Top 10 Biggest Skips That Redefined Speedrunning

Hello and welcome, fellow speedrunners and gaming enthusiasts! Here at GamingSpeedrun.com, we dive deep into the thrilling world of playing games faster than humanly possible. If you've ever found yourself mesmerized by how gamers shave off precious seconds, or even entire minutes, from a game's completion time, you've likely encountered the magic of 'skips'. But what exactly are these game-bending techniques, and why are they so crucial to the art of the speedrun?

The player's intent behind searching for "Top 10 Biggest Skips In Speedrunning" is crystal clear: they're looking for groundbreaking strategies that fundamentally alter how a game is played, often bypassing large sections or entire mechanics. This isn't about finding the best weapon builds or understanding game lore; it's about the raw, unadulterated pursuit of speed through exploiting the very fabric of the game. Gamers want to know about the skips that are not just time-savers, but game-changers. They're looking for the ultimate shortcuts, the "aha!" moments that the community has uncovered, and the sheer ingenuity involved in breaking a game's intended path to achieve a new World Record.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore ten of the most impactful skips in speedrunning history. These aren't just minor sequence breaks; these are the **glitches** and **exploits** that have revolutionized categories, pushed the boundaries of what's possible, and cemented their place in gaming legend. Get ready to witness some truly mind-bending game mechanics being twisted and turned for the ultimate advantage.

1. The Game-Breaking Backwards Long Jump (Super Mario 64)

When you think of speedrunning, the Backwards Long Jump (BLJ) in Super Mario 64 is often the first thing that comes to mind. This isn't just a skip; it's arguably the genesis of modern speedrunning for many. The BLJ allows players to gain immense horizontal speed by repeatedly performing a long jump while holding backward. The sheer audacity and discovery of this glitch, allowing players to clip through walls and reach areas intended to be inaccessible, completely reshaped the any% category. Years of speedrun analysis and speedrunner dedication have refined this technique to near perfection, making it a cornerstone of Super Mario 64 speedruns.

The BLJ isn't just a skip; it's a testament to player ingenuity and the power of community-driven discovery in speedrunning.

2. The Iconic Exit 0 Glitch (Super Mario Bros.)

Super Mario Bros., a true classic game, boasts a skip that’s as elegant as it is game-breaking: the Exit 0 glitch. This allows players to skip entire levels, most famously World 1-2, by manipulating enemy behavior and precise jumps. The discovery of this exploit, which involves collecting a mushroom under specific conditions as Mario enters the exit pipe, bypasses a significant chunk of the game. It’s a prime example of how seemingly minor interactions within game code can lead to massive time saves, and it remains a critical part of any competitive Super Mario Bros. speedrun.

3. The Breath of the Wild Windbomb Mastery

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a playground for creative speedrunning strategies, and the Windbomb is its crown jewel. This skip, discovered by the community, involves precisely throwing an enemy projectile (like a bomb) and using Link's shield parry to launch himself forward at incredible speeds. It allows players to traverse vast distances, skip major obstacles, and reach objectives much faster than intended. The technical execution of the Windbomb requires immense player skill and frame-perfect inputs, showcasing a level of mastery that defines the cutting edge of BotW speedruns.

4. The Ocarina of Time Unintended Sequence Break

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is rife with glitches, but the "Bottle Break" or "Hovering" glitch remains one of the most pivotal skips. By strategically manipulating items and movement, players can effectively fly across Hyrule, bypassing large portions of the map and enemy encounters. This technique revolutionized the game's speedruns by opening up entirely new routing possibilities, allowing players to reach endgame areas much earlier than anticipated. It’s a perfect illustration of how understanding game mechanics at a granular level can unlock unprecedented shortcuts.

5. The Elden Ring "Cheese" Skips

FromSoftware games are known for their difficulty, but Elden Ring's speedruns have been profoundly impacted by community-discovered skips and "cheese" strategies. Techniques like the "RNG manipulation" for specific item drops or boss phases, combined with clever use of terrain and weapon abilities, allow runners to bypass challenging encounters or skip entire regions. The community’s ability to identify and exploit these "cheese" skips has drastically reduced completion times, turning what was once a daunting journey into a highly optimized race.

