Another incredible week of non-stop speedrunning has concluded. Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) 2026 brought the gaming community together once again, raising a phenomenal $2,443,414 for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Held in Pittsburgh from January 4th to the 10th, the marathon dazzled thousands of in-person attendees and a massive global audience watching via 24/7 streams.
While the event featured a huge variety of games, from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to a Guitar Hero controller run of Resident Evil 2, runs on Nintendo consoles always have a special place in the heart of the marathon. This year delivered some truly unforgettable moments that pushed the boundaries of what we thought was possible in classic and modern games alike.
Nintendo Highlights from AGDQ 2026
Here’s a look at some of the standout runs featuring Nintendo systems:
| Game & Format | Console/Platform | Why It Was a Must-Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 (70-Star, 70-Player Relay) | Nintendo 64 | A chaotic, community-driven relay where 70 runners each collected one star. |
| Pokémon Emerald (Finale Run) | Game Boy Advance | A tense and hilarious finale where donations influenced the runner’s chosen Pokémon. |
| Pokémon Legends: Z-A (GDQ Debut) | Nintendo Switch | One of the first major marathon speedruns for this highly anticipated new title. |
A Record-Breaking Relay and a Fiery Finale
The 70-player Super Mario 64 relay was a masterclass in coordination and pure fun, perfectly capturing the spirit of GDQ. Meanwhile, the week closed with a bang during the finale run of Pokémon Emerald. Runner adef kept the audience in stitches while expertly managing donation incentives that changed his team on the fly. The run even had a moment of real-world drama when a fire alarm forced a building evacuation, adding an unexpected twist to the marathon’s final hours.
Watch the Runs and Looking Ahead
Every single run from the week is archived and available to watch for free. You can relive all the action, including the Nintendo highlights mentioned above, on the official Games Done Quick YouTube Channel.
The speedrunning doesn’t stop here! The next major event, Summer Games Done Quick 2026, will take place from July 5-11 in Minneapolis, with all donations benefiting Doctors Without Borders.
What was your favorite moment from AGDQ 2026? Did you stay up late for the Pokémon Emerald finale, or was there another run that blew you away? Share your thoughts and let us know which run we should feature next!
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