If you’re like me and love video games, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a speedrun at some point and thought, “Wow, how do they do that?” Whether it’s shaving off precious seconds from a Super Mario level or pulling off intricate skips in The Legend of Zelda, speedrunning is an art form that adds a new layer of excitement to games you already love. I’ve been playing games for years and started dabbling in speedrunning recently, and it’s been a thrilling journey to master my favorite titles in ways I never imagined.
If you’ve ever been curious about speedrunning but felt unsure about where to start, this beginner’s guide is for you. I’ll break down everything from choosing your first game to useful tools and resources that’ll help you along the way.
What Is Speedrunning?
At its core, speedrunning is the practice of completing a game or a specific section of a game as quickly as possible. There are different categories depending on how you play the game:
- Any%: Complete the game as fast as possible, using any and all glitches, exploits, or skips.
- 100%: Finish the game fully, completing all objectives, without skipping any content.
- Glitchless: Beat the game without using glitches or exploits, relying purely on skill.
Speedrunners often aim to set world records, but I personally just enjoy challenging myself or beating personal best times (PBs).
How to Choose the Right Game for Your First Speedrun
One of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the game you want to speedrun. It’s key to pick a game you genuinely enjoy playing, because you’ll be repeating it many times to practice and refine your techniques. Speedrunning can involve hours of trial and error, learning optimal routes, mastering tricky sections, and sometimes even discovering new strategies. If you choose a game you’re passionate about, it’ll make this process more enjoyable and keep you motivated through the challenges.
Best Beginner-Friendly Games for Speedrunning
1. Super Mario Odyssey (Switch)
A popular choice for beginners due to its intuitive controls, fun mechanics, and the ability to complete various categories (Any%, Darker Side%, etc.).
2. Celeste (PC, Switch, PS4)
Known for its tight platforming mechanics, Celeste is a game with a low barrier to entry but high skill ceiling. The game has a rich speedrunning community, and you can start with simple categories like Any%.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64, 3DS, Switch)
Ocarina of Time is one of the most iconic speedrunning games, thanks to its mix of technical execution and game-breaking glitches. Beginners might want to start with the “Any%” category, where glitches are allowed.
4. Portal (PC)
Short, fast-paced, and packed with clever mechanics, Portal is perfect for a first speedrun. The “Inbounds” category (which restricts out-of-bounds glitches) is popular for beginners.
5. Undertale (PC, Switch, PS4)
With multiple routes and a relatively short runtime, Undertale offers a unique mix of story and fast-paced action. Starting with the Any% Neutral route is a good way to get a feel for speedrunning.
6. Hollow Knight (PC, Switch, PS4)
Hollow Knight is a challenging yet rewarding game for speedrunners. It has a variety of categories to try, including Any% and All Bosses, which allow players to experiment with different routes and strategies. The movement mechanics, such as dashing and wall-climbing, are fluid and fun to master, making it a solid choice for both beginners and experienced speedrunners.
When picking your first game for speedrunning, choose one that you really enjoy playing. It should be a game that keeps you excited, even after playing it many times. Start with a shorter game or one with a good community to help you learn. The key is to have fun, as the real joy of speedrunning comes from learning and getting better over time.
Tools and Resources for Speedrunning
While practicing and perfecting your runs is crucial, there are also plenty of tools to help you along your speedrunning journey. These tools not only make it easier to track your progress but also help you analyze your performance, share your achievements, and learn new techniques. Let’s dive into some essential tools that can help you on your journey.
1. LiveSplit
LiveSplit is a free, customizable timer that tracks your run and splits it into segments. It’s essential for monitoring your progress and seeing where you can improve. You can download it here.
2. OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)
If you want to stream or record your runs, OBS is the go-to tool for capturing gameplay. It’s free, easy to use, and great for documenting your progress or sharing your runs with the community.
3. Speedrun.com
This is the hub for all things speedrunning. You can find leaderboards, guides, and forums for almost every game with an active speedrunning community. It’s also where you’ll submit your times to be verified for world records.
4. Twitch
Many speedrunners stream their attempts live on Twitch. Not only can you follow your favorite runners, but you can also interact with the community, ask questions, and learn new strategies by watching live attempts.
By incorporating these tools, you can effectively track progress, analyze performance, and learn new techniques, ultimately boosting your speedrunning journey.
Tips to Get Started on Your Speedrun
Speedrunning might seem daunting, but with some practice and the right mindset, anyone can get into it. Here are a few tips to help you begin your journey:
1. Start with a Game You Know Well
It’s easier to get into speedrunning when you’re already familiar with the mechanics and layout of the game. If you’re starting from scratch, learn the game as you would normally, then start practicing specific sections for speed.
2. Practice Key Sections
Every game has sections that are trickier or more time-consuming than others. Focus on mastering these parts first. Once you’ve nailed the hardest sections, the rest of your run will feel smoother.
3. Join a Speedrunning Community
Many games have dedicated Discord servers or communities on Speedrun.com. Joining these groups will provide you with tips, support, and advice from more experienced runners. You can also learn about new strategies and glitches from others.
4. Record Your Runs
Whether you’re aiming for world records or just personal bests, recording your runs allows you to review them later and identify areas for improvement. Plus, it’s fun to look back on how far you’ve come!
5. Patience is Key
Speedrunning can be frustrating when you’re trying to perfect every movement. Remember that improvement takes time, and every failed attempt is an opportunity to learn something new. Celebrate your small victories and keep pushing forward.
Popular Speedrunning Events to Watch
Watching live speedrunning events is a great way to learn new strategies and be inspired. Here are two of the biggest events in the community:
- Games Done Quick (GDQ): GDQ hosts bi-annual charity events where the best speedrunners showcase their skills. You can catch up on past runs or watch live streams during the events.
- ESA (European Speedrunner Assembly): Another large event, ESA also streams speedruns for charity and features a wide variety of games and categories.
Events like Games Done Quick (GDQ) and ESA (European Speedrunner Assembly) can be both inspiring and educational. These events showcase top speedrunners, new strategies, and a wide variety of games, all while supporting charitable causes. Whether you’re looking to learn or just enjoy the excitement, these events are a great way to dive deeper into the speedrunning community.
Conclusion on Speedrunning
Speedrunning is an incredible way to experience games in a whole new light. Not only does it challenge your skills and knowledge, but it also connects you to a vibrant, passionate community. Whether you’re aiming for world records or just want to beat your personal best, speedrunning offers endless opportunities for growth and fun.
So grab your favorite game, set up a timer, and start running! You’ll be surprised at how quickly you improve, and who knows—you might just become the next speedrunning sensation!