Posted July 4, 2025
Speedrunning isn’t just a niche hobby anymore — it’s a global gaming movement. From classic platformers to modern open-world epics, players everywhere are racing against the clock, glitch-hopping through levels, and shaving seconds off world records.
Whether you’re a total beginner or just looking for your next challenge, 2025 is packed with games perfect for speedrunning. Here are our top picks — tested, timed, and approved by the community.
1. Celeste
Genre: Platformer
Why it’s great: Tight controls, fast respawns, and hundreds of speed-friendly tricks make Celeste a top-tier choice. Its assist mode also lets new players ease into tough sections before going full hardcore.
Speedrun Category to Try: Any%, Farewell%
2. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Genre: Action RPG
Why it’s great: FromSoftware games have always been popular in the speedrun world, and Elden Ring‘s DLC adds new routes, skips, and insane boss strategies. The sheer scale makes every run different.
Speedrun Category to Try: Any%, No Major Glitches
3. Super Mario 64
Genre: 3D Platformer
Why it’s great: Yes, it’s still here — and still amazing. SM64 is a speedrun legend, thanks to its insane movement tech, iconic skips, and a super passionate community. It’s the perfect way to learn the fundamentals.
Speedrun Category to Try: 16-Star or 70-Star
4. Resident Evil 4 Remake
Genre: Survival Horror
Why it’s great: Fast-paced gameplay, predictable enemy patterns, and excellent skip potential make this remake a fantastic speedrunning game. Runs can be short and rewarding once you learn the route.
Speedrun Category to Try: Any%, Standard Difficulty
5. Tunic
Genre: Isometric Adventure
Why it’s great: This indie gem is full of secrets, puzzles, and clever skips. The speedrun route breaks the game in all the best ways, letting you bypass huge sections through creative movement.
Speedrun Category to Try: Any% Glitched
6. Portal 2 (Speedrun Mod)
Genre: Puzzle
Why it’s great: Still one of the most satisfying games to break. With custom speedrun tools and maps available through the Steam Workshop, Portal 2 stays fresh and endlessly replayable.
Speedrun Category to Try: Inbounds or Out-of-Bounds
7. Hollow Knight: Silksong (Coming Late 2025)
Genre: Metroidvania
Why it’s great: The original Hollow Knight was a speedrunner’s dream. Silksong looks even faster, with more movement options and layered combat. Expect it to explode on Speedrun.com when it launches.
Speedrun Category to Watch: Any% Early Access or Beta%
8. Spider-Man 2
Genre: Action Adventure
Why it’s great: Swinging around NYC at top speed? Yes, please. This game is all about movement mastery. Runners use clever momentum tricks and story skips to keep things lightning fast.
Speedrun Category to Try: NG+ Any%
9. Metroid Dread
Genre: Action Platformer
Why it’s great: Precision, tight movement, and short run times make Metroid Dread ideal for beginners. The game even tracks your speedrun attempts in-game.
Speedrun Category to Try: Any%, Hard Mode
10. Hi-Fi Rush
Genre: Rhythm Action
Why it’s great: A surprise hit with a killer soundtrack and rhythm-based mechanics. It’s a unique twist on speedrunning — timing your actions to the beat literally makes you go faster.
Speedrun Category to Try: Any% NG
Final Thoughts
Speedrunning is one of the most rewarding ways to revisit your favorite games — or discover new ones entirely. Whether you’re skipping entire bosses in Elden Ring or perfecting movement in Celeste, every run is a mix of skill, creativity, and patience.
So pick a game, learn the route, and hit “Start Timer.” Your first run probably won’t break records, but that’s not the point. The fun is in the grind.