When Spanish speedrunner Cheese05 completed Super Mario 64 in 1 hour and 37 minutes, it was a triumphant moment – shattering the previous world record by 4 seconds to redefine what was believed possible. This staggering time is made even more incredible given it was achieved on one of gaming‘s most beloved and influential pioneers – the title that ushered Mario and all platformers into the 3D era. We‘ll break down this run within the rich 25-year speedrunning history of SM64.
An Unlikely World Record Holder
Aside from chasing Mario records late into the Spanish night, Cheese balances his passion for gaming with runs a hair salon, plays volleyball professionally, and even hosts the Cheese Talk podcast. This dedication across multiple interests gives him a balanced lifestyle, while athletic training provides endurance for marathon speedrun sessions. Always upbeat on his streams, Cheese built his reputation on positivity and skill.
| Category | Game | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 120 Star | Super Mario 64 | 1:37:00 |
| Any% | Super Mario Odyssey | 58:23 |
| 100% | Celeste | 2:32:32 |
After transitioning from Zelda titles in 2014, Cheese slowly developed into one of SM64‘s elite practitioners. He held the prestigious 120 star world record multiple times over the years. Let‘s analyze how he reached the pinnacle again with one of the game‘s most historic runs.
The Platforming Paradigm: Super Mario 64‘s Design Legacy
- Over 11 million copies sold, making it the N64‘s top title
- Introduced full analog control, dynamic 3D cameras and a explorable hub world
- Mario‘s moveset allows for endless sequences of jumps, dives, wall kicks
- Level sequence breaking using glitches like BLJs completely changes routes
- Paved the way for all future 3D adventures from Mario Galaxy to Elden Ring
As Nintendo‘s 1996 flagship release alongside the new analog stick controller, Super Mario 64 essentially wrote the blueprint for every 3D adventure to follow. It popularized hub worlds, mission-based progression, movable cameras and platforming that granted players an unprecedented level of freedom. This open design essentially made SM64 a speedrunner‘s dream.
The Frame Perfect Tricks of SM64 Speedtech
Eking out a record run requires maximizing Mario‘s base moveset to almost TAS-like precision. Some key skills include:
- Wall Kicking – Used to quickly scale vertical shafts by alternating wall jumps. Optimal runs clip the walls precisely on Mario‘s toes to build height rapidly.
- BLJ (Backwards Long Jump) – Executed by chaining backwards jumps frame perfectly, allows Mario to clip through some doors and objects. Critical for sequence breaks.
- Hyperspeed Walking – By locking the control stick precisely at a 22.5 degree angle, Mario can build to his top movement speed much faster than running. Maintaining this accuracy is demanding.
- Momentum Conservation – Carrying velocity between slides, dives, jumps and corkscrews saves precious frames. Cheese demonstrates mastery here.
Cheese has each of these essential speed skills down to pure instinct after thousands of repetitions. But even for top runners, new techniques emerge constantly to push the limits of what is possible.
The Current SM64 Speedrunning Landscape
With its open design and endless skill ceiling, Super Mario 64 remains one of speedgaming‘s most active and competitive categories nearly 30 years later. The top runners battling for supremacy include:
| Player | Current 120 Star Record | Other SM64 Records Held |
|---|---|---|
| Weegee | 1:36:58 | 16 Star, 70 Star |
| Suigi | 1:39:28 | 0 Star, 1 Star |
| Benji64 | 1:40:01 |
Rivalry is friendly but intense between these experts, as world records often changing hands weekly. Strategies evolve rapidly with new sequence breaks. Cheese sits ready to capitalize whenever an opportunity emerges.
Cheese‘s Record-Shattering Run – Frame by Frame
Let‘s analyze how Cheese05 bested the world record by 4 seconds across his 120 star run:
Princess Secret Slide (0:00)
- Precise wall kicks scale the interior in just 21 seconds.
- Optimal angle conserved momentum perfectly.
Whomp‘s Fortress (5:30)
- Cheese collects stars out of normal sequence using wing cap
- Grabs 4 stars in just over 2 minutes by routing ground pounds and instant wall kicks seamlessly.
Hazy Maze Cave (20:30)
- Perfection – rapid back-to-back first star grabs displayed masterful skill. Identical inputs frame-for-frame both times to optimize.
Raindance Manor (40:15)
- Missed set of 5 consecutive wall kicks on initial ascent cost approx 12 seconds
- Cheese improvises an alternative wall kick approach after rebounding skillfully
At 1 hour 37 minutes flat, the run bested Weegee‘s record by the slimmest of margins – 4 mere seconds. Reviewing the run shows even more untapped time save potential for Cheese. Tiny execution errors, missed jumps and suboptimal camera movement cost him at least 15 additional seconds by most expert estimates. Minimize these mistakes, and his time could dip below 1 hour 35 minutes.
The Future of SM64 Speedrunning
Innovation continues today in SM64 route strategy, as new sequence breaks emerge thanks to TAS testing and glitch hunting. One example is LLL UV-less, which enables skipping the 50 star door by clipping into the volcano wall. Implementing techniques like this and optimizing further may allow Cheese to claim the crown again soon. With a game as masterfully designed and flexible as SM64, the only limit may be human reflexes and persistence.
So while Weegee and Benji64 currently hold records, Cheese05 has undoubtedly cemented his Hall of Fame legacy thanks to runs like this 120 star world record. He has mastered Mario‘s mechanics to their fullest, and shown what expert improvisation under pressure can achieve. For any aspiring speedrunner or SM64 fan, his journey stands as a testament to passion meeting skill meeting strategy. The sprawling castle grounds await the next competitor hoping to reach the podium.
