Questions tagged [speedrun]

A speedrun is a play-through of a level, map, or whole game where the player tries to achieve the quickest time possible. Use this tag for questions about techniques, routing, and rules of speedrunning in general or specific games.

A speedrun is a play-through of a level, map, or whole game where the player tries to achieve the quickest time possible.

Tag Usage

Use this tag for questions about techniques, routing, and rules of speedrunning in general or specific games:

  • If you saw some cool time-saver in a speedrun and would like to know more about it
  • If you're planning a speedrun of a game and have questions about the routing
  • If you're wondering whether a certain item or unit is allowed in a speedrun.

Do not use this tag for questions about beating arbitrary time goals, such as achievements for beating the game under a certain amount of time, or for questions about speed in general.

48 questions
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Why do speed-runners usually use the Japanese version of a game?

In most speed-running videos, the person playing the game will usually play the Japanese version, with or without any knowledge of understanding Japanese. Is there a reason why they do this? In particular, I am talking about traditionally Japanese…
The Man
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What is arbitrary code execution (ACE) and how does it affect speedrunning?

There has been a lot of records being set in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time within the last couple of weeks or so. A lot of these records keep stating that "ACE" is the reason for this. I have read that "ACE" stands for Arbitrary Code…
FoxMcCloud
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9 answers

What's the longest speedrun world record?

Various classics have been speed run in surprisingly short amounts of time, for example Mario in under 5 minutes and Ultimate Doom in about 20 minutes and many others (Zelda, MineSweeper). I learned that some people are speedrunning Final Fantasy…
stevec
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36
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1 answer

How was it calculated that Dream cheated on his Minecraft v1.16 glitchless speedrun?

The speedrunner Dream has recently been accused of cheating in his Minecraft Java v1.16 glitchless speedrun. How did the Minecraft Java speedrunning mods calculate if Dream cheated?
user273012
35
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1 answer

On San Andreas Speedruns, why do players blow up the Picador in the mission Ryder?

I have checked some Any% and 100% speedruns of Grand Theft Auto San Andreas and it appears that everyone blows up the Picador on the mission Ryder. Take for example faulux's 2nd place for Any%: Why this is done? Does this reduces the time of any…
Lemon
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1 answer

Why are there no DOOM 2 Nightmare 100% kill speedruns?

I can't find any videos of a DOOM 2 speedrun on Nightmare difficulty with a 100% monster kill ratio? I've seen: Ultra-violence, 100% Kills Nightmare, 100% secrets Nightmare, completion Why can't I find any Nightmare speedruns that also have 100%…
Kerk
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1 answer

In Super Metroid, is jumping after running not just as fast as running on the ground?

I see some of the top speedrunners trying to minimize time in the air. For example, in the second room of Ceres station, and in the beginning of Parlor. Why do they do this? I would assume that as long as you hold the direction after a running jump,…
Andrew Cheong
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Can Chell die in the credit sequence?

The official speedrunnning rules from speedrun.com for Portal 2 say: Timing starts when you gain control of Chell (crosshair appearing) and ends on when the moon is hit (regardless of whether you die in the credits) I haven't been able to find out…
Daniel H
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20
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3 answers

In Mario 64 speedruns, why are the keys necessary?

I've been a fan of TAS (Tool Assisted Speedrun) videos for a long time, and always go back to watch the various Mario 64 Speedruns because they're so good, but after watching a few videos, I wonder: Why are the keys obtained from Bowser even…
Grayda
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What is an any % speed run in Diablo 2?

I know what speed runs are, but what does 'any %' mean when speedrunning Diablo 2?
Simon Suh
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14
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2 answers

Looking for more detailed explanation concerning SMB flagpole glitch

In Super Mario Bros, there is a glitch, where a certain set of frame-perfect presses allow you to jump directly into the bottom block of the flagpole at the end of the level. In this article on the Mario Wiki, it describes the glitch as: The player…
Julian Lachniet
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1 answer

In Super Metroid speedrunning, which backup Super Missiles are fastest to obtain?

Background I'm learning to speedrun Super Metroid (Any%). Runners following the old route (KPDR, i.e. Kraid-Phantoon-Draygon-Ridley) as well as the new route (PRKD) both obtain two super missiles tanks in common, and usually only these two: First,…
Andrew Cheong
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13
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How does the 20 minute OOT run work?

I've just got done watching a sub-20 minute run of The Legend of Zelda, Ocarina Of Time and I need to be explained something. How in the hell can you Warp form the first boss to the last boss. Happens at about 10 minutes in the video…
Fredy31
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12
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What is the fewest cycles to clear Majora's Mask, without exploiting glitches?

I’ve seen videos of Majora’s Mask speedruns that heavily relied on glitches. There’s also this guide about clearing 100% in 5 cycles. And now I’m curious about the fewest number of cycles it takes to complete Majora’s Mask (not 100%), without using…
MacMillan
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3 answers

Fastest route to 99 lives in Super Mario World

Starting from a fresh game of Super Mario World (SNES), what sequence of levels should be played in order to reach a lives total of 99 as quick as possible? From my experience with the game, I know that there are a few levels that are very effective…
Carl Hyde
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