RTA in Japan Summer 2025 Drops Nintendo Games Following Company Warning
- Sagar Mankar
- Aug 5
- 2 min read

RTA in Japan’s upcoming Summer 2025 speedrunning event will feature no Nintendo titles, marking a major change for the country’s largest speedrunning showcase. The decision follows a direct notice from Nintendo, which required the event’s organizers to seek "prior permission" for using the company’s games.
On August 4, the RTA in Japan (RiJ) team addressed the matter publicly, ending months of speculation among fans. The event, scheduled for August 9–15, has traditionally included several Nintendo classics, with Super Mario 64 often drawing the highest viewership. This year, however, the absence of Nintendo games from the lineup quickly caught the attention of both media and the speedrunning community.
According to the organizers, Nintendo contacted them on June 13, 2025, pointing out that, as a legal entity, RiJ must obtain explicit permission to feature any Nintendo-owned titles. The company also stated that previous uses of Nintendo games at RiJ events were considered “unauthorized use.” This development is tied to the fact that RTA in Japan became a legal entity in 2020, which changes how copyright rules apply.
While RiJ operates as a non-profit, with revenue from donations and subscriptions going to charity, that status doesn’t exempt them from licensing requirements. The team has since begun discussions with Nintendo to secure future permissions. Their plan is to apply for licenses on a per-event, per-title basis. Unfortunately, they were unable to complete this process in time for this summer’s event, leading to the complete removal of Nintendo titles from the lineup.
This decision not only affects the 2025 summer schedule but will also impact how games are nominated in the future. The organizers confirmed that updated submission guidelines will be announced soon, ensuring compliance with Nintendo’s rules.
In their official statement (translated via Automaton), RiJ expressed regret to participants and viewers, especially those who submitted Nintendo game runs.
Whether Mario, Zelda, and other favorites return in future editions will depend on how these ongoing negotiations play out.
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