Tactical Reload’s 12 Most Anticipated Speedruns of Awesome Games Done Quick 2026
Pokemon Emerald by Nintendo and Game Freak
It’s the start of a new year, which means we’ll all soon be keeping warm in the glow of a Twitch stream. GDQ is back–toss your pajamas in the dryer and construct your pillow forts accordingly.
For newcomers, Games Done Quick is a series of charity events where the best speedrunners in the world come together to show off their skills 24 hours a day for a straight week. Awesome Games Done Quick, the marathon that takes place every January, earns millions to support the Prevent Cancer Foundation through merch sales and generous donations.
All times below are presented in PST. Keep an eye on the schedule as the week progresses, things tend to shift 30 minutes here and there (if you load the schedule on the official site, all start times will automatically be converted to your time zone).
Ready…set…
Here are the runs that I’m most excited about.
Super Mario Sunshine by Nintendo
January 4th - 9 AM - Super Mario Sunshine - Any%
Is this a safe space? I hate playing Super Mario Sunshine–in fact, it’s one of only a handful of games I’ve sworn to never revisit–but watching other people power through its sludge is a treat. I can’t think of a better way to begin a marathon that promises to be packed with the plumber.
January 4th - 3:25 PM - dlroW oiraM repuS - tixE 69
Speaking of a certain plumber…
In this category, Mario is dropped at the goal in each level and has to work his way to the beginning. This will be the first time I’ve seen Super Mario World played this way, and to be honest, I just find it so charming that the category name is written backwards.
Final Fantasy X by Square
January 5th - 3:52 AM - Final Fantasy X - True RNG (Cutscene Remover)
My sleep schedule might be too “normal” to get the most out of Blitzball After Dark, but my late night RPG pick for this marathon is Final Fantasy X. I haven’t vacationed in Spira since high school and I’ve been starving to run it back and earn some trophies in one of the more contemporary rereleases. This will have to do for now.
January 5th - 6:42 PM - Mario Kart World - All ? Panels
Even though I haven’t fully explored MKW’s open world, I wanted some modern game representation on this list with less spoilers to worry about than your Clair Obscurs and Silksongs (and Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU). The additions of wall riding and rail sliding in this entry should make for some fun movement.
January 6th - 9:37 PM - Resident Evil 2 (2019) - Leon vs Claire Category Choice - 2nd Run Knife Only
The Resident Evil 2 remake is one of the best games of the last decade and I’ll never get tired of watching players fight to survive in the Raccoon City Police Department. I expect Claire to win the bidding war–her route has more Lickers, and therefore, more heart attacks.
F-Zero GX by Nintendo and RGG studio
January 7th - 12:27 PM - F-Zero GX - Story Mode (Very Hard, Max Speed)
Now that GX is easily accessible via the Nintendo Classics catalog more people will understand how difficult the GameCube entry of F-Zero truly is. Do you need extra convincing? When playing casually, blink at the wrong moment and your craft will be transformed into a burning husk on the side of the track. Now imagine the recklessness required to reach the checkered flag, at maximum speed, in less than half an hour.
January 7th - 6:56 PM - Donkey Kong 64 - Randomizer Season 4 Race
If you like your games with stuff to collect, Donkey Kong 64 easily has the most stuff. As with all randomizers, this has the potential to go sideways in a hurry, but that chaos is part of the fun.
If you choose this one–you’ll not choose wrong.
I sure hope people get that reference.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess by Nintendo
January 8th - 7:51 AM - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD - All Dungeons
Twilight Princess is another title that I almost exclusively experience through speedruns these days. This being an All Dungeons challenge makes it all the more enticing (I personally find seeing MORE of the game MORE satisfying than clipping and buffering all the way to the end credits in most scenarios).
Seriously though, this is a prime candidate to drop on the Switch 2. Get on that, Nintendo. HD or the GameCube version–I’m not picky.
January 8th - 2:33 PM - Splatoon - Any% Race
Splatoon was one of the first speedruns that I actually followed as it became more and more optimized (at the time, the difference between success and failure was almost entirely dependent on being able to pull off a single, difficult trick). It’ll be interesting to see how these tactics have evolved during my intermission from Inkopolis.
January 9th - 6:26 PM - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time vs. Majora’s Mask - Any% Blindfolded
Anything being performed blindfolded on the biggest stage demands attention (as I’m writing this, GDQ opened submissions for an all blindfolded event so keep an eye on that). I’ll predict Majora’s Mask wins the bidding war.
This run will be Any%, but do you think getting the postman’s heart container piece would be easier without being able to see the screen? Everyone seems to have their own method, but it’s something to consider.
January 10th - 8:49 AM - Super Mario 64 - 70 Star 70 Person Relay
As per usual, you could probably build an entire “most anticipated list” from the final day’s schedule alone, but I’m going with a classic pick. This will be worth tuning in purely to see what logistics are involved. The largest couch in GDQ history couldn’t accommodate 70 runners. In my mind, a rogues gallery of record holders form an orderly line that stretches to the back of the auditorium.
January 10th - 6:28 PM - Pokemon Emerald - Pick-My-Main
While it might seem anticlimactic to conclude the event with a turn-based RPG (even one with “Pokemon” in its title), the runner that will be executing this pixel perfect playthrough, adef, is one of the best talkers in the GDQ ecosystem. It’s practically a tradition that viewers donate dollars equal to the dex number of their favorite Pokemon (my sympathy goes out to Pecharunt fans) as the crowd and chat make one final push across the finish line.
Will this be your first live GDQ or are you a vet of good times and glitch showcases? What have I missed? Let me know over on any of my social media accounts. I’m all about discovering new things I need in my life.