Mastering the Art of Speedrunning: Tips for Beginners

6 April 2025

Ever watched someone race through a video game faster than you could say “Game Over,” leaving you both in awe and slightly confused? That, my friend, is speedrunning—a subculture of gamers who turn finishing games into a fine-tuned art form. Whether it’s dashing through Super Mario 64 in record time or glitching through walls in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, speedrunning is an electrifying mix of skill, strategy, and yes, a touch of madness. So, how do you dive headfirst into this chaotic but thrilling world? Sit tight because we’re about to break it down for you.

What Is Speedrunning, Anyway?

First things first: what are we even talking about here? Speedrunning is the act of playing a video game with the goal of completing it as quickly as possible. But it’s not just about rushing through levels—it’s a craft. Players spend countless hours mastering mechanics, analyzing routes, and discovering glitches to shave off precious seconds. Think of it like the Olympics of gaming: precision, dedication, and an undying love for the sport (yes, gaming is a sport—don’t @ me).

There are even different categories within speedrunning. For example:

- Any%: Complete the game as fast as you can, using any means necessary (including glitches).
- 100%: Finish the game while completing all objectives and collecting all items.
- Glitchless: Beat the game without exploiting bugs or glitches.
- Level-specific runs: Focus on beating individual levels as quickly as possible.

Each category has its quirks, and the choice depends on your style. But enough theory—let’s talk about how to get started.

Getting Started with Speedrunning

Pick Your Poison (or Game, Really)

Before you start dreaming of breaking world records, you need to pick a game to speedrun. Sounds obvious, right? But choosing the right game can make or break your experience. A good rule of thumb is to stick to games you already love. If you’re obsessed with Super Mario Odyssey, for example, you’re more likely to enjoy learning its speedrunning tricks.

Not all games are “speedrun-friendly,” though. Some games are too random, too long, or just plain frustrating. Look for titles with an active speedrunning community—they’ll have more resources, tutorials, and forums to help you out.

Pro tip: Check out Speedrun.com. It’s like the holy grail of speedrunning, where you’ll find leaderboards, guides, and insights on just about every game worth running.

Study the Masters

You know what they say: imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Want to be great at speedrunning? Watch the pros. YouTube and Twitch are treasure troves of speedrun videos. Find the top runners for your chosen game and study their techniques. Pay attention to the routes they take, the glitches they exploit, and how they handle tricky sections. Don’t just passively watch—take notes. (Yeah, like you’re back in school, except this time it’s actually fun.)

Watching a speedrun is kind of like watching a magician perform—you’re not just there to go “ooh” and “aah,” but to figure out how they do it. Spoiler alert: it’s not magic; it’s practice.

Learn the Lingo

Every hobby has its own language, and speedrunning is no exception. Here are a few terms you’ll need to know to avoid sounding like a total noob:

- PB (Personal Best): Your fastest time for a specific game or level.
- WR (World Record): The fastest recorded time for a game or level globally.
- RNG (Random Number Generator): Refers to the element of randomness in games. Good RNG = everything goes your way. Bad RNG = frustration and screaming at your screen.
- Splits: A breakdown of your run into segments, which helps you track your progress.
- Frame-Perfect: A move so precise it has to be executed within a single frame of the game.

Start tossing these terms casually into conversations, and bam—you’ll sound like you’ve been doing this for years.

Tools of the Trade

Before you dive in, you'll need the right setup. Sure, you could just jump into the game and hope for the best, but why not stack the odds in your favor?

- Timer Software: Speedrunning without a timer is like running a marathon without a stopwatch. Most runners use free tools like LiveSplit to track their progress.
- Controller: Choose what feels most comfortable for you. Some prefer using original hardware controllers, while others stick to modern alternatives or keyboards.
- Recording Software: If you’re serious about speedrunning, you’ll want to record your attempts. Not only can you analyze your performance, but recordings are also necessary if you plan to submit your times to leaderboards.

Tips and Tricks for Speedrunning Success

Alright, you’ve got your game, studied the pros, and set up your gear. Ready to roll? Here are some specific tips to help you crush your speedrunning goals.

1. Start Small, Aim Big

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a world-record speedrun. Start with individual levels or shorter games to build up your skills. Once you’re comfortable, move on to full-game runs. Remember, every great runner was a beginner once. Nobody nails it right away—not even the legends.

2. Practice, Practice, and Then... More Practice

Speedrunning is equal parts skill and muscle memory. The best way to improve is to practice sections of the game repeatedly. Struggling with a tricky jump? Replay it a dozen times. Can’t nail a specific glitch? Keep at it until it becomes second nature. Remember when you couldn’t ride a bike, and now you can do it without thinking? Same concept here.

3. Know Your Glitches

Glitches are the bread and butter of many speedruns. But here’s the thing: not all glitches are created equal. Some are easy to pull off, while others require pixel-perfect precision. Spend time understanding how and why a glitch works. Take notes if you have to—it’s not cheating, it’s strategy.

4. Optimize Your Path

Speedrunning is all about efficiency. Find the shortest routes, skip unnecessary items, and avoid combat unless you absolutely have to. It’s like navigating through IKEA but knowing exactly where the shortcuts are.

5. Stay Cool Under Pressure

You’re halfway through a run, and everything’s going perfectly. Then, out of nowhere, you mess up a simple move. Cue the rage, right? Wrong. Failing is part of the process. Even top runners mess up sometimes. Take a deep breath, laugh it off, and keep going. Speedrunning is as much about mental toughness as it is about skill.

6. Join the Community

Remember earlier when I said to look for games with active communities? Well, don’t just lurk—get involved! Join Discord servers, participate in forums, or chat with fellow runners on Twitch. The speedrunning community is one of the most welcoming groups in gaming. Whether you’re looking for advice or just someone to geek out with, you’ll definitely find your people.

When in Doubt, Have Fun

Here's the thing: speedrunning isn’t just about setting records. It’s about the joy of mastering a game, the thrill of discovering new strategies, and the camaraderie of sharing that love with others. Don’t get so caught up in chasing PBs or WRs that you forget why you started in the first place. If you’re not having fun, what’s the point?

And hey, even if you’re not the fastest, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for your favorite game. That alone is worth the effort, don’t you think?

Final Thoughts

Speedrunning can seem intimidating at first, but trust me—it’s one of the most rewarding ways to experience gaming. You’ll learn new skills, make unexpected friends, and maybe even discover that you’re capable of things you never thought possible. So grab your controller, set that timer, and start running. Who knows? You might just be the next legend in the making.