Hey speedrunning enthusiasts and welcome back to GamingSpeedrun.com! If you're here, you're likely as obsessed as I am with chasing those frame-perfect inputs and shaving off every precious second. Today, we're diving deep into the legendary world of *Super Mario 64*, specifically the ultimate challenge: the 120-star run. Forget the casual playthrough; we're talking about the pinnacle of skill, dedication, and, let's be honest, a little bit of RNG luck. Prepare yourselves, because we're about to dissect a world record progression that will blow your mind.
The Ultimate Goal: 120 Stars
The 120-star category in *Super Mario 64* is the ultimate test of a speedrunner's mastery. It's not just about finishing the game; it's about collecting every single star, demonstrating complete knowledge of every level, enemy, and obscure mechanic. This category demands precision, endurance, and an almost telepathic understanding of Mario's movement. Each star is a puzzle, and collecting them all in the fastest time possible is a feat that requires thousands of hours of practice. For many, it's the holy grail of *Super Mario 64* speedrunning.
The Evolution of Strategies
The strategies for the 120-star run have evolved dramatically since the game's release. What was once considered impossible is now standard practice thanks to the ingenuity of the
speedrunning community. Early attempts relied on more straightforward approaches, but as players pushed the boundaries, new glitches and movement exploits were discovered, leading to massive time saves. These advancements often involve complex setups that, when executed perfectly, bypass entire sections of the game or allow for incredibly fast traversal.
Key Skips and Glitches
The 120-star run is rife with opportunities for time-saving techniques. Some of the most iconic include:
- Long Jump Clipping: A fundamental technique allowing Mario to pass through certain walls and doors.
- "BLJ" (Backward Long Jump): Perhaps the most famous glitch, enabling Mario to gain impossible speed and height by repeatedly performing a long jump into a wall. While primarily associated with the 0-star run, variations and applications exist.
- Object Duplication/Manipulation: Certain glitches allow for the duplication or manipulation of in-game objects, which can be used to trigger events faster or reach stars that would otherwise be inaccessible.
- Intended but Tricky Stars: Many stars require precise platforming, enemy manipulation, or quick thinking that, while not glitches, are incredibly difficult to execute consistently under pressure. For instance, the infamous "Tick Tock Clock" stars demand near-perfect timing.
Mastering these requires immense muscle memory and split-second reactions. A single mistake can cost precious seconds, or worse, end the run entirely.
The true beauty of the 120-star run lies not just in the final time, but in the journey of discovering and perfecting each tiny movement.
The Current Record
As of the original publication date of this progression analysis, the world record for *Super Mario 64* 120-star was an absolutely blistering time. The constant competition among top runners means that records are always on the chopping block. This specific progression showcases the culmination of years of routing and practice by elite players. It represents the absolute bleeding edge of what's possible in the game. It's a testament to the dedication of the
#speedrun community.
Watching the Progression
The provided links offer an invaluable insight into how the world record has changed over time. You can see the evolution of strategies, the discovery of new glitches, and the relentless drive of the runners. It’s fascinating to witness how the community collectively chipped away at the game's fastest possible time.
Witnessing these records fall is always exciting, especially when they happen live on
#streaming.
The dedication required to achieve these times is staggering. It's a mix of pure talent and an almost inhuman level of patience.
The Grind is Real
Let's not sugarcoat it: achieving a world record in *Super Mario 64* 120-star is an monumental task. It involves countless hours of practice, analyzing every movement, and accepting that many runs will end due to small mistakes. The mental fortitude required is immense. It’s about pushing past frustration and finding motivation even after a perfect run is lost in the final minutes. This is the true spirit of hardcore gaming that we celebrate here at GamingSpeedrun.com. The pursuit of the
#WR is a marathon, not a sprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 0-star and 120-star runs in Super Mario 64?
The 0-star category focuses on completing the game with the fewest possible stars (usually 1), utilizing glitches like the Backward Long Jump (BLJ) to access the final Bowser fight extremely early. The 120-star category, conversely, requires collecting every single star in the game, demanding a much broader range of skills and strategies, often avoiding major game-breaking glitches in favor of precise execution of intended mechanics and smaller exploits.
Is Super Mario 64 still popular for speedrunning?
Absolutely! *Super Mario 64* remains one of the most popular and enduring games in the speedrunning community. Its combination of tight controls, open-ended level design, and discoverable mechanics makes it endlessly replayable and ripe for optimization. New strategies and records continue to emerge even decades after its release.
What does "RNG" mean in speedrunning?
RNG stands for "Random Number Generation." In speedrunning, it refers to elements within a game that are determined by random chance, such as enemy patterns, item drops, or specific event triggers. Runners often develop strategies to mitigate bad RNG or capitalize on good RNG, though it can sometimes lead to frustrating resets if unfavorable random outcomes occur.
How much practice does it take to get a World Record?
It varies wildly depending on the game and category, but for a category as demanding as *Super Mario 64* 120-star, it typically requires thousands of hours. This includes dedicated practice sessions, studying other runners, developing personal strategies, and countless failed attempts.
Where can I find the latest Super Mario 64 speedrun records?
The definitive place to check the latest records for *Super Mario 64*, including the 120-star category, is Speedrun.com. You can usually find links to active runners' streams on platforms like Twitch as well.
So there you have it – a glimpse into the incredible world of *Super Mario 64* 120-star speedrunning. It's a category that defines dedication and mastery. What are your favorite moments from *Super Mario 64* speedruns? Did you discover any new tricks from this breakdown? Let us know in the comments below! Join our
Discord channel to discuss strategies, share your own runs, and connect with fellow speedrunning fanatics. Let's keep the passion for gaming and speed alive!
