Mario Kart 64: The Quest for World Record Perfection 

I'm seeing a lot of people getting frustrated with, or even angry at, the A1A, abney317, or Dan for trying to stop Matthias for all those years. You're entitled to your opinion, and maybe I unintentionally did something in the video to frame it that way, but let me explain why I think that's a really bad take. At 2:07 in the video, you see a block of text that says "I guess it's just human nature to oppose something like this." That's taken from a Mario Kart 64 forum post from right when the alliance was formed. These people were trying to do this, not out of spite of Matthias (pretty much everyone in the community really likes the guy in fact), but because OF COURSE you'd want to stop someone from getting every record in the game you play. Imagine how embarrassing that would be, to be a record contender in a game but have one single guy hold ALL 32 records. It's human nature to want to stop something like that, and it was their right to try to prevent it. They didn't do anything against the rules, they didn't do anything against the spirit of competition - they simply banded together to try to get world records. Maybe you think "but by the 7th or 8th time, why did they keep going?" Well... why wouldn't they? It had become a quest to stop him over the years. Even 5 years later, players didn't want to see him hold all 32 records if possible - again, not because they disliked him, but because the community is full of capable players... nobody on the same level as Matthias for non-shortcut players, but still players who can get records if they put in the effort. So maybe by the end, "they should have let Matthias have it, just for a day." Imagine how that would feel for Matthias - if he got 32/32 only because the community stopped grinding to let him have it. Certainly wouldn't feel as good as if he had to work for it. No, the community wanted to make him really earn it, because as amazing as an accomplishment it would be, working against the other record contenders made it legitimate. I understand if you feel bad for Matthias, but I think your mind is going to the wrong place if you're getting angry at the alliance. So yeah, there you go. IMO there is no villain in this story - Matthias is awesome for doing what he did, and the alliance is awesome for being able to prevent it all these years. There's no hard feelings between the two sides whatsoever. Also, here's a link to their Twitch accounts if you want to follow the main players in this video. Matthias - www.twitch.tv/mk64mr abney - www.twitch.tv/abney317 Dan - www.twitch.tv/dansgame89 VAJ - www.twitch.tv/vajito

"He was finally at 31/32 records and just needed one more" **30 minutes left in video**

So he missed 32/32 by: -24 hours -half a cart -0.03 seconds That is tough.

The fact that Matthias was basically in a 1 v 100 and stood his ground is insane.

To people coming to this video, while at the time it was certainly true it was a fun competition between people who liked each other and played legitimately, this later changed. Dan ended up becoming the person to get 32/32, not because he finally did what Matthias couldn't, but because he finally did what Matthias wouldn't. Dan hoarded up to 22 times, getting or tying a record and then not posting it so no one knew he was grinding for 32/32, and then posted them all at once to crush Matthias' records. Heres a quote from Matthias about it: "Some people will call me a bad loser when I refuse to congratulate, but Dan lost all my respect last year. And, for me: Sportsmanship > Gamesmanship... He feared the fair battle and sneaked to the top so that I couldn’t defend properly, and although he became a very strong competitor it’s a loss.” So, to counter Salts pinned comment, it is now quite a good take to get mad, at least at Dan, and no it was no longer the nature of the game and the competitive spirit.

"you didn't win?" "no... but it took an entire nation to stop me."

"But this time, the community took it a step further." "They put out a hit on Matthias."

Update for December 2022. Matthias just retook the champ title from Dan after a year and a half. The goat is back on top!

I love the parts of these videos where SS would say something like “and he beat him by 0.0394 nanoseconds. This was a huge jump”

Summoning Salt: "that person was Dan Burbank" me, no clue who that is: "holy shit it's Dan Burbank"

This video in a nutshell "Matthias was at 31/32" _"but then"_

I think whats so entralling about this particular story is that, somehow, both sides really seem like the underdog

This is probably the saddest world record video I’ve ever seen. When he said “Mathias’ record total would never recover” all of the hope I had accumulated for 47 minutes straight came tumbling down. I feel almost as if the 32/32 was taken from me directly. I hope Mathias gets back at it one day and proves everyone his might.

"He was down to just 24 world records!" JUST 24 out of 32 possible records.... imagine being so good that you're disappointed at having 75% of the world records in a category...

