How to Start Speedrunning as a Beginner

In July 2025, speedrunning has emerged as a thrilling and accessible corner of the gaming world, where players race against the clock to complete games as quickly as possible, showcasing skill, strategy, and dedication. If you're searching for "how to start speedrunning as a beginner 2025," "beginner speedrunning guide," or "tips for getting into speedrunning," this comprehensive 1500-word guide is your launchpad into this exciting hobby. Speedrunning transforms familiar titles into high-adrenaline challenges, with communities celebrating world records and innovative techniques that push games to their limits. With the global gaming community surpassing 3 billion players and speedrunning events like Awesome Games Done Quick raising millions for charity, it’s a vibrant subculture open to all skill levels. Drawing from insights shared on Reddit's r/speedrun and advice from veteran runners featured on YouTube speedrunning channels, we'll explore why speedrunning is worth trying, provide a step-by-step guide for beginners, highlight compatible games, include a comparison table of techniques, and offer tips for joining the community and improving over time. Whether you're a casual gamer looking for a new challenge or aiming to compete in future marathons, this guide will help you take your first steps into the world of speedrunning with confidence and fun.

Speedrunning appeals because it turns passive play into an active pursuit of mastery, blending problem-solving with performance art. It’s not just about finishing fast—runners optimize routes, exploit glitches, and memorize patterns, turning games into puzzles to solve. In 2025, with improved tools for recording and streaming, and a growing acceptance of speedrunning in eSports, it’s more accessible than ever, even for those with modest setups. Psychologically, it boosts focus and resilience, as failing a run teaches persistence. Socially, it builds camaraderie through shared goals and competitions, while economically, it’s low-cost—most games are already owned. Challenges include steep learning curves and time investment, but starting small mitigates these. The "why" lies in personal achievement and the thrill of shaving seconds off a personal best (PB).

Pro Tip: Begin with a game you already enjoy to leverage familiarity, making the transition to speedrunning less daunting and more enjoyable.

Why Start Speedrunning as a Beginner?

Speedrunning offers a unique blend of entertainment and skill development that appeals to beginners and veterans alike. It transforms routine gameplay into a test of reflexes, memory, and strategy, enhancing cognitive skills like spatial awareness and decision-making under pressure—benefits supported by gaming psychology research. For students or professionals, it’s a productive break, sharpening focus for other tasks. In 2025, with speedrunning’s visibility boosted by events like Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ), it’s a gateway to a global community, where runners share tips on Discord speedrunning servers. Economically, it’s affordable—most runs use existing games, with free tools like OBS for recording. Socially, it fosters connections through leaderboards and collabs, reducing isolation in digital spaces. Educationally, it teaches patience and optimization, skills transferable to coding or project management.

The appeal grows with personal milestones—beating your first Any% (any percentage) run or joining a race. Mentally, it builds resilience—failing a segment 50 times before success mirrors real-world grit. Challenges include time commitment (10-20 hours to master a route) and potential frustration, but starting with easy games eases entry. In 2025, VR speedrunning on Meta Quest adds a physical layer, expanding accessibility. The "why" is empowerment—every second shaved is a victory, turning play into a personal sport.

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Speedrunning as a Beginner

Follow this roadmap to launch your speedrunning journey.

Step 1: Choose Your Game

• Pick a familiar title with an active speedrunning community—Super Mario 64, Celeste, or Hollow Knight are great starts.
• Check Speedrun.com for game pages, leaderboards, and category options (Any%, 100%, glitchless).
• Start with a short game (under 2 hours) to build confidence.

Step 2: Learn the Basics

• Understand categories: Any% (fastest completion), 100% (all content), or glitch runs (exploits allowed).
• Watch top runs on YouTube to study routes and tricks.
• Read guides on Speedrun.com or forums for beginner strategies.

Step 3: Set Up Your Tools

• Record with OBS Studio (free)—set 1080p 60 FPS, use a decent mic ($20-$50).
• Use a timer like LiveSplit (free) for accurate splits; sync with game start/end.
• Ensure stable internet (10 Mbps upload) for uploads or streams.

