Get some replay value out of Sackboy: A Big Adventure and exclusive costumes in the Sackboy Knit-Speedrun Challenges. Send everyone’s favorite anthropomorphic flour sack through new courses at record speed for more rewards.

Whether you’re a crafty veteran from Little Big Planet or a beginner that can’t wait to zip to the top of the leaderboard, we’ll show you the best tips and tricks for getting the most out of your run.

How to play PlayStation Challenges on PS5 - Sackboy Knit-Speedrun Challenges

On your PS5, (this is a PlayStation 5 exclusive challenge) open the Game Hub for Sackboy and scroll down to the activity card with a tournament crown. Click it to view the current challenge and participate.

Alternatively, go to the Knitted Knight Trials either through the world map or the in-game menu. There should be a prompt for the challenges. Press triangle to join in on the fun.

Sackboy speedrun tips

Keep rolling to gain more speed

Sackboy rolls faster than he runs. Whenever possible, slam away at that roll button instead of just using those little sack legs. The different momentum might feel foreign at first, but you’ll adjust over time.

Roll jump for more distance

Cover more distance in less time with perfectly timed rolls into jumps. This might take some practice to get the timing down. Experiment with seemingly impossible jumps to get a better feel for when to go the distance.

Cut corners to skip sections & save time

While scissors are Sackboy’s enemy, cutting around bends is not. Test precarious positions to discover shortcuts and learn new ways to skip sections. Taking chances is part of the fun. You never know where you can shave off a few seconds until you try.

Flutter for more air time

The flutter is a smart tactic to add a few extra feet and seconds to your long jumps. Avoid hazards and push Sackboy to his limits. Knowing which move is optimal in a given situation is part of practicing. For example, fluttering too often when normal jumps will suffice is detrimental because you could instead roll to save precious seconds. 

Dodge hazards and get hit on purpose for shortcuts

The dodge is an effective method to avoid taking damage. Just one hit can ruin a solid run. Tap the left stick away from danger and press the dodge button for evasive maneuvers. Some levels like Challenge 1 Square Route require a well-timed jump onto the top of a spiky log in order to get bumped to a higher platform and save some time.  

Nosedive or ground-pound

Remember specific enemies are placed in Knitted-Knight Challenges for a reason. Be aware of the circular enemies that pop out of the ground and throw logs. Sackboy can nosedive them to gain extra height. He can even roll jump for a ton of distance.

Make the most of every move

Combine all of Sackboy’s moves together to maximize forward momentum. Think of his moves as a combo to chain together. Roll, dive, slap, jump, and spin your way to the end of the course.

Learn the level

Play courses multiple times to learn all of the ins and outs. Play through it normally the first time before roll jumping everywhere for potential shortcuts. You’ll be best equipped to climb the leaderboard with intimate knowledge of a level and its timing.

Wait for the best time to start

This tip only applies to Knitted-Knight Challenges. The timer doesn’t begin until Sackboy crosses the starting line. Wait a few seconds if you prefer certain objects and enemies to be in specific places. This initial position sets the pace for your entire run.

Be patient and expect to fail, a lot

Remember speedrunning is a craft of seconds and repetition. It takes time to master levels. People often spend hours on the same section to perfect their times. Don’t get discouraged if the top spots feel untouchable. Everyone starts somewhere so focus on improvement and nailing the fundamentals before tackling the best of the best.

Watch other speedruns

Fortunately, there’s a whole speedrunning community out there. Two of the best speedrunners at the time of publication are CookiestMonster and CptGlitchy. Both (embedded in the article) give a sense of what’s possible during a Sackboy speedrun.

With these tips, patience, and perseverance, you are now ready to race your way up the leaderboard. See you at the finish line!