# What is it?

*Nintendo Blast: Metroid Blast* is a shooter based on Nintendo's popular *Metroid* series. In *Nintendo Land*, 12 Nintendo Games are showcased as "attractions"; mini-games based on their Nintendo series that range from 5 minutes of content to months of jam-packed action. Represented series include *Legend of Zelda, Pikmin, Metroid, Mario, Luigi's Haunted Mansion, Animal Crossing, Donkey Kong, Game & Watch, Balloon Fight, F-Zero, Yoshi, and The Mysterious Murasame Castle*. *Metroid Blast* is the representative of *Metroid*. This Sci-Fi adventure has 30 levels, progressively getting more difficult. Player 1 will always play as Samus' gunship on the gamepad, and up to 4 others will play as regular Samus using the remotes. The game is quite simple, with each player having 3 lives before the mission fails. 

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaK7q8xVLA4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaK7q8xVLA4)is

Metroid Blast has many different types of levels. The most common is "Defeat All Enemies" where the goal is to kill all Cyclons, Geemers, Zebesians, and Metroids (and their variants) in a given level. "Boss Fights" are battles fought against large bosses where the smaller enemies can be ignored. Bosses include Ridley, Ice Ridley, and Kraid. The final type of level are token levels. These levels require all players to get each of their tokens in a (usually 5 minute) time limit. These levels require less skill and more strategy and memorization to speedrun. From now on these levels will be known as "Kill", "Boss", and "Token". (The game also includes two other game modes - however they are Co-op only and are not runnable anyway.)

Speedrunners require different methods for each of the level variants. One thing that stays the same, however, is dashing. Pressing down the left joystick allows the runner to get a small boost. However, if used at the wrong time, it can cause the runner to hit a wall, considerably slowing down their time. For "Kill" runs, runners focus on hitting the "I-Frames" of every enemy as quickly and carefully as possible. Boss Runners must manage attacking, dodging, and dashing effectively to get a fast time *and* survive. Token runners must use memorization and dashing effectively to score a low time.

One of the most risk/reward traits of "Kill" runs is Cyclons. Cyclons take a long time to open there I-Frame. Before a Cyclon begins its attack phase, (where it's very easy to kill due to its spinning nature) the Cyclon does expose a small portion of their I-Frame. However, if the player's shot hits the side shells of the Cyclon, it will close again before attacking. Taking the shot can save or lose precious seconds.

![](https://www.speedrun.com/static/blob/kzwvk8nq.jpg)

"Token" runners are mainly focused on memorization, speed, and precision. Most "Token" runners memorize and plan their routes for each level. To have a good time on a token level, runners also need to use their boosts precisely at the correct places to ensure a top speed. "Token" Runners must communicate the most to share new routes and boost spots.

"Boss" Runners have the most difficult levels to run, balancing speed with survival. These runs are ones with many deaths and resets. The three bosses are Kraid, Ridley, and Ice Ridley. These beasts are usually quite easy to take down, but when working together can be quite difficult. Kraid requires the use of the bomb; a more powerful attack that can take out multiple enemies. To defeat Kraid, runners must destroy I-Frames all over his body before he opens his mouth. A small crevice in his mouth allows the player to shoot bombs inside, which explodes after entering his throat. Meanwhile Kraid shoots lava, bombs, and fire beams at you. Ridley and Ice Ridley are quite similar to each other. For both flying dragons, you must hit I-Frames on their Hands, Tails, Chest's, and Mouth's thrice. They will shoot lasers, try to grab you with their hands, and will drop bombs.![](/static/blob/7n617mzq.jpg)

Mastery runs are a different kind of run. Mastery runs often have weird differences with obscure solutions. Some levels require the player to only use bombs or to not dash. This will often drastically slow down runs and require players to invent new, out-of-the-box strategies.

Thank you so much for reading! If this does become a series I will continue to find new, medium-sized, forgotten communities to revive with new energy! I will link the main category, 10 Missions, best time below. 

Happy Running!

