Awesome Games Done Quick 2025: A Week of Speedrunning for Charity
As the new year kicks off, gaming enthusiasts and charity supporters alike are gearing up for one of the most exciting events in the gaming calendar: Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) 2025. This annual speedrunning marathon, which has become a beloved tradition, is set to take place from January 5 to January 12. For an entire week, gamers from around the world will unite to showcase their skills and raise money for a noble cause.
AGDQ 2025 is once again partnering with the Prevent Cancer Foundation, a collaboration that has proven successful in previous years. The event promises a thrilling lineup of games, featuring both high-profile titles and hidden gems. Among the headliners are popular games like Horizon: Forbidden West, The Last of Us, Astro Bot, and the much-anticipated 2024 remake of Silent Hill II. But that’s not all—viewers can also expect to see a diverse array of games, from timeless classics to niche favorites.
For those who love a bit of nostalgia, AGDQ 2025 will feature speedruns of iconic games such as Super Mario Bros., Ninja Gaiden II, and the 1996 Batman arcade game. Meanwhile, fans of more obscure titles can look forward to seeing games like Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, UFO 50, Inspector Gadget: Gadget’s Crazy Maze, and the intriguingly titled Squirrel With A Gun.
Speedrunning, for the uninitiated, is the art of completing a game or a specific part of it as quickly as possible. It requires not only a deep understanding of the game mechanics but also hours of practice and precision. However, AGDQ is known for its creative twists on traditional speedrunning. This year, participants are pushing the boundaries with some truly unique challenges.
For instance, during the The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild segment, two players will attempt to navigate the game using just one controller. It’s a test of coordination and teamwork that promises to be both entertaining and impressive. Meanwhile, the Elden Ring segment will feature a DLC Bingo Lockout, where players race to complete a line on a bingo card by achieving specific in-game tasks, such as defeating a boss or finding a rare item.
Another highlight is the The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time segment, which will use a randomizer to shuffle the locations of items and dungeons, adding an element of surprise and unpredictability. And if that wasn’t enough, one participant plans to tackle New Super Mario Bros. Wii while playing the piano, a feat that combines musical talent with gaming prowess. To top it all off, a live band will provide backup music for the Crazy Taxi segment, adding a lively soundtrack to the high-speed action.
AGDQ has been hosting these incredible speedrunning marathons for 15 years, and in that time, it has raised an impressive $51.8 million for various global charities. These include Doctors Without Borders, the Organization for Autism Research, and AbleGamers, an organization dedicated to improving accessibility in video games. AbleGamers is at the forefront of developing adaptive technology that allows individuals who cannot use traditional controllers to enjoy gaming and connect with others.
For those eager to catch the action, Games Done Quick will stream the entire event live on its Twitch channel. To plan your viewing schedule, you can check out the full lineup on AGDQ’s website.
- Event: Awesome Games Done Quick 2025
- Dates: January 5 – January 12
- Charity: Prevent Cancer Foundation
- Streaming: Twitch
- Schedule: AGDQ Website
Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just someone who appreciates a good cause, AGDQ 2025 is an event not to be missed. It’s a celebration of gaming, community, and the power of coming together to make a difference.
Originally Written by: Josh Broadwell
