How To Speedrun Super Mario Bros With Proven Beginner Techniques

Speedrunning Super Mario Bros. isn’t just about fast fingers—it’s a precise blend of pattern recognition, optimized movement, and smart use of the game’s mechanics. For beginners, breaking into the world of speedrunning can seem overwhelming, especially when top runners finish the entire game in under five minutes. But behind those blinding times are repeatable techniques, consistent routes, and incremental improvements that anyone can learn. This guide breaks down the foundational skills needed to start speedrunning Super Mario Bros. effectively, using methods validated by top runners and community-tested strategies.

Understanding the Goal and Categories

Before diving into techniques, it's important to understand what kind of speedrun you're aiming for. The most common category for beginners is \"Any%,\" which means completing the game as quickly as possible, regardless of completion percentage. The goal is simply to reach the flagpole at World 8-4.

In Any%, players take advantage of sequence breaks and well-timed glitches to skip large portions of the game. The standard route skips Worlds 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 entirely, moving directly from World 1-2 to World 8 via a warp zone found in World 1-2. This makes mastering early levels critical—mistakes in the first few stages can cost precious seconds that are nearly impossible to recover.

Tip: Focus on consistency over speed in early practice. A stable time of 6:00 is more valuable than an inconsistent 5:20.

Mastering Movement Fundamentals

The backbone of any successful speedrun is efficient movement. In Super Mario Bros., Mario accelerates gradually when running, meaning holding the run button (usually “B” on original controllers) continuously builds momentum. Releasing it—even briefly—resets acceleration, costing time.

To move optimally:

• Hold right and “B” (run) constantly during horizontal sections.
• Use short hops (tap jump) for small gaps and long holds for maximum distance.
• Jump slightly before edges to maintain forward momentum.
• Slide down slopes by holding left briefly while descending, then immediately return to holding right.

One of the most effective ways to improve movement is practicing “wave dashing”—a technique where you rapidly tap the opposite direction during a jump to fine-tune landing position. While not essential for beginners, learning to control midair drift helps land precisely on platforms or enemies.

“Frame-perfect inputs matter, but consistency matters more. Build muscle memory through repetition.” — Todd Rogers (early speedrun pioneer, record holder in the 1980s)

Essential Route: The Warp Zone Skip

The defining shortcut in Any% runs is accessing the warp zone in World 1-2, allowing immediate travel to World 5-1, skipping four full worlds. This single trick cuts minutes off the total time.

Here’s how to execute it reliably:

1. World 1-1: Run at full speed throughout. Stomp every possible Goomba to avoid slowdown. At the end, hit the axe with as much forward momentum as possible to minimize the cutscene delay.
2. Bridge Section: After defeating Bowser, sprint across the collapsing bridge. Do not jump unless absolutely necessary. Time your steps so you land on each segment before it breaks.
3. Enter 1-2: Begin moving right immediately after the screen loads. Don’t wait for animations.
4. First Pipe Sequence: Move past the first two pipes normally. Approach the third set of three vertical pipes.
5. Warp Zone Activation: Stand on the far left edge of the ledge before the pipes. Jump and hold right to clip the top-left corner of the middle pipe. If done correctly, Mario will enter the underground tunnel above, revealing the warp zone with pipes to Worlds 2, 3, and 5.
6. Select World 5: Enter the far-right pipe to access World 5-1.

This warp requires pixel-perfect positioning. Beginners should practice this section hundreds of times until success rate exceeds 90%. Use emulator save states initially to isolate the attempt.

Section	Common Mistake	Pro Fix
1-1 Exit Bridge	Jumping unnecessarily	Walk only; time steps with collapse animation
Warp Zone Clip	Approaching too far right	Align body flush with left edge of block row
5-1 Start	Sliding after landing	Land facing right, hold run immediately

Key Techniques for Time Savings

Beyond movement and routing, several advanced-but-learnable techniques can reduce time significantly when applied consistently.

Enemy Manipulation (Enemies as Platforms)

Koopa Troopas and Goombas aren't just obstacles—they can be used as stepping stones. In tight corridors or over pits, stomping an enemy and bouncing off provides extra height and distance. Practice chaining jumps: stomp one Goomba, then immediately jump off its shell or body to clear larger gaps.

Dolphin Diving (Flagpole Optimization)

At the end of each level, sliding down the flagpole instead of jumping directly onto it saves up to 0.5 seconds per level. To do this, approach the pole at full speed, press down+right just before touching it, and Mario will slide faster than normal descent. This technique is frame-sensitive but highly rewarding.

Corner Boosting

When entering a new screen, Mario accelerates slightly faster if he crosses the boundary at the extreme edge of the screen. Hold diagonal up-right when approaching a screen transition to trigger a minor speed boost. Most noticeable in long tunnels like 4-2 or 8-3.

