Read the Best Reviews

The excitement for speedrunning fans is palpable as the calendar turns to January. This year, the gaming community eagerly anticipates Awesome Games Done Quick 2025, a week-long marathon dedicated to showcasing extraordinary gaming prowess while raising funds for a noble cause. Taking place from January 5-12, the event highlights the spirit of competition, skill, and philanthropy, bringing together gamers and enthusiasts from around the globe. With live streaming on Twitch and opportunities for participant donations, this event is more than simply a display of speed; it's a celebration of gaming itself.

Streaming Details for AGDQ 2025

Those interested in catching the action will be able to view the entire AGDQ 2025 marathon live on the official Games Done Quick Twitch channel. The event kicks off on January 5 at 8:30 in the morning Pacific Time / 11:30 in the morning ET and will continue around the clock for the entire week. In addition to the live format, viewers who miss a specific run can catch up later as each completed run will be uploaded to the GDQ YouTube channel within hours, ensuring that no amazing moment is lost.

What to Expect: The Schedule Unveiled

AGDQ is known for its exciting and diverse lineup of speedrun events, and this year’s schedule is packed with thrilling performances. The marathon promises to feature genres ranging from retro classics to modern marvels, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Below is a sneak peek into some of the must-see events throughout this week-long extravaganza, designed to entice longtime fans and newcomers alike.

An Array of Spectacular Runs: January 5

The opening day of AGDQ 2025 features a variety of speedruns, kickstarting the event with some beloved titles. Watch as speedrunners tackle the following:

Pikmin, starting at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET, with an all-parts run expected to require approximately 75 minutes.

Astro Bot follows at 3:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM ET, piquing interests with its Any% run targeted at 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Ultimately, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker closes the day with an Any% run scheduled for 6:19 PM PT / 9:19 PM ET, finishing in approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Expansive Play: January 6

The following day continues with a unique set of challenges, showcasing both anticipated games and engaging formats:

Alan Wake II DLC kicks off the festivities at 9:14 PM PT (January 5) with two segments, Night Springs (40 minutes) and The Lake House (17 minutes).

UFO 50’s showcase at 9:54 AM PT / 12:54 PM ET is another highlight, promising 50 minutes of eclectic gameplay.

One of the most exciting runs features The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for January 6 at 4:42 PM PT / 7:42 PM ET, pushing the limits as two players utilize a single controller for a speedy 33-minute race.

A Day Full of Surprises: January 7

As the marathon progresses, January 7 brings even more excitement with unique offerings:

Starting with Unicorn Overlord at 7:47 AM PT / 10:47 AM ET, this speedy 24-minute run is bound to entertain.

Later in the day, at 7:07 PM PT / 10:07 PM ET, players venture into Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster with an Ending A NG run lasting about 43 minutes.

As night falls, Silent Hill 2 (2024) promises thrilling scares with a Light Restricted run at 8:05 PM Pacific Time / 11:05 PM Eastern Time, anticipated to take over 2 hours.

Adventure and Exploration: January 8

The excitement builds as AGDQ 2025 reaches January 8, where runs crescendo into thrilling gameplay:

Sonic X Shadow Generations opens at 8:51 AM PT / 11:51 AM ET for a 1-hour and 17-minute romp.

Perhaps the most intriguing event is the Fallout: New Vegas All Romances run, set for 5:07 PM PT / 8:07 PM ET, which challenges the speedrunner to complete it in under 30 minutes, dependent on donations.

Closing out the day, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim takes center stage at 7:24 PM PT / 10:24 PM ET with a Main Quest speedrun lasting approximately 32 minutes.

Winning the Day: January 9

With the paradigm of exploration set for January 9, expect to be captivated by:

Windblown initiating at 10:09 AM PT / 1:09 PM ET, hosting encounters played by three participants for 30 minutes.

At 10:54 AM PT / 1:54 PM ET, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Realm showcases an All Dungeons run, estimated to last a remarkable 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Lies of P closes the day with an Any% Glitchless run at 3 PM PT / 6 PM ET, generating buzz with a projected time of 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Pushing Boundaries: January 10

Midway through the marathon, January 10 hosts an impressive range of gaming feats:

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth opens the day at 2:36 AM PT (January 6) with an Any% Easy run expected to take around 6 hours and 15 minutes.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe enters the frame with a precision challenge at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET, navigating 48 tracks in 200cc mode without items, taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Super Mario World rounds off the day with a competitive two-player race, aiming to reach 96 exits in 1 hour and 30 minutes starting at 8:07 PM PT / 11:07 PM ET.

Creative Play: January 11

As AGDQ begins to wrap up, the final day offers fascinating displays of creativity:

Elden Ring showcases a saxophone-controlled Boss demonstration at 12:52 PM PT / 3:52 PM ET expected to last just 20 minutes, but it will undoubtedly create a memorable impact!

Crazy Taxi follows with a 16-minute Crazy Box mode, live backed by a band, ringing joy in at 1:27 PM PT / 4:27 PM ET.

The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom rounds up this exciting marathon on an upbeat note, featuring an Any% run slated for 6:35 PM PT / 9:35 PM ET, breaking it down to around 50 minutes.

