
+#undef RDLINES_COUNT_INCREMENT
+
 void SoftRenderer::VCount144(GPU& gpu)
 {
     if (RenderThreadRunning.load(std::memory_order_relaxed) && !gpu.GPU3D.AbortFrame)
@@ -1757,8 +2034,14 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderFrame(GPU& gpu)
     }
     else if (!FrameIdentical)
     {
+        //init internal buffer
         ClearBuffers(gpu);
-        RenderPolygons(gpu, false, &gpu.GPU3D.RenderPolygonRAM[0], gpu.GPU3D.RenderNumPolygons);
+
+        if (gpu.GPU3D.RenderingEnabled >= 3)
+        {
+            RenderPolygonsTiming(gpu, &gpu.GPU3D.RenderPolygonRAM[0], gpu.GPU3D.RenderNumPolygons);
+        }
+        else memcpy(FinalBuffer, ColorBuffer, sizeof(FinalBuffer));
     }
 }
 
@@ -1789,8 +2072,18 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderThreadFunc(GPU& gpu)
         }
         else
         {
+            //init internal buffer
             ClearBuffers(gpu);
-            RenderPolygons(gpu, true, &gpu.GPU3D.RenderPolygonRAM[0], gpu.GPU3D.RenderNumPolygons);
+
+            if (gpu.GPU3D.RenderingEnabled >= 3)
+            {
+                RenderPolygonsTiming(gpu, &gpu.GPU3D.RenderPolygonRAM[0], gpu.GPU3D.RenderNumPolygons);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                memcpy(FinalBuffer, ColorBuffer, sizeof(FinalBuffer));
+                Platform::Semaphore_Post(Sema_ScanlineCount, 192);
+            }
         }
 
         // Tell the main thread that we're done rendering
@@ -1800,19 +2093,23 @@ void SoftRenderer::RenderThreadFunc(GPU& gpu)
         RenderThreadRendering = false;
     }
 }
-
-u32* SoftRenderer::GetLine(int line)
+void SoftRenderer::ScanlineSync(int line)
 {
+    // only used in accurate mode (timings must be emulated)
     if (RenderThreadRunning.load(std::memory_order_relaxed))
     {
         if (line < 192)
-            // We need a scanline, so let's wait for the render thread to finish it.
-            // (both threads process scanlines from top-to-bottom,
-            // so we don't need to wait for a specific row)
+        {
+            // wait for two scanlines here, since scanlines render in pairs.
             Platform::Semaphore_Wait(Sema_ScanlineCount);
+            Platform::Semaphore_Wait(Sema_ScanlineCount);
+        }
     }
+}
 
-    return &ColorBuffer[(line * ScanlineWidth) + FirstPixelOffset];
+u32* SoftRenderer::GetLine(int line)
+{
+    return &FinalBuffer[line*ScanlineWidth];
 }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/GPU3D_Soft.h b/src/GPU3D_Soft.h
index 73d02e4f..0e595da7 100644
--- a/src/GPU3D_Soft.h
+++ b/src/GPU3D_Soft.h
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ public:
     void RenderFrame(GPU& gpu) override;
     void RestartFrame(GPU& gpu) override;
     u32* GetLine(int line) override;
+    void ScanlineSync(int line) override;
 
     void SetupRenderThread(GPU& gpu);
     void EnableRenderThread();
@@ -445,21 +446,34 @@ private:
     };
 
