Speedrunner Niftski, a decorated competitor in the 1985 classic <i>Super Mario Bros.</i>, has once again claimed the world record for the game's any-percent category. The feat occurred during a Halloween stream where Niftski, embracing the festive spirit, performed the record-breaking run while dressed as Mario and even adopting the character's signature accent.
A New Benchmark
Niftski's new record stands at an astonishing 4:54.299, a marginal improvement of 0.33 seconds over his previous best of 4:54.332 set in August. This latest run brings the game tantalizingly close to a theoretical "perfect" time, with only two frames separating Niftski's achievement from the absolute fastest possible completion. According to Niftski, these lost frames occurred in the initial stages of the game. The speedrunner noted that the playful costume and persona helped alleviate the pressure typically associated with such high-stakes performances, stating, "It made me not nervous at all. It doesn’t even feel real. It felt so casual."
A Speedrunning Celebrity
The 22-year-old Niftski is a well-established figure in the <i>Super Mario Bros.</i> speedrunning community. He holds multiple records, including those for warpless and glitchless categories. The any-percent category, which involves completing the game as quickly as possible regardless of any glitches or sequence breaks, is considered the most demanding. The pursuit of speed in <i>Super Mario Bros.</i> has intensified over the years, with the sub-five-minute barrier being broken around 2010, reigniting competitive interest and establishing new benchmarks for runners.
The Psychological Edge
While Niftski initially expressed some reluctance about maintaining the persona throughout the nearly five-hour stream, he ultimately found it beneficial. He humorously attributed the success to a novelty mustache prop, suggesting the lighthearted approach removed the intense focus that can sometimes hinder performance. The <i>Super Mario Bros.</i> speedrunning scene remains highly competitive, with players having thoroughly explored the game's mechanics and potential exploits, pushing the boundaries of human skill and execution.