This Guy is Literally TOO GOOD at Speedrunning

Niftski is good at Speedrunning Super Mario Bros. A little TOO good.
‣ Patreon: / kosmicd12
‣ Merch: store.streamelements.com/kosmic
‣ Twitch: / kosmic
‣ Twitter: / kosmicd12
‣ Second Channel (Speedruns, Romhacks, etc.): / @kosmicspeedruns
Thank you to my Patreon supporters!
- Bedashii
- Dan Salvato
- David Dean the human Juggernaut
- Eric Enniawl
- Ib3kii
- Just One Before I Die
- Kristy Smith
- litelbrown
- MK Wilson
- Paul Ryan
- Rick Elrod
- Schlimtor
- Steve Hartkopf
- uglywannabe
- Venicslav Atanasov
- Volts
Footage used:
/ anthonyjacoway
www.youtube.com/@Niftski/videos
/ niftski
/ beautifuleasytigerpico...
• PACE Summer 2023 | Tra...
/ 1915021141
/ 1916750585
• THREE Sub-Fives in LIV...
• (SMB1) WE TIED THE TAS...
• Tying the TAS to World...
Music used:
• Volcano Valley Zone (A...
• Dark Cloud 2 - 49 - Se...
• Honeyhive Galaxy - Sup...
• Yoshi's Island OST - F...
• Donkey Kong Country: T...
• Pinna Park Beach - Sup...
• Continue - Super Monke...
• Mini-Game 2 [Mario & L...
• Video
• Bomberman Hero: Redial HD
• Neo Green Hill Zone (A...
• End Times
• Flooded Complex - AM2R
• Castlevania II Music (...
• Dreamy Somnom Labyrint...
• Sacred Somnom Woods - ...
#Kosmic #Mario #Breakdown

[@Kosmicd12]

See near daily world records at www.twitch.tv/niftski

[@gdstar6917]

Yessir

[@contentfreeGPT5-py6uv]

THANKSX kosmic you are so beast , really your community are good people

[@iantorcachaves99]

If we create a % so absurd that even niftiski would have trouble to beat it?

[@wizulus]

Bro, the Outer Wilds music at 14:30... 😙👌 Nice touch!

[@doggo7078]

If Niftsky is so good, why doesn't he attempt other games? I'm sure there are very competitive backgrounds in games that he could enjoy. You don't need to go to GD and beat Bloodborne or anything

[@TooIAssistedSpeedrun]

This is the first time that I’ve actually been worried about someone taking my record.

[@crescendo5594]

Under-rated 29-minute-old comment.

[@abugidaiguess]

did you make this account just for this one comment

[@aligamesaligames2161]

Yep

[@yawg691]

Lmao

[@NoNameAtAll2]

please don't abondon this account so many jokes can be made!

[@kripos2201]

The fact that the TAS actually manages to be tied with Niftski is mind-blowing, technology has come so far

[@epicow_1973]

lol

[@CEOofPhoneCo]

Lmao

[@SIDEWAYS255]

This might just be my new favorite comment

[@asdfhklljfztvvw3686]

Now he could teach some chess to stockfish

[@coolboboblooc]

😂😂😂

[@thebrapman]

There's only one explanation. Niftski got his speedrunning ability via a wish granted from a monkeys paw. He wished to be an incredible speedrunner, and his wish came true but the cost? He would be so good, so effortlessly, that it would rob him of his joy.

[@davidarvingumazon5024]

Can he Speedrun Minecraft in every categories and every versions?

[@GrayCatbird1]

One Punch Man: the real life adaptation

[@ryambler]

the catch was... ⌨️ 😮 jk

[@hariman7727]

Some people just have the talent and find the right niche to use their God given skills. I'm just hoping Niftski can find games that take a little longer to grind, that give him back the fun of grinding.

[@yagamigaming69420]

@@GrayCatbird1 one run man

[@cookiecan10]

At some point in the (probably distant?) future, SummoningSalt will have to make a video on "The Quest To Beat Niftski".

[@docsy4529]

If Niftski is truly the GOAT, it will be the quest to match Niftski

[@Bismuth9]

Great video! Niftski is a really incredible player, but I think one thing that him and Suigi have in common is their absolutely spotless practice etiquette. They are relentless at grinding down a trick until it becomes second nature, no matter how hard it is.

