Posted on July 4, 2025
Speedrunning has exploded in popularity over the last few years. Whether it’s seeing who can beat Super Mario 64 the fastest or glitching your way through Elden Ring, there’s something uniquely satisfying about mastering a game and beating it in record time.
If you’re curious about speedrunning but don’t know where to start — this guide is for you. Here’s how to dive into speedrunning in 2025 without getting overwhelmed.
1. Start With a Game You Love
This sounds obvious, but it’s crucial. You’re going to be playing the same game a lot — practicing levels, repeating routes, failing runs. Make sure it’s a game you already enjoy playing.
Good beginner picks in 2025:
- Celeste (tight controls, great community)
- Portal 2 (fun skips and puzzles)
- Spider-Man 2 (open-world movement is fast and satisfying)
- Resident Evil 4 Remake (great structure and multiple categories)
2. Choose a Speedrun Category That Suits You
Every game has different speedrun categories. For example, “Any%” just means getting to the end of the game as fast as possible — glitches and all. “100%” usually means completing everything the game has to offer.
For beginners, Any% No Major Glitches or Glitchless runs are often a good place to start.
3. Watch Runs Before You Start Practicing
Before jumping in, watch a few recorded runs on YouTube or Twitch. Pay attention to the route, movement, and tricks runners use. Most importantly, don’t worry if it looks overwhelming — you don’t need to master everything at once.
Check Speedrun.com for the most active leaderboards and video examples.
4. Use Save States or Practice Tools (If Available)
Many PC games and emulators allow you to use save states to practice specific sections. Others have community-made practice mods or tools (especially for games like Dark Souls or Zelda). Use these to rehearse tricky segments without restarting the whole run.
For newer games like Elden Ring, there’s even a tool-assisted practice launcher that loads boss fights instantly.
5. Start Timing Yourself Early (But Don’t Obsess)
Get comfortable with timing, even if your early runs are slow. Use tools like LiveSplit (free and still widely used in 2025) to track your time and splits. But in the beginning, don’t worry about world records — just focus on improving your own time.
Small wins = real progress.
6. Join a Community (It Helps More Than You Think)
Most popular games have Discord servers dedicated to their speedrun communities. Joining one is a game-changer. You’ll find beginner guides, advice, route updates, and support from other runners.
You can also ask questions without judgment — everyone started somewhere.
7. Know When to Take Breaks
Speedrunning can be addictive — and frustrating. Some runs will go great, others will fall apart in the final few minutes. That’s normal. Don’t burn yourself out. Take breaks. Touch grass. Come back fresh.
8. Upload Your Runs, Even If They’re Not “Good” Yet
Uploading to YouTube or submitting to Speedrun.com doesn’t require a perfect time. Submitting runs (even slow ones) helps track your progress, get feedback, and connect with other runners.
You might even inspire someone else to try.
Final Thoughts
Speedrunning in 2025 is more accessible than ever — with better tools, active communities, and tons of beginner-friendly categories. You don’t need fancy gear or pro-level skills to get started. All you need is patience, practice, and a little bit of stubbornness.
And remember: your first goal isn’t to set a world record — it’s to finish your first run.
From there, the only way is up.