The Best Games for New Speedrunners to Try

12 November 2025

Ever watched someone absolutely blaze through a game you struggled to beat in weeks? Welcome to the world of speedrunning, where players master games down to a science and crush completion times like they're breaking up with their ex. If you're itching to get in on the action but don’t know where to start, don’t worry—we’ve got your back.

Speedrunning can look intimidating at first. You’ve got categories, glitches, precise movement, and all sorts of jargon flying around. But trust me, every expert speedrunner started as a noob who just loved a game a little too much. So, if you’re looking for the best games to start your speedrunning journey, grab a snack, sit back, and let's talk about the titles that can make you fall in love with going fast.

🏁 First, Why Start Speedrunning Anyway?

Before we dive into the game list, let’s pause for a sec. Why do people speedrun? Well, aside from the sheer thrill of breaking records—it’s a unique way to experience your favorite games. It’s addictive, challenging, and honestly, a fantastic community builder. Plus, there’s nothing quite like beating your own personal best. Every run feels like a mini superhero movie where YOU are the star.

If you’re competitive, detail-oriented, or just looking to enjoy games in a completely different way, speedrunning is the perfect hobby for you.

🎮 The Best Games for New Speedrunners to Try

We’ve rounded up some of the most welcoming, beginner-friendly games for speedrunning. These games are fun, easy to pick up, and have supportive communities to help you push through the learning curve.

1. Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo Switch)

Let’s be real—Mario is like the godfather of speedrunning. But what makes Super Mario Odyssey perfect for beginners isn’t just its charming graphics or tight controls.

Why it’s great:
- Tons of movement options, like rolling, jumping, and flipping, make mastering the game an adventure in itself.
- The Any% category (beat the game as fast as possible) is super beginner-friendly.
- You don't have to learn any glitches to start!

Speedrun time: Around 1-2 hours.

Fun Tip: Try capturing objects creatively—sometimes, the fastest route is the weirdest one.

2. Celeste (All Platforms)

Want a game that teaches you how to control your character perfectly? Enter Celeste. It’s a beautifully crafted platformer with controls tighter than your jeans after a buffet. It’s also got a surprisingly wholesome story about self-discovery and mental health.

Why it’s great:
- Your success heavily depends on your movement and precision (perfect for learning).
- Instant respawns mean mistakes are forgiven—quickly.
- It rewards muscle memory big time.

Speedrun time: Around 30-60 minutes for the Any% run.

Heads-Up: You can attempt runs without using any speedrun-exclusive glitches.

3. Portal (PC)

Yes, the cake is a lie—but the speedrun community around Portal is very, very real. It’s a short and sweet first-person puzzle game that’s legendary for its innovative gameplay.

Why it’s great:
- Small map sections make it easy to practice each level.
- The glitches are wild but fun to learn once you’re ready.
- A full run takes less than 30 minutes!

Speedrun time: Average Any% run is around 15-20 minutes.

Pro Tip: There’s a category without major glitches too, so you can start glitch-free if you’d like!

4. Undertale (PC)

This indie gem is a fan favorite for more than just its quirkiness. The game’s three main routes (Neutral, Pacifist, and Genocide) give you multiple speedrun options, each with unique challenges.

Why it’s great:
- It’s dialogue-heavy, so optimizing text scrolls becomes a mini-game in itself.
- The Genocide route features more action, perfect for players who love boss fights.
- Tons of resources and guides from a passionate community.

Speedrun time: Neutral route can be done in under an hour.

Bonus: Running Genocide route is almost like its own game—it’s that different.

5. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES, Switch, PC with Emulator)

Zelda is a classic choice for speedrunners. A Link to the Past stands out for being accessible even today, with relatively simple mechanics and a huge community.

Why it’s great:
- The game’s logic-based puzzles help develop smart routing skills.
- Tons of speedrun categories with different difficulty levels.
- The Randomizer mods can mix things up for long-term fun.

Speedrun time: Any% runs clock in around 1.5 hours.

Insider Detail: Want to avoid heavy glitches? Try the No Major Glitches or 100% category!

