Super Meat Boy 3D Guide | How to Get A+ Ratings

Here's a guide on how to get A+ ratings in Super Meat Boy 3D.

Game Guide by Groot on Apr 03, 2026

Every level in Super Meat Boy 3D has a target time attached to it. Finish the level under that time and you get an A+ rating. The target time is different for every level, and you can see what it is after completing a run. If you've already hit the A+ on a level, a large red A+ will show next to it on the map before you enter.

Getting an A+ on at least one level per world unlocks the Dark World for that world. There are also rewards for getting A+ ratings across every level in the game, so it's worth pushing for them all eventually.

Super Meat Boy 3D, Guide, How to Get A+ Ratings, PC, Gameplay, Screenshot, NoobFeed

Pick The Right Character

Characters in Super Meat Boy 3D aren't just visual changes. Each one has its own speed, weight, jump height, and hitbox, and those differences matter when you're trying to move fast. Part of getting good clear times is finding which character works best for a given level.

Ed is fast and covers ground well with long jumps, which makes him a good fit for open levels with a lot of running and wide gaps. Skeleton Boy is very light, so he can be sent flying at speed with a jump and air dash, which helps on levels that use momentum. Nate has a double jump that can get you over or past sections that would otherwise slow you down. Knowing your characters and matching them to the level goes a long way.

Look For Shortcuts

Levels in Super Meat Boy 3D don't have strict paths you have to follow. If you spot a gap you think you can clear, try it. Cutting across unconnected parts of a level can save a lot of time. Some shortcuts need a specific character to pull off. As an example, Skeleton Boy can skip a large portion of Toxic Trouble by climbing the first metal wall and jumping across the acid lake.

Super Meat Boy 3D, Guide, How to Get A+ Ratings, PC, Gameplay, Screenshot, NoobFeed

Leave Bandages For A Separate Run

Bandages are usually placed off the main path, and going for them adds time to your run. Skip them when you're going for an A+. You only need to grab a Bandage once as long as you finish the level after picking it up, so come back for it on a different attempt.

Use Quick Restart When A Run Falls Apart

If something goes wrong mid-run and you know the time is lost, restart right away instead of finishing the level. The quick restart button gets you back to the start instantly. On Xbox it's Y, on PlayStation it's Triangle, on PC it's R, and on Switch it's X.

Dash At The Start And Finish

Dashing is faster than sprinting for most characters, so use it right at the start of a level to build speed early. At the end of a level, if the finish line is on flat ground, dash into it rather than just running. Every small saving adds up when the time gaps are tight.

Super Meat Boy 3D, Guide, How to Get A+ Ratings, PC, Gameplay, Screenshot, NoobFeed

The dash button is X on Xbox, Square on PlayStation, Left Mouse Button on PC, and Y on Switch.

Ground Slam When You're Above The Finish Line

If you're in the air above the finish line, don't wait to float down. To drop quickly, use a ground kick. This helps a lot with light figures that take a long time to fall naturally. Dashes and ground slams can also be put together in short routines to move faster.

The ground slam button is B on Xbox, Circle on PlayStation, Ctrl on PC, and A on Switch.

Learn The Level Before Going For Speed

There's no limit on attempts, so don't feel like you need to hit an A+ straight away. Spend some runs just learning how the level is laid out, especially the later sections that you won't reach as often early on. After getting used to the whole level, going for the time becomes a lot easier.

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