Scoring & Grading System — Super Meat Boy Guide

Master Super Meat Boy's scoring and grading system to achieve top ranks and unlock new content. Learn how speed and precision impact your performance and final.

Mastering Super Meat Boy isn't just about reaching the end of a level; it's about doing so with speed, precision, and an almost masochistic dedication to perfection. The game meticulously tracks your performance, assigning grades and rewarding your efforts (or lack thereof) with various unlocks. Understanding this system is crucial for any player aiming for 100% completion or simply bragging rights.

Level Completion Times & Grades

Every level in Super Meat Boy has a target par time. Beating this par time is the primary factor in achieving the coveted "A+" grade. The game doesn't just measure your first successful run; it records your best time for each level. To achieve an A+ grade, you must complete the level within the designated par time. Failing to meet the par time will result in a lower grade, typically an "A," "B," or "C" depending on how far off you were. There's no penalty for dying repeatedly, only for the final time taken to complete the level.

• A+ Grade: Achieved by completing the level within or faster than the par time. This is the ultimate goal for speedrunners and completionists.
• A, B, C Grades: Awarded for completing the level above the par time, with "A" being closest to par and "C" being significantly slower.
• No Grade: If you simply complete the level without concern for time, you'll still progress, but you won't earn any special recognition.

Strategy for A+ Grades: Focus on efficiency. Learn the optimal path, minimize wall-jumps, and anticipate enemy movements. Practice individual sections of a level until they are muscle memory. Don't be afraid to restart if a run goes poorly early on; a quick reset can save you time in the long run.

Collecting Bandages

Beyond simply completing levels, Super Meat Boy offers an additional layer of challenge and reward through the collection of Bandages. Each light world and dark world level contains exactly one Bandage. These are often placed in tricky, out-of-the-way locations that require precise platforming, quick reflexes, or a clever understanding of the level's mechanics.

• Bandage Location: Bandages are typically visible within the level, but their path to acquisition is rarely straightforward. They might be behind a series of buzzsaws, at the end of a perilous jump sequence, or require a specific character's ability to reach.
• Collection Requirement: You must collect the Bandage and then successfully complete the level in the same run for it to count. Dying after collecting a Bandage but before reaching the end will require you to collect it again.
• Rewards: Collecting a certain number of Bandages unlocks new playable characters. These characters often have unique abilities that can make certain levels easier or open up new strategies. For example, The Kid (from I Wanna Be The Guy) can double jump, while Commander Video (from Bit.Trip Runner) can float, offering different approaches to platforming challenges.

Strategy for Bandage Collection: Prioritize collecting the Bandage on a separate run from your A+ attempt, especially if it's in a particularly dangerous spot. Once you have the Bandage, focus solely on survival to the end of the level. Some Bandages are designed to be extremely challenging, so patience and persistence are key.

Unlocking Characters

The game features a roster of unlockable characters, each with their own unique abilities. These characters are primarily unlocked by collecting Bandages or by finding them hidden within Warp Zones.

• Bandage Unlocks: As mentioned, collecting specific quantities of Bandages will automatically unlock new characters. The game will notify you when a new character is available. Keep an eye on your bandage count in the world map!
• Warp Zone Unlocks: Some characters are found at the end of specific Warp Zones. These are secret levels accessible through hidden portals within certain stages. Completing a Warp Zone will often reward you with a new character.

Character Selection: Experiment with different characters! While Meat Boy is the default and most balanced, characters like Bandage Girl (who has a slower fall) or Gish (who can stick to walls and ceilings) can drastically alter how you approach a level, sometimes making difficult sections surprisingly manageable.

Dark World Levels

For every light world level you complete with an A+ grade, its corresponding Dark World counterpart is unlocked. These Dark World levels are significantly harder, featuring more hazards, tighter platforming, and often a completely redesigned layout while maintaining the same general theme as their light world equivalent.

• Unlocking Dark World Levels: Achieve an A+ grade on a Light World level to unlock its Dark World version. This means you must beat the par time.
• Increased Difficulty: Expect a substantial spike in challenge. Dark World levels are designed to push your skills to their absolute limit.
• Dark World Bandages: Just like the light world, each Dark World level also contains a single Bandage, often even more challenging to acquire.

Dark World Strategy: Treat Dark World levels as the ultimate test of your Super Meat Boy mastery. Focus on one section at a time, learn the patterns, and be prepared for many, many deaths. The satisfaction of conquering a Dark World level is immense!