On 21st January 1999, the original Super Smash Bros. was released for the Nintendo 64 in Japan. Over the last 21 years, Smash has become one of the most celebrated, adored, and hype-inducing series available on Nintendo's platforms.
Developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo, Super Smash Bros. gathered a cast of Nintendo all-stars into one game, pitting them against each other to do battle and whack each other off the stage - but you knew that already, right? The original game had 12 characters to choose from - Captain Falcon, Donkey Kong, Fox, Jigglypuff, Kirby, Link, Luigi, Mario, Ness, Pikachu, Samus, and Yoshi - which seemed like more than enough at the time.
Of course, things have evolved tremendously since then, with the series' latest edition, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, boasting a cast of 82 characters which have already been announced with six more on the way. The game has also become more than just a celebration of Nintendo franchises, now containing non-Nintendo characters, some of which even come from rival platform holders.
The latest game's huge ambition, and the success of the Nintendo Switch, have helped it to become the best-selling fighting game in history. We doubt the game's creators quite expected that when making the first game all those years ago, but the crossover series has proven to be a truly winning formula.
We're sure many of you reading this will have plenty of wonderful memories playing games from the Super Smash Bros. series. If you'd like, we welcome you to share those in the comments below. 21 years, blimey!
Comments 41
We've all had a rather Smashing time indeed!
We're getting old
Thanks for reminding me how old I am NL.
I wonder how old I'll be when the next Smash comes out for Switch 2 or the GameGramps Micro
Didnt get into Smash until my friend got an imported Gamecube with Melee, then hooked. But kind of fallen away from Ultimate as after completing story mode, just got bored.
This game came out a long time ago. How do you know that this was true or not? That was like over 20 years ago. That's enough years for people to forget. What if there were no video games before the year 2000 and the internet is just pulling the biggest April Fools joke ever? What if people were unhappy until there were video games? I am pretty sure that kids getting grounded only started after video games came out. What if, the Matrix took over and we can't remember? Ahhhhhh!
Wakes up Oh man, what a nightmare.
I believe a few characters have been added to the roster since then.
I bought this in the shops without any knowledge of it when it launched based on that box alone.
Zero regrets
Great game but starting to show it's age looking at some of those screenshots
Makes you realise how spoilt we are with modern day graphics
Took me about 2 years to unlock Ness as no clue how to and then was like whose that.
Tired loads of mad rumours to unlock that ? Box. Its Sonoc itd metal mario, its bowser its a pokemon so many lies
I was a senior in high school when this came out, but I didn't actually play it until I was a sophomore in college.
It was definitely different from the fighting games I was used to playing.
21 years of this game series and I still play it almost daily. Biggest issue though is my 9 year old destroys me and my older son no matter what we do.
@Donutman You trained him well. Be proud.
Didn't realize I was 12 when this came out on N64. Thanks for reminding me I'm old!
In other news: Gamefreaks Town is being published on PS4. Retail and digital. Don’t know why Nintendolife has not reported this yet.
Where it all started, good times.
@KoekiieWoekiie it's been 2 hours since other sources reported.
@Rpg-lover be a lover, not a hater.
I’ve never got into Smash, despite being a big Nintendo fan. I find the recent iterations too daunting with the 5 billion characters to choose from.
I do own this version though, and do intend to give it a go. I much prefer the condensed character selection and I’m guessing this has simpler mechanics, so I’ll see how I find it.
Yep I was 14 and used to read official nintendo mag and really was exited to play. What a cool idea and ultimate been out a year and they have nailed it.👌
@KoekiieWoekiie They already publish enough irrelevant and barely-relevant articles here. Don't encourage them.
Somebody buy this game a drink!
...
Someone had to say it.
@Rpg-lover
What has this got to do with the game series ?
Seriously anti-matter isn't even in the comments tree.
And hiding behind it was justa joke gaiz yu have no sense of humour !!! is weak sauce.
Just like your supposed "humor"
And on topic
Why celebrate the 21st anniversary, instead of the 20th ?
@KitsuneNight 😁😁 did it hurt you so much?
@Riderkicker he also watches YouTube for expect tactics
wow 21, time does flies. I was only 11 then I think. Now I'm soon to be 32 and those times just feel like a distant memory.....Has anyone invented a way to return your memories to the past yet?
