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# The Art of Speed: Darbian‘s Record-Breaking Super Mario Bros. Run
In the world of gaming, few achievements are as impressive as setting a new speedrunning world record. Speedrunning, for those unfamiliar, is the act of completing a video game as quickly as possible, often using advanced techniques and exploiting glitches to shave off precious seconds. And when it comes to speedrunning, few games are as iconic as the original Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
Released in 1985, Super Mario Bros. revolutionized the platforming genre and helped establish Nintendo as a gaming powerhouse. The game‘s colorful graphics, memorable music, and precise controls have made it a favorite among casual players and hardcore gamers alike. But for speedrunners, Super Mario Bros. represents the ultimate challenge: a game that can be completed in under five minutes, but only by the most skilled and dedicated players.
One such player is Darbian, an American speedrunner who, in 2016, achieved a world record time of 4:56.878 in the "Any%" category of Super Mario Bros. This category allows players to use any means necessary to complete the game, including exploiting glitches and skipping levels using warp zones. Darbian‘s run was a masterclass in precision and optimization, showcasing the incredible skill and knowledge required to perform at the highest level of speedrunning.
The Technical Side of Speedrunning
To truly appreciate the skill and dedication required to achieve a world-class speedrun, it‘s important to understand the technical aspects of the craft. Speedrunners like Darbian rely on a combination of hardware and software to optimize their runs and shave off precious frames.
On the hardware side, most top runners use a CRT (cathode-ray tube) television for its low input lag and fast response times. They also often use modified controllers or custom-built input devices to improve precision and reduce the risk of missed inputs. Some runners even go as far as to modify their consoles to remove lag or enable certain glitches.
Software tools are also essential for top-level speedrunning. Many runners use emulators to practice and analyze their runs, as well as to create tool-assisted speedruns (TAS) that showcase the theoretical limits of a game. Other common tools include split timers, which track segment times and help runners optimize their routes, and memory viewers, which allow runners to analyze the game‘s code and identify potential glitches or shortcuts.
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| CRT Television | Low input lag and fast response times |
| Modified Controllers | Improved precision and reduced risk of missed inputs |
| Emulators | Practice, analysis, and creation of tool-assisted speedruns |
| Split Timers | Track segment times and optimize routes |
| Memory Viewers | Analyze game code and identify glitches or shortcuts |
The Evolution of Speedrunning
While speedrunning as a concept has existed for decades, it wasn‘t until the rise of online video sharing in the early 2000s that the practice began to gain mainstream attention. Early pioneers like Scott Kessler and Nolan Pflug showcased the potential of speedrunning with their mind-bending runs of games like Quake and Metroid Prime.
As the speedrunning community grew, so too did the level of competition and innovation. Runners began to collaborate and share strategies, leading to the discovery of new glitches and routes that pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible. This collaborative spirit helped to drive the evolution of speedrunning as a legitimate competitive pursuit.
One of the key milestones in the history of speedrunning was the creation of Speed Demos Archive (SDA) in 1998. This website served as a central hub for speedrunners to share their runs and collaborate on new strategies. SDA also helped to standardize the rules and categories for speedrunning, providing a framework for fair competition.
Over time, new platforms and communities emerged to support the growing speedrunning scene. Twitch, a live-streaming platform, has become a particular hotbed for speedrunning content, with many top runners using the platform to showcase their skills and connect with fans. The bi-annual Games Done Quick marathons, which feature non-stop speedrunning for charity, have also helped to bring the community to a wider audience.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Speed Demos Archive (SDA) is created |
| 2011 | Twitch is launched, becoming a major platform for speedrunning content |
| 2014 | Games Done Quick raises over $1 million for charity for the first time |
| 2018 | The world record for Super Mario Bros. Any% is broken by Kosmic with a time of 4:55.913 |
| 2021 | The current world record for Super Mario Bros. Any% is set by Niftski with a time of 4:54.798 |
Analyzing Darbian‘s Run
Darbian‘s 2016 world record run of Super Mario Bros. Any% was a triumph of skill and execution. By analyzing the data behind his run, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the level of optimization required to perform at the highest level.
