Learning How to Speedrun Mario Odyssey in 1 Week 

What’s even more impressive than any speedrun is my man’s glow up

This video isnt about speedrunning or odissey, its about personal growth and dealing with setbacks as a perfectionist and I'm all here for it. I probably wont start speedrunning odissey but I sure as hell have been inspired to face on self-set challenges with a new perspective

Can we just truly appreciate how beautiful the line: "progress is not linear and I was foolish to assume I was the exception" truly is. God tier writing.

This is Alpharad's one of if not THE best video.

i really love the idea of like a group of people all picking a game theyve never played and having a speedrun competition for like 2 weeks to a month to learn the game and see who can do the best

Honestly, this might be your best video The script is insane, the live content is peak, this shit is motivational. Amazing work.

when he said "There's truly only one way to get better at something and it's by being really bad at it for a little bit," i felt that

Not only did he actually beat his time, but after so many years, he was finally able to close a video with a good closing line. Kudos jacob “funny internet man” alpharad

The speedrunning is impressive and all but I'm also still a little blown away by how good Alpharad is at telling a story

For the last question of what to speedrun next, I 100% recommend Celeste. It's a game meant for speedrunning, and you've played and enjoyed other hard platformers. You have also played it before so you won't have an entire game to play through before you get to speedrunning! If you do decide to take my recommendation into account, You should aim for a sub-hour run. It's a decently hard goal to achieve, but I know you can do it!

Honestly the 2 charts at 25:04 and 25:22 hit me hard because I just realized I’ve been in those points of despair and frustration so many times and especially after this video I realized I let them beat me and I quit so thank you for this video it made he probably other had the wake up call they needed to keep improving

As an artist and a gamer I've always been so infatuated with speedrunning. It, in itself, is an art form. The most pure and genuine appreciation of a game is to love it so much that you'll commit countless hours to replaying it. Optimizing it, whether for just yourself or for others to see, it doesn't matter the reason other than pure joy of the game. I only started speedrunning games after seeing Alpharad's love for this game specifically. I'd always been acute aware of speedrunning and its community, but I never even considered trying to speedrun until I realized you can just do it for yourself and nobody else. No recognition or anything, just the pure euphoria of seeing yourself improve. I love that people speedrun and stream it and stuff cause I love watching it, but I also love that it can just be private and personal, it allows me to casually speedrun games I love and not feel stressed that somebody is "better" than me. That is why I think speedrunning is an artform. The graph shown in this video is the perfect representation of an artists relationship with their art. Ups and downs, but deep inside you love it, no matter the frustration it brings sometimes. Never lose your passions, even if you need a break from them sometimes. They will always be there later, even if your break takes years.

Damn speedrunning this game must be insane if it takes 1 week to finish

Still havent touched this game but the speedruns are like happiness being pumped directly into my brain.

mastering the odyssey speedrun is a true accomplishment! congrats on beating your personal best 🎉

This is your finest work yet. I genuinely loved watching this one. You encapsulated all that speedrunning is about, and you somehow did that in just five days. The mental block, the tilt, the bitter frustration, the burnout, the hundreds of choked runs that could have been it, but just weren't it. The months of grinding where you know you've improved your own skills dramatically, yet you somehow never manage to smash your own time, even though you know you should have done so ages ago. The frustrating feeling of beating your own time, yet thinking that your run was horrible so you're upset even though you just got the run you were aiming for. The immense satisfaction of trying a strat, beging garbage at it, grinding it for hours until you land it once, then getting so good at it that failing it is the ecxeption, not the rule. That unearthly adrenaline rush of finally getting teh urn. I fucking love speedrunning, man. I can't wait for more content like this one. Also gotta love the Summoning Salt music and font. If you want to learn the sickest video game ever made, check out Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg. I hear there's a guy called Kyrrone who has got sick tutorials as well as speedrun documentaries about that game.

