Renowned Super Mario 64 speedrunner Bubzia has done it again—this time breaking the blindfolded 1-star world record with an incredible time of 10 minutes and 32 seconds. Known for his mastery of speedrunning under extreme conditions, Bubzia’s latest feat sets a new benchmark for blindfolded playthroughs in one of gaming’s most iconic titles.
Breaking the Boundaries of Sight and Speed
Blindfolded speedrunning is a remarkable challenge that tests not only mechanical skill but also intense memorization, spatial awareness, and muscle memory. Completing Super Mario 64 blindfolded is already a major achievement—but finishing it in under 11 minutes with only one required star is almost unthinkable.
Yet, Bubzia—no stranger to this grueling category—has spent months refining his technique to shave precious seconds off his run. He celebrated the record on Bluesky, calling it one of his most challenging and rewarding accomplishments to date.
A Classic Game, Reinvented by Speedrunners
Super Mario 64, originally released in 1996, revolutionized 3D platforming with its open-world structure, acrobatic moveset, and dynamic camera system. Players guide Mario through Princess Peach’s Castle, jumping into magical paintings that transport them into unique levels—each filled with secrets, stars, and enemies.
Over the decades, the game has become a pillar of the speedrunning community. Various categories—from 120-star completions to minimal runs like the 1-star category—have remained hotly contested, with players constantly innovating to shave down record times.
The Art of the Blindfolded 1-Star Run
To complete the game in the 1-star category, speedrunners only collect the minimum required star to unlock Bowser’s first stage and then use glitches or high-level techniques to reach the final Bowser fight early.
Doing this blindfolded, however, is another level entirely.
Bubzia relied entirely on:
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Precise sound cues
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Frame-perfect muscle memory
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Mental maps of every stage
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Months of trial, error, and patience
The result? A flawless run that not only sets a new world record, but also pushes the boundaries of what players believed possible.
The Community Reacts
The speedrunning and retro gaming communities have praised Bubzia’s record-breaking performance, with many calling it a masterclass in blindfolded gameplay. Fans and fellow runners took to social media to celebrate the achievement, and many are already speculating on what category Bubzia might tackle next.