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A group of dedicated gamers compete in Super Mario Bros. 3 randomizer tournaments using a special software that shuffles the levels and power-ups in the game. The tournaments have been taking place since 2019 and have grown in popularity. The players need to be adaptable and quick-thinking as the randomizer adds a new level of challenge to the game. The tournaments have experimented with different formats and use a specialized timing and verification tool called Racetime.gg. The community is welcoming and supportive, sharing strategies and knowledge. The top players, like DLP316, are known for their aggressive play style. The future of the Super Mario Bros. 3 randomizer scene is uncertain, but the community is excited to see what new challenges and advancements will come next. You ever get sucked down those internet rabbit holes? Like you start with something simple, and suddenly you find out there are people out there like competitively ironing shirts. Some people would say that's what we do here, right? Well, okay, fair point. But this one is really out there. We're diving into the wild world of Super Mario Bros. Three randomizer tournaments. You're not kidding about a rabbit hole. Right, and you know, before you think, oh, just a bunch of nostalgic gamers reliving their childhood, we're actually dealing with some serious data here. Thanks to the fine folks who sent this over, we've got multiple years of tournament brackets from challenge.com all the way back to 2019. This is some real in-depth stuff. It really is. Yeah. This isn't just about seeing who won or lost. We're gonna see how this whole scene has grown, the strategy involved, maybe even unearth some rivalries or underdog stories, because believe me, this data gets interesting. Well, what's cool about this, at least from my perspective, is that we're talking about a game everyone knows. I mean, Super Mario Bros. from the three. It's a classic, but the randomizer element throws in this whole other level of, well, randomness. Okay, so for those who didn't spend their youth collecting all those whistles and avoiding angry sons, break down exactly what this randomizer thing actually does. Picture this. Super Mario Bros. 3. You've got your Warp Whistles, your Raccoon Mario, all of it, but then, bam, the randomizer comes in and shuffles everything up. Levels are different, power-ups are in crazy places. You might even run into a Goomba where a Koopa Troopa should be. You're not kidding about the crazy. I was looking at some of these runs, and let me tell you, I saw a P-Wing used in a place I never even considered back in the day. Exactly. It's the same game, but a completely different experience every single time. And that's what makes these tournaments so compelling. It's not just about memorizing the fastest route anymore. It's about adaptability and thinking on your feet. It's about strategy, quick reflexes, knowing the game like the back of your hand, and then having that knowledge turned upside down. Speaking of upside down, let's flip back to the beginning. 2019, we've got a 60-player bracket, which, honestly, that's pretty impressive for something this, shall we say, specialized. Definitely. And they went with a classic format, group stage into a single elimination bracket. Pretty standard in the competitive gaming world. Yeah, it makes sense, especially with that many players. Gives everyone a chance to get their feet wet and maybe pull off some early upsets. Right, it's a good way to narrow it down to those top contenders. Now, fast forward to 2020, 2021. They switched things up, experimenting with groups of four, then back to single elimination in 2022. But one thing stays consistent throughout. They're all using Racetime.gg. Good eye. And that's not insignificant. Oh, it's more than just a fancy stopwatch. Way more. For anyone who isn't deep in the speed running world, Racetime.gg is a game changer, literally. It's designed specifically for this kind of competition. We're talking precise timing down to the millisecond, verification tools to make sure everything is above board, and just a really streamlined way to manage these tournaments. So it's like having a high-tech referee that everyone trusts. Precisely. It really highlights how technology is shaping competitive gaming, even for these classic titles. Okay, so we've got consistent use of Racetime.gg, but then in 2023, bam, they bring back the Swiss format. I see you've been studying up on your tournament structures. That's right, 2023, they shook things up again. Well, I might've Googled weird tournament formats, but seriously, Swiss format. It's like something out of a chess match. And you know what? It's actually a fantastic fit for the randomizer. Yeah, why's that? Because with Swiss, even if you have a bad run, it's not over. You're paired up against someone with a similar win-loss record, so there's always a chance to climb back up and maybe even make it to the finals. So more chances for nail-biting comebacks. I like it. Okay, now this one is a small detail that caught my eye. In 2024, they introduced something called a Mac Patcher. Now that is a great catch. Most people would just gloss over that. Well, it sounded important. And it makes it seem like this whole thing is way more organized than just firing up an old NES. It speaks volumes about the dedication of the organizers. You see, the randomizer itself is usually developed for Windows PCs. Adding a Mac Patcher means they're going out of their way to make sure players who don't use Windows can still participate. That's really cool. It's a small change that has a big impact. It really shows that they're not just playing a game, they're building a community. Exactly. And speaking of community, we should probably get to the heart of it, the players. Right, because