Summer Games Done Quick 2019 (or SGDQ 2019 for short) just completed their first day of the seven-day long speedrun event. After a solid 12 hours of quality entertainment, we’re here to list off the best speedruns of SGDQ 2019 day one. There was a great variety of games on Sunday at SGDQ 2019, including Spyro the Dragon, Portal 2, The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap, and many more. In case you don’t have a full 12 hours to sit down and watch every speedrun (and honestly, who has that kind of time?), this list of recommendations should provide something neat to watch. The speedrun marathon will continue to raise money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation for the rest of the week, ending on June 30th. If you want to check out the marathon live, you can do so by visiting Twitch.tv/gamesdonequick!
The Best Speedruns of SGDQ 2019 Day One
Spyro the Dragon Trilogy Reignited: Spyro the Dragon (any%) by ChrisLBC
The new remake of Spyro the Dragon was a great way to kick off the event, as the first run ended up being one of the best speedruns at SGDQ 2019! ChrisLBC is a seasoned Spyro runner, so despite the changes between the original game and the “Reignited Trilogy” remake, he was able to best Spyro’s first adventure with few mistakes. ChrisLBC not only highlighted the changes between the two versions of the game, but gave us a good look at how the newer version has some neat new mechanics to work with. Overall, Spyro the Dragon is a staple in the speedrunning community, so it was a fitting beginning to the marathon.
Final time: 48:19
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project (any% co-op) by MechaRichter and PJ
This classic NES beat ’em up holds a certain nostalgia in my heart, so it was hard not to include it on this list. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III is tons of fun, and MechaRichter and PJ showed that off in their wonderful cooperative speedrun. The duo bested this tough beat ’em up in stunning time, pulling off a handful of tricks and some coordinated special attacks. This includes a neat glitch called the “ghost turtle”, which makes the game think that both players are dead when they still have full control of their characters. Both impressive and lighthearted, this TMNT speedrun was a great entry for the first day of festivities.
Final time: 35:39
Sonic Generations (any%) by TheBlueMania
On the first day of SGDQ 2019, speedrunner TheBlueMania celebrated Sonic the Hedgehog‘s 28th birthday in style with a celebratory Sonic Generations run. Fully kitted out in Sonic gear from head to toe (including a hat, shirt, and even Sonic shoes), TheBlueMania blazed through both the classic and “modern” Sonic levels with ease. Along with helpful commentary, this speedrun of the lesser-seen Sonic title was an excellent fit for the first day of SGDQ 2019. Happy birthday, Sonic!
Final time: 56:03
Devil May Cry (any%) by MaxyLobes
Maxylobes is one of my personal favorite speedrunners, mostly due to his laid-back demeanor and clear commentary. As is tradition, Maxy smashed his way through another creepy game at SGDQ 2019, this time setting his sights on the original Devil May Cry. With a flurry of sword slashes, a bevy of bullets, and a heaping dose of holy water, Maxy smashed his way through this classic hack ‘n slash. Not only did he blast through Devil May Cry with extraordinary skill and timing, but Maxy also effortlessly explained his tricks along the way. This is simply one of the best speedruns of SGDQ 2019, and a treat for any Devil May Cry fan.
Final time: 48:48
Streets of Rage (Hardest Difficulty) by CestPatou
With a couch full of hyped commentators and a rowdy nighttime audience, CestPatou demolished this Sega Genesis beat ’em up with style and substance. By abusing a neat trick with the character Blaze that allowed him to attack in both directions almost simultaneously, CestPatou punched his way through the hardest difficulty of this already-tough title. The beat ’em up genre is one of my all-time favorites, and this run of Streets of Rage lived up to those nostalgic expectations. It was a great way to wrap up the night, and a good segway into day two of SGDQ 2019.
Final time: 30:44
By the end of SGDQ 2019 day one, the viewing audience has managed to raise over $110,000 for Doctors Without Borders, a charity that brings medical aid to those in need. Although I’m sure that number will rise dramatically over the coming days, that’s no small number! Congratulations speedrunners, you’re continuing to make the world a better place.
There’s still much more SGDQ 2019 to watch! We recommend you check out our SGDQ 2019 viewing guide with recommendations on what to watch, as well as the full schedule for the event. Be sure to keep on eye on our social medias (@official90skid) for live coverage, and keep coming back for daily recaps and recommendations!
