Insane Challenge Runs That Streamers Actually Completed

27 May 2026

So you’ve probably seen gamers pull off some wild stunts online, right? But there’s a whole category of gameplay that’s reserved for the truly unhinged (in the best way possible): challenge runs. These aren’t your average "beat the game on hard mode" attempts. Nah, we’re talking about playing games in ways developers never intended, with rules that feel more like punishment than play.

Yet somehow, some streamers have not only taken on these challenges—they've crushed them. Let’s dive into some of the most insane challenge runs that streamers have actually completed. Warning: some of these will make you question the limits of human patience and sanity.

What Even Is a Challenge Run?

Let’s set the stage real quick. A “challenge run” is when a player intentionally places restrictions on how they play through a game. This could be something like “no damage taken,” “no items used,” or even “can’t move left.” WHY? Because bragging rights, of course. And let’s be real—it’s entertaining as hell to watch someone suffer in digital form… especially when they do it willingly.

The "No-Hit" Dark Souls Run – Because Pain is a Lifestyle

The Challenge:

Complete all three Dark Souls games (yes, all three) without getting hit. Not just without dying—without taking a single hit.

The Streamer:

Famed streamer The Happy Hob pulled this off, and it honestly belongs in the gaming hall of fame.

The Insanity:

We're talking about dodging every sword swipe, arrow, fireball, and dragon tantrum with pixel-perfect precision. One mistimed roll? Boom—start all over again. And yes, there were attempts where Hob made it to the final minutes only to get clipped and have to restart the entire trilogy.

Imagine running a marathon... and the last step determines if you have to redo the ENTIRE thing. That’s what this run felt like.

Pokémon Nuzlocke Runs – Say Goodbye to Your Favorites

The Challenge:

The “Nuzlocke Challenge” adds permadeath and additional restrictions to Pokémon games. Main rules?

1. If a Pokémon faints, it’s considered "dead" and must be released.
2. You can only catch the first Pokémon you encounter per area.
3. You must nickname every Pokémon to form a bond (emotional manipulation much?).

The Streamer:

Jaiden Animations, a well-known YouTuber and streamer, did a Nuzlocke run of Pokémon Platinum and even turned it into a hilarious (and tragic) animated recap.

The Emotional Toll:

These runs are rough. One critical hit can wipe out a beloved starter you’ve trained for hours. Jaiden’s community watched her team fall apart in real time, gasping, cheering, and crying with her. It’s like watching a soap opera—but with more fainting rodents.

Beat Minecraft Without Mining – Wait, Isn’t That The Point of the Game?

The Challenge:

Beat Minecraft without mining or crafting. Yeah, the two actions the game is literally named after.

The Streamer:

Fundy, a well-known Minecraft modder and YouTuber, took on his own twisted challenge—complete the game using nothing but mob drops, chests, and sheer creativity.

The Mad Genius Setup:

No chopping trees? No digging caves? Fundy had to manipulate the environment and use mob loot to gather materials. It’s like being on “Survivor” with no tools—except your only company is a Creeper waiting to blow your face off.

He even programmed custom mods to make the run technically possible. So not only did he beat Minecraft without mining… he literally rewrote the game’s code to make it harder.

Can’t Touch The Ground – Super Mario Odyssey, But You're Half Moonwalker, Half Magician

The Challenge:

In Super Mario Odyssey, a game that was practically made for freedom of movement and exploration, imagine trying to beat it… without ever touching the ground.

The Streamer:

YouTuber Nicroveda took this challenge to its absolute limit.

The Magic:

Using only clever hat throws, rolling jumps, wall bounces, ledges, and momentum, he completed massive portions of the game mid-air or without directly touching any flat surfaces. It’s like trying to cross a lake using lily pads smaller than your shoes.

The combo of mechanics, quick reflexes, and pure brainpower involved? Chef’s kiss.

Skyrim With Nothing But a Fork – Because Why Not?

