Welcome, fellow speed demons and lovers of all things fast and funny! You’ve stumbled upon the digital equivalent of a treasure chest overflowing with the most bizarre and brilliant speedruns the gaming world has to offer. If you're here, you're probably wondering, "What in the RNG hell are 'meme speedruns'?" Well, strap in, because we're about to dive headfirst into the hilarious, the improbable, and the downright ridiculous categories that make speedrunning so much more than just beating a game fast. This is Meme Speedruns 2, and it's going to be a wild ride.
Table of Contents
What Exactly Are Meme Speedruns?
At its core, speedrunning is about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible within a game's mechanics to achieve the fastest possible completion time. But what happens when the community decides to inject a hefty dose of humor and absurdity into this pursuit? That's where meme speedruns come in. These aren't your standard Any% or 100% runs. Instead, they’re categories born from inside jokes, bizarre challenges, or simply the desire to see how quickly something utterly ridiculous can be accomplished. Think arbitrary goals, obscure glitches exploited for comedic effect, or entire games turned into a joke category.
The beauty of meme speedruns lies in their sheer unpredictability. While traditional speedruns often focus on optimization and perfect execution, meme runs can embrace chaos and creativity. They remind us that at the heart of it all, gaming is about fun, and sometimes, that means going completely off the rails.
The Craft of the Meme Category
Creating a successful meme speedrun category requires a special kind of genius. It's not just about picking a silly objective; it's about defining rules that are understandable, repeatable (to a degree), and most importantly, entertaining. A good meme category often:
- Has a clear, often absurd, objective: Examples include "All Doorbells" in The Simpsons: Hit & Run or "Fetch a Fruit" in games where it's a minor task.
- Leverages existing game mechanics in unintended ways: This could involve using glitches, sequence breaks, or even just highly specific movement tech that serves no purpose other than achieving the meme goal.
- Is inherently watchable: The process of completing the run should be engaging, whether through skill, luck, or sheer comedic value.
- Sparks community interest: The best meme categories are those that other runners want to attempt and improve upon.
The creation of these categories often starts organically within a specific game's community. A runner might discover a funny glitch or a trivial objective, and through community discussion, it evolves into a legitimate (in its own meme-y way) speedrun category. It’s a testament to the creativity and dedication of speedrunners that such a diverse range of runs exists.
Highlights from the Meme Speedrun Hall of Fame
This "Meme Speedruns 2" compilation showcases some truly legendary runs. Let's break down a few:
- Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (N64/PS) (30:59): Who knew the cinematic masterpiece that is Rugrats in Paris would become a speedrun target? This run highlights how even the most niche or nostalgic titles can find a new life within the speedrunning community.
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom NG+ Speedrun (38:36) / Sh*t% (1:17.71): While Battle for Bikini Bottom has standard categories, the "Sh*t%" category is a prime example of a meme run – focusing on achieving a specific, often nonsensical, goal as quickly as possible, prioritizing absurdity over traditional completion.
- Getting Over It in 48 Hours: This is less about a specific category and more about the sheer endurance and comedic despair. The premise of spending two days on a notoriously difficult game, likely for a silly reward, embodies the meme spirit.
- Twilight Princess - Low% (25:23:34): Completing a massive game like Twilight Princess with the absolute *least* possible percentage is a feat of dedication that borders on the absurd. It’s a marathon of meticulous planning and execution for a seemingly counter-intuitive goal.
- Portal Airboat% Speedrun (16:29.3): Portal is known for its puzzle-solving, but a speedrun based solely on reaching the airboat sequence, likely through obscure glitches, is pure meme magic.
- The Simpsons: Hit & Run - All Doorbells (5:26 PB): A perfect example of taking a minor, almost unnoticeable element of a game and turning it into a competitive category. It’s simple, repeatable, and hilarious to watch.
- fetch a fruit speedrun (50.83 WR): This run is the epitome of a meme category. It isolates a single, trivial action and turns it into a high-stakes race against the clock. The fact that it has multiple world records shows the community's dedication to the absurd.
- Wii Sports - Golf (Give up) (6:29 OG / 6:17.7 WS): Wii Sports is a beloved classic, and finding a "Give Up" category for Golf is peak meme speedrunning. It subverts the idea of competition by aiming for the quickest failure.
- Cookie Clicker (1 Million Cookies) — 6:45.00 PB/WR: Even idle games aren't safe from the speedrunning treatment. This run takes a game designed for passive progression and turns it into an active race to a seemingly arbitrary number.
