The Top 10 Fastest Video Game Speed Runs of All Time

Are you ready to be blown away by the sheer speed and skill of video game speed runners? These gamers have mastered the art of completing games in record time, using glitches, exploits, and expert knowledge of game mechanics to shave off precious seconds and minutes from their runs.

In this article, we'll take a look at the top 10 fastest video game speed runs of all time, as recorded by speedrun.com, the go-to site for speed running leaderboards and records. From classic platformers to modern first-person shooters, these games have been pushed to their limits by some of the most talented and dedicated gamers out there.

So, without further ado, let's dive into the world of video game speed runs and see what these amazing players have achieved.

10. Super Mario Bros. (NES) - 4:55.646

We start our list with a classic: Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System. This game has been speed run countless times since its release in 1985, but the current world record holder is Darbian, who completed the game in an astonishing 4 minutes, 55 seconds, and 646 milliseconds.

To achieve this time, Darbian had to execute a series of precise jumps, glitches, and tricks, such as the famous "flagpole glitch" that allows Mario to skip a large portion of the final level. He also had to avoid losing time due to random enemy movements and other unpredictable factors.

Watching Darbian's run is a masterclass in precision and timing, as he navigates the game's levels with lightning-fast reflexes and a deep understanding of its mechanics. It's no wonder that this run has become one of the most iconic in the history of video game speed running.

9. Doom (PC) - 20:35

From the 8-bit era, we move on to the first-person shooter that revolutionized the genre: Doom. This game, released in 1993 for PC, has been speed run by countless players over the years, but the current world record holder is Looper, who completed the game in just 20 minutes and 35 seconds.

To achieve this time, Looper had to use a variety of tricks and exploits, such as "rocket jumping" to skip large portions of levels and "wallrunning" to move faster than normal. He also had to avoid getting stuck in the game's geometry and deal with the unpredictable behavior of enemies and weapons.

Watching Looper's run is a testament to the speed and intensity of Doom's gameplay, as he blasts his way through hordes of demons and navigates the game's complex levels with ease. It's a thrilling ride from start to finish, and a must-watch for any fan of classic first-person shooters.

8. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) - 10:39.09

We return to the Mushroom Kingdom for our next entry, Super Mario Bros. 3 for the NES. This game, released in 1988, is widely regarded as one of the best platformers of all time, and it's no surprise that it has been speed run to perfection by many players over the years.

The current world record holder is Mitchflowerpower, who completed the game in just 10 minutes, 39 seconds, and 9 milliseconds. To achieve this time, Mitchflowerpower had to use a variety of tricks and glitches, such as "wrong warping" to skip entire levels and "P-speed" to move faster than normal.

Watching Mitchflowerpower's run is a joy for any fan of Mario games, as he effortlessly glides through the game's levels and takes advantage of every opportunity to save time. It's a masterful display of skill and knowledge, and a testament to the enduring appeal of classic platformers.

7. Celeste (PC) - 26:36.283

From the old-school to the new-school, we move on to Celeste, a modern platformer released in 2018 for PC and consoles. This game, known for its challenging gameplay and emotional story, has been speed run by many players since its release, but the current world record holder is TGH, who completed the game in just 26 minutes, 36 seconds, and 283 milliseconds.

To achieve this time, TGH had to use a variety of advanced techniques, such as "hyperdashing" to move faster than normal and "corner boosting" to gain extra height and distance. He also had to deal with the game's many hazards and obstacles, such as spikes, moving platforms, and enemies.

Watching TGH's run is a rollercoaster of emotions, as he navigates the game's levels with incredible speed and precision, all while dealing with the game's emotional story and themes. It's a testament to the power of video games as a storytelling medium, as well as a showcase of the incredible skill and dedication of speed runners.

6. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64) - 16:58

We now come to one of the most iconic games of all time: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64. This game, released in 1998, is widely regarded as one of the best games ever made, and it has been speed run by countless players over the years.

The current world record holder is Torje, who completed the game in just 16 minutes and 58 seconds. To achieve this time, Torje had to use a variety of glitches and exploits, such as "wrong warping" to skip entire portions of the game and "item sliding" to move faster than normal.

Watching Torje's run is a marvel of glitch hunting and execution, as he uses every trick in the book to shave off precious seconds and minutes from his run. It's also a testament to the depth and complexity of Ocarina of Time's gameplay, as well as the enduring appeal of the Zelda franchise.

