Gamer Dances for 144 Hours to Shatter World Record
▼ Summary
– Szabolcs Csépe from Hungary set a new Guinness World Record by playing Dance Dance Revolution for 144 hours over six days.
– He prepared for six months with physical training focused on his legs and glutes and followed a specific diet plan.
– During the marathon, he danced to over 3000 songs and burned more than 22,000 calories, describing the experience as “tediously joyful.”
– Dance Dance Revolution is a rhythm game from 1998 where players step on arrows to music and has been used in fitness programs and recognized as a sport in Norway.
– Csépe was inspired by a previous record holder and has broken multiple gaming marathon records before, including for puzzle and racing simulator games.
A Hungarian gamer has officially claimed the world record for the longest video game marathon after dancing for an astonishing 144 consecutive hours. Szabolcs Csépe, a 34-year-old IT engineer from Budapest, shattered the previous record by playing the rhythm game Dance Dance Revolution nonstop for six full days. Known online as GrassHopper, Csépe stepped through more than 3,000 songs and burned over 22,000 calories during his record-breaking attempt, a feat that required six months of intense physical and dietary preparation.
Csépe focused his training on strengthening his legs and glutes to withstand the grueling challenge. He described the experience as “tediously joyful,” noting that while he genuinely loves playing DDR, the extreme duration tested his endurance in unexpected ways. His dedication paid off when Guinness World Records officially certified his marathon, adding another prestigious title to his growing list of gaming accomplishments.
Dance Dance Revolution first appeared in Japanese arcades in 1998 and quickly became a global phenomenon. Players follow on-screen arrows by stepping on corresponding panels on a dance platform, synchronizing their movements with popular music tracks. The game has not only entertained millions but has also been incorporated into school fitness programs in the UK and United States. In 2004, Norway even recognized DDR as an official sport, and more recently, it has gained traction within the esports community, with tournaments held worldwide.
The inspiration for Csépe’s latest endeavor came from watching Carrie Swidecki, the former record holder, who played Just Dance for just over 138 hours back in 2015. However, this is far from his first record-setting achievement. In 2021, he secured records for the longest marathon playing a Naruto title and the longest session with a puzzle game, specifically Tetris Effect. Just last year, a 90-hour Gran Turismo 7 marathon earned him three additional records for endurance gaming, cementing his reputation as a master of marathon video game sessions.
(Source: BBC)