When it comes to the art of speedrunning, few games have captivated runners and spectators alike quite like Super Mario 64. Released in 1996 as a launch title for the Nintendo 64, Mario 64 revolutionized the platforming genre with its groundbreaking 3D gameplay and set the standard for the series for decades to come. But beyond its casual appeal, Mario 64 has become a prime target for speedrunners seeking to push the game to its absolute limit. And now, a new contender has arisen to claim the throne of the fastest Mario 64 player in the world.
Enter Suigi, a relative newcomer to the scene who has shocked the speedrunning world with his unprecedented skill and mastery of Mario 64. In a stunning display of talent, Suigi has achieved world records in not just one, but three highly competitive categories – 0 stars, 1 star, and the coveted 16 stars, considered by many to be the ultimate test of a runner‘s abilities.
The Art of the Speedrun
For the uninitiated, speedrunning is the act of completing a game as quickly as possible, often utilizing advanced techniques, optimized routes, and even exploiting glitches to shave precious seconds off the clock. Speedruns are typically divided into categories based on completion criteria, with some of the most common being:
- Any% – Reaching the end credits by any means necessary, skipping all optional content
- 100% – Fully completing the game, collecting every item and achievement
- Glitchless – Completing the game without utilizing any glitches or exploits
- Tool-assisted (TAS) – Using emulators and software for frame-perfect input and execution
Runners will spend countless hours grinding out attempts, resetting at even the slightest mistake in search of the perfect run. The speedrunning community is known for its collaborative nature, with runners constantly sharing strategies and routes, while still fiercely competing for world record times. Entire leaderboards and websites are dedicated to tracking the fastest times across various games and categories.
The Rise of Suigi
In the world of Mario 64 speedrunning, Suigi is a relative newcomer, having only started running the game in 2019. But in that short time, he has achieved a level of mastery that few can rival. In particular, Suigi‘s 16-star run, which requires collecting just enough stars to face the final boss, is nothing short of astonishing.
Completed on March 8th, 2021, Suigi‘s world record 16-star run clocks in at a blistering 14 minutes and 37 seconds, a full 38 seconds faster than the previous record. To put that in perspective, the first sub-20 minute 16-star run wasn‘t achieved until 2007, over a decade after the game‘s release. Suigi‘s time saves come from a combination of flawless execution and clever utilization of glitches to skip huge portions of levels.
One of the most notorious tricks in Mario 64 speedrunning is the "backwards long jump" or BLJ. By jumping backwards repeatedly, runners can build up massive speed and launch themselves through walls, bypass barriers, and even skip entire levels. Suigi‘s run features numerous pixel-perfect BLJs to save time in nearly every stage.
Another crucial glitch is "clipping," which allows Mario to partially phase through walls and objects. By positioning Mario in specific ways and utilizing precise movement, runners can clip into areas that normally can‘t be accessed, skipping lengthy sections of levels. Suigi‘s mastery of clipping and BLJs allow him to chart a blistering fast path through the game.
But even with these tricks, Suigi‘s movement is mesmerizing to watch. Every jump, dive, and wall kick is executed with pinpoint precision. It‘s a level of optimization that can only be achieved through thousands of hours of practice and intense familiarity with the game‘s intricacies.
The Evolution of a Scene
Suigi‘s world record is all the more impressive when viewed in the context of Mario 64 speedrunning‘s lengthy history. The game has been a popular speedrun since the early 2000s, with runners competing for top times on message boards and early video sharing sites. As the community grew, so did the competition, with runners constantly one-upping each other‘s times and strategies.
The rise of streaming platforms like Twitch in the 2010s brought speedrunning to a wider audience than ever before. Suddenly, casual viewers could watch world record attempts live, sharing in the thrill and heartbreak of every run. Speedrunning marathons like Games Done Quick, which raise millions for charity, put runners on the main stage and spotlighted the skill and dedication it takes to master a game.
Major breakthroughs in Mario 64 speedrunning were often the result of new glitches being discovered or optimized movement techniques being implemented. Arguably the biggest leap forward came in 2015, when runners discovered the "0 star" category. By utilizing a specific sequence of glitches, runners found they could access the final boss without collecting any stars at all, leading to a frenzied race for the fastest completion time.
Since then, the 0 and 1 star categories have become highly competitive in their own right, with runners constantly pushing the boundaries of what‘s possible. The current world records stand at [X] and [Y] respectively, a testament to the skill and dedication of the runners who have devoted themselves to mastering these specific categories.
Speedrunning By the Numbers
To get a sense of just how optimized Mario 64 speedrunning has become, let‘s take a look at some key statistics:
| Category | Current WR | First Sub-X Time | Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 Star | [X] | Sub-10 minutes | 20XX |
| 1 Star | [Y] | Sub-15 minutes | 20XX |
| 16 Star | 14m 37s | Sub-20 minutes | 2007 |
| 70 Star | [Z] | Sub-1 hour | 20XX |
| 120 Star | [W] | Sub-2 hours | 20XX |
As you can see, the times for each category have dropped significantly over the years as runners have pushed the game to its limits. The 120 star category, which requires collecting every star in the game, has seen the world record drop from over 5 hours in the early 2000s to under 2 hours today.
But speedrunning‘s impact goes beyond just the numbers. The meteoric rise of platforms like Twitch has turned some of the most skilled speedrunners into minor celebrities within the gaming world. Runners like Suigi can attract thousands of viewers to their streams, with fans eager to see the latest mind-boggling trick or world record attempt.
There‘s a sense of community and collaboration in speedrunning that‘s somewhat unique in the gaming world. While runners are still fiercely competitive, there‘s also a shared sense of joy and excitement when a new record is achieved or a new glitch is discovered. Runners will often share their strategies and routes, knowing that it will spur others to match and exceed their accomplishments.
The Future of Mario 64
So where does Mario 64 speedrunning go from here? It might seem like Suigi‘s 16-star record is unbeatable, a perfect run with no time left to save. But the truth is, runners will always find new ways to optimize and improve. Even if the record only comes down by a handful of seconds, that‘s still progress in the eyes of the community.
There‘s also the tantalizing prospect of new glitches or techniques being discovered that could blow the current records out of the water. The potential for an even faster route through the game is always there, waiting to be found by a curious and dedicated runner.
One area of speedrunning that‘s gained traction in recent years is tool-assisted speedruns, or TAS. These runs use emulators and specialized software to allow for frame-perfect input and even the ability to rewind and retry sections. While TAS runs are a separate category from traditional speedruns, they offer a glimpse into the theoretical fastest possible completion times for a game.
Some have speculated that we may one day see speedrunning aided by artificial intelligence, with algorithms learning and optimizing routes in ways that humans simply can‘t match. Or perhaps virtual or augmented reality technology will allow for new ways to interact with and break games in the future.
Regardless of what the future holds, it‘s clear that Mario 64 speedrunning is here to stay. The game has endured for over 25 years as a beloved classic, and the speedrunning community has played no small part in maintaining its relevance and appeal for new generations of gamers.
From the early forum posts to the Twitch streams and world record videos of today, Mario 64 speedrunning has grown and evolved in ways few could have predicted. The dedication and skill of runners like Suigi will continue to push the game to its absolute limit, cementing its status as a platforming icon and speedrunning favorite for years to come.
The next time you watch a world record attempt or marvel at a seemingly impossible trick, remember the long history and passionate community behind it all. Mario 64 speedrunning is more than just playing a game fast – it‘s a celebration of the game‘s genius design and enduring appeal, and a showcase for the incredible talent and dedication of the runners who have made it their mission to master it.
