The Most Controversial Speedruns in Gaming History

11 December 2024

Speedruns have been an integral and fascinating part of the gaming world for decades. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore gamer, there’s something mesmerizing about watching someone blaze through a game that might take most of us weeks (or months) to finish. However, not all speedruns are celebrated equally. Some have stirred up heated debates, sparked rivalries, and even divided entire communities.

In this post, we’re going to dive deep into the most controversial speedruns in gaming history. Buckle up because this rabbit hole is filled with drama, deception, and moments that will make you question everything you know about gaming.

What Makes a Speedrun Controversial?

Before we get into the juicy details, it's important to understand why speedruns can become controversial. Speedrunning is more than just playing fast; it’s about precision, creativity, and sometimes bending the rules to their absolute limit. But when a speedrunner crosses into murky waters—whether through cheating, exploiting excessive glitches, or breaking community-defined rules—it can send shockwaves through the community.

Some speedruns spark debates simply because they blur the line between skill and trickery. Others, well, they’ve been proven outright fraudulent. Ready to dive into the scandals? Let’s go!

1. Todd Rogers’ Dragster Speedrun – The "Impossible" Record

Let’s kick things off with one of the most infamous controversies in speedrunning history. Back in the early 1980s, Todd Rogers claimed he achieved a 5.51-second time in the Atari game Dragster. This record stood unchallenged for decades, earning him a legendary status among retro gamers.

But there was just one problem—his time was impossible. Literally.

Years later, modern gamers and programmers used emulators and algorithms to simulate every conceivable input in Dragster. The fastest time anyone could achieve? 5.57 seconds. Todd’s alleged 5.51 wasn’t just unlikely—it was mathematically unattainable.

Following intense scrutiny, Twin Galaxies, one of the biggest record-keeping organizations for gaming achievements, reviewed the evidence and officially removed Todd’s score in 2018. It was a moment that shook the speedrunning and high-score communities to their core.

2. The Cosmo vs. Narcissa Wright Controversy – The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

When it comes to Ocarina of Time, few games are as beloved—or as closely scrutinized—by speedrunners. For years, Cosmo Wright (now known as Narcissa Wright) was at the forefront of this game’s speedrunning scene. Her 18:10 Any% run in 2014 was groundbreaking, utilizing a technique called Wrong Warping to skip vast portions of the game.

But controversy erupted when other players started criticizing the heavy reliance on glitches in these runs. Some argued it turned a game everyone loved into something barely recognizable.

Things took a sharper turn when Narcissa stepped back from speedrunning after personal struggles and changes in the community's dynamics. The controversial debate over whether glitch-heavy runs should count as legitimate tore apart a community that once celebrated her achievements. To this day, Ocarina of Time speedrunning remains a flashpoint of contention between purists and glitch enthusiasts.

3. Billy Mitchell’s Pac-Man Debacle

Ah, Billy Mitchell—a name synonymous with gaming controversy. While most know him for his dubious Donkey Kong scores, his Pac-Man speedrun-related scandal also deserves a spot on this list.

Billy claimed to be the first person to achieve a perfect score on Pac-Man, completing all 255 levels and hitting the kill screen with precision. But years later, scrutiny mounted over the way his scores were achieved. Accusations ranged from using emulators—which were not allowed at the time—to outright fabricating certain aspects of his runs.

Twin Galaxies stripped Billy of his scores in 2018, and he’s spent years battling to reclaim his "good name" in court. His case has become a cautionary tale about integrity in gaming.

4. The Minecraft Dream Controversy

Who knew that Minecraft speedrunning, of all things, could get this heated? Popular YouTuber Dream found himself in the eye of a storm in late 2020 after submitting a speedrun that seemed too good to be true.

The controversy stemmed from his incredibly lucky item drop rates—a critical factor in Minecraft speedruns. Statisticians and speedrun moderators analyzed the data and determined the odds of achieving Dream’s luck were astronomically small. We're talking “getting struck by lightning while winning the lottery” kind of odds.

Dream initially denied any wrongdoing, but after months of public debate, he admitted in mid-2021 that modifications to his game might have unintentionally affected his run. Was it an honest mistake or something more deliberate? The jury’s still out for many fans, making this one of the most polarizing speedrunning scandals in recent memory.

5. Super Metroid’s Saver/Defender Split

Super Metroid isn’t just a classic—it’s a cornerstone of speedrunning. But back in the early 2000s, the community faced a massive split over a seemingly simple decision: Should you save the animals, or should you leave them behind?

In the game, saving the animals at the end adds a few precious seconds to your run, but it’s arguably the "morally right" thing to do. Some speedrunners argued that leaving them behind was faster and more efficient. Others passionately defended saving the creatures, citing a sense of sportsmanship and kindness.

This debate divided the Super Metroid speedrunning community into two camps: “Savers” and “Defenders.” Though mostly lighthearted, it showed how even the smallest decisions in a speedrun could become deeply personal and surprisingly heated.

6. Tool-Assisted Runs (TAS) vs. Real Runs

Tool-assisted speedruns (TAS) are a fascinating subgenre of speedrunning. These runs use emulators and special software to create "perfect" runs that wouldn’t be humanly possible. While TAS runs have their own dedicated fan base, they’ve also sparked plenty of controversy when mixed with conventional speedrunning.

One infamous controversy involved a speedrunner suspected of submitting a TAS run disguised as a real-time performance. While TAS runs are legal in their own category, presenting one as human-played is a massive breach of ethics. This incident (which we’ll avoid naming specifically to protect individuals) led to stricter verifications and a renewed effort to separate TAS from "real" speedrunning.

7. The Rise and Fall of Kilik’s Final Fantasy VII Run

Another major controversy in speedrunning history happened during a Final Fantasy VII Any% run. In 2014, a player named Kilik managed to achieve a world record time—but it didn’t take long before sharp-eyed viewers noticed something peculiar.

Upon closer inspection, it seemed Kilik had spliced together multiple segments of gameplay to create the illusion of a single speedrun. This deceptive method gave him a flawless performance, but it wasn’t genuine. After being called out by the community, Kilik admitted to the spliced footage and ultimately apologized.

The incident raised questions about trust and integrity in speedrunning, forcing communities to develop stricter verification processes.

Why Do People Cheat in Speedruns?

The question begs to be asked: why risk everything by cheating? Speedrunning is competitive by nature, and with fame, recognition, and even sponsorships on the line, some players may feel the pressure to "create" a perfect run rather than achieve one legitimately.

But speedrunning isn’t just about the records. It’s about the journey, the struggle, and the community. When scandals erupt, they don’t just tarnish one person’s reputation—they hurt the entire ecosystem.

Final Thoughts

Speedrunning is one of the most exciting parts of gaming culture, blending creativity, skill, and dedication into jaw-dropping performances. But, like any competitive scene, it’s not without its controversies. From impossible records to moral dilemmas, these controversies remind us how passionate and invested gamers can be.

So, the next time you watch a speedrun, think about all the work, scrutiny, and even drama that goes on behind the scenes. The faster-than-light runs are just the tip of the iceberg.