     RendererPolygon PolygonList[2048];
+    bool DoTimings(s32 cycles, s32* timingcounter);
+    bool CheckTimings(s32 cycles, s32* timingcounter);
+    u32 DoTimingsPixels(s32 pixels, s32* timingcounter);
+    void FindFirstPolyDoTimings(int npolys, s32 y, int* firstpolyeven, int* firstpolyodd, s32* timingcountereven, s32*timingcounterodd);
     void TextureLookup(const GPU& gpu, u32 texparam, u32 texpal, s16 s, s16 t, u16* color, u8* alpha) const;
     u32 RenderPixel(const GPU& gpu, const Polygon* polygon, u8 vr, u8 vg, u8 vb, s16 s, s16 t) const;
     void PlotTranslucentPixel(const GPU3D& gpu3d, u32 pixeladdr, u32 color, u32 z, u32 polyattr, u32 shadow);
     void SetupPolygonLeftEdge(RendererPolygon* rp, s32 y) const;
     void SetupPolygonRightEdge(RendererPolygon* rp, s32 y) const;
     void SetupPolygon(RendererPolygon* rp, Polygon* polygon) const;
-    void RenderShadowMaskScanline(const GPU3D& gpu3d, RendererPolygon* rp, s32 y);
-    void RenderPolygonScanline(const GPU& gpu, RendererPolygon* rp, s32 y);
-    void RenderScanline(const GPU& gpu, s32 y, int npolys);
+    void Step(RendererPolygon* rp);
+    void CheckSlope(RendererPolygon* rp, s32 y);
+    bool RenderShadowMaskScanline(const GPU3D& gpu3d, RendererPolygon* rp, s32 y, s32* timingcounter);
+    bool RenderPolygonScanline(const GPU& gpu, RendererPolygon* rp, s32 y, s32* timingcounter);
+    void RenderScanline(const GPU& gpu, s32 y, int firstpoly, int npolys, s32* timingcounter);
     u32 CalculateFogDensity(const GPU3D& gpu3d, u32 pixeladdr) const;
-    void ScanlineFinalPass(const GPU3D& gpu3d, s32 y);
+    bool CheckEdgeMarkingPixel(u32 polyid, u32 z, u32 pixeladdr);
+    bool CheckEdgeMarkingClearPlane(const GPU3D& gpu3d, u32 polyid, u32 z);
+    template <bool push> void ScanlineFinalPass(const GPU3D& gpu3d, s32 y, bool checkprev, bool checknext);
     void ClearBuffers(const GPU& gpu);
-    void RenderPolygons(const GPU& gpu, bool threaded, Polygon** polygons, int npolys);
+    void RenderPolygonsFast(GPU& gpu, Polygon** polygons, int npolys);
+    void RenderPolygonsTiming(GPU& gpu, Polygon** polygons, int npolys);
 
     void RenderThreadFunc(GPU& gpu);
+    
+    // counters for scanline rasterization timings
+    s32 ScanlineTimeout;
+    s32 RasterTiming;
 
     // buffer dimensions are 258x194 to add a offscreen 1px border
     // which simplifies edge marking tests
@@ -467,14 +481,19 @@ private:
     // TODO: check if the hardware can accidentally plot pixels
     // offscreen in that border
 
-    static constexpr int ScanlineWidth = 258;
-    static constexpr int NumScanlines = 194;
-    static constexpr int BufferSize = ScanlineWidth * NumScanlines;
-    static constexpr int FirstPixelOffset = ScanlineWidth + 1;
+    static constexpr int ScanlineWidth = 256;
+    static constexpr int NumScanlinesIntBuf = 192;
+    //static constexpr int NumScanlinesRD = 48;
+    static constexpr int NumScanlinesFinal = 192;
+    static constexpr int BufferSize = ScanlineWidth * NumScanlinesIntBuf;
+    //static constexpr int RDBufferSize = ScanlineWidth * NumScanlinesRD;
+    static constexpr int FinalBufferSize = ScanlineWidth * NumScanlinesFinal;
 
     u32 ColorBuffer[BufferSize * 2];
     u32 DepthBuffer[BufferSize * 2];
     u32 AttrBuffer[BufferSize * 2];
+    //u32 RDBuffer[RDBufferSize]; // is this buffer ever initialized by hw before writing to it? what is its initial value? can you transfer 3d framebuffer data between games?
+    u32 FinalBuffer[FinalBufferSize];
 
     // attribute buffer:
     // bit0-3: edge flags (left/right/top/bottom)