Smash has done a lot for me. It's introduced me to countless game franchises, made me scream at the top of my lungs when a character gets announced, and brought me closer together with so many friends. I've loved this series for years, and I doubt that will ever change.
Shantae for Smash, by the way
Who'd have guess what seemed like a simple wacky quasi-fighting minigame, like Nintendo's answer to Clay Fighters would turn into such a big franchise?
Look at all the characters that were added over the years, the original Smash Bros. had only 12 Fighters, now it has 82, and 6 more are being made, there's something for everyone, no matter which games you like.
I'm very grateful over everything Sakurai, Nintendo, HAL, Bandai Namco and Sora Ltd. made over the years, it's impossible to have all characters we want, and there are always reveals that will make people upset, there's always next time, so just give Sakurai a break.
It's hard to give up the modern roster and content, but the original game still plays best to me. I just feel more in control of the characters. Maybe the smaller levels and simpler asthetics just make it easier to keep track of the action. I've heard it has the least amount of input lag, so that probably helps too.
Absolutely a fan (of both this game, & series)! It's a marvelous classic of the N64 era, and the very late 90s. I remember going in Toys 'R Us, going to the back aisle, seeing all the various N64 systems hooked up to their own tv sets, in a transparent case. I played Smash Bros., and instantly loved it!
I would say the series has made 2 major jumps: the first was from SSB to Melee, with Melee adding characters/stages/trophies/music/gameplay modes/etc., and the second major jump was Melee to Brawl, with Brawl adding guest characters, a more fleshed-out story mode, online, and going even farther with the music. I do somewhat miss the Trophy lottery from Melee, and moreso the pinball from Brawl.
Also, as ToonStuff said, Shantae for Smash! The trailer video for World of Light shown there is already a Shantae spirit. Or maybe Patricia Wagon, with a Shantae costume; I wouldn't put that past Nintendo. I know Sakurai said the characters from fp2 are already decided on. Probably Patricia Wagon as a Mii Gunner costume.
Edit: As far as guest characters, as I have heard it, Snake, or maybe it was Sonic could have been in Melee, had the persons in charge known that certain parties were willing for their characters to guest star in a Nintendo game.
21 years? Impossible! Why, 21 years ago I was only... oh my...
Seriously, this was the first game I spent my own money on. I played it at some friends’ houses and it was a dream come true. I went to the bank with my parents, exchanged a big ol’ jar of saved up change for bigger bills (back when they would do that for you), went to the local K-mart, and spent $50 long-saved; I never once regretted it. I put many, many hours into this game, almost all of them multiplayer against my brother and my friends. Some of my best gaming memories were with this one, surpassed by very few others, Melee being one of them. The original was so good that, when a sequel was announced, I thought about it every day despite not having my own GameCube. Ultimate is easily the best Smash game ever made, but as a father who works full time I may never make better gaming memories than playing the original for hours at a time in our damp basement against my neighbor friends. Fingers crossed that my own kids will play with me in a few years.
If you told me Toad wasn't playable 21 yr later I would say words that would've got me grounded back then.
I have them all! I have played this since day one. Best fighting game in history and yes ive played mortal kombat
Street fighter. Tekken. Virtua fighter. Killer instinct and soul calibur. Smash beats them all.
This came out whilst I was a Uni and we all loved it! Great 4 player fun and relatively straight forward to get into but hard to master. Captain Falcon was in a god like tier by himself! Nothing better than ruling the roost with Jigglypuff!
Good memories!
I was a Yoshi master in the original. None of my friends could beat me. Was the first time I truly felt like an elite gamer. Well, it was the only time I did. Lol
Does that officially make it a drinking game?
Happy 21 birthday Smash!
I was 16 when this came out....I played it as a party game then. Now it serves as the ultimate competitive death match between my son and i.
I remember asking my mum for Diddy Kong Racing and seeming disappointed when she bought this instead. (Not ungrateful, I was just a 5/6 year old that really wanted Diddy Kong Racing after renting it at Blockbuster!)
I started playing it and oh boy was I hooked.
Man...I'm getting old...
Congratulations!! Incredible!!
Tap here to load 41 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...