Super Mario Bros. Speedrunner Niftski Sets World Record Just Four Frames From Absolute Perfection
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Speedrunner Niftski has set a new Super Mario Bros. world record that sits just four frames away from theoretical perfection, bringing the community closer than ever to a flawless run.
The race to achieve the first flawless Super Mario Bros. speedrun has reached a fever pitch. Speedrunner Niftski has officially reclaimed the world record for the classic NES title, delivering a run that sits a mere four frames away from the theoretical time limit.
Originally reported by Giovanni Colantonio at Polygon, Niftski clocked an astonishing time of 4:54.332, shaving two frames off the previous record held by LeKukie. The run showcases mastery of pixel-perfect techniques, including backwards-jumping fast acceleration.
The only blemish on an otherwise historic run occurred in the final level, 8-4, where a mistimed pipe entry, a slightly too-high jump, and a missed acceleration boost cost him those crucial four frames. True to the modern creator era, Niftski streamed the attempt live with a heart rate monitor attached. His pulse hit 176 during the run before spiking to an intense 191 during the celebratory finish, prompting the streamer to reassure his chat that his cardiovascular health is entirely fine.
This milestone arrives after a turbulent period for Niftski, who faced community scrutiny regarding his hybrid control setup. He plays primarily on an emulated keyboard before switching to a controller for world 8-4. After a brief community ban earlier this year, the rule was overturned following further debate and data analysis.
While some purists still question whether a keyboard fits the spirit of NES speedrunning, the data points to no distinct competitive advantage. Regardless of hardware preferences, the countdown to the first truly perfect Super Mario Bros. run is officially down to a handful of frames.
You can read the original coverage over at Polygon.
Tags: Speedrunning, Retro Gaming, Nintendo, Streaming
Original article: Polygon