[@AkumaAPN]

I agree. I learned from the best, and i do the same thing with Prince of Persia SNES. Life has been crazy lately, and no time for practicing or running, and yet, last Sunday, I got a new WR on a single attempt. Granted, PoP has way easier timing than SMB1, but putting in the practice one trick at a time definitely pays off!

[@g0ni]

I heard something like regular people practice til they it right, pros practice til they don't get it wrong

[@JK17-1]

3rd

[@EebstertheGreat]

It seems like hardcore practice takes a lot of commitment. It can get very tedious, and attempts certainly get you more views. But I assume it's the most effective way to train. Imagine if basketball players practiced every day by spending just a few minutes on shooting drills followed by hours of full games.

[@Sir_Leelord]

love your videos, i'd like to see one done on super metroid too as oatsngoats recently got the WR in that too.

[@AverageTreyVG]

"He hopes that this grind actually takes him awhile this time" this quote put a big dumb smile on my face lol

[@kyrette1666]

King Boo moment

[@mantizshrimp]

dumb smile = best smile

[@pompourin]

It’s the guy!

[@mjc0961]

Holy crap that ending. "You may only have one day left... Just kidding, it's already too late" Niftski really is just too good. 😂😂

[@GLUBSCHI]

So this is the "tas" guy i keep hearing about, i'm starting to understand why he has the world record in every game ever made

[@LNP618]

which "tas" guy tho? niftski hasnt ran for example minecraft or gd or roblox parkour etc etc

[@allysson_]

​@@LNP618we dont know his hobbies bro

[@Engage_lol]

This guy is literally tied with the TAS

[@stigmaoftherose]

22 frames short. He is tied up till 8-4.

[@idkwhat4069]

No, he is literally TAS

[@Kosmicd12]

I, of all people, appreciate this comment. :)

[@SayAhh]

can you press both left and right simultaneously on keyboard and, if so, will it be accepted?

[@stigmaoftherose]

@SayAhh you can but you have to disable left + right for the speedrun to be accepted. It's a setting in the emulator that you have to turn on/off or whatever.

[@Hero_of_Friday]

While Niftski makes history, Kosmic will record it. This is some top-notch material, well done!

[@Dimumouto]

And then Summoning Salt will make a dramatic yet amazing hour long video on it.

[@cawds2245]

⁠@@Dimumoutocan’t wait for “the quest to beat niftski” to come out in a few years

[@hisham_hm]

It's so bittersweet to be living through the final days of SMB1 speedrunning. He will tie the TAS all the way and then everyone will have to move on to other things. This feels a bit like the end of the DAS era of Tetris, as it was ultimately obsoleted by hypertapping. We will always remember the likes of AndrewG, Kosmic and Niftski in SMB1 like we remember the likes of Jonas, Greentea and Joseph, but at one point it's really the closing of an era, a story with a beginning and an end.

[@simple45679]

What does actually happen when the "perfect" run is accomplished? Do others just stop trying and the thing dies?

[@hisham_hm]

@@simple45679 people move on to other categories

[@feosTAS]

@@hisham_hm nah he will just beat the tas

[@CoNteMpTone]

In 10 years Niftski grinding hard for 20 minutes to beat his 4:01 for his first sub4 only to achieve it during his warmup and ruin the fun of the grind.

[@Bleeglesplotch]

​@@hisham_hmthat is simply not true. People will still want to show that they can tie the record. Even if it impossible to beat it, you can still tie it.

[@rnf123]

I think the reason it bothers Niftski to finish speedruns so fast is that this is his moment in the spotlight. Think about it. Most of us are born with only one or two truly exceptional talents. When we finally get attention for those talents, we don't want the moment to end. We want to savor it. And we want the audience to connect with us in the right way. Niftski has a gift for speedrunning, but he's so gifted that it actually hinders his ability to keep an audience in suspense and keep them emotionally invested in his runs. What he's really saying when he quits the run is this: I want to be achieving this milestone when my full effort and intention is on it. I want myself and my audience to be in sync, on the edge of our seats, waiting to see if I can make it happen. I don't want it to be in a goofy category, with terrible setup, and nobody properly paying attention.

