Speedrunning has produced some incredible stories, but few match the sheer determination behind the Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! 1-5-9 quest. Summoning Salt, the king of gaming documentaries, just released a new video chronicling over a decade of attempts to achieve this mythical perfect score. The challenge demands defeating every opponent with specific punch counts – one jab, five body blows, and nine total hits – all without taking a single hit yourself.
The Impossible Challenge
Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! remains one of the toughest NES games ever made. Released in 1987, it set records for speedrunning difficulty that still stand today. The 1-5-9 refers to hitting each of the 13 major circuit bosses (from Glass Joe to Mike Tyson) with exactly those punch combinations in sequence. Sound simple? Try doing it pixel-perfect across marathon sessions without mistakes.
The world record currently sits at 1:38:43, set by FoolAtGenius in 2024 after 11,000 attempts. But getting there took community effort spanning 15 years. Early runners like Blublugold laid the foundation in 2010, gradually shaving seconds off patterns that seemed unbreakable. Each boxer demands unique strategies – Piston Honda’s wild swings require frame-perfect dodges, while Super Macho Man’s tanning reflexes demand surgical precision.
Summoning Salt’s Storytelling Magic
No one captures speedrunning history like Summoning Salt. His videos blend archival footage, interviews, and crystal-clear explanations of complex strats. The new Mike Tyson 1-5-9 documentary clocks in at 90 minutes, making it one of his longest. Viewers get front-row seats to the grind: endless failed attempts, breakthrough discoveries, and that electric moment when records finally crack.
Past documentaries from Salt covered Super Mario Bros. negative records and Ocarina of Time’s 19-year any% evolution. This Punch-Out!! entry continues his tradition of highlighting human perseverance against digital perfection. Fans praise how he makes technical breakdowns accessible without dumbing them down – you’ll understand why a single frame matters by the end.
Key Milestones in the Quest
- 2010: Blublugold pioneers early 1-5-9 segments, establishing baseline strats
- 2015: Community hits first full run under 3 hours, proving viability
- 2020: Pandemic accelerates progress with nonstop grinding sessions
- 2023: Sub-2-hour barrier breaks after pattern optimizations for King Hippo
- 2024: FoolAtGenius claims WR at 1:38:43 after 11k attempts
Each milestone built on dozens of smaller discoveries. Runners shared glitchless patterns on speedrun.com forums, collaborating like scientists chasing a breakthrough. The Mike Tyson fight alone took years to optimize – his RNG patterns force constant adaptation.
Why Punch-Out!! Endures
Unlike modern fighters with infinite combos, Punch-Out!! demands pattern mastery. Every opponent has exploitable tells, but execute wrong and you’re eating haymakers. No continues allowed in 1-5-9 means one slip-up ends hours of progress. This purity keeps it relevant four decades later.
The speedrun scene thrives on Twitch and YouTube, where live attempts draw thousands. Summoning Salt’s video reignited interest, pushing fresh runners to tackle segments. Current WR holder FoolAtGenius streams regularly, mentoring newcomers on dodging Tyson’s infamous uppercut.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 1-5-9 mean in Punch-Out!!?
It stands for hitting each boss with one jab, five body blows, and nine total punches without getting hit. Applies to all 13 major fights including Mike Tyson.
How long is Summoning Salt’s documentary?
The Mike Tyson 1-5-9 video runs 90 minutes, packed with history and strat breakdowns.
Who’s the current world record holder?
FoolAtGenius holds the WR at 1:38:43, achieved after over 11,000 attempts.
Is Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! harder than regular Punch-Out!!?
Yes – Tyson replaces Mr. Dream with faster, less predictable attacks that break many patterns.
Where can I watch speedrun attempts live?
Check speedrun.com leaderboards and Twitch channels of top runners like FoolAtGenius.
Will the record be broken soon?
Likely. The community shaved 50+ minutes off early times; sub-1:30 seems possible with current strats.
Does Summoning Salt only cover speedruns?
His channel focuses on record progression stories across retro and modern games.
The Legacy Continues
Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! 1-5-9 embodies gaming’s addictive challenge loop. Summoning Salt’s documentary immortalizes a quest that transformed casual play into high art. Runners didn’t just beat the game – they dissected its soul, frame by frame.
As new talent emerges, expect the times to drop further. This isn’t just speedrunning; it’s digital archaeology. Grab your Power Glove (metaphorically) and dive into the history. The next breakthrough waits for someone patient enough to chase perfection.