One key aspect of Darbian‘s run was his use of the "flagpole glitch," a technique that allows players to warp directly to the end of a level by jumping at a precise angle onto the flagpole. This glitch, which was first discovered in the early 2000s, saves precious seconds that would otherwise be lost to normal level completion. In his run, Darbian used the flagpole glitch a total of seven times, shaving off nearly 20 seconds from his final time.
Another important factor in Darbian‘s success was his ability to consistently execute difficult tricks and maneuvers. For example, the "wall jump" trick, which allows Mario to gain extra height by jumping off a wall, is notoriously difficult to pull off consistently. However, Darbian was able to execute this trick flawlessly multiple times throughout his run, showcasing his incredible precision and control.
To put Darbian‘s run into perspective, let‘s compare it to some other notable speedruns of Super Mario Bros.:
| Runner | Category | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darbian | Any% | 4:56.878 | April 2016 |
| Kosmic | Any% | 4:55.913 | September 2018 |
| Niftski | Any% | 4:54.798 | March 2021 |
| AndrewG | Warpless | 19:18.990 | December 2020 |
| Tole | 100% | 18:38.210 | August 2022 |
As we can see, Darbian‘s run was the world record at the time, but has since been surpassed by other runners. However, his run remains a landmark achievement in the history of Super Mario Bros. speedrunning, and a testament to the incredible skill and dedication of the game‘s top runners.
The Future of Speedrunning
As speedrunning continues to grow and evolve, it‘s clear that the future of the practice is bright. With more and more games being released every year, and new generations of gamers discovering the joys of speedrunning, the possibilities for innovation and competition are endless.
One exciting development in recent years has been the rise of speedrunning as an esport. While the idea of competitive speedrunning is not new, the increasing popularity and visibility of the practice has led to a growing interest in organized competitions and events. The European Speedrunner Assembly, for example, is an annual event that brings together top runners from around the world to compete for prizes and glory.
As the infrastructure for competitive speedrunning continues to develop, it‘s likely that we will see more and more runners making a living from their skills. Sponsorships, prize pools, and other forms of financial support are already starting to emerge, providing a viable path for talented runners to turn their passion into a career.
Of course, the future of speedrunning is not without its challenges. As the level of competition continues to rise, the pressure on top runners to perform at an elite level will only increase. There are also concerns about the potential for cheating or other forms of misconduct, which could undermine the integrity of the community.
Despite these challenges, however, the future of speedrunning looks bright. With a passionate and dedicated community of runners, a growing infrastructure for competition and support, and an endless supply of new games to conquer, there has never been a better time to be a part of this exciting and dynamic world.
As Darbian himself put it in a 2017 interview with Kotaku: "Speedrunning is a constantly evolving thing. The strategies and techniques that we use today will probably be obsolete in a few years. But that‘s part of what makes it so exciting. There‘s always something new to discover, always a new challenge to overcome. As long as there are people who love games and love to push themselves to be the best, speedrunning will continue to thrive."
Conclusion
Darbian‘s record-breaking run of Super Mario Bros. is a testament to the incredible skill, dedication, and passion of the speedrunning community. By combining technical mastery with a deep understanding of the game‘s mechanics and quirks, Darbian was able to achieve a level of performance that was once thought impossible.
But Darbian‘s achievement is about more than just numbers on a leaderboard. It‘s about the power of gaming to bring people together, to inspire us to push ourselves beyond our limits, and to find joy and meaning in the pursuit of excellence.
As the world of speedrunning continues to grow and evolve, it‘s clear that runners like Darbian will continue to lead the way, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and inspiring new generations of gamers to discover the thrill of the chase.
So here‘s to Darbian, and to all the runners who have dedicated themselves to the art of speed. May your passion never fade, and may your records never stand unbroken for long. The future of speedrunning is in your hands, and we can‘t wait to see where you take us next.