6. Halo 2's Legendary Out-of-Bounds Exploits

Halo 2 is a speedrunning titan, and its legendary status is partly due to the sheer number of game-breaking skips discovered. Out-of-bounds (OOB) glitches, where players intentionally go outside the playable map boundaries, are rampant and essential. From the infamous "Scarab Gun Glitch" to various wall breaches, these exploits allow runners to skip entire levels, boss fights, and critical path objectives. The sheer depth of these glitches and the skill required to perform them consistently make Halo 2 a masterclass in exploiting game design.

Halo 2's out-of-bounds glitches aren't just skips; they're a fundamental part of the game's speedrun identity, showcasing a decade of dedicated discovery.

7. The Metroid Prime Early Access Skip

Metroid Prime speedrunning is all about efficient movement and sequence breaking. The ability to perform an early Phazon Elite skip or bypass specific areas using precise movement tech like the "X-Factor" glitch has been transformative. These skips allow players to acquire crucial items or reach areas much earlier than the game designers intended, opening up new routes and significantly shaving down run times. It highlights the critical role of understanding level design and enemy AI to find the fastest path.

8. The Portal GLaDOS Skip

In Portal, the final confrontation with GLaDOS can be entirely bypassed with the right execution. The GLaDOS skip, often involving precise portal placements and movement, allows players to reach the final trigger for the game's ending without actually defeating her in the traditional sense. This skip is a perfect example of how understanding physics and geometry within a game can lead to shortcuts that were never imagined by the developers.

9. The Oblivion Oblivion Skip

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, a game known for its vastness, also features some of the most creative skips. The "Oblivion Skip" itself refers to a category of glitches that allow players to bypass significant portions of the game's world or main quest progression. Techniques like "clipping" through walls using horse collision or precise ladder movements have become essential for any serious speedrunner aiming for a Any% record in this beloved Elder Scrolls title. It’s a testament to the community’s dedication in finding the fastest routes through Tamriel.

10. The Doom Eternal Speed Tech

Doom Eternal is a high-octane shooter where speed and aggression are rewarded. However, the community has taken this to another level with advanced movement tech that functions as skips. Techniques like "Flame Belch jumping" or precise "crouch-boosting" allow players to maintain incredible momentum, traverse arenas instantly, and even skip enemy encounters or entire sections. Mastering these intricate maneuvers is key to achieving top-tier Doom Eternal speedruns, showcasing a high level of mechanical skill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the most famous skip in speedrunning history?
A1: The Backwards Long Jump (BLJ) in Super Mario 64 is widely considered one of the most famous and influential skips, as it popularized many advanced glitching techniques.

Q2: Can skips be considered cheating in speedrunning?
A2: No, as long as the skips are discovered through gameplay mechanics and are allowed within the rules of a specific category (like Any% Glitchless vs. Any% Glitched), they are a core part of speedrunning strategy, not cheating. However, using external tools or hacks is considered cheating.

Q3: Are all skips discovered by players, or do developers sometimes leave them in?
A3: Most significant skips are discovered by players through dedicated experimentation and analysis. However, some minor skips or exploits might be overlooked by developers during testing.

Q4: Do all games have skips that can be used in speedruns?
A4: Not all games have easily exploitable skips that save significant time. However, almost every game has some level of sequence breaking or sequence bypass that dedicated runners can find and utilize.

Q5: How do speedrunners find these skips?
A5: It's a combination of deep game mechanics knowledge, meticulous testing, pattern recognition, and community collaboration. Runners often experiment with movement, item usage, and environmental interactions to find unexpected outcomes.

These skips represent the pinnacle of speedrunning innovation, demonstrating the incredible dedication and ingenuity of the gaming community. By understanding and mastering these techniques, runners not only push for new WR times but also fundamentally change how we perceive and interact with our favorite games. The quest for speed is an ever-evolving journey, and skips are its most exciting shortcuts.

What are your favorite game-breaking skips? Did we miss any legendary ones? Share your thoughts and discoveries in the comments below! Let's keep the conversation going and discover even more ways to break the game.