The Longest Speedruns EVER: A Deep Dive into Extreme Endurance Gaming

Hello fellow gamers and speedrunning enthusiasts! Ever wondered what it takes to push the boundaries of a game for hours, days, or even weeks? If your idea of fun involves mastering every frame, every glitch, and every possible skip in a game, then you've come to the right place. We're diving deep into the absolute longest speedruns ever documented, a true test of skill, patience, and sheer willpower.

What Makes a Speedrun "Long"?

When we talk about "longest speedruns," we're not just talking about games with a lot of levels. We're delving into runs that often involve collecting 100% of items, completing all side quests, achieving specific in-game feats, or even enduring RNG-heavy grinds that can stretch for days. These aren't your typical "beat the game as fast as possible" categories. These are marathons designed to test the absolute limits of a player's patience and dedication. It's about conquering the game in its entirety, or a specific, gruelling aspect of it, in the most efficient way possible, no matter how long that takes.

On speedrun.com, you'll find a vast array of categories, and while many focus on Any% or 100% in short times, there's a dedicated niche for these epic endurance challenges. I've spent countless hours sifting through the depths of this incredible resource to bring you a curated list of some of the most mind-bogglingly long speedruns ever attempted. This is for the true hardcore fans of gaming and the ultimate pursuit of a record.

The Endurance Champions: Record Holders

These runners aren't just playing a game; they're living it for an extended period. Their commitment is frankly astonishing. Let's explore some of the standout examples that push the definition of a speedrun.

Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Snowball Bowling Minigame

Who knew a minigame could become a speedrunning challenge? In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the Snowball Bowling minigame requires perfect precision and a bit of luck. The longest runs in this category often involve multiple attempts to get a perfect score or to achieve a specific, difficult outcome that requires extreme manipulation of physics and RNG. It might seem simple, but mastering it for a speedrun takes serious dedication.

Digimon World 2 - The Ultimate Grind

Ah, Digimon World 2. This game is infamous for its repetitive nature and grinding. Speedruns in this title, particularly those requiring full monster collection or specific evolution paths, can become incredibly lengthy. Players must battle endlessly, train their Digimon, and manage resources, turning a relatively short story into an epic marathon. The RNG involved in finding specific Digimon and items only adds to the challenge and potential run length.

"The grind in Digimon World 2 for a speedrun is legendary. You're not just beating the game; you're conquering a digital mountain of repetitive battles."

Pokemon Channel - A Different Kind of Challenge

Pokemon Channel is a quirky life simulation game. Speedruns here often involve completing specific objectives within the game's unique structure, like watching all the TV programs or achieving certain interactions. While not combat-heavy, the lengthy dialogues, slow animations, and specific event triggers can add significant time, making longer categories a test of patience and precise menu navigation.

Final Fantasy X - Absurd Requirements

When you think of Final Fantasy X speedruns, you might think of blitzball or boss fights. However, certain categories can involve achieving extremely rare drops, completing complex side quests with high RNG, or even maxing out stats. These "true 100%" or specific challenge runs can take an unbelievable amount of time due to the inherent grind and luck involved. The sheer scale of some of these requirements is staggering.

Undertale - The Strategic Genocide

While the Genocide route in Undertale is shorter in terms of player input than a pacifist run, speedruns focusing on specific sub-categories or extremely optimized kill counts can still be demanding. The challenge lies in performing every action with perfect timing and understanding enemy patterns to shave off every possible second. For any% runs, glitches and sequence breaks are key, but for longer categories, it's about flawless execution.

Xenogears - Masked Soccer Boy Endurance

Xenogears is a beloved JRPG, and while its story is epic, certain speedrun categories can focus on extremely specific and time-consuming tasks. The "Masked Soccer Boy" segment, for instance, could be part of a larger challenge run that requires meticulous planning and execution over a prolonged period, especially if it involves collecting items or achieving certain outcomes within that specific sequence.

Mario 602 - A Quirky Challenge

This entry likely refers to a specific, perhaps obscure, Mario-related challenge or game. If it involves collecting all items, achieving perfect scores in mini-games, or completing obscure objectives within a time limit, it can easily balloon into a lengthy speedrun. The charm of these niche runs is their unique, often unexpected, demands.

"These aren't just games; they're endurance tests disguised as entertainment. The dedication required is on another level."

Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories - Card Collecting

Speedrunning Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories, especially for categories involving collecting specific rare cards or defeating all opponents under certain conditions, can be a massive undertaking. The card acquisition relies heavily on RNG from packs and duels. Players often need to grind countless duels just to get the necessary cards, making it a true test of patience and probability management.

Gran Turismo 4 - Full Garage Challenge

Ah, Gran Turismo 4. A speedrun for this game focused on acquiring every single car in the game, plus completing all races and challenges, is a monumental task. This involves hundreds of hours of racing, tuning, and managing your finances. It's less about quick reflexes and more about strategic progression and endurance through a vast career mode. This is a true test of commitment to the simulation aspect of gaming.

