It’s one thing to master a game and find the secrets hidden in every nook and cranny to 100% complete it. It’s another to defy the odds and manage to set records people didn’t think were possible. That’s what speedrunners are, though. They’re essentially technological wizards, impressing us with their prowess and skill. And damned if what they do isn’t fascinating.
These ten games are some of the best ones for speedruns. People have accomplished great things, and we’re going to salute and acknowledge that by watching them do things like get Tetris ‘ highest score in under four minutes or catch ’em all in Pokemon in about two hours.
Stepmania
When you think of speedruns, you tend to think of games that have a definite end to them right? At least, I do. Except during AGDQ 2016, Stepmania stepped it up. Staian did extraordinary things with this game, pressing through challenges you wouldn’t expect an ordinary human to undertake. The speeds at which he moves will blow your mind. I couldn’t do it. I know I couldn’t. Could you? Maybe take this speedrun challenge for yourself and give it a go!
Undertale
How about something a little more modern? Something rather unexpected. Did you know people out there are speedrunning their way through Undertale ? It’s true! The best player at the moment is TGH, who’s managed to dash through the game in fifty-seven minutes and twenty-two seconds. Here’s the best part about this speedrun selection: you have a shot at becoming a legend. Since this game is so new, you could have a chance of making a name for yourself. Try giving it a shot!
Pokemon
Pokemon is so hot right now, so let’s go ahead and add it to some of the best speedruns. It’s fascinating to watch people play Pokemon , even if it’s a mass mob trying to get through the game on Twitch. But, can you believe krazyd4n was able to catch ’em all in Pokemon Blue in two hours and two seconds? There’s a video to prove it can be done! I’ve easily clocked over two hours in Pokemon Go, and I only have about 30 different critters to show for it!
Super Metroid
Some games are difficult to speedrun, but that doesn’t stop people. Super Metroid is one of those games. It’s absolutely amazing, but people need to be extraordinarily skilled and dedicated to set records. Getting top scores is near miraculous, and Zoast and oatsngoats have managed to tie for the world record at the moment. Both have a forty-two minute, ten second time for the game. Check out oatsngoats’ run and wonder if you’ll ever be as slick with Samus.
Super Meat Boy
I think the thing about Super Meat Boy speedruns is how much they hurt. We can see what a map looks like. We know what needs to be done to make Meat Boy reach Bandage Girl. But the flesh is weak. We can’t make it happen. Yet, the speedrunnners can. They somehow bend the fabric of reality to get extraordinary scores and beat the game. The top score, by the way, happens to be vorpal’s seventeen minutes and forty-three seconds. I think that might actually be my best time for one of the later boss runs against Dr. Fetus.
Fallout 4
Have you considered a Fallout 4 speedrun? It can be done, and done well. This was proven at SGDQ 2016, where BubblesDelFuego beat it in one hour, five minutes, and nine seconds. This run in particular was extraordinarily entertaining while also being quite speedy, and surely will inspire you to see what kind of records you can beat as you play.
Tetris
Do you think you’re good at Tetris ? Some of the world’s best speedruns will prove you’re not. There are exceptionally gifted people in this world, and they prove they can shift those tetrominos in ways you could never imagine. The game routinely shows up at speedrunning competitions, with AGDQ offering grandmaster showcases and other challenges. Below, you can watch Acmim reach 999,999 points in three minutes and eleven seconds. It’s an absolute nailbiter.
Dark Souls
Dark Souls is a terrifying series. These games require an extraordinary amount of skill, patience, and finesse just to get to get through if you’re an ordinary player. To know there are speedrunners out there tearing through the games like there’s nothing to it is honestly rather unbelievable. But they’re doing it! Dark Souls , Dark Souls II , and Dark Souls III all have their own records. Distortion2 deserves extra credit, for currently holding the Dark Souls III Any%, Any% No TearDrop, and All Bosses records at the same time. The Any% completion record is thirty-eight minutes, fifty-five seconds!
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Which Legend of Zelda game is your favorite? There are many right answers and no wrong ones. When it comes to speedrunning, though, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time might just be the best and most exciting. Primarily because people are capable of getting through it so quickly. Torje holds the current record, having sped through the story in seventeen minutes and forty-two seconds. You can match that, right?
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 speedruns are the stuff of legends. We’ve reached a point where the best of the best have all taken their shots at the game. Now, it’s all about shaving vital seconds off of your time and the thrill that comes from being so close to being the absolute best. Or, how about trying to accomplish special objectives throughout your run, like earning all 120 stars or getting through with 0 stars? At the moment, the current record for getting all 120 stars in the game belongs to cheese05, who did it in one hour, forty minutes, and twenty-nine seconds. Cheese05 also has the 70 star record, at forty-eight minutes and fifteen seconds.