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp35YCLPpFg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp35YCLPpFg)

A new idea where we dissect a medium sized speedrunning community from the bottom up, increasing excitement and injecting a new passion for a game otherwise unexplored.

Wolfhowl's Game of the Week: Metroid Blast

# Is Atari Making a Comeback

# Short Answer: Yes! 

Atari has been a cornerstone of SRC for many years. The Atari speedrunning scene has been growing exponentially over the recent months after user @VyPr announced the community-based speedrunning tournament Project Retro Season #1 in the Farmington Discord server. Project Retro Season #1 was announced to be 4 weeks long consisting of multiple games being speedrun on the Atari 2600. Dozens of speedrunners flocked to Speedrun.com to solidify their places on the Project Retro Leaderboards. Runners like @Captninja6, @DoritoBreath, and @Zir0nic crushed the competition.

# Community

Atari speedrunning history on SRC begins in 2015 with the game, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.

# [E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial](https://www.speedrun.com/et)

![](/static/blob/7n6652nq.jpg)

After Atari made its SRC debut many other Atari games began to appear all over Speedrun.com, some games like [Dragster](https://www.speedrun.com/dragster) and [Adventure](https://www.speedrun.com/advt) blew up with hundreds of runs in those 2 games alone. Some Atari runs can be dated back to 2006 even predating Speedrun.com itself.

Example: Adventure Difficulty 1 in 33.60 by @SadisticMystic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE6MSXqouSk

More games continued to appear on SRC over the course of the following years and the community came to life.

In 2017 the SRC Atari community was left abandoned and deemed obsolete compared to the newer games like [Super Mario Odyssey](https://www.speedrun.com/smo) at the time.

# Project Retro 

Project Retro was announced in August of 2023 by user @VyPr. Project Retro consisted of 4 weeks of gameplay, containing the following titles.

## Project Retro Game List & Highlights

### Week 1

- [Dragster](https://www.speedrun.com/dragster)
- [Tron: Deadly Discs](https://www.speedrun.com/trondeadlydiscs)
- [Enduro](https://www.speedrun.com/enduro)
- [Halo 2600](https://www.speedrun.com/halo_2600)
- [Tennis (Atari 2600)](https://www.speedrun.com/tennis_atari2600)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t9M9OXaxew

### Week 2

- [Grand Prix](https://www.speedrun.com/grand_prix)
- [Juno First](https://www.speedrun.com/juno_first)
- [Sky Jinks](https://www.speedrun.com/sky_jinks)
- [Q*bert](https://www.speedrun.com/qbert_atari_2600)
- [Commando](https://www.speedrun.com/commando_)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_upNRtIvH8?t=3

### Week 3

- [Defender II](https://www.speedrun.com/Defender_II_Atari_2600)
- [Centipede](https://www.speedrun.com/ctp)
- [Donkey Kong](https://www.speedrun.com/donkey_kong_atari)
- [RealSports Boxing](https://www.speedrun.com/RealSports_Boxing)
- [Midnight Magic](https://www.speedrun.com/midnight_magic)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG_rQL2W9Qs?t=1

### Week 4 (Final Week)

- [Mario Bros. Arcade](https://www.speedrun.com/mario_bros_arcade)
- [Joust (Atari)](https://www.speedrun.com/Joust_Atari_2600)
- [Pressure Cooker](https://www.speedrun.com/Pressure_Cooker)
- [Pole Position](https://www.speedrun.com/pole_position)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULnVLC7ywd8

# What's next?

After the end of Project Retro Season #1, the SRC Atari community has continued to regrow - a new chapter of Atari speedrunning has begun and the Atari community is asking for you to help us grow and thrive. Help us rewrite the history of Atari speedrunning and become a part of something bigger than we had ever thought possible.

Special Thanks To @VyPr,  @Captninja6, @DoritoBreath, @Act_, @Akuretaki and so many more for reviving this AWESOME community!

Congratulations to @Zir0nic the champion of Project Retro Season #1

[Atari Speedrunners Discord](https://discord.gg/3NJAx2yyjK)

[Official Project Retro Leaderboard](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AMp8UcrIEn84kSPVJsenT31HBaZUyZB05sgZovGZ-Dg/edit#gid=0)

After years of dormancy, the Atari community Is back and all is looking good!