[@CrimKing161]

yes! exactly! speedrunning is only done because it's fun, so sacrificing milestones for the sake of fun isn't that horrible.

[@Mousyy]

Niftski's skills are what Billy Mitchell and Todd Rodgers claimed themselves to be, he's genuinely like some sort of speedrunning savant.

[@kaldo8907]

He starts his speedruns in second gear

[@coachmcguirk6297]

Na ah, I just asked Todd and Billy, they both have a 3:22 for any%, absolutely obliterating the TAS.

[@mikeprado30]

And he has an special add that Billy lacks: HUMILITY TOWARDS HIS ACHIEVEMENTS.

[@LiEnby]

Watch it turn out he's cheating ..

[@levelwithme8535]

@kaldo8907 Could probably use a different analogy lol

[@foxman2373]

This guy is literally the One Punch Man of speedrunning, getting so good that it actually bothers him 😂

[@spacey_432]

your pfp made me happy :>

[@foxman2373]

@@spacey_432 Back at ya Blooky :D

[@Qoobon_]

Stop

[@sanstevenson]

😂 for real.

[@DaijDjan]

Thought of the exact same comparison, yeah ;)

[@austinfletchermusic]

It feels like the true grind that would make Niftski happy at its depth and length is matching the TAS. If anyone can finally reach perfection it's him

[@yanec2501]

If Nifski ever gets exposed as a cheater then I'm not trusting any speedrunner anymore.

[@tdpmati1949]

I never suspected Niftski, but getting 4:54 on controller when you're keyboard main while practicing at live event and then absolutely destroying the event itself is enough of a confirmation for me that this guy is just a different breed.

[@Syllaren]

At this point it would take more skill to have been cheating successfully all this time than it would to just do the runs.

[@SnoFitzroy]

RIGHT????@@Syllaren

[@marsovac]

@@tdpmati1949 he might be a different breed, but remember the words from Karl: being the best doesn't make you any less likely to cheat

[@VallianceRS]

live performance on official hardware is a good tell that its legit

[@bretterry8356]

Mad respect for Kosmic and the whole SMB speed run community for supporting other runners you're ostensibly competing with. Makes the community that much better when they stick up for each other like this.

[@jezzyj9892]

yeah this is chill af

[@jamesbryan558]

From what I've seen as an outsider a lot of these communities, especially at the top level, are really chill and will share strats and support each other. It's pretty sick.

[@jboss1073]

@@jamesbryan558 Interestingly, they are like computer programmers in this regard, sharing their strategies freely with their competitors.

[@willie333b]

People in 2019: 4:54 is basically impossible Niftski now: hold my pizza

[@kumada84]

But, you have to be eating pizza WHILE you're doing it, otherwise it doesn't work 🍕🥤

[@Sailorbrown42]

This is the best comment on this video hands down. Why does it only have 2 replies (including me)

[@lookas170]

more players got 4:54 nowadays, not just Niftski

[@91Indrek]

​@@lookas170I don't think you know the context. It's joke about thah fake speedrun, Karl Jobst made video about it.

[@luis-sophus-8227]

Hold my coca cola

[@christiaanjellesma1851]

6 players on 1 screen is just awesome to watch. its like grandturismo trying to make a better time vs your shadow from earlier fastest rounds :D

[@james-michaelrobson287]

It's super interesting to see an expert in the field talk about someone at the pinnacle. You have the background to do it, and you articulate the details that we laymen probably wouldn't have caught because we aren't steeped in the intricacies of the process. Thanks!

[@PierceArner]

High five to an _ESPECIALLY_ rad sponsor for this video!

[@mikeprado30]

Bestest sponsor evah!

[@l-l]

Are we sure Niftski isn’t just TASBot inside a skin suit? This dude is a MACHINE. Legend

[@pmnt_]

let's ask dwango if he built something like that

[@barath4545]

When Niftski walks into a gun store, he asks for a phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range.

