Speedrunning has exploded in popularity over the past decade, evolving from a niche pursuit into a full-blown phenomenon with events like Games Done Quick drawing massive audiences and raising millions for charity. And while modern titles like Celeste and Hades often steal the spotlight, there’s something enduring about seeing older games—especially from the Super Nintendo era—continue to thrive in the speedrunning community. The blend of nostalgia, tight gameplay mechanics, and glitches ripe for exploitation makes these 16-bit classics prime candidates for runners across the globe. That’s why I wanted to take a deeper look at SNES games that still have active speedruns.
This isn’t about games that were speedrun once and forgotten. These are titles with ongoing communities, constantly updating leaderboards, and new strategies emerging even decades after their release. Watching these runs is a thrill, but running them yourself—learning the routes, pulling off frame-perfect tricks—is something special. Whether you’re already part of the scene or just curious about why some Super Nintendo games still draw this kind of energy, this list showcases the timeless nature of the platform.
Super Metroid
It would be impossible to talk about SNES games that still have active speedruns without starting with Super Metroid. It’s the godfather of speedrunning. With its open-ended structure, movement tech, and precise mechanics, Super Metroid became the blueprint for what a great speedrun looks like.
What keeps it so active is the sheer variety of categories. You’ve got Any%, 100%, Low% (beating the game with minimal items), and even Reverse Boss Order. Each offers its own challenges and optimizations. The movement—wall jumps, bomb jumps, mockballs—is buttery smooth when mastered, but punishing when even slightly off. That level of skill ceiling gives runners plenty of room to grow, and the global community behind this game is one of the most supportive and technical around.
New runners are still picking it up every month, and world records are still being broken. It remains one of the most competitive SNES games that still have active speedruns.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
While Ocarina of Time might get more mainstream attention, A Link to the Past is the Zelda title that’s made the deepest impression on the speedrunning world—especially within the SNES scene. Its route planning, puzzle-solving, and precision combat make it endlessly replayable and challenging.
There are multiple popular categories here too: Any%, No Major Glitches, All Dungeons, and even Randomizer speedruns where item placements are shuffled each time. The community for the randomizer scene is so robust that it’s practically a separate game entirely, with online tournaments, leagues, and daily races.
It’s this constant reinvention that keeps A Link to the Past fresh and relevant. Speedrunning this game isn’t just about muscle memory—it’s also about thinking on your feet, which makes it one of the most mentally engaging SNES games that still have active speedruns.
Super Mario World
The fluid movement of Mario, the clever level design, and the variety of routes through the game make Super Mario World an ideal speedrunning title. Whether you’re going for a full 96-exit completion or racing through the game via the “Star Road” shortcut, there’s no shortage of options.
What really gives this one legs is the Any% “No Cape” category, where players skip the most powerful item and rely solely on tight platforming. There’s also the “Orb” category and “Shell Jump” showcases that require insane levels of technical skill.
Glitch categories go even further, using arbitrary code execution to warp directly to the credits. But even outside of that, new runners are constantly emerging, and veteran players are finding new optimizations. Super Mario World proves over and over again that simplicity doesn’t mean shallow—it’s one of the most iconic SNES games that still have active speedruns for a reason.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest
While the entire Donkey Kong Country trilogy has its share of speedrunners, the second installment is where the most competitive action happens. Donkey Kong Country 2 is beloved for its fast pace, tight controls, and creative level design.
The tech in this game is deep. From roll-jumping to team-throwing and damage-boosting, the amount of control top-level players show is mesmerizing. There’s an Any% category, a 102% full completion run, and even glitchless modes.
What really sets DKC2 apart is its level variety—each stage introduces something new, which means runners constantly have to adapt. That, combined with the game’s beautiful pixel art and killer soundtrack, makes it a thrill to watch and run. It remains one of the most technically demanding and rewarding SNES games that still have active speedruns.
Final Fantasy VI (Final Fantasy III in the US)
Speedrunning an RPG might sound like a grind, but Final Fantasy VI has become a surprisingly active speedrun, especially for players who enjoy strategy over twitch reflexes. The game’s routing is complex, the RNG manipulation is deep, and the execution still matters—especially in boss fights.
Most runners aim for the Any% route, which skips side quests and leans on key character abilities like Vanish/Doom tricks and Relm sketch glitches. There’s also the Any% No Major Glitches category, which gives more of a “pure” experience while still requiring intense planning.
