“AGDQ 2025: An Unforgettable Weekend of Epic Speedrunning and Musical Surprises”
An unusual year has arrived, reminding us that we are in the middle of that delightful season when the entire gaming community collectively exclaims: “Oh no, AGDQ kicks off this weekend!” Indeed, the charitable speedrunning event has once again snuck up on us, and there are plenty of exciting activities on the agenda—something for enthusiasts like me, which includes some of the most poorly received games ever created.
AGDQ 2025 commences on Sunday, January 5 at 8:30am PT / 11:30am ET / 4:30pm GMT with a brief opening show, followed by an extensive run of Pikmin on Switch to kick off things positively. As per tradition, the event will continue for a full week, concluding on the evening of Saturday, January 11 with a randomized speedrun of GDQ classic, Super Metroid.
You can also check out the complete schedule for yourself, but some of the most eye-catching speedruns include an any% dash through Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth in approximately six hours. While this may stretch the meaning of a speedrun, it remains a very brisk way to go through an incredibly lengthy JRPG. We’re also set to enjoy a live demonstration of Elden Ring played with a saxophone as the controller, along with a live band accompanying a Crazy Taxi run to ensure the stream isn’t muted by the game’s licensed soundtrack.
For me, however, the standout moment is sure to be the retro awful block, showcasing some of the most infamous games ever made, including the notorious Superman 64 and Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing, not to mention a plethora of titles I’ve never even heard of. (Is Squirrel with a Gun truly deserving of the awful block when it feels this intentional?)
As always, AGDQ supports the Prevent Cancer Foundation, while the mid-year event SGDQ benefits Doctors Without Borders. You can follow the event live on Twitch or catch the VODs soon after they stream live on YouTube.
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