A speedrun is an attempt to complete a game, level, route, or challenge as fast as possible. Players follow a category of rules so their times can be compared fairly.
Speedrun categories
Some runs require finishing the whole game normally. Others allow glitches, skip optional content, collect every item, or focus on a single level. The category defines what counts.
Why speedrunning is difficult
Speedrunners study movement, menus, timing, random events, routes, and mistakes. A small improvement can save seconds, and a single error can ruin a record attempt.
Speedrunning often reveals how deeply players understand a game's mechanics and level design.