Summer Games Done Quick Returns This July With Speedruns for Balatro, Super Mario 64, and More

The highly anticipated return of Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) is officially on the calendar. This premier speedrunning marathon will take place in Minneapolis this July, once again raising vital funds for Doctors Without Borders. Running from July 5 through July 11, the event’s comprehensive schedule promises an eclectic mix of gaming mastery, ranging from high-stakes competitive play to mind-bending technical showcases.

Hosted at the Hilton Minneapolis Downtown, the marathon supports the ongoing humanitarian efforts of Doctors Without Borders, an international organization dedicated to providing urgent medical assistance where it is needed most. Following a successful 2023 campaign that generated over $2.4 million in donations, this year’s iteration aims to continue that legacy of impact.

Explore the full Summer Games Done Quick schedule here.

Highlights to Watch

The marathon organizers have teased several standout performances that are not to be missed:

• Super Mario 64: Witness a historic milestone with GDQ’s inaugural 120-Star Tool-Assisted Speedrun (TAS).
• Total Nuclear Annihilation: Expert runner Ryan McSquid provides an insightful breakdown of advanced pinball strategies during this unique run.
• NES Tetris Tournament Finals: The grand finale takes center stage, following intense online qualifiers and an on-site “last chance” tournament for attendees.
• Balatro: Gamer ‘adef’ attempts a daring run, pushing the roguelike deck-builder to its absolute limits until the game’s mechanics finally buckle.
• Gordon & Daxter: An innovative, one-of-a-kind technical run that injects Half-Life 1 movement physics into the world of Jak & Daxter.

Fans can experience the action in person by securing a pass, or tune into the live broadcast via the official YouTube and Twitch channels.