[@TheOddHog]

He’s tasbot in a trench coat

[@zerlichr426]

Nifski is example of "what happen if you always win". Not many people understand the fact that struggle is NEEDED in life, because if you overcome something that seems to be impossible, it's more rewarding to you when you finally done it. For any other speedrunner finally breaking the barrier and making it so close to be better, is always this dopamine rush to say "YES YOU'RE GETTING BETTER". But with how good Nifski is, it will not happen as often. And most of things is less celebration, but more "oh i did it". It reminds me of one fictional character that had problem he when looking on something understand how it work. He got frustrated, because that "joy of exploration and understanding" never happen to him and it became really boring, those so called "unsolved misteries". So i just say, be happy with your struggle. It makes your happy moments better.

[@2_Old]

I know it's not all like this, but something I really enjoy about the speedrunning community is how ya'll are so genuinely excited for one another once someone sets a new record. No doubt there is drama, and haters, but as a whole, the speedrunning community seems pretty wholesome.

[@stefansamoyloff3866]

Just my 2 cents, but ... Speedrunning deals objectively with limits of human ability and TAS for guidance. As such "World Records" are actually just millstones. Will another human be born who can beat 9.58s in the 100m? Who knows. So Usain Bolt can look at his record is something that might never be beaten, and might even feel disappointed if it is. Will a human, given enough time, beat the current WR for SMB? Yes. That's just a fact. We know that because the WR isn't at the theoretical limits of human ability. Unless you tie the task, you should never expect your record to hold for long ... and even then, new tech can change that. So why be disappointed by something that is inevitable? While in other sports you are competing against other people, in a speedrun you are more competing with your personal best and the game itself. And after you try to "break" a game for 3 years, seeing someone else break the game even better then you did is actually pretty cathartic for most people.

[@andrewmirror4611]

I like how "He's currently doing a speedrun of SMB" ends with a hard stop because chances are, right now irl he is

[@michaelmahoney5677]

I really appreciate your thoughts on the keyboard debate. It really is such nonsense. Niftski is clearly the GOAT and i am honored to have met both him and you

[@skipperbut]

If it's allowed it's allowed. But no question it's a lot more comfortable then the regular remote and being able to have 3 fingers to move/switch directions instead of 1 allows for a lot more precision. Yes "a lot" more.

[@superl8296]

@@skipperbut you can still use multiple fingers to move. look how most runners grip their nes controller.

[@skipperbut]

@superl8296 you could but like I said it's just more comfortable for the player using a keyboard being a well known thing of how gamers use WASD. On the other hand the NES's controller d-pad was for single input directional inputs, 1 finger. Using claw grip or something similar on a NES just is not comfortable at all

[@superl8296]

@@skipperbut Thats preference at the end of the day. You can say its not comfortable but most top runners use a controller and like it a lot better. It only comes down to that. Your original comment implied you have an advantage on keyboard because you have multiple fingers which just isnt true

[@namiralily1279]

@@skipperbutIncorrect.

[@ShmeckleBoy]

Niftski is also a class act. Back during the second r/place, my group happened to start building the logo we were making on the same small plot that Niftski and his chat were building a smb1 design. I think he had more people than us so he could totally have just trampled us eventually, but he literally helped us move over to the left and had his twitch chat help us place blocks lmao. Soon enough he did the same with like 2-3 other groups in the area. So yea, at one point Niftski had an alliance with Shotbow MC, some book series called Wings of Fire, and the Cleveland Browns.

[@thenumberquelve158]

Playing live in front of a crowd on a one hour limit and putting together a run better than anything Kosmic himself ever did in SMB1. I can't even. I knew this was gonna be insane when an all-time legend is talking about somebody ELSE being insanely good at HIS game, but wow. I can't even *imagine* literally becoming so good at a game that I become *emotionally compromised* and force a quit. At this stage, Niftski can hear colors and smell music.

[@Lost-bc2rz]

When you're so good that you're ACTIVELY hoping that your attempts end in vain, that's when you know you're something else!

[@elfabrip]

this is literally the plot of one punch man

[@ictogon]

@@elfabrip One punch man was good until they added a random god enemy type of guy who didn't die in one punch, it just ruined the whole concept

[@pkfiremain710]

​@@ictogonExcept they never did that

[@robsquared2]

Honestly it's a relief that he's done real hardware live as verification, so yeah this is absolutely insane.