These examples, and many more found within the broader speedrunning community, demonstrate the boundless creativity that arises when players decide to have fun with their favorite games in unconventional ways.
The true spirit of a meme speedrun isn't just about being fast; it's about making people laugh, scratch their heads, and appreciate the sheer dedication involved in achieving something so wonderfully pointless.
Behind the Scenes of a Meme Run
Executing a meme speedrun often requires a unique skill set. While traditional speedruns might focus on mastering precise inputs and glitch execution, meme runs can demand:
- Deep knowledge of obscure game mechanics: Finding ways to break the game for comedic effect often requires understanding its deepest, darkest secrets.
- Adaptability and improvisation: RNG can be a cruel mistress, and meme runs often require runners to adapt on the fly when things don't go as planned – sometimes leading to even funnier outcomes.
- Patience and sheer willpower: Some meme categories, like the Low% runs, require hundreds of hours of practice and execution for a goal that might seem baffling to outsiders.
- A good sense of humor: You have to be able to laugh at yourself and the absurdity of what you're doing.
The preparation for a meme run can be as involved as any other category. Runners spend hours analyzing the game, testing theories, and practicing specific tricks. The difference lies in the *goal* – instead of beating the game, they might be trying to collect every single obscure item, trigger a specific dialogue line as fast as possible, or simply reach the end credits by performing the most ridiculous sequence of actions.
Community Creations and Contributions
The meme speedrun scene thrives on community input. Platforms like Speedrun.com are crucial hubs where runners can submit new categories, track records, and engage with each other. The original post gives a massive shout-out to several individuals—Square, JBHJ, Samura1man, Khai, Shizzal, Vapo, smloader, Aeiou, Tendog, Sir_Tyler, Roadrunner, and Simply—and this kind of recognition is vital. These are the pioneers and champions of the meme categories, the ones who discover the strats, push the boundaries, and inspire others.
Without this collaborative spirit, many of these hilarious categories might never see the light of day. It's a shared passion for the bizarre that drives the meme speedrunning community forward. If you know of any other meme runs, don't hesitate to share them in the comments – the community is always hungry for more!
The internet's capacity for creating and sharing absurd humor is truly limitless, and meme speedruns are one of its most glorious digital manifestations.
The Future of Absurd Speedruns
What does the future hold for meme speedruns? Honestly, the sky's the limit – or perhaps, the absurdity is the limit! As new games are released and older ones are revisited, runners will undoubtedly find new and innovative ways to inject humor and silliness into their gameplay.
We can expect to see:
- Even more niche categories: Runners will dig deeper into games to find the most obscure objectives to race for.
- Creative use of new technology: Future games might offer new glitches or mechanics ripe for meme exploitation.
- Cross-game meme runs: Imagine speedruns that involve chaining objectives across multiple titles, or using one game to influence another.
- Increased mainstream recognition: As speedrunning continues to grow, the unique and entertaining aspects of meme categories are likely to gain more attention.
The constant evolution of gaming ensures that there will always be new material for meme speedrunners to work with. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of finding joy and creativity in the unexpected corners of the gaming world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a regular speedrun and a meme speedrun?
Regular speedruns focus on achieving official completion goals (like Any% or 100%) as fast as possible. Meme speedruns focus on arbitrary, often humorous, objectives that are not part of the game's standard completion criteria. They prioritize fun and absurdity.
Are meme speedruns taken seriously by the community?
While the goals are humorous, the dedication and skill involved in achieving meme speedrun records are absolutely taken seriously. The community respects the effort and creativity that goes into defining and executing these runs.
How do I find meme speedruns for my favorite game?
The best place to start is Speedrun.com. Navigate to your favorite game's page and look for categories that have unusual names or objectives. You can also often find discussions about meme categories on the game's community forums or Discord servers.
Is it hard to get into meme speedrunning?
It depends on the category! Some meme runs are accessible with basic skills, while others require deep game knowledge and mastery of complex glitches. The key is to find a meme run that matches your skill level and interests. The most important part is to have fun with it!
So there you have it – a glimpse into the wild and wonderful world of meme speedruns. It’s a space where skill meets silliness, and the pursuit of the fastest time is only rivaled by the pursuit of a good laugh. Keep an eye out for these unique categories, and who knows, you might even be inspired to create your own!
What are your favorite meme speedruns? Did we miss any crucial examples? Let us know in the comments below or join the discussion on our Discord server! Happy running!