Honestly, you livestreaming Snow Dram back in 2020 does NOT feel like it was that long ago. and that scares me. And also as someone who discovered your content through (specifically) Super Mario Party Hard Mode Challenge Road, and have watched both of your supercuts for Mario Odyssey over hundreds of times, I am so glad to see you enjoying yourself with renewed vigor for speedrunning this masterpiece of a game.

This video feels oddly special to me because not only did I discovered this channel through your Odyssey videos, but they also were a huge help during some REAL lows in uni. So, I'll take this chance to thank you for your cotent and the heart you put into all your projects. I hope you the best of lucks going forward 👀💙

❤❤❤

Gotta say that it feels weirdly refreshing to watch one of your videos and recognise almost none of the music you played. I love a lot of the usual tracks you've been using over the years but I really loved the general vibe you put together with this one!

The vibes of this video feels sentimental. Different from your average Alpharad video but I like the vibes nonetheless. Something about Speedrunning makes people think about human weakness and ability to improve in a whole new light, it almost feels repentant. Super cool time and great on you for beating your PB!

Alpharad's mario journey is something I love to see

there's something about speedrunning that just shows growth and passion for the game you love. it's fascinating to see alpharad slowly reabilitate himself in this game and eventually become better than what he used to be.

This video feels oddly special to me because not only did I discovered this channel through your Odyssey videos, but they also were a huge help during some REAL lows in uni. So, I'll take this chance to thank you for your cotent and the heart you put into all your projects. I hope you the best of lucks going forward

As a runner of this game, it's really cool to see how you pretty much summed up most of the speedrunning mentality in this video and in your week of grinding. The mental blocks, getting tilted, and all the other stuff is very relatable just to a much larger extent of course. Very good video, GG on the pb

It was so awesome when matpat lended his energy and helped him use mario as unit of measurement

8:28 "There's truly only one way to get better at something and it's by being really bad at it for a little bit" is such a good quote.

This was inspiring not only for speedrunning, but for actually learning to be good at something. I have thrown the towel some times when reaching that frustration zone because I keep thinking that I will never be better, but after looking at this I think I understand that I just needed to keep going. Amazing video Mr. Internet funny man :)

Dude. The new editing style is really sick. I love how your content evolves from year to year. It’s super refreshing

The music selection in this video is exquisite! Every moment is perfectly highlighted by a swell, beat, or tone, which compliments the tone and emotion of that very thing. I adored your use of music here; it really felt like what music is meant for: complimenting expression to build emotional impact. Keep it up :)

This video is actually making me pretty emotional because Odyssey speedrunning was such a huge part of my life for basically the entirety of 2018 and 2018, and it's making me remember the joy I felt watching everything unfold and improve and optimize back then, and just being a part of that community in general which was such a huge thing for me back then

The part during day 3 when jacob was constantly missing the parts he practice is so relatable to me (and to probably most people that practice anything). I’ve been playing piano for years and when I start to practice something i’ll give it everything, master the sequence only to fuck it up on repeat for the next hour at minimum. It’s infuriating but that’s exactly what practice is, ups and downs but you keep practicing for that pure joy at the end! Koodos to jacob, practice makes perfect and damn that man proved it.

Wow! Not only is this a very entertaining and engaging video to watch. This video is a masterful example of showing what it’s actually like to learn. Like you showed yourself failing so many times, but also explained what you were learning and doing to keep progressing, and then to see you still had other set backs but still progressing was still really neat. It’s the attempt to learn something multiple times, fail constantly, learn from mistakes, relearn from old mistakes, practicing until perfecting, getting better but still failing, but persisting until you’re suddenly miles beyond where you were before. A better but still imperfect self, that’s the reward. This video legitimately teaches some really good life lessons. Thank you for documenting this.

I’ve honestly missed Alpharad playing Mario odyssey

as an artist i really liked the comparison to the painting progression graph. a lot of things follow that pattern and it’s encouraging to know why we feel the way we do, at least for me. it also can help when you feel like you’re not improving…or even going backwards. seeing this graph back when i first started experiencing the pattern it depicted helped a whole lot. he said there are highs and there are really low lows. and he’s right, but those highs, they keep us going, and they feel great. discovering new techniques…improving them…improving overall…man it feels great.

