Speedrunning history unfolded on Saturday, July 13, 2025, as Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) wrapped up its exhilarating week-long marathon with a thrilling Nintendo-powered finale. The event concluded with a staggering $2,436,614 raised for Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), adding another monumental chapter to GDQ’s legacy of charitable gaming.

Nintendo titles have always been pillars of the GDQ lineup, and SGDQ 2025’s final day delivered unforgettable moments that had Twitch chat exploding and donations pouring in. Here’s how the Big N dominated the climax:

Saturday’s Standout Nintendo Runs:

Mario Kart World (Switch 2 Exclusive):

Making its hotly anticipated GDQ debut, this open-world reinvention of the beloved franchise was a visual and technical spectacle. The run showcased the Switch 2’s power, with runners exploiting clever shortcuts and new mechanics like dynamic track transformations. The crowd roared as runners navigated sprawling environments with pinpoint precision, proving this wasn’t your childhood Mario Kart – it was speedrunning evolved .

Deltarune: Chapter 2 (w/ B Quest Bingo):

Closing out the entire marathon, this run wasn’t just about speed—it was about chaotic charity fun. The unique “B Quest Bingo” format added layers of unpredictability. Runners had to complete randomized objectives (like defeating specific enemies or finding hidden items) marked on a bingo card, all while hurtling toward the chapter’s end. Donation incentives influenced card challenges, making the run a hilarious, community-driven scramble that perfectly capped the week .

Kirby Super Star Ultra & Super Mario Bros. 3:

Earlier in the day, these classics delivered nostalgia-fueled excellence. Kirby Super Star Ultra showcased the pink puffball’s versatile copy abilities for rapid boss shredding, while Super Mario Bros. 3‘s warp-whistle-assisted Any% run was a masterclass in pixel-perfect platforming, reminding everyone why Mario remains a speedrunning titan .

The Donation Drive: Community Power in Action

The final push during these Nintendo highlights helped cement the $2.436 million total. This sum, fueled by over 40,000 individual donations and partner contributions (Fangamer, The Yetee, Humble Bundle). Every dollar supports Doctors Without Borders’ critical, impartial medical humanitarian work in crisis zones worldwide .

• Incentives & Energy: Bid wars (like naming characters in Deltarune) and bonus challenges kept donations flowing, especially during the Nintendo block. The palpable excitement in the Minneapolis Hilton ballroom translated into relentless generosity online .
• Merch for Good: SGDQ-themed merchandise from Fangamer and The Yetee contributed a portion of proceeds directly to the total, allowing fans to rep their favorite event while supporting the cause .

Why Nintendo Reigns at GDQ

Saturday’s lineup reinforced why Nintendo games are GDQ staples:

• Accessible Depth: Games like Mario Kart World and Super Mario Bros. 3 are instantly recognizable, drawing huge viewership, while harboring deep mechanics and glitches that make speedruns fascinating spectacles.
• Nostalgia Factor: Titles like Kirby and Zelda (featured earlier in the week) tap into generational love, creating shared moments of awe.
• Technical Showcases: New hardware like the Switch 2 gets its moment to shine through optimized, visually impressive runs (Mario Kart World).

The Final Lap & What’s Next

As the Deltarune Bingo chaos concluded, the atmosphere was electric – a mix of exhaustion, triumph, and communal pride. SGDQ 2025 proved, once again, that the passion for gaming and speedrunning can drive incredible real-world impact.

Where to Relive the Magic:
Missed the runs? Full VODs are available on the Games Done Quick YouTube channel or via Twitch archives .

On the Horizon:
The speedrunning charity train keeps rolling! Keep an eye out for:

• Awesome Games Done Quick 2026: Returns to Pittsburgh, PA, January 4-10, 2026 .

SGDQ 2025’s final day was a testament to skill, community, and the enduring magic of Nintendo. $2.4 million raised is more than a number; it’s thousands of lives touched by Doctors Without Borders, powered by the quickest thumbs in the world. Game over? No. Game done good.