GPT5 Smashes Pokemon Red Speedrun Record
The race to build the most capable AI has found a new, nostalgic battleground: the world of Pokémon. In a stunning display of efficiency, OpenAI's latest model, GPT-5, has become the new Pokémon League Champion, completing the classic Game Boy title Pokémon Red in a mind-boggling new world-record time.
A New Pokémon Master Emerges
There's a new champion in the contest to see which AI can master the original Pokémon Red, and the competition isn't even close. GPT-5, the latest model from OpenAI, conquered the Kanto region in just 6,470 steps.
To put that into perspective, the previous record-holder, ChatGPT-o3, required 18,184 steps to achieve the same feat. This means GPT-5 completed the game in less than a third of the steps, translating to about seven days of continuous gameplay compared to over 15 for its predecessor.
The Rapid Evolution of AI Gaming
This achievement is even more impressive considering the landscape just a few months prior. Earlier this year, AI models like Gemini 2.5 and Claude 3.7 Sonnet were in a race just to finish the game, let alone optimize their path. Anthropic even used Pokémon as a key benchmark to showcase the problem-solving abilities of its Claude model. Now, the goalposts haven't just moved; they've been launched into a new stadium, demonstrating the accelerating pace of AI development.
The entire journey has captivated audiences, with livestreams on channels like GPT_Plays_Pokemon on Twitch drawing in regular viewers who watch the AI's progress in real-time.
A Familiar, Yet Flawed, Strategy
So, how did GPT-5 achieve such a dominant victory? As noted by viewers on a popular Reddit thread, the AI adopted a strategy familiar to many who played the game as kids: it brute-forced its way to victory.
Instead of building a balanced team of six Pokémon, it focused on leveling up a single creature to an unstoppable level, allowing it to "tank" through every challenge. While incredibly efficient for setting a speed record, this method lacks the strategic nuance that experienced players strive for. It's a victory of raw power over tactical depth, validating a playstyle many have used but few would call masterful.
What's Next for the AI Champion?
Having thoroughly conquered Kanto, GPT-5 is not resting on its laurels. The next challenge is already underway: Pokémon Crystal. The 2000 sequel is a much larger game, featuring the new Johto region and then allowing the player to return to Kanto, effectively doubling the content. This will be a true test of the AI's ability to handle a longer, more complex quest. Can it maintain its efficiency, or will it need to learn a more sophisticated strategy to become a two-time Pokémon Master? The world is watching.
