Unexpected Victory

Speedrunner Suigi broke the world record for completing a 120-star run of Nintendo’s classic Super Mario 64 on April 12. This achievement comes shortly after he expressed fatigue and almost decided to end his stream.

After a six-hour streaming session that included four hours of practice and five aborted attempts, the 20-year-old was ready to call it a night. However, he decided to give it one last shot, resulting in a stunning new world record time of 1:35:25. This impressive feat shaved 2.6 seconds off his previous best time, which was also a record he held.

Record-Breaking Effort

This record reflects a full completion of Super Mario 64, meaning all 120 stars were collected, rather than just racing from start to finish. Suigi's previous record of 1:35:28 was set back in November 2024 and had remained unbeaten until now. Several competitors have come close, with one, Karin, finishing just two seconds behind eight months ago. Yet, in a rather casual fashion, Suigi elevated his own standards while streaming on Twitch.

Leading up to his record-breaking run, Suigi's attempts included a series of short-lived efforts due to early mistakes. He had one run that lasted over an hour and 20 minutes but ultimately ended in frustration after a failed triple-jump. At that point, he humorously termed himself “cooked” and felt too exhausted to continue. Surprisingly, he instinctively restarted the game.

Precision Under Pressure

Initially, it seemed like Suigi might not achieve anything groundbreaking. One hour into this final attempt, he found himself trailing 21 seconds behind his previous record. Despite this setback, he remained optimistic, stating that it was “still very doable.” Success in speedrunning often hinges on flawless execution, and Suigi showcased remarkable skill throughout his attempts.

What stands out is how Suigi balanced intense concentration with interaction, thanking viewers and acknowledging new subscribers during brief pauses in the action. As he regained lost time over the next ten minutes, he mixed serious gameplay with light-hearted commentary. Remarkably, he managed to reclaim an entire 22 seconds in one level, pushing himself ahead by 6.1 seconds with just 15 minutes remaining.

Close Calls

As the clock ticked down, he built a buffer of over 13 seconds. However, a significant error in the notorious Tick Tock Clock stage nearly cost him everything, reducing his lead to just six seconds. “Is it over?” he pondered, but quickly reassured himself with, “No, it’s not. It’s going to be fucking close, man.” The climax of his run came during the final Bowser battle, which played out in his favor and secured his victory.

Future Implications

While Suigi's new record is impressive, he acknowledges that his mistakes create opportunities for other speedrunners to catch up. He mentioned that a sub-1:27 time seemed achievable during his run, hinting at the potential for even greater records in the future. As he reflects on this achievement, it’s a reminder of how much room there is for improvement, even at the elite level of competitive gaming.

And just a fun fact: Suigi wasn't even born when Super Mario 64 first launched, making his triumph all the more remarkable.