Awesome Games Done Quick 2024 is LIVE! Here are the must-watch runs we’re looking forward to

A new year has begun, which means it’s time to get hype! Awesome Games Done Quick makes its return this month, with a week-long speedrunning event that will raise money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation from January 14-21. Mitch and I are hardcore fans, and we’re here to offer you newer viewers our top picks each day for not-to-be-missed runs. We’ve listed the events in Central time, but be sure to check the official GDQ schedule — not only do run times update dynamically as runs are completed, but the site will automatically convert time zones for your convenience.

Also, while the games below are some of our top picks, the whole thing is worth checking out. It’s wholesome, fun, and for a good cause. If you’ve never seen it before, tune in for a game you’re familiar with and go from there — it’s hard not to get hooked. Now, without further ado, here are our top picks for each day of Awesome Games Done Quick 2024.

Sunday

Super Monkey Ball (11:48am)

One of the opening runs is also one of the faster, more chaotic runs — but also one that showcases speedrun movement at its peak. Definitely check this out, VOD or otherwise! – Mitch

Donkey Kong Country (12:21 pm)

Sometimes, you’ve gotta go classic. Donkey Kong Country is not just a classic game, but it’s also a classic speed run. The movement has been optimized to a laser-focused precision, and the music alone makes this worth a watch. – Anna

Monday

Cassette Beasts (6:53 am)

This run is hilarious. Corvimae is hilarious. I got a preview of it during the most recent Frame Fatales event and you can bet that this will be a meme-filled Pokémon-like adventure. – Anna

Sonic Adventure 2: Battle Hero vs. Dark Side All A-Ranks (7:30 pm)

This game takes me back to my childhood, and there’s apparently some new movement tech that’s involved in the run, so I can’t wait to see what’s in store! [Cue City Escape] – Mitch

Tuesday

Hades 3-Weapon Race (8:50 pm)

I just started playing this game after YEARS of being told to play it (and also years of osmosing information about it into my brain, so I’m even more excited to play this than usual. What a fantastic game overall, and having a modded race is going to make it all the more fun! – Mitch

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (9:42 pm)

While loads of gamers have nostalgia attachments to both the Metroid and Castlevania series, one of my favorite Metroidvania titles to catch is the contemporary title Bloodstained. Plus runner Bobbeigh is a charming guy with serious gaming skills. – Anna

Wednesday

Super Mario 64 (8:35 pm)

Wednesday is completely stacked, and I have far too many choices that could take this top spot. I’m giving it to my OG video game, Super Mario 64, because platforming speedruns are always a sight to behold. But seriously, any of the games on Wednesday are going to be amazing runs. – Mitch

DOOM (2016) (10:06 pm)

Cue up the heavy metal guitars! In my humble opinion, this is one of the best first person shooters ever made, and there is nothing quite so satisfying as watching a really skilled player rip and tear through hellspawn in a brutal ballet for a couple hours. – Anna

Thursday

Mario Sunshine (1:20 pm)

Like I said, it’s hard to top platforming speedruns, and unlike Mario 64 which will be a 16-star run, Mario Sunshine is going to be a full clear. Three hours of intense “Wahoo!”-ing across a tropical paradise. Yes, please! – Mitch

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (5:40 pm)

Just about anything FromSoftware makes is going to be a good speedrun thanks to their sky-high technical ceilings for skill expression. I’m ready to sit back and watch some mechs get wrecked. – Anna

Friday

Undertale and Dark Souls (9:02 am and 12:14 pm, respectively)

Yes, I’m cheating here. The ending days of AGDQ 2024 are especially packed with games I love, and I’m not choosing between these two. Suffice it to say, I cannot wait to watch ’em! – Mitch

Super Mario Bros Wonder (3:40 pm)

I am such absolute trash at 2D Mario games that I pretty much only see them when somebody else is wielding the controller. And even if you’re good at 2D Mario, I can pretty much guarantee you’ll still be impressed by what JankPickle has in store. (Also: JankPickle? A+ gamer tag.) – Anna

Saturday

Go! Go! Hamster Chef! (5:51 am)

The final stretch in any GDQ event’s schedule is usually crammed with marquee titles, all of which I am still playing right now. So instead, I want to highlight a short, silly run from very early in the day. If you’re awake in the wee hours, be sure to catch Char-bunny playing Go! Go! Hamster Chef! Trust me on this. – Anna

All of it

I can’t pick. Everything here is awesome. Start as early as you can, take a nap if you need, and catch the ending in the wee hours of the morning. It’s so, so worth it — for the games, but especially for the wholesomeness. – Mitch

If you’ve never tuned into a Games Done Quick event, there’s no reason to not make this your first. It’s wholesome, full of video games being played in ways no dev would have ever imagined, and supports a fantastic cause.