I’m sure you’ll never see this comment, but as somebody who struggles with several mental illnesses, and also mental block specifically surrounding perfectionism thank you for including the ending to this video as you did. It was actually incredibly helpful. Like, I know how that Day 5* feeling goes. You just did so great earlier, the day before, and you know you can “do better,” but then you don’t and it’s hard to overcome/accept that. I appreciate so much you not just ending the video with Day 4’s success because I think it’s really important for people (who aren’t watching on Twitch for some reason, come on guys watch the live stream) to see that it’s okay to feel defeated and simply appreciate what you already did, even if you’re not able to “improve on your best.” I struggle with the acceptance part so much and like I said, I just appreciate you including the Day 5* stuff. Also, those two charts/graphs you showed were eye opening too. Love the content, Alpha. Thanks again.

Can’t wait to watch been hyped since alpha gold talking about it

the editing in this video was actually insane, that scoring really fit. absolutely amazing video

I've never speedran anything really, but I did watch the 56min wr. It was so cool to watch and I didn't know what was happening 20% of the time. This video made me feel the same to when i watched the wr. Happy, surprised, exited. This whole community is just so amazing. Idk how to wrap this up but this was amazing storytelling and editing i loved it

I'm really glad you made a video about speedrunning Odyssey because this was the first game I ever ran. I had a similar growth arc to you, but since I didn't have a time limit, I was able to bring my best down to a 1:12:48. I stopped running it a couple months ago, but this has inspired me to go back to it. Mad props to you Alpha!

Absolutely great video as always. Speedrunning is really more than just grinding for world records. Overcoming your own struggles and improving at the game is all that matters in the end. And as a speedrunner myself I loved the end of the video. You won't always improve and that is fine, struggling is part of the journey. Also mental is a HUGE aspect of speedrunning

Highkey this may be the best video you’ve made, the writing and editing and music and everything is amazing

I love to see how motivated you were doing this. It can be transferred from person to person and is a useful tool to motivate yourself into practicing anything!

This is so easily one of the most well made videos on RU-vid. This isn’t a contest this video is amazing

this feels like a love letter to what speedruning is about while exploring what goes on when you actualy speedrun. really cool video im sure it will inspire people to try out speedruning. and also, if you are looking for a good speedgame you should try out celeste

I don't know why, but Jacob's laugh at Smallant's old intro really struck a funny chord with me.

Damn it, alpha. That little introspective bit at the end actually made me tear up slightly. As someone who speedruns a more niche game, your speech about speedrunning is something that speaks to me. About how Speedrunning doesn't have happy endings, and progress is not linear. How sometimes the improvement just has to wait for another day. Congratulations on beating back a demon that's tailed you for years on end, you earned this W.

Wow. This was an incredible video. I loved how you really showed the highs and the lows of speedrunning and talked about how personalized speedrunning can be. It can be casual, for fun, or competitive depending on what the individual wants at that time. SMO is one of the best speedruns out there and glad to see you run it. As for the next game I can vouch for Sonic Frontiers, since I've seen you play that recently. It's been developing SO far in the first few months and the record recently just hit sub hour. Excited to see more speedrun content!

An entirely new genre of video (for alpharad) and an entirely new banger, great job from the editor and great dedication from alpharad

This is an incredible video not only is it entertaining but it’s incredibly helpful for anyone wanting to learn a speedrun to any game as it shows some really great ideas behind the mindset and learning curve of a speedrun

10:52 A lot of people forget the importance of consistency. If you keep going for tricks that work 5% of the time, only to save a handful of seconds which can be saved elsewhere for a higher chance of success, people will not achieve their goals and get demotivated since it's not fun to fail all the time. A slow but steady progression is the way to go and will benefit you in the long run.