when you look at these leaderboards, it's not just a jumble of random names. Some of these folks are showing up year after year. It's true. These aren't just people who got lucky with a good run or two. We're talking about dedicated players who are seriously good at this game, random elements or not. And that's where things get really interesting. So it's more than just being a Super Mario Bros. Right. Because like you said, the randomizer throws in all these curveballs. Oh, absolutely. You could be the most technically skilled player in the world, know every jump, every enemy pattern, every hidden block, and the randomizer can still throw you for a loop. That's what's so fascinating about it. You can't just rely on muscle memory or perfect runs anymore. It's all about adaptability. Exactly. These players need to be able to think on their feet, make split-second decisions when the game throws them a curveball. It's like, imagine a pro tennis player suddenly having the court change dimensions mid-match. Okay, that's a good way to put it. But instead of a tennis racket, they've got what, a fire flower and a raccoon tail? Pretty much. And that's what elevates this beyond just, oh, it's a video game. It becomes about problem-solving under pressure, making the most of what you get, thinking strategically even when the rules are constantly changing. Which are, honestly, pretty useful skills to have in life in general. Right. Who knew that all those hours spent with an NES controller would be so relative? Parents everywhere eating their words right now. Yeah. Okay, but speaking of standing out, we've got to talk about DLP316. In 2023, they just dominated. Like, is this player the LeBron James of Super Mario Bros. 3 randomizer? DLP316 is definitely a force to be reckoned with. They're known for an incredibly aggressive play style, always pushing the limits of what's possible in a randomized run. So high risk, high reward. Exactly. It might not always pay off, but when it does, it's something special to watch. They're the player everyone else is trying to catch up to. And that's something I really appreciate, seeing these names pop up again and again. Not even just the winners, but you mentioned TEX, the Cobra 52, Mitch Flower Power. It's like, even if they're not always on top of the podium, they're always in the mix. That says a lot about their dedication. This isn't just a casual hobby for them. They're constantly studying the game, testing strategies, even sharing knowledge with each other. Which I guess is easier these days, thanks to the internet. Can you imagine trying to break down these randomized runs back in the 80s? Just passing handwritten notes in the schoolyard? Passing notes with Nintendo Power magazine maps scribbled all over them. It's mind blowing how much easier it is to share information and collaborate now. And that's a huge part of what drives these communities forward. What's cool is how welcoming it seems. I was poking around online, checking out some of these tournament streams, and there's this genuine excitement from everyone, even when someone new shows up. It's true. You can practically feel the energy through the screen. They're happy to explain what's going on, what strategies players are using, even the history behind certain glitches or techniques. It's refreshing, really. Definitely. It really flips the script on how people think about competitive anything. Yeah, there's rankings and tournaments and all that, but at its core, it's still about a shared passion. In this case, for a game that, let's be honest, most people wrote off as simple decades ago. Right, and that's a testament to how powerful a good game can be. It brings people together. It sparks creativity. It pushes the boundaries of what's possible. And that brings us to the big question. What's next for the Super Mario Bros., three randomizer scene? That is the question, isn't it? It's like they've taken this classic, something most of us probably haven't thought about in years, and found a way to make it fresh, exciting, even a little bit mind-boggling. It's a testament to the power of a good game, for sure, but also to the community that's grown around it. They're not afraid to experiment, to try new things, to push the boundaries. And you can really see that evolution in the tournament formats, the technology they're using, even the way they approach the game itself. So where do they go from here? What does the next level of Super Mario Bros. three randomizer even look like? Well, if I had a Koopa shell for every time I've been asked that question, honestly, it's impossible to say for sure, but that's part of the fun. Right, who knows what kind of crazy challenges they'll come up with, what new strategies players will discover, or how the technology might evolve to make things even wilder. Imagine a future where the randomizer is powered by AI, constantly adapting to the player's skill levels, and throwing even more unpredictable scenarios at them. Or maybe we'll see a whole new generation of players, inspired by the legends we've talked about today, pushing the limits even further. And that's what I hope our listeners take away from this deep dive. You don't need to be a speed runner or a gaming expert to appreciate the dedication, the creativity, and the sheer joy that these folks bring to something as simple as a video game. It's a reminder that there are always new things to discover, new ways to challenge ourselves, and that even something as familiar as a childhood game can hold hidden depths. Absolutely, so keep an open mind, keep exploring, and who knows, maybe you'll find your own passion project that lets you warp through life with the same kind of energy and enthusiasm. And hey, if you do, let us know. We'd love to dive into that rabbit hole with you. Until next time, happy gaming.