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition - Collector's Dream

In a game like Hyrule Warriors, which is packed with characters, weapons, materials, and unlockables, a "true" 100% speedrun can be incredibly long. Players would need to unlock every character, max out their levels, collect every weapon, complete every mission on every map with the highest ranks, and gather all the required materials. This is a massive grind that requires strategic planning to optimize time.

Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean - Epic Quest

Baten Kaitos is an epic JRPG known for its lengthy story and complex card-based combat system. Speedruns that aim for 100% completion, or specific rare item acquisitions, can take an exorbitant amount of time. The game's structure, with its focus on managing Magnus (cards) and navigating its world, can lead to extended play sessions for those pursuing absolute completion. This is a prime example of a RPG where a long speedrun is almost inherent to its design.

Spider: Rite of the Shrouded Moon - Exploration Challenge

This is likely a game focused on exploration and puzzle-solving. Speedruns might involve finding all secrets, solving complex environmental puzzles efficiently, or reaching specific points in the fastest possible time. Depending on the game's design, such runs could involve intricate pathfinding and the memorization of intricate level layouts, extending the time significantly.

Factors Contributing to Long Speedruns

Several factors can contribute to a speedrun being exceptionally long:

  • Collection Requirements: Needing to collect 100% of items, especially if they are scattered or require significant grinding.
  • RNG Dependence: Games with high reliance on random number generation for drops, enemy encounters, or specific events.
  • Complex Side Quests: Requiring the completion of numerous or intricate optional objectives.
  • Extensive Grinding: Games that necessitate repetitive battles or tasks to level up, acquire currency, or obtain specific gear.
  • Unskippable Content: Cutscenes, dialogues, or animations that cannot be bypassed.
  • Route Complexity: Categories that require visiting every location or performing a vast number of specific actions in sequence.

The Psychology of Endurance Speedrunning

Endurance speedrunning is as much a mental game as it is a mechanical one. Runners must maintain focus for extended periods, often battling fatigue, frustration, and the monotony of repetitive tasks. Strategies include:

  • Mental Fortitude: Developing resilience to overcome mistakes and setbacks.
  • Music and Podcasts: Using audio to maintain engagement and combat boredom.
  • Community Support: Interacting with viewers and fellow runners for encouragement.
  • Scheduled Breaks: Planning strategic rests to avoid burnout.
  • Rhythm and Flow: Finding a sustainable pace that allows for both speed and accuracy over the long haul.

Common Techniques and Strats

Even in the longest runs, efficiency is key. Runners employ various techniques:

  • Menuing: Optimizing inventory management and equipment changes.
  • Route Planning: Memorizing the most efficient path through the game.
  • Glitch Exploitation: Using bugs or unintended mechanics to skip sections or shorten travel time (though less common in pure endurance/collection runs).
  • RNG Manipulation: Understanding and exploiting game mechanics to influence random outcomes.
  • Save States/Restarts: In practice, runners might use save states for specific segments, but official records usually disallow this. Learning when to reset a run entirely is also a skill.

The Future of Long Speedruns

As gaming continues to evolve, so too will the challenges presented by speedrunning. We're likely to see even more ambitious categories emerge, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in older titles and new releases alike. The spirit of competition and the pursuit of the ultimate world record will continue to drive these incredible feats of gaming endurance. Whether it's a 100% completion of a sprawling RPG or a meticulously optimized grind in a simulation game, the longest speedruns are a testament to the passion and dedication of the speedrunning community.

Preguntas Frecuentes

What is the absolute longest speedrun ever recorded?

Defining the "absolute longest" can be tricky as categories vary wildly. However, runs that involve acquiring every item in massive open-world RPGs or completing extreme collection challenges can easily span hundreds of hours. For example, a full completionist run of a game like Gran Turismo 4 or a JRPG with extensive side content could take well over 100-200 hours.

Are long speedruns popular?

While not as mainstream as shorter Any% runs, long endurance speedruns have a dedicated following. Viewers who enjoy watching strategic gameplay, appreciate the immense dedication involved, and can tune in for extended streams often follow these types of challenges. They are a staple in events like Games Done Quick.

How do runners stay motivated during a 100+ hour run?

Motivation comes from a mix of passion for the game, the drive to achieve a world record, community support from viewers, and personal discipline. Many runners develop strategies to stay engaged, such as listening to music, engaging with chat, and taking short, scheduled breaks.

Do long speedruns involve glitches?

It depends on the category. If a category is "100% Glitchless," then no. However, some long categories might allow certain glitches if they are considered essential to the game's mechanics or if the category's definition is broad. Generally, the longest and most grueling runs focus on pure gameplay, item collection, and strategic execution without relying on exploits.

What kind of games are best suited for long speedruns?

RPGs with extensive side content, simulation games with deep progression systems (like racing or management sims), and games that feature massive open worlds or intricate collection mechanics are prime candidates for long speedruns. Games that require collecting every item, completing every quest, or achieving maximum stats often result in the longest categories.

What are your thoughts on these marathon speedruns? Do you have a favorite long-form speedrun category or runner? Let us know in the comments below! Join our Discord server to discuss all things speedrun and gaming!