5. Super Mario 64 (N64) - 6:41.81

We return to the Mushroom Kingdom once again for our next entry, Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64. This game, released in 1996, was a groundbreaking 3D platformer that set the standard for many games to come, and it has been speed run to perfection by many players over the years.

The current world record holder is Cheese05, who completed the game in just 6 minutes, 41 seconds, and 81 milliseconds. To achieve this time, Cheese05 had to use a variety of advanced techniques, such as "BLJing" to skip entire levels and "backwards long jumping" to move faster than normal.

Watching Cheese05's run is a masterclass in precision and timing, as he navigates the game's levels with incredible speed and accuracy, all while dealing with the game's many hazards and obstacles. It's a testament to the enduring appeal of classic Mario games, as well as the incredible skill and dedication of speed runners.

4. Half-Life (PC) - 20:41

We now come to one of the most influential games of all time: Half-Life for PC. This game, released in 1998, revolutionized the first-person shooter genre with its immersive storytelling, innovative gameplay, and groundbreaking graphics, and it has been speed run by many players over the years.

The current world record holder is Scriptless, who completed the game in just 20 minutes and 41 seconds. To achieve this time, Scriptless had to use a variety of tricks and exploits, such as "grenade jumping" to skip entire sections of levels and "crouch jumping" to move faster than normal.

Watching Scriptless's run is a marvel of glitch hunting and execution, as he uses every trick in the book to shave off precious seconds and minutes from his run. It's also a testament to the enduring appeal of Half-Life's gameplay and storytelling, as well as the incredible skill and dedication of speed runners.

3. Super Mario World (SNES) - 9:41.72

We return to the Mushroom Kingdom once again for our next entry, Super Mario World for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. This game, released in 1990, is widely regarded as one of the best platformers of all time, and it has been speed run to perfection by many players over the years.

The current world record holder is GreenDeathFlavor, who completed the game in just 9 minutes, 41 seconds, and 72 milliseconds. To achieve this time, GreenDeathFlavor had to use a variety of advanced techniques, such as "key jumping" to skip entire levels and "Yoshi flying" to move faster than normal.

Watching GreenDeathFlavor's run is a joy for any fan of Mario games, as he effortlessly glides through the game's levels and takes advantage of every opportunity to save time. It's a masterful display of skill and knowledge, and a testament to the enduring appeal of classic platformers.

2. Portal (PC) - 7:09

We now come to one of the most innovative and beloved games of all time: Portal for PC. This game, released in 2007, revolutionized the puzzle genre with its mind-bending gameplay, witty writing, and unforgettable characters, and it has been speed run by many players over the years.

The current world record holder is Can't Even, who completed the game in just 7 minutes and 9 seconds. To achieve this time, Can't Even had to use a variety of tricks and exploits, such as "portal bumping" to gain extra height and distance and "save glitching" to skip entire sections of levels.

Watching Can't Even's run is a marvel of glitch hunting and execution, as he uses every trick in the book to shave off precious seconds and minutes from his run. It's also a testament to the enduring appeal of Portal's gameplay and storytelling, as well as the incredible skill and dedication of speed runners.

1. Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis) - 15:46

And finally, we come to our number one entry: Sonic the Hedgehog for the Sega Genesis. This game, released in 1991, was a groundbreaking platformer that introduced the world to the speedy blue blur and his iconic cast of characters, and it has been speed run to perfection by many players over the years.

The current world record holder is Kosmic, who completed the game in just 15 minutes and 46 seconds. To achieve this time, Kosmic had to use a variety of advanced techniques, such as "spin dashing" to move faster than normal and "zip glitching" to skip entire sections of levels.

Watching Kosmic's run is a masterclass in precision and timing, as he navigates the game's levels with incredible speed and accuracy, all while dealing with the game's many hazards and obstacles. It's a testament to the enduring appeal of classic Sonic games, as well as the incredible skill and dedication of speed runners.

And there you have it, folks: the top 10 fastest video game speed runs of all time. These amazing players have pushed the limits of what's possible in gaming, and their runs will continue to inspire and amaze us for years to come. So, grab your controller, fire up your favorite game, and see if you can beat these incredible records. Who knows, maybe you'll be the next world record holder.

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