6. Katana ZERO (PC, Switch)

Slick, stylish, and unforgiving—but oh-so-satisfying when mastered. Katana ZERO is excellent for its fluid combat and jaw-dropping speedrun footage.

Why it’s great:
- It plays like a puzzle-platformer with combat.
- The game resets quickly, so practicing tough sections is a cinch.
- The community is small but insanely helpful.

Speedrun time: Expect around 30-40 minutes.

Hint: Slowing down time (yes, you can do that) is key to both survival and speed.

7. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis, Mobile, Emulators)

Speedrunning Sonic? Kinda poetic, right? Sonic 2 is all about keeping momentum and zooming through colorful levels faster than your internet after resetting the router.

Why it’s great:
- It teaches you how to read the level design and maintain speed.
- Plenty of categories, from glitchless to full-game.
- A classic title with loads of nostalgia.

Speedrun time: Roughly 30 minutes for an Any% run.

Tip: Memorizing level layouts is the key to cutting down time!

8. Shovel Knight (All Platforms)

For fans of retro-style games with modern polish, Shovel Knight is a goldmine. The controls are crisp, the music’s a bop, and you'll feel like a medieval ninja with a shovel.

Why it’s great:
- Fast-paced platforming and combat mean there’s zero downtime.
- Good for learning pattern recognition.
- Flexible category options: Any%, New Game+, and more.

Speedrun time: Around 45 minutes.

Recommendation: Run New Game+ once you’ve got the basics—it’s fun to break the game with upgrades.

9. Mirror’s Edge (PC, Console)

Okay, parkour fans, this one’s for you. Mirror's Edge is a first-person runner with loads of potential for fluid movement lovers.

Why it’s great:
- Heavy focus on route optimization and momentum.
- It’s visually unique—like being in a minimalist action movie.
- You basically get to feel like a real-life speedrunner.

Speedrun time: Average Any% run takes about 30-45 minutes.

Heads-Up: Wall-running never felt so satisfying.

10. Super Metroid (SNES, Emulators)

An all-timer in the speedrunning world, Super Metroid has been a fan-favorite for literal decades.

Why it’s great:
- Tons of exploration and routing possibilities.
- Great for learning how to use practice tools.
- The community is huge and super supportive.

Speedrun time: Around 1 hour for an Any% run.

Fun Fact: This game is a staple at almost every Games Done Quick marathon.

🛠️ Tools of the Trade

Alright, you’ve picked a game—now what? Here are a few helpful tools to get you started on the right foot:

- Livesplit: A sleek and simple timer tool for tracking your run segments.
- OBS (Open Broadcaster Software): Record or stream your speedruns.
- Practice ROMs and Trainers: Some games offer modified versions for training specific sections.

And don’t forget to check out Speedrun.com—it’s like the YouTube of speedrunning. Follow leaderboards, submit your times, and find your tribe.

🤝 Join the Speedrunning Community

Speedrunning isn’t just about the game—you’re joining a global community of ultra-patient, slightly obsessed gamers who just want to go fast. Reddit forums, Discord servers, Twitch chats—you’ll find endless support, tips, and maybe even a few new friends.

🧠 Final Tips for Beginner Speedrunners

Before you charge off to shave seconds off your PB (personal best), keep these golden rules in mind:

- Start small. Pick a short game or a short category first.
- Don’t sweat perfection. Your first run will be… well, a mess. That’s part of the fun!
- Watch other runners. You’ll pick up tricks and techniques just by spectating.
- Celebrate progress. Every second you trim down is a win.
- Have fun! Seriously. This is all about enjoying games in a new way.

Remember, every master was once a disaster. Stick with it and you’ll be blasting through games faster than ever.

⏩ Ready, Set, Go!

Whether you're into platformers, puzzle-solving, or sword-swinging action, there’s a speedrun-friendly game waiting for you to master. So pick your poison, fire up your timer, and prepare to fall in love with gaming all over again—from a whole new angle.

Now go out there and run like the wind, rookie. You got this.