[@Davesoft]

yeah, the video seems to be worship, I'm looking for some real information in here somewhere

[@Numbabu]

@@Davesoftlook at what he did on live stream, in front of a crowd, on real hardware, and tell me he isn’t impressive. Surely that footage convinced you.

[@Davesoft]

@@Numbabu of what? his divinity?

[@user-vk2cd9qw7i]

his unmatched skill @@Davesoft

[@Numbabu]

@@Davesoft that he is good at the game

[@daveloomis]

The love and respect you're showing for a fellow runner is heart-warming.

[@ThorsShadow]

I love how the people in the speedrunning community constantly sing each other's praises. Beautiful. I'm not a speedrunner myself, I have just been getting into the whole topic a few years ago with a video about the history of Mirror's Edge speedruns and the techniques and glitches discovered.

[@MigoKazan]

Yooo, that combined capture thing from that flibidi guy is so cool, this is a gamechanger Also, Niftski is pretty much the oldschool 2D Mario equivalent of Suigi.. the new generation of speedrunners really is taking over, dem younguns are summat else

[@jasonkoch3182]

Just waiting for Niftski to do this while eating pizza and chugging Coke. He’s not truly dominate until he does that.

[@ExtremeIsAwesome]

lol. Speedrunning has had enough of that.. hope he doesn't end up in a Karl Jobst video years down the line.. as Karl routinely says.. being the best doesn't make you any less likely to cheat in the future. Him ending runs because he's on WR pace is both hilarious and sad at the same time. I hope him actually heading for TAS level gives him to satisfaction.

[@asprika9702]

nice reference

[@JodyBruchon]

Niftabun

[@asprika9702]

@@ExtremeIsAwesome hes referencing the fake Mario speedrun video

[@ExtremeIsAwesome]

@@asprika9702 I know. Doesn't really address my comment though, but thanks anyway.

[@ScarletDeathweaver]

Today (September 24th, 2023) is the 5th anniversary of the first 4:55 in this game by Kosmicd12. And 4:54.6xx is already here.

[@JosiahBradley]

So he is speedrunning speedrunning itself.

[@Andrei_2011]

7:52 Niftski is so fast that from the minute this was published this has become outdated 9:56 he also played Cookie Clicker for 3 seconds on a Livestream because he failed 1-2 11:32 Yhea 100% a while 18:41 THAT WAS ACUALLY TRUE!

[@pokemaniac0075]

What a legend

[@hugmynutus]

Wait, really?

[@yelir64]

the cookie clicker gameplay was edited in niftksi out of context, not actually part of the thing. funny reference regardless though

[@keiharris332]

I mean no offense when I say this: But to CASUALLY beat kosmic's WR in a live event is on a different level. My goodness Niftski. He is The Wizard...

[@luizansounds]

He may just have an impact as big as AndrewG, that's absolutely scary because Andrew was carving his legacy before this hyper optimized era It makes me speechless how he is not only being dominant but he is probably the GOAT of SMB1

[@nickyheart]

in kosmic's defense his record is the oldest, I don't doubt he can get a higher score if he tried

[@SHINBAXTER]

THE FACT THAT HE DID IT BEFORE U FINISHED EDITING MADE THE VIDEO EVEN BETTER. PERFECT VIDEO TITLE 👌 =)

[@johaldoronaldo9393]

Thankyou so much for this video, Kos. You've changed my mind on Niftski. I'm not a fan of the keyboard at all but those times at that event says it all. GOAT!

[@jerrys.9895]

Making a video (rightly) praising Niftski while being a competitor is the bro move we all need to see more of.

[@jayure1346]

8:00 4.54.798 lol niftski is so good the video is obsoleted before it’s even uploaded

[@eiya2003]

I was just thinking that😂😂

[@MsJavaWolf]

I took a break from watching speedrunning for a while, so this was really interesting. Nice of you to talk so positively about your fellow competitors, that's true sportsmanship.

[@SwedePotato314]

That’s simultaneous multi run teach is amazing. I’m not super well versed in speed running or anything related to it but do enjoy watching it. I can’t believe how far the technology has come, that is super cool to be able to see all the runs like that.