Step 4: Practice and Optimize

• Break the game into segments (e.g., levels, bosses) and time each.
• Learn key techniques—skip triggers, frame-perfect jumps—via tutorials.
• Practice 20-30 minutes daily, focusing on one trick until mastered.

Step 5: Submit and Join the Community

• Record a clean run, following rules (e.g., no cheats unless allowed).
• Upload to Speedrun.com with a description and video proof.
• Join Discord speedrunning groups or local meetups for feedback.

Step 6: Improve and Compete

• Analyze runs for errors using video playback.
• Enter beginner races or marathons like SGDQ qualifiers.
• Set personal goals—beat your PB or a friend’s time.

Time to first run: 10-20 hours spread over weeks. Expect initial times 2-3x longer than world records—progress is the goal.

Top 10 Games for Beginner Speedrunners in 2025

Based on accessibility and community support from Speedrun.com and Kotaku's beginner picks, these titles suit newbies.

1. Super Mario 64 (1996, Nintendo)

Collect stars with jumps and glitches. Easy start; 120-star run for challenge. On Nintendo Switch Online.

2. Celeste (2018, Extremely OK Games)

Platforming with dashes; beginner-friendly assists. Short chapters; on Steam.

3. Hollow Knight (2017, Team Cherry)

Metroidvania with skips; forgiving start. Deep world; on Switch.

4. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017, Nintendo)

Open-world glitches for speed. Vast map; on Switch.

5. Ori and the Blind Forest (2015, Moon Studios)

Platformer with movement tricks. Beautiful design; on Xbox.

6. Shovel Knight (2014, Yacht Club Games)

Retro platforming with skips. Charming levels; on Steam.

7. A Hat in Time (2017, Gears for Breakfast)

3D platformer with time rifts. Fun tricks; on PlayStation.

8. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time (2020, Activision)

Platforming with speedruns. Modern classic; on Steam.

9. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2018, Nintendo)

Fast platforming with co-op. Tight controls; on Switch.

10. Sonic Mania (2017, Sega)

High-speed 2D levels. Retro fun; on Steam.

These offer varied mechanics, with active communities for guidance.

Tips for Improving as a Beginner Speedrunner

• Master One Game: Focus on one title to build expertise before branching out.
• Practice Segments: Break runs into chunks—master a level before full attempts.
• Use Tools: LiveSplit for timing, OBS for recording; learn hotkeys.
• Join Communities: Speedrun.com forums offer tips; ask veterans.
• Watch and Learn: Study top runs frame-by-frame on Twitch.
• Set Goals: Aim for personal bests, not world records initially.
• Stay Consistent: Practice 3-4 times weekly, 20-30 min per session.
• Adapt to Glitches: Learn safe skips—test in practice mode.
• Record Everything: Review runs for mistakes; save highlights.
• Compete Locally: Join online races on SpeedGaming for fun.

In 2025, VR speedrunning on Meta Quest adds immersion—try Celeste VR mods. Challenges: Plateaus—switch techniques. Balance with rest to avoid burnout.

Resources for Beginner Speedrunners in 2025

• Tutorials: YouTube channels like Summoning Salt for history and tips.
• Guides: Speedrun.com wiki for game-specific routes.
• Communities: Reddit's r/speedrun for Q&A.
• Tools: LiveSplit for timing, OBS Studio for recording.
• Events: Games Done Quick for inspiration; watch past marathons.
• Forums: SpeedDemosArchive for veteran advice.
• Social: Twitter speedrun hashtag for updates.
• Books: "Speedrunning for Newbies" (eBook on Amazon).
• Courses: Udemy speedrunning basics.
• Hardware: Elgato capture cards for quality streams.

For kids, supervise online interactions; adults can mentor. Track trends via Speedrun.com news.

Conclusion: Begin Your Speedrunning Journey Today

Starting speedrunning as a beginner in 2025 is an exciting way to master games, join a passionate community, and achieve personal milestones. Follow this guide, practice diligently, and race to the top. What’s your first speedrun game? Comment below!

For more, check Speedrunning Techniques or eSports Beginner Tips. Share your PB!