AGDQ 2023 just wrapped up another thrilling day of speedruns and enters the homestretch for the final days of the marathon. AGDQ 2023 day 5 gave us numerous speedruns to check out, starting with the always-entertaining “Awful Games” block and moving onto a grab-bag of retro games over the course of the evening. We had a great time watching the marathon throughout the day, so here are some of our speedrun recommendations from AGDQ 2023 day 5!
To watch any of the speedruns mentioned here, check out the official Games Done Quick YouTube channel or Twitch channel. There were lots of fantastic speedruns that we missed, so be sure to check out the other runs that aren’t mentioned here. For more awesome speedruns from the event, you can check out our other AGDQ 2023 daily recaps!
The Best Speedruns of AGDQ 2023 Day 5
The Entire Awful Games Block by many runners
The “awful games done quick” block kicked off early in the morning hours of AGDQ 2023 day 5, displaying a slew of astoundingly awful games beaten at the speed of sound. Consistently silly and full of games you’ve never heard of, this lengthy block of speedruns is so good, we can’t help but recommend them all.
We especially enjoyed PARTY MAN X’s run of the smug Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures, teddyras’ prime time spot on Salamander County Public Television, and corndan’s gauntlet in the indie fighting game Battle of the Eras (complete with bird cam). No matter what “awful games” block speedrun you choose, it’s likely in the running for the best speedrun of AGDQ 2023 day 5.
Final time: N/A
Mega Man ZX (Any% Normal) by Amesiyo
The Mega Man franchise is always perfect for speedruns, with their crazy weapons, slick movement, and challenging boss fights. Runner Amesiyo proved his skill with Mega Man ZX during AGDQ 2023 day 5, dashing through stages and blasting evil robots with his mega-buster. Quick boss kills and undeniable skill put Amesiyo only seconds behind the world record, making this a prime speedrun to watch from AGDQ 2023 day 5.
Final time: 50:51
Star Wars: Jedi Knight – Mysteries of the Sith (Any%) by Alnak
Slashing through stormtroopers with a lightsaber and using his force powers to achieve ridiculous speed, runner Alnak pulled off a fantastic speedrun of the Star Wars: Jedi Knight expansion, Mysteries of Sith, on AGDQ 2023 day 5. This excellent speedrun is full of classic shooter-action tech, including rocket jumps and other movement tricks that give way to major level skips. With tricks that start within the first few seconds of the game, this run rarely slows down, offering a roller coaster of Star Wars speedrunning.
Final time: 25:53
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (All Dungeons) by gymnast86
Zelda speedruns, when the category allows, are exceptionally glitchy. However, when compared to Skyward Sword, other Zelda speedruns pale in comparison. Pulling off a never-ending series of super complex glitches that let him skip major sections of the game and even travel back and forth through time, runner gymnast86 blasted through every dungeon in this Wii classic. If you’ve never seen a Skyward Sword run and want to see a game truly broken behind belief through the use of clever glitches, this speedrun from AGDQ 2023 day 5 will blow your mind.
Final time: 3:07:43
Puyo Puyo Fever 2 (HaraHara Any%, Normal) by Peas
We don’t get to see a lot of puzzle game speedruns, but when we do, they’re an absolute treat. Playing the colorful bubble-popping Tetris-like, Puyo Puyo Fever 2, runner Peas engaged his fever mode, stacking chains and beating the AI to a pulp. To increase the difficulty, Peas even played as the character Sig, who is arguably weaker than the rest of the cast. Managing to play with skill and clearly commentate his own run at the same time, Pea’s gameplay was clutch and well-deserving of a spot on our list.
Final time: 19:54
The Simpsons: Hit & Run (All Story Missions) by LiquidWiFi
There’s a significant cult following behind The Simpsons: Hit & Run for good reason, as this licensed game breaks the mold with quality arcade-style driving, fun missions, and an accurately recreated Springfield. Running the “All Story Missions” category, runner LiquidWiFi flexed their driving prowess, zipping through Springfield and smashing against traffic as needed. Some out-of-bounds tricks and neat glitches fill out the second half of the run, making this a thoroughly entertaining watch from start to finish.
Final time: 1:25:02
As the curtains close on AGDQ 2023 day 5, the marathon has raised over $1,000,000 for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. It’s heartwarming to see AGDQ 2023 hit such a notable milestone, as the event has come a long way since its humble beginnings. The most frequently watched days of the marathon are still ahead, so there’s a possibility that the donation total could double by the end of the event!
We’re continuing our live coverage of AGDQ 2023 throughout the weekend, so don’t forget to keep checking back for more recaps and follow our Twitter for notable clips and live reactions. If you’re watching along at home, enjoy the marathon! If not, consider checking out AGDQ 2023 live on the Games Done Quick Twitch channel for the final few days.