The Unbelievable Achievement
Mario fans and speedrunning aficionados, brace yourselves. The legend of
Cheese has just been etched even deeper into the annals of gaming history. A new
World Record has been set in the iconic
Super Mario 64 120 Star category, clocking in at an absolutely mind-blowing **1 hour, 37 minutes, and 50 seconds**! This isn't just a minor improvement; this is a leap forward that redefines what we thought was possible in this beloved N64 classic. For anyone who has ever picked up a controller and dreamed of mastering Peach's castle, this run is an inspiration.
The sheer dedication and precision required to achieve this feat are staggering. Every frame counts, every jump is calculated, and every single secret star is collected with ruthless efficiency. This run isn't just about speed; it's a testament to years of practice, community-driven strategy development, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.
Breaking Down the Record: The Nitty-Gritty
So, what exactly goes into a 120 Star run of
Super Mario 64? It’s more than just beating the game; it's about meticulously collecting every single one of the 120 Power Stars scattered throughout the game’s many worlds. This category is a true test of complete game mastery.
* **The Game:**
Super Mario 64, released for the Nintendo 64, revolutionized 3D platforming and remains a cornerstone of
Gaming History.
* **The Category:** 120 Stars – This means collecting every single Star in the game, including the notoriously difficult ones that require advanced techniques and perfect execution.
* **The Record Holder:** Cheese, a name synonymous with elite
Super Mario 64 speedrunning. Their consistent performance and innovative strats have pushed the boundaries of this game for years.
* **The Time:** 1:37:50. This shaved a significant amount of time off previous records, showcasing a new level of optimization.
The pursuit of the 120 Star record in Super Mario 64 is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires not only raw speed but an intimate understanding of every enemy, every platform, and every subtle mechanic of the game.
Key Levels and Challenges
To achieve such a low time, Cheese had to master every single level, including:
* **Bowser in the Dark World:** The first taste of Bowser, requiring a clean run.
* **Bob-omb Battlefield:** Often the first level players encounter, but mastering its stars for speed is crucial.
* **Dire, Dire Docks:** The water physics and star locations here can be tricky for any speedrunner.
* **Tick Tock Clock:** Famous for its precise platforming challenges.
* **Rainbow Ride:** With its floating platforms and long distances, it’s a true test of aerial control.
* **The Final Bowser Battles:** Each encounter with Bowser demands near-perfect execution to save precious seconds.
The Role of Glitches and Skips
In categories like 120 Star, while glitchless runs exist, the fastest times often incorporate specific, well-practiced glitches and skips. Techniques like the **Backwards Long Jump (BLJ)**, while famously associated with the Any% category, have also been refined and integrated into more comprehensive runs to save vital frames. Understanding how to perform these maneuvers consistently under pressure is paramount. These aren't random occurrences; they are deliberate techniques honed over thousands of hours.
Cheese's Masterclass in Strategy
What sets a record-breaking run apart? It's the *strats*. Cheese's approach to the 120 Star run likely involved a highly optimized route that minimizes travel time and maximizes star acquisition efficiency. This includes:
* **Precise Movement Tech:** Mastering techniques like long jumps, triple jumps, and wall kicks with perfect timing to maintain momentum.
* **Optimized Star Collection Order:** The sequence in which stars are collected can significantly impact the overall time. Cheese's route was likely meticulously planned to avoid backtracking and optimize loading times between areas.
* **RNG Manipulation (Where Applicable):** While less prominent in a star-collecting category compared to Any%, understanding and subtly influencing random elements (like enemy patrol patterns or item spawns) can shave off crucial seconds.
* **Consistent Execution:** The most important factor. A single mistake in a high-level run can cost more time than many optimized strats gain. Cheese's ability to execute these complex maneuvers flawlessly, time after time, is what makes this record so impressive.
A record like this doesn't just stand in isolation. It sends ripples through the entire speedrunning community.
* **Inspiration for New Runners:** Seeing such an incredible time motivates aspiring players to pick up the game and start their own journeys. It shows that even in a game with a long speedrunning history, there's still room for breakthroughs.
* **Refinement of Existing Strategies:** Other top runners will now analyze this run frame-by-frame, looking for new nuances or potential improvements. This constant evolution is what makes speedrunning so dynamic.
* **Renewed Interest:** Major world records like this often bring renewed attention to a game, attracting new viewers and potentially new participants to the speedrunning scene. It's a celebration of
Super Mario 64's enduring legacy.
The Road Ahead: What's Next for Super Mario 64 Speedruns?
With Cheese setting such an ambitious benchmark, the question on everyone's mind is: can this record be beaten? The history of speedrunning suggests that it almost always can. The 120 Star category is incredibly optimized, but human ingenuity and the discovery of even the slightest new technique can lead to further time saves.
Will we see a sub-1:37:00? It's certainly possible. The dedication of runners like Cheese, and the collective effort of the entire
Super Mario 64 community, ensures that the quest for the ultimate time will continue. For now, we can only marvel at this incredible achievement and celebrate Cheese's mastery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Super Mario 64 120 Star category?
This speedrun category requires players to collect all 120 Power Stars available in the game in the fastest time possible. It's a comprehensive test of the entire game.
Who is Cheese?
Cheese is a highly accomplished speedrunner known for their exceptional skill and innovative strategies in
Super Mario 64. They have consistently been at the forefront of the game's speedrunning scene.
What are some common glitches used in Super Mario 64 speedruns?
While specific glitches vary by category, common ones include the Backwards Long Jump (BLJ), various object clipping techniques, and out-of-bounds exploits, which are meticulously practiced and integrated to save time.
Is this the fastest Super Mario 64 speedrun ever?
This is the current World Record for the 120 Star category. For the Any% category (beating the game as fast as possible, regardless of stars collected), the records are significantly faster, often under 7 minutes, and rely on different, more extreme glitches.
Where can I watch Super Mario 64 speedruns?
You can often find live streams on Twitch, with top speedrunners like Cheese frequently broadcasting their attempts. YouTube is also a great resource for recorded speedruns and analysis. You can find many such videos and discussions on sites like
SpeedrunGaming.
In conclusion, Cheese's new world record in
Super Mario 64 120 Star is an extraordinary feat that pushes the boundaries of speedrunning. It's a masterclass in strategy, precision, and dedication. What are your thoughts on this incredible run? Did you expect this time to be broken so soon? Share your reactions and any favorite SM64 speedrun moments in the comments below, and join the conversation on our Discord server! Let's celebrate this monumental achievement together.