[@blakegrewteeth]

from a storytelling perspective, that was the best possible ending. niftski is a god

[@HeatherSulu]

Nif's decision to kill the run at such a pace is modern art personified

[@CharlesUrban]

To Niftski's credit, unlike modern "artists," he didn't think that that was a profound work of genius. Also, unlike modern art, getting good enough to make that run possible took a lot of work.

[@barath4545]

Only comparison is Ronnie O'Sullivan doing a 146 on purpose on the final red cause he wanted to protest how low the prize for a perfect 147 was now.

[@braddorcas9363]

I think it should be considered self harm, and this man should be checked into a facility. Madness.

[@Curseddimension]

The Coke and Pizza at 1:45 killed me. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 That is genius, I love the subtle reference to that famous cheating case haha.

[@SnoFitzroy]

where is it though? I don't see either of those at that time stamp?

[@Adon4K]

@@SnoFitzroytry 1:49

[@rapha_musik]

It’s cool to see, that you show so much respect for each others performance in this community

[@teo_heel]

For those who're saying that Niftski's playing on Keyboard and keyboard allows simultaneous left+right and up+down presses, many emulators has an option to not allow those presses to affect the gameplay in any shape or form. Niftski's emulator of choice is Nestopia and Nestopia has that option.

[@teo_heel]

NIftski is in the league of his own. He owns this game at this point. He can do anything, even 4:54.265 is possible for him. And I can't wait to see him to this run.

[@famistudio]

Thanks for the explanation about the controller/keyboard thing, very helpful!

[@KaceyTime]

Outer Wilds music emotionally sucker punching me lmao. Great video, lots of respect for anyone willing to stick to their convictions when it comes to their personal accomplishments to this degree.

[@knghtbrd]

Kosmic to world: Shut up about the keyboard. Niftski is a machine and it ain't the keyboard that's doing it. Talent knows talent.

[@LaughingOrange]

His support for Niftski means a lot to me, as Kosmic uses only original hardware in his own runs. If he doesn't think it's unfair, then it's fair.

[@Shaz8389]

I don't get the keyboard fuss, I've played smb1 for nearly 30 years and can't for the life of me play it on a keyboard. Surely he's got to be an autistic savant to have the level of concentration at these crazy tight strategies.

[@lookas170]

@@Shaz8389 autism has nothing to do with his skill, buddy

[@DiThi]

@@lookas170 but it probably has a lot to do to how he chose to spend his time acquiring this skill

[@lookas170]

@@DiThi you don't know him so it's dumb to assume things like that by that logic every top sports player has autism because they choose to spend their time trying to get as good as they can at their thing hes just a very talented guy at video games showing the world what he can achieve and enjoying it

[@janmagtoast]

Exited for the times where the leaderboard will not be "who's beaten super mario bros the fastest" but "who's beaten super mario bros the fastest the soonest". Maybe we'll have a handful of truly perfect runs in 20 years.

[@Accrovideogames]

That would be impossible to verify. Once SMB1 Any% gets a perfect run, they'll just move to other categories. Once all categories get perfected, they'll just create new ones. Once they run out of ideas for new categories, they'll just start using ROM hacks voted in by the top runners. For example, you can double the number of categories for SMB1 by playing as Luigi with his SMB2 physics. New world records will continue to happen for centuries.

[@mathieubonnet8991]

When I subscribed to this channel, I was thinking of watching a pleasant speedrunner on a game I really like, who also held world records in several categories. It turns out you are also a very good storyteller now, and I really enjoy watching your videos. This is an awsome acheivement, congratulations and thank you !

[@sonicwaveinfinitymiddwelle8555]

I hope TAS can catch up when Niftski finds a new strategy

[@SapphyBlueMoon]

That's totally crazy! Wonderful video showcasing the insane level of skill and dedication needed for these runs. Almost seems impossible for a human to achieve this.

[@ThePharphis]

Time flies! He's been uploading WRs constantly for like 2-3 years now lol

[@Wingsaber]

If this guy ever does a subathon, hes going to beat every single world record in every single category within that one stream, mark my words.

[@ekaansh]

Kosmic is a true sport for showing such high praise to a fellow competitor, both god-tier runners!