31:00 *Abney beats Matthias in KD* Matthias: "Oh no!" Matthias: *beats him back* Matthias: "Anyways."

My respect for Matthias after this video: 📈📈📈

So from what I'm reading in the comments, Dan hid his world records until he posted them all at once, getting 32/32 and essentially making himself the villain. Destroying matthias' dreams and turning the fandom against him. That's uh, that's rough.

This has to be the most amount of plot twists ever in a Summoning Salt video. No joke.

Difference: 1 frame I’m getting chills over a game I don’t play

Matthias is an actual legend, the amount of skill needed to hold 31/32 records, AND take back ones he lost within weeks is insane. It’s a shame some people felt the need to go out of their way for a scummy, hollow victory

My wife, who is not a gamer, has really got into SS videos. She loves the stories. She was very keen for MR to get the 32. Pausing for a minute for me to make a cup of tea, I came back to her saying she didn't like Dan anymore.

"His name was Matthias Rustemeyer, and this was his quest to become Matt Turk" But honestly, when a single player can motivate an entire community to do better... that is some next level stuff right there. A really bitter pill to swallow on this ending, ngl.

Alternate title: 47 minutes of hearing how a speed runner kept getting blue balled.

Throughout watching the whole video I'm thinking "wow it would have been so easy for this guy to just break all the records privately and release them all at once, he's really doing this the hard way." MFW I read the comments. 😮

I honestly don't know HOW you could be in this kind of deadlock competition for so long, and NOT start feeling personal about it. Mad props to the runners if everyone really stayed amicable through it all. Better people than me

This is the most stressful video ever created.

You know you're legendary when you're treated as a raid boss in your community.

Salt should really make a sequel about this, and about how the whole mk64 community went from seeing Mattias as an arch rival and to keep him from achieving perfection. To standing by Mattias’ side and sticking up for him after what Dan did.

Man, hearing about what happened after this video is pretty sad. Dan was the guy who took the title of "world record holder" too seriously and ended up ruining the competition for everyone, including himself and the A1A he was a part of. Shame.

Of course as soon as a german gets close to taking everything some sort of alliance forms

Thinking about it, Mathias being able to consistently hold 30/31 out of 32 records with a crap ton of resistance from the community is more impressive than if he were able to just get the 32/32 years ago with little competition.

Matthias was like John Wick against the entire community. Mad respect.

Came back 2 years later to say. Screw Dan

I think this is the first underdog story I’ve ever seen where I’m not quite sure which side is the underdog

You left out the part where the runners discovered an ancient mesoamerican tomb with inscriptions on the walls noting that Matt Turk held all 32 records, with better times than today's runners, 300 years ago.

People are hating Dan because what he did wasn’t illegal or anything. However, it was unsportsmanlike and it left a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth. I still find Matt’s 31/32 more impressive than Dan’s 32/32.

It’s insane that this one man battled the entire community and almost managed to win all records several times. He’s the true king of Mario Kart 64.

this guy can make me care about something i didn't know existed 3 minutes ago

Matthias was actually just making sure the community kept being active

The alliance was formed to prevent Mathias from humiliating them, but the very act of forming an alliance against one man, is humiliating in itself in my opinion. That man was pure heat

I feel like the hoarding of records unofficially disqualifies Dan from being the king of 64.

It truly is sad when something this fantastic doesn't come to pass. By 24 hours. By one frame. By half of a cart width. I feel so sad about this. He deserved that perfect rank, if only for a single moment.

The alliance: *spent months grinding to get a new WR* Matthias literally 0.0000003 seconds after: "back at you buckaroo"

Funny to think Matthias probably could have gotten 32/32 If he had just not published the last couple records until he secured them all Him being at 31/32 at any point would give the other runners way more incentive to cut him off Though it would’ve kinda been a dirty move Good sportsmanship on his part big time

mad respect to matthias for holding his own against an entire community grinding day and night while still taking breaks

Mattias seems like such a good sport. Every time he got so close to 32/32, only to have it taken away, he was kind to the challengers.

Nobody's bringing up how generous it was for Matthias to post his records one at a time as he got them, instead of all at once only after getting the 32. This goes to show how much he cared about genuine competition, being truly the best at the game instead of using tricks, and pushing the game as much as possible. Pretty awesome. Frankly, I would've been okay with him suddenly dropping the "whoops, I have 32 now" bomb on everyone.

