Table of Contents
Hey fellow speedrunners and gaming enthusiasts! Ever stumbled upon a speedrun category so bizarre, so hilariously niche, that you couldn't help but click? We're talking about meme speedruns – the wild west of competitive gaming where logic takes a backseat and pure absurdity reigns supreme. From arbitrary joke categories in beloved classics to entire games dedicated to the ridiculous, meme speedruns are a testament to the creativity and sheer fun that the speedrunning community thrives on. In this deep dive, we're going to explore what makes these runs tick, showcase some of the most iconic examples, and point you towards resources so you can get your fix of the wonderfully weird.
This isn't your typical grind for a personal best; this is about embracing the chaos, celebrating the inside jokes, and pushing the boundaries of what a "speedrun" can even mean. So, strap in, and let's dive headfirst into the glorious world of meme speedruns!
What Exactly Are Meme Speedruns?
At their core, meme speedruns are exactly what they sound like: speedruns inspired by internet memes, inside jokes, or just plain silliness. They often involve achieving a seemingly pointless or absurd goal as quickly as possible within a game.
- Arbitrary Goals: Think "get the highest score on a specific, often trivial, game mechanic" or "collect a specific, non-essential item."
- Joke Categories: These are often created for popular games but focus on tasks that are clearly not the intended way to "beat" the game.
- Niche Games: Sometimes, entire games become meme speedruns simply because of their inherent absurdity or a particular glitch that allows for a ridiculous strat.
The key differentiator is the intent. While a standard speedrun aims to complete the game's objectives as fast as possible, a meme speedrun might aim to achieve something completely nonsensical, often for comedic effect. It's about the journey, the absurdity, and the shared understanding of the joke within the community. It’s a way for runners to express their passion for games in a more lighthearted, yet still skillful, manner. The Any% category in many games is already a speedrunning staple, but meme runs take that concept and twist it into something completely unexpected.
Category-Based Meme Runs
These are perhaps the most common type of meme speedrun. They take a well-known game and invent a completely new, often silly, category to race through.
- Kirby Air Ride - 5 Hot Dog%: This is a classic. The goal? To collect exactly five hot dogs in the game. It sounds simple, but optimizing the route to grab those specific items efficiently is a challenge in itself. The sheer dedication to such a specific, non-game-breaking objective is peak meme speedrunning.
- Ratchet & Clank - Boobs%: Yes, you read that right. This category involves collecting a specific in-game item that vaguely resembles breasts. The speed and routing involved in getting this particular collectible faster than anyone else is pure meme magic.
- Super Mario Odyssey - Nipple%: Similar to the Ratchet & Clank run, this focuses on collecting an item with a suggestive shape. It highlights how runners can find humor and challenge in the smallest, most unexpected details within a game's design.
These categories often become popular because they are easily digestible and provide immediate comedic value. They also allow runners who might not have the time or skill for a full game Any% run to participate in the fun.
In my experience, these niche categories often breed some of the most creative routing and execution. Players are forced to think outside the box when the objective itself is absurd.
Full Game Meme Runs
While less common, some games themselves become the subject of meme speedruns. These are typically games that are:
- Inherently Absurd: Games designed to be funny or nonsensical from the start.
- Broken or Glitchy: Games that are so full of bugs that exploiting them becomes the "intended" way to play quickly.
- Extremely Simple: Games with such a minimal premise that completing them quickly is a joke in itself.
Examples in this vein can be harder to pinpoint as they often arise organically from community discussions. A game that starts as a joke might gain enough traction for dedicated runners to emerge. These runs celebrate the game's meme status as much as the speed.
The Appeal of Meme Speedruns
So, why do players dedicate time to these often-ridiculous endeavors? The reasons are multifaceted:
- Humor and Fun: Let's face it, they're hilarious! The juxtaposition of serious speedrunning techniques applied to trivial or silly goals is inherently funny.
- Community Building: Meme runs often stem from shared jokes and in-community references, fostering a sense of camaraderie. They create inside jokes that bind players together.
- Low Barrier to Entry: For some, the complex strats of top-tier speedruns can be daunting. Meme runs, while still requiring skill, often have more accessible goals, inviting more players to participate.
- Creativity and Innovation: These runs push the boundaries of what's considered a "valid" speedrun, encouraging creative thinking and novel approaches to game mechanics. It’s a playground for experimentation.
- Nostalgia and Appreciation: Sometimes, meme runs are a way to revisit older or less popular games and appreciate them in a new, albeit quirky, light.
The core appeal lies in the freedom to play with the concept of speedrunning itself. It’s a subversion of expectations that resonates deeply with a community that thrives on pushing limits and finding joy in the unexpected. The "Challenging Games" tag can sometimes apply here, not because of difficulty, but because of the sheer absurdity one must overcome.