What keeps FFVI alive in the speedrunning scene is the sheer number of route possibilities and the fact that it’s still one of the greatest JRPGs ever made. That legacy, combined with the evolving strategies, make it one of the standout SNES games that still have active speedruns today.
Mega Man X
This one’s pure action. Mega Man X is all about momentum. The dashing, wall jumping, and tight shooting mechanics make it an ideal speedrun title. Any% is the most popular category, but you’ll also see All Upgrades, 100%, and even Buster-Only categories.
The real thrill here is in the optimization—shaving off seconds by using just the right movement, knowing when to damage boost, and executing perfect boss patterns. Watching a top-tier Mega Man X speedrun is like watching a perfectly choreographed dance.
The community is still very much alive, constantly refining strategies and welcoming new runners with guides and tutorials. This is one of the SNES games that still have active speedruns because it hits the sweet spot of challenge, polish, and speed.
EarthBound
You might not expect a quirky RPG like EarthBound to have an active speedrunning scene, but it absolutely does. The game’s humor and unique aesthetic draw people in, but its speedrun mechanics are what keep them engaged.
Any% routes use text skipping, glitch warping, and enemy despawning tricks to push the game to its limits. There’s even a No Wrong Warp category for purists who want to keep things more grounded. Battles rely heavily on RNG and strategic item use, which makes each run unpredictable.
It’s a slower-paced speedrun, sure, but it rewards knowledge and persistence. And because EarthBound has such a dedicated fanbase, its speedrunning community is one of the most passionate around. That’s why it remains one of the SNES games that still have active speedruns all these years later.
Yoshi’s Island
Officially titled Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, this game is a masterpiece of level design, and that carries over into its speedrunning life. The movement options—flutter jumps, tongue grabs, and egg throws—allow for lots of creative routing.
Any% is the go-to category, but 100% runs offer deep exploration. Speedrunners have mastered pixel-perfect tricks like the “null egg” and “cloud glitch” to bypass sections and maintain momentum. The visuals are bright and playful, which contrasts beautifully with the technical skill needed to play at a high level.
Yoshi’s Island is both welcoming and challenging. It’s another fantastic entry in the list of SNES games that still have active speedruns, thanks to its combination of charm and complexity.
ActRaiser
This game’s hybrid of platforming action and god-sim strategy might seem like an odd fit for speedrunning, but that’s part of what makes it so appealing. ActRaiser has tight, memorable stages and a unique flow between action and overworld.
The speedrun is focused mainly on the action segments, and routing is important to balance enemy encounters and boss fights. Manipulating RNG during the simulation parts adds an extra layer of strategy.
It’s not as fast-paced as some of the other games here, but its unique mix of genres and cult classic status make it a staple for those looking for something different. It absolutely earns a place among SNES games that still have active speedruns, especially for runners who want more than pure platforming.
Contra III: The Alien Wars
Explosions, aliens, and non-stop action—that’s Contra III. Speedrunning this beast requires twitch reflexes, pattern memorization, and ruthless efficiency. It’s brutally difficult even casually, but the speedrun community has carved out paths that make it both achievable and endlessly satisfying to master.
Any% on Normal difficulty is the most popular category, though Hard mode runs exist for the brave. There are also co-op categories that allow two players to blaze through together. Frame-perfect inputs and memorized spawn patterns are the name of the game.
Contra III is a spectacle, and it remains one of the most high-adrenaline SNES games that still have active speedruns.
Why These Games Still Thrive
One of the biggest reasons these games remain alive in the speedrun scene is their design. SNES games, by nature of their era, focused on tight controls, quick loading times, and relatively short play sessions—perfect conditions for repeated playthroughs and optimization.
Add in the explosion of streaming, YouTube guides, and dedicated leaderboards like Speedrun.com, and the infrastructure is there to keep these games going strong. Communities around each title support newcomers, create competition, and preserve discoveries that push the games further than developers ever imagined.
Conclusion
Speedrunning is part art, part science, and part obsession—and SNES games offer the perfect canvas. Whether it’s the open-ended exploration of Super Metroid, the pixel-perfect action of Mega Man X, or the strategic manipulation in Final Fantasy VI, these titles continue to inspire. They’re not just relics of the past—they’re living, evolving challenges that still attract players around the world.
There’s something beautiful about watching a game you grew up with get torn apart and mastered in ways you never thought possible. That’s the magic of SNES games that still have active speedruns—they bring the past into the present and prove that great design never dies. Whether you’re just spectating or thinking of jumping into the scene yourself, these games are a great place to start, and even better to keep returning to.