[@RobertMcKinnonMainChannel]

thank you for explaining the keyboard stuff!! i've always been unsure of that, but knowing he's just as good on original hardware puts me at ease knowing there isn't something about playing on keyboard that gives such an incredible advantage- that's all just niftski very interesting video!! gl to niftski 💪

[@jujuisacitron]

My all-time favorite SMB1 speedrunner, making a video of my favorite SMB1 speedrunner, what a life !

[@jefpearlman9686]

Really love seeing this kind of content with one player celebrating another player who is, in some sense, his competitor. (He's many other things, too, no doubt, but also your competitor.) Well done.

[@Choqobot]

this guy is a genius! i really admire gamers with this kind of focus and dedication. kudos to you, speedrunner gamers! you guys are truly amazing and really insane!

[@hisham_hm]

the degree of mutual respect in the speedrunning community is the most heartwarming thing

[@johndeaux8815]

It's the only thing we have besides the mutual disrespect from people who don't get it 😂

[@gorkskoal9315]

eeeeeh ish. but I get what you mean.

[@LoopieRaps]

I’m honored to have been able to sit down with Niftski a couple years ago when he first hit 4:54 on SMB and he’s been amazingly consistent with world records ever since! Honestly bringing smb to its absolute limit

[@DrWeird-zw5dc]

Hey.... i am no skilled speedrunner, i'm not even what i'd call a skilled gamer.... experienced yes, but no special abilities at all.... About 20 years ago, i was playing a Colin McCrae rally racing game, and was doing absolutely average.... someone offered me some herb, which i wasn't doing very often, but i accepted.... i started playing the game again, average as usual.... but then 'something' happened, it was a spooky feeling, i just became insanely good at the game- instantly.... It has the time meter and how much you gained or lost on the record after each segment, and i just started gaining and breaking away from the personal records, by many seconds per segment.... after about 10 minutes i freaked out and had to put the controller down.... seeing that footage of Niftski freaking out at his own abilities brought me right back to it.... of course i'm no insane prodigy like Niftski or even a talented gamer at all, but i have had that similar 'eerie' feeling, like you are in a zone that is almost out of your own control.... like you are playing possessed.... plugged into the matrix or something.... Maybe that's what people refer to as 'the zone'.... it is a very weird feeling, like you're separated from your nerves or something, like someone else is playing through you.... idk....

[@TheGuyWhoSaidHi2]

14:25 that low droning legitimately activated my fight or flight response even before I noticed I was hearing it

[@thexbigxgreen]

I kind of resented Niftski at first when he started sniping WRs because Kosmic is my fav SMB1 runner, but you can't help but respect the pure skill and gamesmanship

[@Kalaphant]

I love how you had to say: "Worst Case Scenario, you get the greatest speedrun of all time" xD

[@benoitb.3679]

My man, I love you. What a brilliant video, I really enjoyed that. What an awesome community you guys have.

[@jackringel485]

The SMB1 event at PACE was just insane. I remember popping off watching the 4:55 and running into the practice room to tell my friends about it, only to emerge a little later to see him *ON PACE TO GET AN EVEN BETTER **4:55**.* Sadly I wasn’t in the venue when he got the 4:54 but that video was still awesome and i’m still shook it happened. Undeniably the GOAT also i got to commentate the warpless simul which was fun :)

[@kekke2000]

Guy is speedrunning speedrunning

[@Pankaw]

I've been waiting for a video that truly honoured how unbelievably insane Niftski is literally right now, and it's finally here! Spectacular video, enjoyed it all =)

[@mikew8100]

Hi Kosmic, I used to have a ton of fun following along with you guys back in the day as 'kommontater'. Thanks for catching me up on the lore, I was literally crying with laughter for Niftski's suffering. Awesome work!

[@an_apple_a_day]

Banger video, wow. Really really well put together

[@cantaloupeme]

In my 10 years of speedrunning, I honestly do not see how someone can be this good at their main game. Its the consistency. I can't think of anyone else that has been this consistent. There is always someone better that comes along, this game as shown it. However, this game is almost perfect. I wonder how he would do if he switched to some other games once he's done with Mario. Can he destroy those as well?

