In 1999, Super Smash Bros. hit the Nintendo 64 and forever changed fighting games. What began as Masahiro Sakurai’s unsanctioned prototype, Dragon King: The Fighting Game, evolved into a crossover brawler starring Mario, Link, Pikachu, Samus, and more. Our conversation explores how HAL Laboratory, already known for Kirby and guided by Satoru Iwata, built a system that swapped combos for platforming, aerials, items, and the joy of knocking rivals off the stage. We trace HAL’s history, from Lolo to EarthBound, spotlighting Iwata’s programming genius and Sakurai’s vision for accessibility. We revisit the first wave of competitive Smash, from small tournaments to the rise of Melee esports, and reflect on how the series became Nintendo’s best-selling fighter. Join us as we revisit the chaotic origins of Smash on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.
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A Trip Down Memory Card Lane