One of my favorite videos on the channel. The storyline, the context, the production/editing, everything. It's just amazing!

Wow, I can’t believe super Mario odyssey has been out for a week now, time truly flies

Honestly just watching Jacob’s speed running skills improve and being able to beat his old record is super impressive. I definitely know he’ll get better at odyssey soon. This def gave me confidence to try and start speed running too

It's crazy how people do this without messing up. I've done these tricks on one speedrun but ended up with a 5 hour time. I truly appreciate people who put in the time for this

Dude this was a masterpiece, I remeber loving your old Odyssey vidoes and your improvment as a content creator is incredible.

All of chat talking about pasta while he was practicing sand kingdom during the first stream was so fun

Love the new video style! The whole story was really nice and the music was a good compliment

Thank you for this video. I've been feeling really down lately, and been having a really hard time actually getting things done. This gave me the inspiration to actually get moving. So thank you.

Definitely inspired me lots Alpharad, watching you trying your heart out and keep passing goals, I absolutely loved this dude you're awesome! Loveddd the vid

I rarely comment on videos in general, but dang Alpharad this one was an absolute journey. I've been watching your stuff since the "How to Play 101" series in 2018 and I just wanna say thank you for the almost 5 years (and counting!) of entertainment. I've never played Mario Odyssey and I'm not interested in speedrunning at all, but somehow your storytelling and sense of humour always have me hooked to your videos. I'm so happy to see how far you've come and changed over the years, and now here you are closing in on 3M subs. Here's to an awesome 2023 :)

When Odyssey first came out, I had exams that kept me from getting it. So I decided to watch someone play it to live through them vicariously and I stumbled upon an unassuming Internet funny man. Hard to believe it's been six years since then. Loving the journey we took to get here and I can't wait to see what dumb shit you come out with next.

Fantastic video. I think this is a great watch for both seasoned speedrunners and people learning about speedrunning for the first time. The story and mindset is very relatable to almost every speedrunner who has been through the same, and this showcases those topics to a new audience who might not understand what it's like or why speedrunners do what they do. I hope this motivates people to give speedrunning a shot. Also for what game you should learn next; Super Mario Bros. Any% for a sub 5 minute time. I personally think anyone could get that time really quickly with the proper help, and would love to see your journey to try to achieve a time like that.

This video to me has been a life lesson. I can honestly apply almost all of the mindset and mentality to playing chess and it’s crazy how far Jacob has come with Odyssey

I can tell from the editing and commentary that this video means something. Love to see it.

Jacob reflecting on his appearance from just a few years ago is neat I've followed this channel since the early HTP101 days in 2015 and seen how he's grown, changed, evolved in that time. A lot of youtubers have this happen, but Alpharad is one of the very few I've never really lost interest in

At the end he asks what I'd like to see him run next... I know Alpharad played A Hat in time like, once or twice on the channel, but the speedrun is pretty easy to learn and pretty cool too!

This brings back memories! I was huge into this games speedruning scene when it came out. I was a massive enjoyer of Small ant, LilKirbs, fearsome fire, and Dozens of other runners including the Funnyman himself. I watched the first Sub hour live… then i fell off (with the exception of your famous Snow Dram/head against brick wall stream). So this was super Nosferatu for me! Keep up that speedrunner spirit alpha!

The truest mark of character is the dedication to improve yourself despite all hardship. Alpha, you truly are an inspiration!

This is Alpharad's one of if not THE best video. The script is amazing, the music is very fitting and energetic when it needs to be, the live content itself is beyond entertainig. Amazing work. This video made me, as casual of a player as you can find, want to start speedrunnig.

I think this might be the best Alpharad video. It’s full of so much heart and passion, and love. It’s so good.