Minimizing Lag

Super Mario Bros. experiences slowdown when multiple sprites appear on-screen. Avoid clustering enemies whenever possible. In 1-1, for example, kill Goombas early to prevent groups from forming. In 8-4, lure Hammer Bros. apart before engaging.

Tip: Always prioritize killing Hammer Bros. from below. One bounce clears them and sets up a launch for the next platform.

Step-by-Step Beginner Speedrun Timeline

Follow this structured timeline to build a complete run over several weeks. Each phase focuses on mastering one component before adding complexity.

1. Week 1: 1-1 Mastery
   Practice World 1-1 until you can complete it in under 45 seconds consistently. Focus on full-run execution, enemy avoidance, and smooth bridge crossing.
2. Week 2: Warp Zone Practice
   Isolate 1-2 warp clip using save states. Aim for 10 successful clips in a row. Then link 1-1 to warp attempt without reset.
3. Week 3: World 5-1 to 5-3
   Learn the layout of 5-1, 5-2, and 5-3. Optimize jumps and avoid unnecessary stops. Target sub-2:00 from 5-1 start to 5-3 axe.
4. Week 4: 8-1 to 8-4 Basics
   Memorize enemy patterns in 8-1 and 8-2. Practice fast transitions and corner boosts. Learn Hammer Bro. routing in 8-3.
5. Week 5: Full Run Attempts
   Begin linking all segments: 1-1 → 1-2 warp → 5-1 → 5-2 → 5-3 → 8-1 → 8-2 → 8-3 → 8-4. Expect inconsistency—focus on clean execution, not time.
6. Week 6+: Refinement
   Identify weak points (e.g., 8-3 Hammer Bros.) and drill them. Incorporate dolphin dives. Reduce input lag with better hardware or emulator settings.

Mini Case Study: From 8 Minutes to Sub-6 in 6 Weeks

Sam, a casual gamer with no prior speedrunning experience, decided to learn Super Mario Bros. Any% as a personal challenge. Using a SNES Classic emulator with save-state functionality, Sam followed a structured plan focusing first on 1-1 consistency.

Initially, Sam struggled with the warp zone clip, succeeding less than 10% of the time. By isolating the jump and practicing 15 minutes daily, success rate improved to 70% within two weeks. After linking 1-1 to the warp, Sam began working on 5-1 to 5-3, learning to use Koopas as mid-air platforms to avoid slowing down.

The biggest hurdle was 8-3—Hammer Bros. kept knocking Sam into pits. By studying video guides and adjusting jump timing, Sam learned to stomp the first brother early and use its shell to clear the second. Within six weeks, average time dropped from 8:12 to 5:58, with a personal best of 5:43.

Sam’s progress highlights the importance of targeted practice and patience. No single technique made the difference—rather, steady improvement across all sections led to dramatic time reductions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an original NES or controller to speedrun?

No. While some runners prefer original hardware for authenticity, emulators like FCEUX or BizHawk are widely accepted for practice and even world-record attempts (when using verified settings). Many top runners use modern controllers or custom USB adapters for better responsiveness.

How important is RNG (random number generation) in Super Mario Bros. speedruns?

Surprisingly, Super Mario Bros. has minimal true randomness. Enemy behavior is largely deterministic based on screen position and player input. With consistent movement, enemy patterns will repeat identically, making the run highly predictable and skill-based.

What’s a good beginner time to aim for?

A consistent sub-7:00 is a strong milestone for beginners. From there, sub-6:30 indicates solid mastery of core mechanics, and sub-6:00 places you among intermediate runners. Top beginners often reach sub-5:30 within a few months of dedicated practice.

Checklist: Your First Month Speedrunning Plan

• ✅ Set up emulator with save-state support (FCEUX recommended)
• ✅ Practice World 1-1 until completion time is under 45 seconds (consistent)
• ✅ Master the 1-2 warp zone clip (10 successes in a row)
• ✅ Learn the path from 5-1 to 5-3 without dying
• ✅ Complete three full run attempts (even if failed at 8-4)
• ✅ Record and review one run weekly to spot mistakes
• ✅ Join the SM64 subreddit or Speedrun.com forum for feedback

Conclusion: Start Running Today

Speedrunning Super Mario Bros. is one of the most accessible and rewarding entry points into the broader speedrunning community. The tools are free, the game is iconic, and the techniques are learnable with deliberate practice. You don’t need reflexes like a pro gamer—just persistence, attention to detail, and a willingness to fail repeatedly while inching toward improvement.

Every expert runner once fumbled the warp zone clip or fell into the lava in 8-4. What separates them is not talent, but consistency. Pick up the controller today, load the ROM, and run 1-1 with purpose. Break the run into pieces. Master one section at a time. In a few weeks, you’ll look back at your first attempt and realize how far you’ve come.

💬 Ready to share your progress? Post your best time in the comments or tag a friend who needs to see this. The next world record starts with a single jump.