Gaming anniversaries help provide clarity, context, and insight into how much the gaming world has changed since certain titles have been released on various systems. And I think it’s very fair to say that the Super Smash Bros is an excellent example of how times have changed since its first entry. The title was the brainchild of a couple of people, with Masahiro Sakurai being the man most associated with the game. It was meant to feature non-Nintendo characters, but many wondered if that would work given all the other well-known fighting game entries. So, Nintendo characters were brought in instead.
But that raised another problem, as Nintendo was known as the “family-friendly” brand, and the idea of these beloved Nintendo mascots beating the crap out of each other while players cheered seemed…bad. Many thought Super Smash Bros wouldn’t sell well. That’s why the Japanese release 25 years ago was a few months ahead of the US release…because no one thought it would work. Twenty-five years later, the franchise is one of the biggest things around and holds the record for the best-selling fighting game ever!
Today marks the 25th Anniversary of Super Smash Bros.
Debuting on the Nintendo 64, the franchise has evolved considerably, with waves of differing reception across each entry. The latest release is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, available on Switch.https://t.co/Qm9VJRCnJR pic.twitter.com/rGPqZS9cRm
— Noisy Pixel (@NoisyPixelNews) January 20, 2024
Since that legendary N64 launch, we’ve gotten five other entries (I’m counting the Wii U and 3DS versions as separate entries) and many are hoping for a sixth. Masahiro Sakurai has even used his YouTube Channel to highlight the backstories behind each version. Regardless, Super Smash Bros changed the world, showing that sometimes you have to take a chance on things…even if people don’t think it’ll be good.
