A remarkable achievement has hit the Super Mario Bros. speedrunning scene as Niftski, a skilled speedrunner, sets a new world record in the “Any%” category with a time of 4:54.565. This achievement brings him tantalizingly close to a tool-assisted speedrun (TAS) of the game, missing perfection by just 18 frames.
Speedrunning has become increasingly popular over recent years. The premise is straightforward: complete a game as quickly as possible within set categories. The “Any%” category allows players to finish the game using any and all strategies, while the “100%” category requires completing every aspect of the game. Speedrunning isn’t just for retro games; there’s a community dedicated to almost every game out there. Events like the Games Done Quick marathons have bolstered the growth of these communities, with the recent AGDQ 2025 raising over $2.5 million for the Prevent Cancer Foundation, showcasing speedrunning’s charitable side.
Niftski’s latest milestone was marked by an impressive run at 4:54.565 in Super Mario Bros. His heart rate was displayed throughout the attempt, peaking at 188 beats per minute as he approached the finish line, demonstrating the intense focus and pressure involved. He barely edged out his previous record of 4:54.631, which had remained unbeaten for 494 days—a length of time topped only once since 2010, highlighting how challenging these improvements are.
Over time, speedrunners have utilized TAS to theorize what a flawless Super Mario Bros. run would entail, and Niftski’s accomplishment brings this theoretical perfection nearly within reach. Just 18 frames separate his current best from the optimal TAS run, illustrating the demanding precision required to possibly close this gap in the future.
It’s thrilling to watch how speedruns can evolve with new discoveries. Even longtime records can be shattered with a new technique. Super Mario games, known for their intricate movements, offer fascinating speedrun opportunities. In the past, a new trick in Super Mario 64 revolutionized the speedrun landscape after two decades, proving that even games as venerable as Super Mario Bros. have untapped potential. Who knows what future revelations might be uncovered in this iconic game?
