Instead of trying to see how Video Life manages to be fast, I figured I would see how fast I could make a Life simulator by just using repetitive, fast code and using unofficial opcodes. It's pretty bare-bones so far and all you can do is move a cursor around to toggle cells and start/stop simulation, but I'm hoping to add onto it and have an option for a bigger grid because 32x32 isn't even big enough for the Gosper glider gun. SNES mouse support would also be cool, but I would require an emulator that both supports the mouse and doesn't choke on unofficial opcodes first.
Download (with source)