The world record for speedrunning Super Mario Bros. has been in such a state of contention, the game has practically been solved. The literal human limits of Super Mario Bros . have nearly been reached, but players continue to push. Now, the latest new world record isn’t far off from the one set by non-human tools.
Kosmic, who has made his name as a general Super Mario speedrunner, set a new “Any%” world record of 4:55.96. This makes him the very first human being to beat the game in less than 4:56. What’s even more remarkable about this already near-inhuman feat is that Kosmic was able to get this time after practicing a new, untested shortcut, then nailing it on his first serious try in this record-smashing run.
By abusing this new trick, which requires frame-perfect accuracy over and over, Kosmic was able to nearly match a time only achievable in what are referred to as tool-assisted runs, which use programs to simulate play considered too perfect for human ability. What a time to follow speedrunning.
Source: Polygon