In a stunning display of skill and determination, speedrunner averge11 has claimed the Super Mario Bros. Any% world record with a time of 4:54.415, dethroning Niftski and bringing humanity to within just 9 frames of theoretical perfection.
The Historic Run
On December 18, 2025, averge11 achieved what many thought was nearly impossible—a run that features the first-ever "last room fast accel" technique in a world record performance. This incredible feat salvaged what the runner described as "an awful first room and a subpar turnaround room," demonstrating the razor-thin margins that separate good runs from legendary ones.
This achievement represents more than just a new number—it's a testament to the evolution of optimization in one of gaming's most competitive speedrunning categories.
The Numbers Behind Perfection
The current tool-assisted speedrun (TAS) benchmark for Super Mario Bros. stands at 4:54.265, created by Maru using frame-perfect inputs that represent the theoretical limit of human achievement. Averge11's 4:54.415 puts the community within 9 frames of this perfect run.
To put this in perspective: at 60 frames per second, that's just 0.15 seconds. The margin between human execution and computational perfection has never been smaller.
The Modern Era: A Frame-by-Frame Battle
The competition in Super Mario Bros. Any% has reached unprecedented levels. The chart below shows just how intense the battle between the top runners has become, with improvements now measured not in seconds, but in individual frames.
The data, sourced from Speedrun.com, reveals the personal best evolution of the two current titans: Niftski and averge11. Their back-and-forth rivalry has defined the category throughout 2025.
The 2025 Championship Season
The year 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary for Super Mario Bros. speedrunning:
January 2025: After 490 days, Niftski broke his own record with a time of 4:54.565, improving by 4 frames and reaching 18 frames from perfection.
August 2025: For the first time in 4 years, the record changed hands when averge11 posted 4:54.515, cutting another 3 frames and bringing the barrier down to just 15 frames from the TAS.
October 2025: In a dramatic turn, Niftski responded by tying the record on his second attempt of the day, then immediately broke it again with 4:54.482. Just two weeks later, he pushed it further to 4:54.448, bringing the total to 11 frames from perfection.
December 2025: And now, averge11 has struck back with 4:54.415—just 9 frames from the TAS, representing the closest any human has ever come to perfect execution of this 40-year-old classic.
Technical Innovation: MiSTer FPGA
This record was achieved using a MiSTer FPGA system, an approved hardware emulator that provides significantly more accurate emulation than traditional software-based solutions. The MiSTer's NES core replicates the original hardware in a 1:1 manner, including all its features and quirks, making it one of the most accurate platforms for speedrunning.
The use of FPGA technology has become increasingly accepted in the speedrunning community, with the Super Mario Bros. moderators approving it for its exceptional accuracy—critical in a category where individual frames determine world records.
The Technique: Fast Accel in the Final Room
What makes this run particularly special is the execution of a "fast accel" technique in the final room (8-4)—the first time this has ever been successfully performed in a world record run. This advanced technique involves precise acceleration manipulation to save frames, and pulling it off under world record conditions, especially after suboptimal earlier rooms, showcases exceptional composure and skill.
As averge11 noted in their submission: "The First EVER last room fast accel in a World Record, to salvage an awful first room and a subpar turnaround room."
The Final Frontier
With only 9 frames separating humanity from the TAS, the question on everyone's mind is: can the gap be closed entirely?
Mathematically, there are at most 9 more record-breaking runs possible before humans reach the TAS time of 4:54.265. After that, runners can only tie the theoretical perfect speedrun—an achievement that would represent the pinnacle of human execution in gaming history.
Each frame represents approximately 0.0167 seconds, meaning the remaining gap is just 0.15 seconds. To put this in context: the average human reaction time is around 0.25 seconds. What these runners are attempting requires not just reaction, but prediction, muscle memory, and thousands of hours of practice.
What's Next
Averge11 isn't done yet. In their submission, they stated: "This grind has been absolutely awful for me, but I plan to keep going with 4:54.3xx attempts here and on my Twitch channel."
Meanwhile, Niftski—who held the record for nearly 4 years before this recent back-and-forth began—is unlikely to remain idle. The Wikipedia article on Niftski documents his incredible consistency and determination, making this rivalry one of the most compelling in all of competitive gaming.
The speedrunning community is now watching with bated breath. Will we see a 4:54.3xx? A 4:54.2xx? Could someone achieve the seemingly impossible 4:54.265?
One thing is certain: we are witnessing speedrunning history in real-time, as two incredible players push the boundaries of what's possible in one of gaming's most iconic titles.
Watch Live
You can watch averge11's continuing attempts at the world record on their Twitch channel. With records being broken multiple times in 2025, the next piece of history could happen at any moment.
Data and charts created by Reddit user luisgdh using Python and data from Speedrun.com
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