Hey fellow gamers and speedrunning enthusiasts! If you clicked on this, you're probably buzzing with the same excitement I get when a truly mind-blowing speedrun drops. We're talking about a feat that redefines what you thought was possible. Today, we're diving deep into the legendary **[WR] Super Mario Odyssey Any% Speedrun in 56:49**. This isn't just beating a game; it's performing surgery on its code with a stopwatch.
For those new to the thrill of the race against time, welcome to GamingSpeedrun.com, your prime destination for all things speed. We live and breathe those lightning-fast runs, and this one? This one is a masterpiece.
Let's break down the core of this challenge. In the speedrun community, "Any%" is the ultimate race to the finish line. For Super Mario Odyssey, this means completing the main objective of the game – essentially, beating Bowser – in the absolute fastest time humanly possible. No holds barred. The rules? Anything goes.
This category is where you see the wildest strats, the most precise inputs, and the exploitation of every single glitch or unintended mechanic the game developers might have overlooked. Players aren't just playing the game; they're dissecting it, finding shortcuts that weren't meant to exist, and optimizing every single frame. It’s a deep dive into the game’s engine, pushing its limits far beyond normal play.
The Unbelievable Record: 56:49 by NicroVeda
The current king of this particular speedrun is NicroVeda. His jaw-dropping time of 56 minutes and 49 seconds is the benchmark that all other runners strive for. Think about that for a second. The main story of Super Mario Odyssey can easily take 12-15 hours for a casual player. NicroVeda and the top runners shave that down to under an hour. It’s a testament to countless hours of practice, route optimization, and sheer gaming genius.
This time wasn't achieved overnight. It's the culmination of years of dedication from NicroVeda and the wider Super Mario Odysseyspeedrun community, constantly refining strats and shaving off precious seconds.
Elite Techniques That Shatter Time
So, how does one conquer Hyrule… I mean, the Mushroom Kingdom, in less than an hour? It’s all about mastering advanced techniques. NicroVeda employed a suite of incredibly difficult maneuvers.
One of the cornerstone techniques is often referred to as "jumpless" or minimizing aerial movement. In Super Mario Odyssey, certain movements and dives are faster than standard jumps. Runners like NicroVeda barely leave the ground, using ground pounds, rolls, and dives to maintain ludicrous momentum. Every unnecessary jump is time lost.
Then there's the infamous **"frog skip."** This is where things get really creative. The Frog capture, obtained from a specific enemy, allows Mario to perform incredibly high jumps. In certain setups, runners can use the Frog's enhanced abilities to bypass entire sections or climb walls that would normally require complex platforming or multiple captures. It’s a risky but incredibly rewarding strat when executed perfectly.
The precision required for these skips is astronomical. One mistimed input can cost you minutes, or even end the run entirely. It's a high-stakes game of inches and milliseconds.
Another key aspect is understanding enemy AI and level design to manipulate spawns and movements, setting up for the next optimized movement or skip. It’s like chess, but Mario is the pawn and the board is a constantly shifting environment.
Mastering Captures for Maximum Efficiency
Super Mario Odyssey’s core mechanic, Cappy’s capture ability, is a speedrunner's best friend. Beyond just utility, top runners use captures as tactical tools to bypass obstacles and gain positional advantages.
NicroVeda’s run leverages captures not just for their intended purpose, but to chain movements and perform sequence breaks. For example, certain captures allow Mario to traverse areas impassable otherwise, or to gain verticality needed for specific skips. Mastering the quick-throw capture, the immediate dive-cancel, and knowing exactly *which* enemy to capture *when* is critical. Each capture is a decision point, a calculated risk that either saves time or spells disaster.
The variety of captures in Odyssey is immense, and top runners have memorized the most efficient ones for every segment of the Any% route. It’s a library of powered-up moves executed in rapid succession.
Why This Run is a True Speedrunning Masterpiece
This 56:49 run isn't just fast; it's elegant. It showcases a deep understanding of the game's mechanics, physics engine, and level design. It's the result of meticulous planning, constant iteration, and the courage to attempt incredibly difficult and risky strategies.
Watching NicroVeda execute these precise movements, skips, and captures flawlessly is mesmerizing. It highlights the dedication and passion that drives the speedrun community. Every second is accounted for, every action optimized. It’s a symphony of button presses and joystick movements played at lightning speed.
For anyone interested in the upper echelon of gaming skill, this run is essential viewing. It’s a benchmark that pushes the boundaries of what we thought was achievable in Super Mario Odyssey.
How to Improve Your Own Speedrunning Skills
Inspired to shave some time off your own runs? Here’s my advice, born from countless hours grinding myself:
* **Study the Best:** Watch this run, and others like it, frame by frame. Pay attention to NicroVeda’s movement, his positioning, and when he initiates specific actions.
* **Learn the Route:** Understand the established Any% route. Know where you need to go and the most efficient path.
* **Practice Key Techniques:** Isolate difficult tricks like the frog skip or specific capture setups. Practice them in a safe environment until they become muscle memory.
* **Master Movement:** Focus on fundamental movement tech. Rolling, diving, ground-pounding, and Cappy throws – optimize these basics.
* **Understand RNG:** Some elements in Super Mario Odyssey are random (RNG). Learn how to manage or mitigate bad RNG, and how to capitalize on good RNG.
* **Join the Community:** Engage with other runners on forums, Discord servers, or Speedrun.com. Sharing knowledge and getting feedback is invaluable.
Don't be discouraged by the complexity. Every world record holder started somewhere, probably with much slower times and more mistakes. The journey of improvement is what makes speedrunning so rewarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Any% and 100% speedruns in Super Mario Odyssey?
Any% aims to complete the game's main objective (defeating Bowser) as fast as possible using any means. 100% requires collecting all Power Moons and achieving other major in-game milestones, making it a significantly longer and different kind of challenge.
How much practice does a WR holder like NicroVeda put in?
It's difficult to quantify precisely, but top speedrunners often dedicate thousands of hours to a single game. This includes route planning, practicing individual tricks, full run attempts, and analyzing their own gameplay.
Are there any major glitches used in this Any% run?
While the focus is on optimized movement and skips, advanced Any% runs often utilize game-breaking glitches or unintended mechanics to skip large portions of the game. The techniques employed often blur the line between intended mechanics and glitches.
Where can I watch this speedrun?
You can typically find world record runs on platforms like YouTube or Twitch. Searching for "NicroVeda Super Mario Odyssey Any% WR" should lead you directly to the video.
The dedication to shaving off milliseconds is what separates casual play from the elite speedrunning world. It’s an art form.
This Super Mario Odyssey Any% World Record run by NicroVeda is more than just a game completion; it's a testament to human skill, dedication, and the incredible depth hidden within our favorite video games. It inspires us all to push our limits and explore new possibilities.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of Super Mario Odyssey, study these incredible techniques, and maybe, just maybe, you'll find your own path to a personal best. The speedrunning community is always welcoming new faces eager to chase the clock!
Share your thoughts on this incredible run in the comments below! What's your favorite trick used by NicroVeda? Join our Discord channel to discuss more speedrunning strategies and news!
