Table of Contents
What Defines an Epic Speedrun?
Before we jump into the list, let's set the stage. What makes a speedrun "epic"? It's more than just a fast time. An epic speedrun often involves: * **Groundbreaking Strategies**: Discovering new glitches, skips, or optimal routes that fundamentally change how a game is played at high speed. * **Incredible Execution**: Performing complex maneuvers flawlessly under pressure. * **Overcoming Immense Difficulty**: Conquering games known for their brutal challenges or unpredictable RNG. * **Community Impact**: A run that inspires others, breaks long-standing records, or becomes a legendary tale within the speedrunning community. * **Pure Spectacle**: Simply put, a run that is jaw-droppingly fun to watch, regardless of the technicalities. This list is a celebration of all these elements, blending personal favorites with runs that have undeniably left a mark on the speedrunning scene.The Top 10 Most Epic Speedruns in Gaming History
Let's get this started! Prepare yourselves for some insane plays.10. Super Mario 64 - 0 Star Speedrun (Various Runners)
The 0 Star category in Super Mario 64 is a masterclass in glitch exploitation. Runners bypass entire sections of the game using sophisticated movement techniques and object manipulation. It's a testament to how deep the community has analyzed this classic title, finding ways to break it completely to achieve the impossible. Seeing players clip through walls and fly across levels without collecting a single star is mind-boggling.
The sheer ingenuity required to break the game's intended progression is what makes 0 Star runs so captivating.
9. Grand Theft Auto V - Any% (Various Runners)
Grand Theft Auto V speedruns are a chaotic ballet of precision driving, glitches, and insane stunts. The Any% category, aiming to finish the game as fast as possible, often involves complex sequence breaks and highly optimized routes through the game's missions. The dedication to memorizing every detail and executing every traffic weave perfectly is what puts these runs on the epic tier.
8. Celeste - Farewell Chapter Any% (Hype!)
While Celeste is known for its challenging platforming, speedrunning it is another beast entirely. The "Farewell" chapter, in particular, pushes players to their absolute limits. Executing the advanced movement tech required to complete this chapter at speed, especially in a full Any% run, is incredibly demanding. It's a true test of skill and endurance, showcasing the peak of player ability in a beloved indie title.
7. Dark Souls - Any% (Multiple Runners)
Dark Souls is infamous for its difficulty, so completing it at speed is an achievement in itself. Any% runs often rely on intricate knowledge of enemy AI, boss fight skips, and devastating weapon glitches. Watching runners execute these strategies flawlessly, turning overwhelming odds into a swift victory, is nothing short of spectacular. The tension is palpable with every boss encounter.
The community's ability to find and exploit enemy AI patterns for massive time saves is a core part of the Dark Souls speedrunning appeal.
6. Minecraft - Any% (Various Runners)
The world of Minecraft speedrunning is constantly evolving. Any% runs involve a mad dash to defeat the Ender Dragon as quickly as possible. This requires incredible RNG manipulation for finding villages, strongholds, and good trades, combined with precise building and combat. The unpredictable nature of a generated world makes each run a unique challenge, and the record-breaking attempts are always nail-biting.
5. Hollow Knight - Any% (Various Runners)
Hollow Knight is another metroidvania that has become a speedrunning staple. The Any% category requires navigating its vast, interconnected world with incredible speed and efficiency. Runners utilize advanced movement tech, boss fight strategies that trivialize encounters, and knowledge of shortcuts to shave off every second. It’s a beautiful and brutal dance through Hallownest.
4. Portal 2 - Any% (Various Runners)
Portal 2 speedruns are a mesmerizing display of puzzle-solving under extreme pressure. Runners use "flinging" techniques, precise portal placement, and sequence breaks to bypass large sections of the game. The creativity involved in manipulating the game's physics engine to achieve these times is truly mind-bending. It’s less about raw speed and more about exploiting the game’s mechanics in brilliant ways.
3. Elden Ring - Any% (Various Runners)
As one of the latest entries to explode onto the speedrunning scene, Elden Ring Any% runs are a whirlwind of insane glitches and route optimization. Players have discovered powerful strats that allow them to skip major boss fights and game segments, leading to completion times that defy belief. The rapid evolution of strategies in this game is a spectacle in itself.
The speed at which the Elden Ring speedrunning community developed game-breaking strats was astonishing.
2. Super Metroid - Any% (Various Runners)
A cornerstone of speedrunning history, Super Metroid Any% runs are legendary. The game's intricate design lends itself perfectly to sequence breaks and advanced techniques like "mockballing." Runners execute these maneuvers with flawless precision, making the game feel entirely new. The history of record-breaking in Super Metroid is deep and filled with innovation that has influenced countless other games. This is classic speedrun done right.
1. Ocarina of Time - Any% (Various Runners)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time holds a special place in the hearts of many speedrunners. The Any% category, in particular, is famous for its groundbreaking glitches like "Arbitrary Code Execution" (ACE) and "Wrong Warp." These techniques allow runners to manipulate the game's memory and skip vast portions of the game, leading to times under 10 minutes. The sheer complexity and impact of these glitches make Ocarina of Time speedruns arguably the most epic in gaming history. It's a run that requires immense dedication to learning and executing highly technical, often frame-perfect inputs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest speedrun ever recorded?
Defining the "fastest" speedrun is tricky as it depends on the game and category. However, for games like Ocarina of Time Any%, the times are under 10 minutes due to extreme glitch exploitation. For games with less exploitable mechanics, the fastest runs can still be hours long, but represent the absolute peak of human performance.
How do speedrunners practice?
Speedrunners use a combination of methods: extensive VOD review (watching recordings of top runs), segment practice (perfecting individual parts of the run), memorizing routes and inputs, and dedicated grinding sessions to improve execution and RNG manipulation. Many use practice ROMs or tools to isolate difficult sections.
What is RNG in speedrunning?
RNG stands for "Random Number Generator." In speedrunning, it refers to the random elements within a game, such as enemy spawns, item drops, or critical hit chances. Runners aim to manipulate or overcome bad RNG and hope for good RNG to achieve faster times.
What's the difference between Any% and 100% speedruns?
Any% means finishing the game as fast as possible, regardless of what is collected or completed. 100% means completing every objective, collecting every item, or achieving every possible metric within the game before finishing. 100% runs are typically much longer and require different strategies.