Games Done Quick is a twice-a-year charity event in which "speedrun" gamers play through famous video games as fast as they can. Many of these speedruns are accomplished at times that ordinary players would consider impossible, usually through a combination of skill and clever exploitation of game glitches. Monetary donations are taken during the event, which are donated entirely to Doctors Without Borders.
At this year's Summer Games Done Quick event (there's another during Winter), one speedrunner named "jkoper" took on the challenge of completing the original NES Legend of Zelda video game, but decided to take it a step further than just finishing it fast — even really fast, as in one hour. He also opted to play it without a sword.
Sounds preposterous, right? The whole speedrun was streamed live and recorded, and you can watch it below.
So how did jkoper do it? Most of it came down to good old fashioned skill and experience. He also made smart use of bombs, Link's bow and arrow, he used the game's side-scrolling teleportation glitch, and he had some friends standing by to help when needed.
Of course, it's impossible to play through the entire game without a sword, as swordplay is the only known way to defeat Zelda's antagonist, Ganon. But you have to applaud the incredible prowess of jkoper and his friends.
h/t Polygon
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