Dan taking 32/32 in a community built on trust and competition by deceiving the community turned what was a great competition and rivalry to one of the grimiest dirtiest rat things I’ve ever heard of. Taking a 7 year reign in such a classless way and then taking the 32/32 after the community is mainly dissolved because of your actions is disgusting and disturbing. Edit: shows not only a clear disregard and lack of love for the community but also shows that the one thing on dans mind was his love for himself no matter how many people would needed to be stepped on. Without the backstabbing and hiding he knew he never would be able to have a chance to achieving the goals he did. For a year he meticulously planned his backstabbing, sociopathic behavior at best.

I don't get people getting mad at Matthias or the alliance. They were clearly having fun together, constantly driving each other to new heights. They were all doing it in good spirit!

I feel sad for matthias

“And that was the FOURTH time” Me: HOW ARE THERE 20 MINUTES LEFT?

MR became a legend, while Dan is just some speed runner. True hero’s and legends are sometimes tragic, but that makes them not a bit less legendary. MR is one of the few in the speedrunning pantheon, right next to Matt Turk.

After seeing what Dan did I have so much more respect for the sportsmanship of Mathias!!

Me before watching: _"I know nothing of this man"_ Me after watching: _CRYING_

I love how success for the community was slightly less than total dominance.

I genuinely cried at the end. This was inspirational to see just how far humans can go.

These are the kind of incredible untold stories of the internet that would otherwise be lost to time. Love the work you do SS - this one especially was an awesome ride!

"This runner's name was VAJ" _lower speakers volume_

“In the spring of 2021 the MK64 speed running community was blindsided by the astonishing feat of a new player on the scene who in the space of 48 hours accomplished what MR so agonisingly came close to over a 5 year long on again/off again effort; all 32 records. That player’s name? Matt Turk”

He just became Champ today!!

And now Dan's a dirty, underhanded runner who snuck in the 32/32 completely unopposed. F to Matthias, a true legend, the paragon of MK64 no-shortcut speedruns.

I find it funny to imagine Matthias seeing low-poly cows and moles in his sleep

Every time summoningsalt says “and his name was” im just having vietnam flashbacks and think that he will say Matt Turk

I'm glad this story doesn't involve anyone hoarding records in order to get 32 or stop Mattias

I went from rooting against MR to rooting for him and feeling heartbroken for him on his final DKJP attempt. What an insane storyline. Incredible.

Me towards the beginning: "cmon they gotta stop him. How can he take all these world records so easily." Me at the end "Wait no. He doesnt actually achieve it :("

"He was back up to 31/32. Time to finish the job." *sees there are 16 minutes left in the video* Huh... probably not quite yet.

All of Dan's records should be frozen for however long they were secretly hoarded before he uploaded them. This will give others the amount of time and opportunity they should have had had Dan been honest. Such a bitch move.

This legitimately felt like a movie, I was on the edge of my seat watching this, rooting for Matthias. What a legend.

5:36 "That runner's name... Was VAJ" Me: "Huh, that name sounds familiar, where have I heard that befo-" VAJ: "5:47" Me: "Oh, yeah, that guy"

30 minutes into this video and I'm dead set on believing that his whole pattern of getting to 31/32 and then taking the summer months off to let everyone grind up and take his records was just a really genius way to keep the community alive and active and full of friendly rivalries.

This whole video is like a cancelled sneeze

When im not watching this video I can appreciate the healthy competition. When I’m watching this video I can’t help but be furious anytime Matthias’ records get broken

Matthias: *hits 31 records* Abney: No you didn’t.

The Allies always have to ruin Germany's fun.

I’ve never watched anything about competitive MK64 before but after the video I’m already referring to these guys like I have been following them for years “oh yeah MR is still right there, he could be up to 31/32 in a second”. Really though it seems like MR’s presence on the scene really pushed everyone to drive better. The whole scene benefited from his commitment to reaching 32/32.

I hope Matthias gets that 32/32 eventually. Just watching him get so close only to tumble at the last possible second was soul crushing to watch. I can only imagine how that must've felt in the moment. Mans clearly got talent, and I hope he enjoys the competition from his fellow runners.