The Challenge:

Beat The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim using just a fork. No magic, no swords, just a glorified dinner utensil.

The Streamer:

The madlad in question? YMFAH—a content creator known for breaking games in the most ridiculous ways possible.

The Comedy in Combat:

Forks in Skyrim do about as much damage as a soggy biscuit. Enemies? Literal dragons. So how did he do it? Through clever exploit use, stealth, and an overwhelming amount of patience.

Watching him jab his way through dungeons, poke dragons to death, and win boss fights one tiny stab at a time was both ridiculous and unreasonably satisfying.

Playing Elden Ring With Actual Bananas – Yes, Really

The Challenge:

Beat Elden Ring using bananas. Not banana-themed weapons. Actual bananas—as controllers.

The Streamer:

Twitch streamer Super Louis 64 wired bananas with sensors so that each fruit corresponded to a different game input. A slap here = roll. A touch there = swing your sword.

So… Why?

Because it’s the internet, and we love chaos.

The level of coordination needed to play a highly complex game like Elden Ring with fruit is beyond comprehension. Just imagine trying to dodge bosses while smacking produce on your desk like you’re making banana bread with rage.

Zelda: Breath of the Wild – All Shrines, No Damage

The Challenge:

Complete all 120 shrines in Breath of the Wild… without taking a single point of damage.

The Streamer:

SmallAnt, a challenge-run king, pulled this off after countless attempts.

The Grind:

BOTW has shrines filled with physics puzzles, combat trials, and enemies who would gladly yeet Link across Hyrule. One misstep, and you’re back to square one. It’s like doing a tightrope walk while someone throws rocks at you—and you’re blindfolded.

The mental fortitude needed here? Unbelievable. But the moment he hit shrine #120, the feeling? Pure digital enlightenment.

Beat GTA V Without Taking a Single Hit

The Challenge:

Complete the entire Grand Theft Auto V campaign without taking any damage—not even a bump from a stray bullet or a fender-bender.

The Streamer:

Twitch streamer and YouTuber DarkViperAU made this his Everest. His stream series "No Damage Run" is equal parts infuriating and addictive.

The Chaos:

GTA V is filled with unpredictable NPCs, traffic, and gunfire. Even scripted cutscenes can glitch out and cause damage. This run required not just skill but full-on game manipulation, route planning, and save-scumming of the highest order.

Some missions had to be restarted dozens—sometimes hundreds—of times.

DOOM Eternal – Ultra Nightmare With A Dance Pad

The Challenge:

Beat the rage-fueled, demon-slaying chaos of DOOM Eternal on its hardest difficulty using… a dance pad.

Ultra Nightmare mode = permadeath. A single death means starting over. And he used a Dance Dance Revolution style pad to do it.

The Streamer:

SpootyBiscuit, a rhythm game master, decided demons didn’t deserve bullets—they deserved to be danced to death.

The Energy:

This challenge was part rage-run, part aerobic workout. Every gun switch, jump, and dodge was a footstep. It was like playing a metal concert while training for a triathlon.

Why Do Streamers Do This To Themselves?

Honestly? Because it’s thrilling. Because it pushes the boundaries. Because watching someone climb an impossible mountain makes us feel like we can conquer a hill.

And let’s not kid ourselves—watching someone try to beat Dark Souls with a guitar or yell at Minecraft mobs because they can't mine is downright hilarious.

These runs blur the line between artistry and absurdity, and that’s what makes them legendary.

Final Thoughts

Challenge runs are the gaming world’s version of extreme sports. While most of us are content to finish a game and move on, these streamers look at a perfectly balanced game and say, “Cool. Now let’s break it.”

From deathless soulsborne runs to banana-fueled boss fights, the creativity and chaos of challenge runs turn even the most familiar games into fresh hell. And one thing’s for sure—we’ll be watching from the edge of our seats, popcorn in hand, as these legends keep redefining what’s possible in digital worlds.