[@lookas170]

other Mario games have very different physics compared to this, and he's a keyboard player, many Mario games require a normal controller to play most likely he wouldn't

[@illdeletethismusic]

trackmania may be a good choice on keyboard

[@electricpants8196]

he has actually played a bit of red ball 1, and actually set a world record with a 2:37, though it's since been beaten by miniland with a 2:35. i'm sure he could make the jump to other games, since the main reason he's so phenomenal at smb1 is because he's insane at practicing everything.

[@lookas170]

@@electricpants8196 another main reason is that he has a great talent

[@TheGaming100]

@@lookas170i mean there is always sm63 *cough cough*

[@DubYuhGChoppa]

Yea he is goated lol it's dope to see the community recognizing it more and more

[@lewdogggg]

Idk man, I saw this guy play while casually eating pizza and drinking Pepsi absolutely smashing the game.

[@JailbreakMoments]

He was so talented that he didn’t even need to do the inputs which were shown on screen.

[@TheBeggies95]

Hey Kosmic! I don’t really watch Mario speedruns but you are my favorite because i always see you in Melee related stuff and thats my favorite game LMAO LETS GO

[@josephrossow8901]

Glad you did a video on Niftski. Following SM speedrunning, I'd heard of him of course. I had no idea of how quickly he accomplished his records though, OR that he could do it with a controller. That's absolutely bonkers.

[@mack4691]

Niftski is so unbelievable that I wouldn't be surprised if there's a new person reviewing his input cam for cheating every other day. He's too much.

[@MitchellWinning]

You’re the real goat man, making a praise video for the dude that beat you. Mad respect.

[@tecknowledjee6933]

BRO I FREAKED OUT AT 0:28 I LOVE DARK CLOUD

[@flibidydibidy]

A phenomenal video. We are so fortunate as a community to have Kosmic. His contributions are immense - and this video is a beautifully crafted celebration of another of the greats. Congratulations Niftski - and contratulations Kosmic too. What an awesome time for Super Mario Bros.!

[@SteadyFiddle632]

flibidydibidy

[@Zm4rf]

As someone bumbling through B-side golden berries in Celeste, the example of getting records fast is what really sold me on how good this man is. I couldn't tell you how many hours I've wasted being the complete opposite of clutch on what should be otherwise straightforward tasks 😭 and this guy just waltzes through pressure like a freight train.

[@OriginalMasters]

Dancing train!

[@DK3CHAMP]

I have a theory about Nifski. Most people when they get excited have a hard time concentrating, but some people can go into hyperfocus and become much better than they usually are. He's had enough, "I don't believe this is happening" to lead me to believe he's such a player. His excitement takes him to another level. To an All Time GOAT level.

[@aGameScout]

awesome video! I had seen a couple of the flibidydibbidy videos before, but this gave me a lot more context as to who niftski is

[@electricpants8196]

amazing video man! i was just waiting to see mention of the new record once i realized the voiceovers and stuff were done before it actually happened, interested in seeing your coverage of the run!

[@real.bingus]

i really love all the professionally shot footage of andrewg, darbian, and niftski right next to the footage of you taking a massive chomp of pizza, wonderful little touch

[@FloydMaxwell]

Multiple players on one screen is a game changer. Will make it so much easier for newcomers to see/learn best strats.

[@diegomedina9637]

I don't know... Where's his slice of pizza and bottle of coke at?

[@HimmDawg]

Aight, imma getting some snacks to see his perfect run in 3 days.

[@silenthashassin8912]

I love the passion and dedication.

[@moderndaycain]

what a legend and what a video! niftski truly is a machine of a man

[@alexw0310]

This makes me happy to have watched some of that SMB1 event in-person. I might've even been off-camera, across the aisle in this shot at 11:15. I really should've gotten a picture with Niftski...

[@musicmashups]

It really looks like Nifski will become the first, possibly only, runner to get the perfect Any% run that ties TAS. That might be the only goal that actually takes him a significant amount of time to accomplish

[@xdcountry]

Love these videos- incredible stuff

[@HUNGRY4EGGS]

his brain must be so much faster than ours that he just perceives the games as being slower or something..........

[@AlfredBull-kz9so]

I knew that Niftski was good, and I saw his recent smb any% wr, but I didn't realize he had the entire leaderboard!