Top Meme Speedrun Examples
Based on community recognition and sheer memorability, here are a few more standouts:
- QWOP Speedrun: A game designed to be almost unplayable, where controlling the runner's legs is a monumental task. Speedrunning it is a feat of pure masochistic dedication and absurd humor.
- American Dad! Speedrunning: This category focuses on completing the game as quickly as possible, often involving bizarre glitches and routing that highlights the game's jankiness. The "History of American Dad Speedrunning" video linked in the original content is a great example of how deep these runs can go.
- Pencil Sharpening Simulator: A game so mundane that speeding through it becomes an ironic commentary on the very nature of speedrunning. Races to sharpen 10 pencils are surprisingly tense and hilarious.
- Club Penguin Banned%: This category involves getting banned from the game as quickly as possible. The meta-humor of speedrunning the act of being kicked out is a perfect encapsulation of meme speedrunning.
These examples showcase the breadth of what can be turned into a meme speedrun. If a goal can be defined, no matter how silly, you can bet someone is trying to achieve it faster than anyone else.
The beauty of meme speedruns is their unpredictability. You never know what obscure goal or ridiculous game will become the next big thing in the community.
Memorable Meme Runs and Clips
While the original content provided a plethora of YouTube links, some specific examples stand out for their sheer impact and comedic value:
- "The Worst Speedrun Ever": This title itself is a meme. Often referring to runs that are either intentionally terrible for comedic effect or genuinely bad attempts that become legendary for their failure.
- Various Mii Maker Speedruns: The ability to create specific characters in Mii Maker has led to speedruns centered around replicating them as fast as possible. The Peter Griffin and Beef Boss Miis are particularly iconic.
- The evolution of runs like "Nipple%" or "Boobs%": These runs, while risqué, highlight the community's ability to find humor in innuendo and push the boundaries of what's acceptable or even conceivable in a speedrun category.
Finding these clips often involves digging through YouTube or Twitch archives, but the payoff is usually a good laugh and an appreciation for the runner's dedication to the absurd.
Resources for Further Exploration
If you're hooked and want to dive deeper into the world of meme speedruns, here are some excellent places to start:
- Speedrun.com: While not all meme runs are officially listed, many have dedicated pages or can be found within specific game communities. It's the central hub for all things speedrunning.
- YouTube Channels: Many content creators focus specifically on showcasing meme speedruns. The original post linked several, but channels dedicated to "weird speedruns" or "funny speedruns" are your best bet. Look for creators like SmallAnt1, EnglishBen, and SBlectric, who are often featured in these types of compilations.
- Community Discords: Joining Discord servers for specific games or for general speedrunning communities is a great way to discover new meme categories and connect with runners. EZScape's Discord is a good example mentioned in the source.
- Twitch Streams: Many speedrunners stream their attempts, including meme runs. Watching live allows for interaction with the runner and the chat, which is often part of the fun.
Don't be afraid to search for terms like "meme speedrun," "joke category speedrun," or specific game + "%" combined with a nonsensical term. You'll be amazed at what you find!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a meme speedrun and a glitchless speedrun?
A glitchless speedrun aims to beat a game as fast as possible without using any glitches or exploits. Meme speedruns, on the other hand, can involve glitches, absurd objectives, or entire games chosen for their comedic value; their primary goal is often humor or niche achievement rather than efficient completion.
Are meme speedruns taken seriously by the speedrunning community?
Yes and no. While not all meme runs achieve the same level of competitive prestige as traditional categories, they are a vital and beloved part of the community's culture. They showcase creativity, humor, and dedication, and many top runners participate in them for fun.
How do I find meme speedruns for my favorite game?
Start by checking Speedrun.com for your game and looking at the list of categories. If you don't see any obvious meme categories, search YouTube or Twitch for "[Game Name] meme speedrun" or "[Game Name] joke category." Joining the game's community Discord is also a great way to ask!
Can any game have a meme speedrun?
Technically, yes! If there's a goal, no matter how silly, that can be defined and timed, it can become a meme speedrun. The community often invents these categories based on popular memes, inside jokes, or simply to create a funny challenge.
Is it possible to set a World Record (WR) for a meme speedrun?
Absolutely! Many meme speedrun categories have active leaderboards on sites like Speedrun.com, complete with World Records. The dedication to these categories is just as real as any other speedrun, even if the objective is unconventional.
Meme speedruns are more than just a fleeting internet trend; they are a vibrant and essential part of the speedrunning landscape. They remind us that gaming, at its heart, should be fun, creative, and sometimes, wonderfully absurd. Whether you're a seasoned runner looking for a new challenge or a curious observer, there's a whole world of hilarious and impressive meme runs waiting to be discovered.
So, what are your favorite meme speedruns? Have you ever attempted one yourself? Let us know in the comments below! And if you're looking for more deep dives into the world of speedrunning, make sure to join our GamingSpeedrun Discord and follow us on social media. Keep practicing, keep having fun, and happy running!