In this post, we’ve gathered a list of the most popular and competitive video games for speed runs. For those unfamiliar with the concept, speedrunning is about completing games as fast as possible, using a combination of skill, creativity, and clever techniques. Some gamers decide to do this for fun, while others have turned it into serious competition.
Whether you’re a seasoned speedrunner or a curious newbie, we’ve got you covered with a list of games that already have established speedrunning communities, like the Super Mario Bros. franchise, or newer games that are quickly gaining popularity in speedrun circles like Celeste. So what are you waiting for? Grab a controller, hone your skills, and see how quickly you can finish these challenging video games. Let’s get that adrenalin pumping and these games finished in record time!
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
This open-world RPG offers numerous opportunities for speedrunning, with players using sequence breaks, glitches, and skips to complete the main quest in record time. Some speedrunners even utilize horse tilting, a technique that involves using a horse to clip through the game world.
Super Mario Bros.
This classic platformer from Nintendo is one of the earliest and most iconic speedrunning games. Players compete to finish the game as quickly as possible, using precise jumps and well-timed movements to navigate the levels efficiently.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time is a popular speedrunning game due to its intricate world and various sequence breaks, which allow players to bypass large portions of the game. Speedrunners utilize a range of glitches and tricks to shave off time and complete the game in record-breaking fashion.
Half-Life 2
This first-person shooter has been a staple in the speedrunning community for years. Runners use tricks like accelerated back hopping, object boosting, and save warping to navigate the game world quickly and efficiently.
Mega Man X
This action-platformer is popular among speedrunners for its tight controls and level design. Players optimize their runs by mastering weapon and boss strategies and using techniques like dash jumping and wall climbing to navigate levels quickly.
Portal
This first-person puzzle-platformer is popular in the speedrunning community for its innovative gameplay mechanics, which involve creating portals to navigate levels. Speedrunners employ a variety of tricks, such as accelerated back hopping and portal flinging, to complete the game quickly.
Dark Souls
This challenging action RPG has a dedicated speedrunning community that competes to finish the game as quickly as possible. Speedrunners utilize precise combat strategies, sequence breaks, and skips to bypass difficult areas and complete the game in record time.
Super Metroid
This action-adventure game is known for its non-linear progression, which provides speedrunners with numerous routing options to optimize their runs. Runners use techniques like wall jumping, mockball, and damage boosts to navigate the game world quickly and efficiently.
Celeste
This indie platformer is known for its tight controls and challenging gameplay, making it popular among speedrunners. Players use advanced techniques like corner boosts, hyper dashes, and wave dashes to navigate the game's intricate levels at high speeds.
Super Mario 64
One of the first 3D platformers, Super Mario 64 is renowned for its movement mechanics and precise controls, making it a favorite among speedrunners. Players use advanced techniques like BLJs (backward long jumps) and parallel universe manipulation to complete the game with as few stars as possible.
