Look Sports Media – The Nintendo Switch 2’s launch has sent shockwaves through the Pokémon speedrunning community, with players reporting record-breaking improvements. The new console’s enhanced hardware and a performance-boosting update for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have resulted in time reductions so significant they’re rewriting the rulebook.
Gamers are shaving an astonishing 25 minutes off previous best times, a monumental achievement in a discipline where every second counts. Within the first hour of the Switch 2’s release, speedrunners were already seeing five-minute improvements over their previous best runs on the original Switch. This isn’t just down to the new hardware; a free upgrade for Scarlet and Violet has addressed the game’s notorious lag issues, further optimizing performance.
The impact is undeniable. Crisisaurus, previously holding the second-fastest time, has already conquered Scarlet and Violet on the Switch 2 in under five hours, a significant improvement on the previous world record of 5 hours, 19 minutes. This dramatic shift has even led to the creation of a new speedrunning category.
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GretaIceVixen, a prominent speedrunner set to compete at Summer Games Done Quickly (SGDQ) 2025, announced on speedrun.com the addition of a "Console" variable to all Scarlet/Violet categories. This allows for the distinction between Switch and Switch 2 runs, ensuring that past records remain valid while acknowledging the significant performance leap. Even Pokémon Sword and Shield, which didn’t receive a similar performance patch, is seeing five-minute improvements on the Switch 2, hinting at even more potential record-breaking runs in the future.
The implications for next month’s SGDQ are huge. Will the Switch 2 dominate the event? The potential for record-shattering performances across multiple Pokémon titles is undeniable, making this year’s SGDQ a must-watch for speedrunning enthusiasts. The Switch 2 isn’t just a console upgrade; it’s a game-changer, reshaping the competitive landscape of Pokémon speedrunning.
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