Atari Community Celebrates Successful Event - Project Retro Season 1

i got banned for submitting a 69hr run to a glitched leaderboard and site staff took it seriously and banned me for a week. thankfully i got unbanned after 2 hours lol

Since there’s some coins that you have to go out of your way to get it might be a fun category to do.

10x Any%, complete the game 10 times in a row

https://www.speedrun.com/FZero99/forums/x2291

Off-topic discussion, unrelated to speedrunning.

Talk

10 Minutes 1 Hour 2 Hours

F-Zero 99

online only up!

Moto X3M

Moto X3M Category Extensions

Sokoban Online Puzzle Browser Game

Reason - Casual Puzzle

Blobby's Quest: 2D Platformer

Yoshi: A Platformer

i added a new category today called Death% it is pretty easy to find. anyways have fun with it!

New category!

All Coins/100% Category?

- Have you ever been banned? -

Can you do runs with no video proof but with captures?

Category Ideas

Don't Break The Chain

xo7qoy9l

CyanWes

Akuretaki

z2pkmyd9

CrimsonCurve700

Ultra64

nzy2zyq3

Gaming_64

SlothLord

Zanum

eqp8wpk5

Motiz

SpeedRunFan2022

Arkad200

Parzim

DoritoBreath

GeometryDashFan

MtEverist

MafyuSmile

Super Mario Bros.

Mario Kart 7

Super Mario 64

Red Ball

Red Ball 2

Red Ball 4 Vol.1

Super Meat Boy

Dr. Mario (NES)

Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!

Barney's Hide & Seek Game

Geometry Dash

Solitaire

Minesweeper

Fireboy and Watergirl 1 - The Forest Temple

Multiple Mario Games

ROBLOX: Speed Run 4

12 Labours of Hercules

Piano Tiles

IQ Ball

Happy Wheels

Red Ball 4 Vol.2

Red Ball 4 Vol.3

Red Ball 4 (Mobile)

Kirby: The Unofficial Game

Wii Play

Slalom Canoe 2012

Hurdles 2012

ROBLOX Prison Life

Super Mario Bros. Category Extensions

Google Quick Draw

Perplexus Rookie

Piano Tiles 2

ROBLOX: Escape Memes Obby!

Soccer 2012

Basketball 2012

Freerice

Dr. Mario: Vitamin Toss

Flappy Bird

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Shifting Temple

30th Anniversary of PAC-MAN

Roblox: Teamwork Obby

Solitaire (NES)

Bike Race

60 Seconds to Save the Queen

Subway Surfers

Sonic Adventure DX - Category Extensions

Dragster

Snake VS Block

Maze Racer

Shephy

Super Cat Bros.

Super Solitaire

Super Mario Odyssey

Scrabble (PS)

Super Mario Odyssey Category Extensions

It's Full of Sparks

10 Second Run Returns

The 1545

Hoyle Card Games (GBC)

• CONNECTION

Money Movers

Money Movers 2

Money Movers 3

You Can't Do Simple Maths Under Pressure

Getting Over It - Category Extensions

Seterra (Old Version)

Snappy Maps

Multiple Red Ball Games

Movie Puzzle

Super Mario Maker 2

Red Ball Category Extensions

Red and Blue Balls

Bee Movie Game (DS)

Google Snake

Dadish

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Category Extensions

ROBLOX: Break In

ROBLOX: Speed Run 4 Category Extensions

Steven Universe: Attack the Light

Jump Rope Challenge

OvO Category Extensions

Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

Fireblob

You Broke the Game

Google Minesweeper

Multiple Google Games

Cookie Clicker Category Extensions

Brain for Monster Truck

Google Solitaire

TriPeaks

Minecraft (Classic)

Fireblob Winter

Google Santa Tracker

Black and White

Moto X3M Winter

Emerald and Amber

Slither.io Category Extensions

grnts8

Default Group