How has Super Mario 64 speedrunning evolved since its release?

Super Mario 64 speedrunning is like racing through a toy castle as fast as you can, and people have gotten way better at it over time.

When Super Mario 64 first came out, players had to learn how to move around the castle, jump on enemies, and collect stars one by one. It was like learning to ride a bike while figuring out the rules of the game.

Speedrunning is when players try to finish the game as quickly as possible, it's like a race against the clock!

At first, people took minutes to complete each level. But over time, they discovered shortcuts, like hidden paths and tricks to skip parts of the game. It’s like finding a secret tunnel in your favorite playground that lets you get to the slide faster.

Now, players use these tricks so well that some finish the whole game in less than 6 minutes, it's like running from one end of the playground to the other in just a few seconds!

Players also practice a lot and work together to find even better ways to play. It’s like learning new moves in a dance class, the more you practice, the faster you become!