The annual marathon of gaming mastery, Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) 2026, is now live! From January 4th to 10th, the world’s top speedrunners are once again playing through games at a breakneck pace to raise money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. As always, classic and modern Nintendo titles hold a place of honor in the week-long lineup, offering thrilling displays of skill on everything from the Super Nintendo to the latest hardware.
The event kicks off with a bang on Sunday, January 4th, at 11:30 AM ET. You can catch every minute of the action, including the wild 70-player relay race, live on the official Games Done Quick Twitch channel.
A Week of Speedrunning History
AGDQ is one of two flagship events organized by Games Done Quick, LLC, with its summer counterpart, SGDQ, benefiting Doctors Without Borders. Since its origins as a small event in 2010, GDQ marathons have collectively raised over $54 million for charity. These events blend high-level gameplay with entertaining commentary, creating a uniquely engaging fundraiser where viewer donations can even influence the runs through special incentives.
Nintendo in the Spotlight: From GameCube to Switch 2
The AGDQ 2026 schedule is a treasure trove for fans of Nintendo’s iconic franchises, featuring a mix of solo brilliance and community-wide collaborations.
| Game | Console | Runner(s) | Category/Estimate | Why It’s a Must-Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Sunshine | Nintendo GameCube | inkstar | Any% (1:16:00) | The opening run of the entire event. A vibrant and technical classic to start the week. |
| Super Mario 64 | Nintendo 64 | 70-Person Relay Team | 70 Star Relay (1:40:00) | Pure, chaotic fun. A massive team effort where each runner tackles a single star. |
| Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World | Nintendo Switch 2 | Mr_Shasta | Star-Crossed World Any% (1:05:00) | A showcase of new-gen Kirby on the Nintendo Switch 2, highlighting modern platforming. |
| The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD | Wii U | Not Listed in Schedule | Details TBD | A fan-favorite adventure, where glitches and tricks warp Hyrule in surprising ways. |
| Luigi’s Mansion | Nintendo GameCube | Elite_Spud | Any% (No OoB) (1:10:00) | A spooky, atmospheric run perfect for seeing how quickly Luigi can clean house. |
| Adventures of Yogi Bear | Super Nintendo (SNES) | SorryAboutThatBabe | Any% (0:29:00) | A dose of retro charm and obscure gaming history. |
| F-Zero GX | Nintendo GameCube | FifanGX | Story Mode Very Hard | One of the fastest and most difficult racing games ever made. A true test of precision. |
| Donkey Kong 64 | Nintendo 64 | KeiperDontCare, Connor75 | Randomizer | A chaotic twist on a classic collectathon, where item locations are shuffled. |
Beyond the Nintendo Realm
While Nintendo games are a major draw, the AGDQ 2026 schedule is packed with diversity:
- Modern Hits: Look for races through 2025’s acclaimed JRPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, intense Hades II “All Weapons” runs, and the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater.
- Quirky Deep Cuts: The event’s signature weirdness shines through with runs of games like Bill Nye: The Science Guy – Stop the Rock! and Garbage Pail Kids: Mad Mike and the Quest for Stale Gum.
How to Watch and Support the Cause
The entire event is free to watch. Simply head to the Games Done Quick channel on Twitch during the marathon dates. VODs of each run are also uploaded to the GDQ YouTube channel after the event.
The true heart of GDQ is its charitable mission. Every donation made during the event goes directly to the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Donations can also unlock special incentives, like bonus runs or challenges for the players.
Ready to support an amazing cause while watching incredible gaming feats? You can make your donation directly to the Awesome Games Done Quick 2026 campaign here: gamesdonequick.com/donate.
Whether you’re tuning in for the mind-bending tricks in a Super Mario 64 relay, the precision of a classic Zelda run, or just to discover your new favorite speedgame, AGDQ 2026 promises a week of entertainment, community, and generosity.
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