How Speedrunners Are Breaking PlayStation Records

9 June 2025

If you’ve ever dived into the world of gaming, chances are you’ve come across the term “speedrunning.” It’s that wild and exhilarating practice where gamers push themselves to complete a game as fast as humanly (or inhumanly) possible. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about finishing quickly—it’s about breaking boundaries, smashing records, and finding tricks nobody thought possible. Speedrunning on PlayStation games, in particular, has been a growing phenomenon. From classic titles to modern masterpieces, speedrunners are redefining how we look at these games.

How exactly are these players breaking PlayStation records? Are they just really good at gaming, or is there something else going on? Let’s peel back the layers and dive into this incredible world where precision meets passion.

What Is Speedrunning?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s start with the basics. Speedrunning is essentially the art of completing a game in the shortest amount of time possible. It’s not just about beating the game—it’s about obliterating it. Speedrunners tear the game apart, looking for shortcuts, glitches, and strategies that most players wouldn’t even think to use.

Think of it like solving a Rubik’s Cube, except the Rubik’s Cube is a PlayStation game, and instead of just solving it, you’re trying to beat the world record while blindfolded and juggling flaming torches. Sounds insane, right? That’s because it kind of is.

Why PlayStation Games?

Speedrunners aren’t limited to a single platform, so why is PlayStation such a big deal for them? Well, PlayStation has always been home to some of the most iconic games in history—Crash Bandicoot, Final Fantasy VII, The Last of Us, God of War, and Uncharted, to name a few. These titles are tailor-made for speedrunning thanks to their deep mechanics, hidden areas, and (let’s be honest) bugs that developers never saw coming.

Another reason is nostalgia. A lot of gamers grew up with PlayStation consoles, and speedrunning offers a chance to revisit those beloved titles in a whole new way. It’s like returning to your childhood home but deciding to take the backdoor, climb through the window, and rappel down the chimney just to see if you can get inside faster.

The Techniques That Speedrunners Use

Speedrunning isn’t just about pressing buttons really fast (though being quick on the controller sure helps). There’s a whole arsenal of techniques and strategies that speedrunners use to shave precious seconds—or even milliseconds—off their times.

1. Glitch Exploitation

Ever seen a game character walk through a wall or skip an entire level? That’s a glitch at work. Speedrunners are pros at finding these little hiccups in a game’s programming and using them to their advantage. For example, in Final Fantasy VII, there’s a famous “door skip” glitch that lets runners bypass entire sections of the game.

2. Sequence Breaking

Games are usually designed to be played in a specific order, like ABC. But speedrunners? They say, “Nah, let’s do A, then skip to C,” and somehow make it work. Sequence breaking is all about finding ways to play the game out of order, often saving huge chunks of time.

3. Perfect Movement

When time is your enemy, every second counts. Speedrunners practice for hours—sometimes months!—to perfect their movement in a game. Whether it’s jumping, running, or dodging, they aim for absolute precision. It’s like watching a dancer perform flawlessly choreographed moves—except this dancer is battling enemies and dodging fireballs.

Breaking PlayStation Records: The Role of Community

Speedrunning isn’t a solo venture. It’s backed by a passionate, tight-knit community that collaborates, shares discoveries, and supports one another. Platforms like Speedrun.com and forums dedicated to specific games are where speedrunners gather to trade information.

For example, one runner might discover a new glitch in Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and suddenly the whole community is experimenting with it, trying to push the record lower. It’s a bit like a science experiment, but instead of lab coats, you’ve got gamers in comfy chairs with snacks.

Twitch and YouTube have also played a massive role. Watching speedruns has become a form of entertainment, and speedrunners often livestream their attempts. The hype of the chat, the tension as the timer ticks, the collective cheer when a record is broken—it’s electric.

The Tools of the Trade

You might think speedrunners just grab a controller and start mashing buttons, but there’s a lot more to it than that. To break records, runners often use specialized tools to assist in their practice. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Timer Software

A reliable timer is a speedrunner's best friend. Programs like LiveSplit help runners track their progress down to the millisecond, and they even let you compare your current run to your personal best.

2. Capture Cards

Since many speedrunners stream or record their gameplay, a good capture card is essential. It ensures high-quality footage, which is particularly important when submitting a run for official verification.

3. Modded Consoles

While most speedrunners stick to unmodified hardware, some also use tools like practice ROMs or emulators to refine their skills. These tools can help them manipulate time, rewind gameplay, or save state to practice tricky sections over and over.

Iconic PlayStation Games in the Speedrunning Scene

Some PlayStation games are practically legends in the speedrunning community. Let’s take a look at a few of the heavy hitters:

Crash Bandicoot (Series)

These games are classic playgrounds for speedrunners. With tight platforming and hidden shortcuts, Crash Bandicoot remains a fan-favorite.

Bloodborne

The gothic action RPG is notoriously challenging, but speedrunners have mastered its punishing mechanics to complete it in mind-blowing times.

The Last of Us Part II

While it’s a deeply emotional story, that hasn’t stopped speedrunners from picking it apart with incredible precision and strategy.

The Thrill of the Chase

So, why do speedrunners do it? What drives someone to spend hours, days, or months perfecting a single game, only to finally break a record by a fraction of a second? The answer lies in the thrill of the chase.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about pushing a game—and yourself—to the limit. It’s not just about the recognition (though that’s nice, too). It’s about the challenge, the camaraderie, and the sheer joy of accomplishing something extraordinary.

Think of it like climbing a mountain. Most people would be content just enjoying the view, but speedrunners? They’re the ones who look at the mountain and say, “How fast can I get to the top?”

What the Future Holds

As PlayStation continues to innovate with faster consoles and more complex games, the world of speedrunning shows no signs of slowing down. New games bring new challenges, and the community consistently finds ways to push the envelope.

Will we see someone speedrun a future God of War title in under an hour? Could a glitch in Horizon Forbidden West change the speedrunning meta entirely? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: speedrunners will be there, ready to rewrite the rules.

Conclusion

Speedrunning is a testament to what happens when passion meets precision. On PlayStation, this art form has reached new heights, with runners breaking records and redefining how we experience games we thought we knew inside out. It’s not just about being fast—it’s about being innovative, resourceful, and dedicated.

Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore fan, there’s something inspiring about the world of speedrunning. The next time you pick up a PlayStation game, maybe give it a shot. Who knows? You might just discover you have what it takes to join the ranks of these record-breaking gamers.