Summer Games Done Quick has officially kicked off, signaling an exhilarating week of high-octane speedrunning action. This year’s charity marathon, supporting the vital work of Doctors Without Borders, features an eclectic lineup including Hollow Knight: Silksong, Pragmata, and Resident Evil: Requiem. The event has already produced an iconic moment, courtesy of a jaw-dropping, world-record-shattering performance in Kirby Air Riders.
Early in the event, speedrunner Bluekandy took to the spotlight for a specialized Kirby Air Riders run. While the original intent was to blaze through all 18 standard tracks, a community-driven donation incentive shifted the goalposts significantly. Bluekandy was tasked with completing the full gauntlet in the “No Dupes” category, which required utilizing a unique racer and vehicle combination for every single course.
Executing this is far more challenging than it appears on the surface. The roster of vehicles in Kirby Air Riders is incredibly diverse; some hover with minimal lift, while others are grounded, precision-handling machines. Then there are the notorious “slippery” stars that navigate corners with the grace of a bar of soap. Balancing these distinct handling profiles against character-specific statistics creates a level of mechanical depth that demands absolute mastery.
Bluekandy proved he is exactly that: a true virtuoso of the game. Throughout the 38-minute endurance test, he deployed perfectly optimized builds to suit each track’s layout. For instance, pairing Rick with the Rex Wheelie allowed him to dominate the sharp, serpentine boardwalks of Waveflow Waters. His run wasn’t just about clean lines; it was a tactical display of aggressive optimization, including strategic backward bomb tosses to maximize enemy clearance and boost his top speed.
Not only did Bluekandy conquer the challenge, but he also obliterated the existing world record. His finishing time of 37:54 crushed KazuYoshi’s previous benchmark of 39:51. While the final standing is currently pending validation on Speedrun.com, witnessing a world record tumble by over two minutes on the GDQ stage is a rare and thrilling spectacle.
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This stellar showcase highlights the hidden complexities beneath Kirby Air Riders’ deceptively simple, two-button interface. The depth lies in mastering the subtle interplay between momentum, track topography, and power-up management. It serves as a reminder of why the title remains a standout experience from 2025, perfectly captured by Bluekandy’s ability to tame such a chaotic and unpredictable game.
Summer Games Done Quick runs through Saturday, July 11. Catch all the action live on Twitch and YouTube.
Source: Polygon
