Cheesing in speedrunning involves exploiting game mechanics or glitches to complete a game faster than intended by bypassing challenges. A notable example is in "Super Mario 64," where players perform the "Backwards Long Jump" to clip through walls and skip entire sections. This technique drastically reduces completion time by avoiding obstacles and level sequences. Another example of cheesing occurs in "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" speedruns, where runners use the "ISG" (Infinite Sword Glitch) to deal continuous damage without normal combat. This glitch allows players to defeat bosses quickly or bypass combat altogether, significantly speeding up the run. Cheesing strategies often rely on precise timing and deep knowledge of game code and mechanics.
Table of Comparison
Game | Cheese Method | Description | Impact on Speedrun |
---|---|---|---|
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Wrong Warp | Exploiting glitches to teleport Link to endgame areas prematurely. | Greatly reduces completion time by skipping large portions of the game. |
Dark Souls | Animation Canceling | Canceling attack animations to perform actions faster than intended. | Speeds up combat sections and overall game progression. |
Super Mario 64 | Backwards Long Jump (BLJ) | Using physics exploit to gain infinite speed and clip through walls and doors. | Allows skipping entire level sections and beats game quickly. |
Metroid Prime | Sequence Breaking | Obtaining items or access early by exploiting level geometry. | Bypasses intended progression paths to save time. |
Portal | Half-FPS Glitch | Manipulating game speed mechanics to perform actions faster. | Reduces time required to complete puzzles significantly. |
Introduction to Cheesing in Speedruns
Cheesing in speedruns involves exploiting game mechanics or glitches to bypass difficult sections and achieve faster completion times. Techniques such as sequence breaking, infinite jump exploits, and clipping through walls are common methods that runners use to gain an advantage. These strategies highlight a deep understanding of game design and often redefine speedrunning metas for popular titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
What is Cheesing? Understanding the Term
Cheesing in speedrunning refers to exploiting game mechanics or glitches to bypass difficult sections and complete levels faster than intended. This tactic often involves repeated use of a particular glitch, shortcut, or strategy that simplifies a challenge, allowing runners to minimize time and effort. Understanding cheesing is crucial for both speedrunners and watchers, as it highlights the creative, rule-bending nature of competitive gameplay.
Famous Examples of Cheesing in Popular Speedruns
In gaming speedruns, famous examples of cheesing include using unintended glitches or exploits to bypass difficult sections quickly, such as the "MIPS Clip" in *Super Mario 64* that allows players to skip large portions of the game. Another notable case is the "Wrong Warp" technique in *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time*, enabling runners to teleport directly to end-game areas. These strategies significantly reduce completion time and are widely recognized in the speedrunning community.
Notable Cheesing Techniques Used by Speedrunners
Notable cheesing techniques used by speedrunners include glitch exploitation, such as clipping through walls or skipping entire levels, and manipulation of in-game mechanics like damage boosting or item duplication. Examples like the "zipping" glitch in *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* and the "wrong warping" technique in *Super Mario 64* showcase how players bypass intended game progression to achieve faster completion times. These strategies highlight the innovative use of game engine vulnerabilities to optimize route efficiency in competitive speedrunning.
Legendary Speedruns Defined by Cheesing
Legendary speedruns defined by cheesing often exploit game mechanics or glitches to bypass intended challenges, drastically reducing completion times. Iconic examples include using "rocket jump" glitches in Quake or the "wrong warp" glitch in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to skip vast sections of the game. These tactics highlight how strategic manipulation of game physics and programming errors becomes a fundamental part of speedrunning culture.
Community Reactions to Cheesing in Speedruns
Community reactions to cheesing in speedruns vary from excitement to frustration, as some players celebrate innovative shortcuts while others argue they undermine skillful gameplay. Popular speedrunning forums and leaderboards often debate the legitimacy of cheesed runs, reflecting a split between purists and casual enthusiasts. Notable games like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time have sparked intense discussions regarding the balance between creativity and fairness in speedrunning strategies.
Ethical Debates: Is Cheesing Cheating?
Cheesing in speedruns, such as exploiting glitches or repetitive strategies in games like *Dark Souls* or *Super Mario 64*, sparks intense ethical debates within the gaming community. Critics argue that these tactics can undermine the skill and challenge intended by developers, while supporters claim cheesing is a legitimate strategy showcasing deep game knowledge and creativity. The controversy centers on whether employing such shortcuts violates the implicit rules of fair play or enhances the diversity of speedrunning approaches.
Most Ingenious Cheese Strategies Ever Recorded
Speedrunners often exploit game glitches and unintended mechanics, such as the "Out of Bounds" trick in Super Mario 64 that skips entire levels, or the "Storage Glitch" in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to duplicate key items rapidly. Another prime example includes the "Reverse Boost" in Sonic the Hedgehog, which leverages level geometry to gain extreme speed, bypassing large sections. These techniques exemplify the most ingenious cheese strategies ever recorded, showcasing player creativity that redefines game boundaries.
Impact of Cheesing on Speedrun Records
Cheesing techniques, such as exploiting enemy AI glitches to bypass difficult sections, significantly alter speedrun records by reducing completion times drastically. These methods often lead to controversial leaderboard entries, challenging the integrity of traditional gameplay skills and prompting the creation of separate categories like "glitchless" runs. The impact of cheesing influences both community perception and the evolution of speedrunning strategies, driving developers to patch exploits or embrace them as part of game history.
The Future of Cheesing in Speedrunning Community
Cheesing techniques in speedrunning, such as exploiting game glitches or using unintended shortcuts, continue to evolve with advances in game analysis and player creativity. Machine learning algorithms and community-shared tools enable the discovery of more efficient cheesing methods, pushing speedrun times even lower. The growing collaboration between developers and speedrunners fosters an environment where cheesing strategies are both challenged and celebrated, shaping the future meta of competitive speedrunning.

example of cheesing in speedrun Infographic