I'm heartbroken for MR. He is such a good sport. Nothing against A1A. They did their thing which was great too, and MRs run wouldn't have been nearly what it was without them. This story couldn't have been made without A1A. But man, 7 times to be so close. Its like Jim Kelly losing 4 straight Super Bowls.

I felt genuinely sad for Matthias, I was desperately waiting for that sweet "We're finally landing" at his last crushed 32/32. I really hope he'll get it, even if it's just to lose it the next hour, the achievement is waiting to be done.

This is my favorite video that Salt has ever made.

It's amazing how dedicated these players were to defeating Matthias . That's the kind of drive, the kind of competitive spirit that pushes the possibilities of a speedrun to its absolute limit. Much respect to all of these runners for their dedication

*loses world records* Matthias: oh no *gets back to 31/32 almost instantly* Matthias: anyways

Here to pour one out for Matthias due to his retirement. Thank you MR, you were a true speedrunning legend.

This is unquestionably my favorite SummonigSalt video.

the storytelling in these videos is incredible. towards the start, matthias feels like an antagonist but towards the end it turns around and i was rooting for him to be able to get all 32. ofc he's not evil or anything but it's just how it kinda felt to me watching the video

This is one of the most insane stories in gaming that I’ve ever heard. It’s downright depressing to see someone come so close to their goal so many times but never reach it. Matthias is a true legend for his dedication and skill.

Mattias: *makes the most minor mistake, misses 32/32* "I feel my heart crack."

Something great about the sportsmanship of a community pushing themselves over and over again. While personal achievement is nice, clearly the love of the game was where their minds were. MR could've broke records and hid them. Likely getting 32/32 easily, but that would've been hollow. He held 31/32 while being pushed by a united front, and they were in turn pushed by him. It was a collective effort of pushing a game to its highest level and i feel that was the end goal. 32/32 is nice, but MR achieved something beyond that and pushed an entire community and himself. MR truly was a great champion, and in games someone will be the best, but those who improve the community as a whole are remembered far more. Idk, clearly the competition was fierce but the love of the game was at heart. I could feel the fighting spirit and it was an inspiring watch.

45:56 “I Would Have This Record EZ If It Weren’t For My Peanut Allergy” Lmaooo

Now imagine if Matthias got 32/32 records, took off his mask, and revealed he was actually Matt Turk in disguise.

Just that fact that everyone had to team up to fight a single individual is a victory for MR

Shoutout to my home boy Matthias. You have made us proud. There is finally a german speedrunning legend. And it sucks so much that Dan stabbed you in the back like this. An entire community of people that just couldn't accept you becoming a god, had to ban conspire together only to deny you your place even though you deserved it. I can't imagine your situation but what I can do is express my sympathy. If you are reading this for some 1/100000000000 chance reason: You were the Matt Turk of Mario Kart. Ich bin stolz mit dir eine Nationalität teilen zu dürfen.

I find it great that, unlike the other "quest" videos, this isn't called "the quest to beat Mattias". It's "the quest for perfection" showing that this is his story

Mattias didn't get 32/32 on the board but he got 32/32 in our hearts. What a Chad.

IMO Matthias only made one mistake: not concentrating on moo moo when other records were being taken. If he could've snagged that record, and gotten the rest back in a couple days/week, he'd have it locked down.

I think when Matthias was unable to play until that Sunday, he was actually hoping for at least one of the world records to be broken so that he didn’t have to do Moo Moo for a bit 😂

MR is an absolute legend as far as I'm concerned. He was like a bowling ball the way he knocked those records down. And the spirit in which he did it was admirable; always posting the times up as soon as he got them, and then congratulating others when they beat him. He threw down the gauntlet to the rest of the scene and invited them to join him on his quest, taking them all on single-handedly. A true gent 👍

Just imagine being so dominant in a game that all the other players have to join and work hard for 5 years just to somehow hold a single solitary record out of 32. Hats off to Matthias

This video was a rollercoaster. Not gonna lie, the ending kinda broke my heart :( He sounded so chill and cool. I would have lost my mind at so many points of his journey.

After a quick look here's an update for end of may 2024: Mathias is currently ahead of Dan in number of titles and might be on his way to new dominance