Super Metroid Will Not Be Run at Awesome Games Done Quick 2018 Super Metroid did not make the cut at the new Awesome Game Done Quick, bringing an event-wide tradition to an end.

Games Done Quick has released the list for January's Awesome Games Done Quick 2018 lineup. There are several highlights to be found, but there's also one controversial omission. This will be the first time in the event's history that Super Metroid will not be run.

Since the charity speedrunning event's inception back in 2010 with Classic Games Done Quick, Super Metroid has made an appearance in some capacity. It would often be played on the final day in some variation, with Games Done Quick taking donation incentives on whether the runners would "save" or "kill" the animals. This is in reference to the final "Escape from Zebes" sequence, in which Samus can take a quick detour to release the world's wildlife from captivity and allow them to flee the exploding planet. Both sides of the incentive would often go neck-and-neck each year.

The trouble with Super Metroid in recent years is that speedrunners have had a tendency to die in mid-run. Because saving takes up precious time, speedrunners don't hit any save points, meaning if they die halfway through the run, there isn't enough time to start over. One example came just a few months ago at Summer Games Done Quick, where runners oatsngoats and Overfiendvip both died at about the half-hour mark, with zoast nearly dying himself at several points, at which point the "Save/Kill the Animals" incentive would have never gotten to play out.

Having had several close calls in recent years, it looks like Games Done Quick is erring on the side of caution this year and will not run the game at all at AGDQ2018. Some thought it was an oversight, but it looks like the organization itself has confirmed that this was no mistake.

You're not mistaken. There is no Super Metroid on the games list for #AGDQ2018, and if it's not on the list or a backup it won't be run. — Games Done Quick (@GamesDoneQuick) October 11, 2017

And as one would expect, Twitter users are expressing disappointment.

This year at #AGDQ2018 we will be learning the effects Super Metroid has on donations. — Medralx (@meadzstreamz) October 11, 2017

Wait, no Super Metroid? — Zehal de la Doom (@ZehalZ) October 11, 2017

#AGDQ2018 without Super Metroid, a staple of GDQ and a huge portion of donation incentives; I get it, but a weird decision nonetheless — VanillaBear35 (@WePodAndWeKnow) October 11, 2017

Read through the #AGDQ2018 list just now, REALLY shocked there's no Super Metroid this year. That's always such a hype donation grabber. — Sabriye the Hallowed (@Sabriye_WoW) October 11, 2017

I'm a huge fan of Super Metroid but it will be interesting to see what the final donation amount will be without it! #AGDQ2018 — Andreas Svensson (@DonSvenne) October 11, 2017

What's going to happen to the animals, though...? #AGDQ2018 — vid Dracula (@vidStrickland) October 11, 2017

Awesome Games Done Quick 2018 is set to run from January 7-14 from Herndon, VA and will raise money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. To get a look of the games that did make the cut, check out the Games Done Quick website.