Join In and Make a Difference

Throughout the marathon, viewers can not only enjoy thrilling gameplay but also contribute to a significant cause. Donations can be made to the Prevent Cancer Foundation via the Games Done Quick website, with opportunities to enter prize giveaways for those who contribute. This marriage of gaming skill and charity encourages a community spirit, making the entire event even more meaningful.

The Spirit of Community and Competition

As AGDQ 2025 approaches, the anticipation among fans of speedrunning and gaming intensifies. This week-long festival of skill, creativity, and philanthropy serves as a proof of the resilience of the gaming community, highlighting how play can elevate not just entertainment but also conscious efforts towards social good. Be an aspect of this remarkable adventure—regardless of whether you tune in to watch, donate, or cheer on the participants, the legacy of AGDQ continues to inspire and engage gamers worldwide.

Cristin Milioti's experience as Sofia Falcone in The Penguin has led her on an unexpected path, surpassing her greatest aspirations. In a recent discussion, she candidly spoke about her initial apprehensions regarding such a prominent role within a universe she deeply respected. Despite the difficulties of portraying a character laden with trauma and solitude, Milioti embraced Sofia's multifaceted personality and described the show as an expansive and elevated narrative. This role challenged Milioti both physically and psychologically, and she was overjoyed to witness the enthusiastic response from audiences and critics.

The physical challenges involved in embodying Sofia were significant, prompting Milioti to take time during breaks to stretch and alleviate muscle tension after being constrained for scenes. Beyond the physicality, the emotional aspect necessitated extensive research into the intricacies of mental health facilities and the repercussions of prolonged trauma. Initially hesitant about joining such a vast franchise, the support from director Helen Shaver and showrunner Lauren LeFranc bolstered her confidence. Milioti reflected on how this experience transformed into a remarkable fulfillment of her aspirations.

While Sofia often engages in morally ambiguous actions, Milioti discovered an unexpected bond with her audience, particularly women who found solace in the character’s development. She remarked on the profound impact of seeing Sofia reclaim her agency, with many women reaching out to express their feelings of empowerment. As The Penguin continues to enthrall viewers, curiosity abounds regarding the potential trajectory of Sofia's narrative in upcoming seasons.

Ultimately, the question lingers: Will Sofia pursue redemption, or will her desire for retribution dominate the next installment of her story?

The convergence of traditional entertainment and innovative technology is becoming increasingly common, and the latest development is particularly intriguing. A new immersive experience is making waves, inviting fans to deepen their engagement with a beloved franchise through virtual reality.

In a bold move, the space saga Rebel Moon, crafted by Zack Snyder, is branching out beyond the cinematic experience. This franchise, although it has garnered mixed feedback from reviewers, continues to enchant its fans, and now it’s making the leap into the realm of virtual reality. Netflix has partnered with Sandbox VR to introduce Rebel Moon: The Descent, an exclusive VR adventure set to be offered in Sandbox VR centers worldwide.

This venture goes beyond the limitations of typical gaming consoles or home-based VR systems. Participants will possess the exclusive chance to completely engage themselves in the Rebel Moon universe. They will find themselves on the vibrant planet Daggus, where they are challenged to confront enemy forces while exploring a dynamic environment filled with urban settings, majestic skyscrapers, and intricate underground passages.

This collaboration signifies Netflix's ambition to broaden its intellectual properties into new forms of engaging entertainment, paving the way for fans to experience stories in unprecedented ways.

Will this innovative offering kindle a renewed enthusiasm for the Rebel Moon franchise?

As the gaming landscape advances, enthusiasm builds around the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This has sparked conversations about who could potentially rival Nintendo in the next generation of consoles. Observations from market analysts indicate that there is speculation around whether Sony or Microsoft will emerge as the primary challenger to the gaming giant.

According to recent insights from a market research firm, it remains too soon to determine a definitive leader; however, Sony currently holds a slight advantage due to its established fanbase and strong lineup of intellectual properties. The information surfaced in a comprehensive report on the video game market for 2024 that discusses not only past trends but also forecasts future developments in the industry, notably excluding the expansive mobile gaming sector, which is projected to generate approximately $75 billion.

The report indicates that the gaming industry stands on the verge of significant growth, largely due to the anticipated release of two monumental titles: the upcoming Nintendo Switch successor and Grand Theft Auto 6. It suggests that the upcoming console could enjoy considerably greater initial sales compared to its forerunner, but surpassing the impressive 27 million units sold in 2020 will pose a challenge.

Moreover, the analysis raises a pertinent question about which company will be Nintendo’s most significant competitor. It proposes that likely only one other console will find success alongside the new Switch. Both Sony and Microsoft are anticipated to unveil their next consoles between 2026 and 2028.

While the timing remains uncertain about which firm will dominate, analysts assert that Sony seems to have a slight advantage, bolstered by its devoted customer base and reputable IP offerings. Nonetheless, Microsoft is still in a strong position, attributed to its influential role as a software publisher. Despite perceived setbacks alongside the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, the company’s notable acquisitions, including a recent deal with a prominent gaming entity, enable it to pivot towards software distribution rather than hardware manufacturing.