I know it's far outside of what games you normally play, but honestly seeing you play and learn the Titanfall 2 speedrun would be beyond hype

From Mario Party Speedruns to even Odyseey, Alpharads fingers have gone through alot.

is it just me or are the best alpharad videos are the ones where he really challenges himself

You're the person that introduced me to odyssey with your super cut when the game first came out, since then I've also gotten into speedrunning! Your progression is a really awesome story

I really love seeing your improvement and how far you've come from 2017 to now-- I only started watching in I think 2020 and you've always been one of the more inspirational channels for me. You're always working on something and it motivates me to try and put my foot out there with my own creative ventures. Also, you routinely give me infinitely more respect for the amount of dedication speedrunning takes, holy shit. Looking forward to joining chat next time :3

I actually am surprised that this game is still very popular. This just shows how much effort was given into this game.

Alpha is finally back with mario odyssey speedruns

That story telling is phenomenal. Had me engaged the entire time. These videos are why I’m subscribed

Yo just wanna say that you did not peak in 2017 you have been peaking since 2017. your content is always so damn well paced and dope as fuck.

Celeste has to be such an incredible speedgame. It's been in the pantheon of speedruns since it came out and it has an open and accepting community that it's more than willing to help any new players on top of just been a really good pickup and play run with a lot of accessible practice tools that can be provide tangible improvement. Can't recommend it enough to anyone looking to learn a new game

You should totally do more streams like this!!

The SummoningSalt music is just *chefs kiss*

Loved the video. Would love to see more speedruns!

This is one of Alpharad's best edited videos to date

Alpharad is the embodiment of the indomitable human spirit

holy shit this video is incredible!! i love watching smo speedrun and challenge content, so it was so fun to pop into a few of these streams. very impressed by the dedication and improvement and deffo inspired to maybe try a speedrun of my own. congrats on the new pb!! (:

I feel we need a part 2 to this, idk why but i seriously enjoyed this, anyway well done alpha and gl for 2023 :)

I seem to remember you 100%ing this game in 4 days after it was released.

Hate to break it to you, but you’re actually now #3 for the speed run of Sesame Street Fighter

The irony of seeing this when I'm making a supercut of my own "learning to speedrun" video, and using your content style as an inspiration. Jacob, you're a godsend, and seeing this was actually a huge motivator to push on with said video. Thanks a bunch for not only being a huge mood booster, but also finding new ways to make your own content enjoyable for yourself just as much as it is for us.

This video feels...really nice. It's posted on my birthday and I've been feeling empty for a long time. But seeing how others are dedicated to Odyssey is genuinely inspiring.

god damn i forgot how much of a glowup alpharad has had compared to 5 years ago like dude is HOT now

30:55 to 31:00 sounds wrong if you close your eyes

Absolutely insane video. You’re something else when it comes to storytelling

this video was amazing it inspiring me to have a different perspective on the games I play, now I want to know all game mechanics from the games I play and just play base on what the games teach from the tutorial.

I appreciate your take on the speed run/challenge run scene. I’ve been having such a hell of a time running my challenge run in ranked battles in Pokémon violet. It’s so hard to remember sometimes that the point is to have fun. And that it will always involve you sucking hard at whatever you’re doing. Definitely something that’s good to remember in order to get better. But, I manage to get into master ball tier at least every month. But I know it’s so unbelievably far from my dream goal of reaching top 100 at least in the world.

Jacob, this is one of my favorite videos from you now. The presentation, the editing, the timing and the commentary. It's all outstanding. I was sucked in from start to finish. And from watching all the way back with your original speed runs of Odyssey, this was such treat to see you do this. Outstanding job! I have a few recommendations for games to try. DK64, just because that whole speed run (and game) is so janky that it's just entertaining. Breath Of The Wild, just because of how much tech exists in the game. Shovel Knight, somewhat simply as a wildcard choice. And then Pikmin 1 because it's a bit of a chaotic one to run.

im the sort of person to get frustrated when i can’t do something i really want to so it’s kinda inspiring to see you keep going despite the low points you faced

Alpharad now understands the triumphs and defeats, the epic highs and lows of speedrunning