We're deeply saddened to report that Chris Taylor, the 21-year-old Super Smash Bros. fan who has been battling cancer, has passed away.
Aside from being a popular and well-loved member of the Nintendo community, Taylor hit the news recently after friends, strangers, and people around the globe joined forces to attract the attention of Nintendo; the young man had expressed his desire to play the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, being scared that the game would release too late, and others hoped Nintendo could answer his wishes. Thankfully, Nintendo responded by bringing the game to his home, allowing him to play the upcoming title with friends.
Just days after having his wish be granted, Taylor sadly passed away in the comfort of his own home. The news comes from Chris' brother, Zach.
"Today Chris passed away at around 5 pm est. He was surrounded by friends and family when it happened in the comfort of his own home. On behalf of him and our family we are extremely thankful for all the love and support Chris has gotten. You guys made it possible for his wish to come true. I hope chris's memory lives on through all of us when we game. Just remember this once... everybody got together for the most genuine man I've ever known. He just wanted to get out there meet some people and play some games. Unfortunately, he can't do that anymore so lets continue his legacy for him."
Our thoughts go out to Chris' family, friends, and loved ones, as well as the amazing community of Nintendo fans who have banded together over the last few weeks.
Note: Please be respectful in the comments.
[source reddit.com]
Comments 103
Terribly sad may he rest in peace.
This is sad but at the same time it's nice he could have his wished granted. RIP.
Rest in Peace Chris. You taught me a very important lesson and one I will never forget. My condolences to friends and family. If you meet Iwata out there, fist bump him for me.
Rest in Peace, I'm sorry to hear this sad news, I'm sure we're all thinking about his family. I hope they take some comfort in how happy playing Smash Ultimate made him.
Very sad news. That’s no age at all. Well done Nintendo for sorting that out. I feel so sorry for his family.
I luv nintendo
I smell onions. Anyone here cutting lots of onions? Like, right under my nose?
Yeah no, I'm not crying, swear to Iwata, someone's definitely cutting onions around here.
sniffle
Very sad news, cancer is a horrible disease and anyone battling it is braver than I will ever be. Glad he got to play Smash before he passed. Condolences to his family in this difficult time.
Heartbreaking. I'm glad he got his wish - RIP Chris.
Oh, dear...
Rest in peace, Chris.
oh wow i didn't know he had that little time left.
Extremely saddened by this news. As a two time cancer survivor myself I know how much pain he must have been in over the last few weeks.
I’m thankful that Nintendo made his final wish a reality and hope that he finds peace.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
He faced his fate with dignity and it is inspiring.
That's pretty sad but I'm glad he was able to have a wish granted before he passed. My condolences to his family.
Ohh geez, thats heartbreaking.
RIP mate.
I'm glad he got his wish, and I hope he rests in peace.
That is very sad news and my thoughts and prayers are with his family. I'm glad they were able to come together around their shared love of games and make some memories together. People don't always realize how important games can be for bringing families, especially brothers, together and how important those memories can be after you lose someone close to you. Rest in peace.
Glad that his wish came true, RIP Chris
.....
RIP. Well done to Nintendo for getting him his wish, that was a great gesture.
Thoughts with him
Rest well, dude! And my condolences, friends and family.
oh this is terrible news. RIP fellow nintendo gamer. All the best to Chris' family.
This is really sad news.I'm glad he got his final wish though.May he Rest In Peace..
I just wish he had time to get hands on real 'Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'. Rest in peace, Chris!
Hi chris i wish you all the best in gaming heaven playing smash with iwata i also send my condolences to his family and friends.
RIP Chris
Rest in peace Chris.
Definitely not how I wished this "trilogy" of news would end. Poor guy didn't even make it to another Direct. I hope he was at the very least told the final roster when the demo came home before ascending to the Big Guy In The Sky's playground. I still remember @Silly_G's comment about getting to play some heavenly version of Smash and I kind of wish this actually happens now.
As glad as I am to see that the campaign worked, I can't properly word my condolences: words fail me. I'm saddened on a personal level since - despite barely learning of Chris' very existence one week ago with the tweet that started it all - this guy's, or kid's as I affectionately called him in the comments, physical condition was something I could easily relate due to two other people in my family struggling with cancer as well. In case anyone in his family is reading this, I'm deeply saddened for your loss and want to give my condolences to you all.
No need to point out the initial - and still unrelatable - backlash the campaign got on NintendoLife; it's a moot point by now. As long as the minds behind the meanest comments understand the urgency (well, urgency in hindsight anyway) behind the Smash demo getting to Chris' home, that alone would suffice. It's sad the infamy behind that comment section will prove hard to live down, as attested by today's note (which should rely on common sense and common knowledge, but had to be pointed out) under the article, but the campaign proved to be successful and anyone who contributed to it should see themselves as better people of it.
Obviously, should a campaign for an in-game dedication to his memory arise, I'll join in.
There are various interesting articles out there today on the site, but I wanted to comment this one first for obvious reasons. As bitter as the taste of the news is, Zach's inspiring message should be an example for all of us. It won't be easy for me to just start up the game when it launches like nothing's happened. I wish I could reach Chris, and any other Smash fan who could happen to pass away before then, with my words when I do, and tell them "look, there's this character in the game!". But I can't.
And I won't, because, regardless of whatever can be said about this, I have faith in the afterlife. And I choose to believe that whichever newcomers are in Ultimate, the people up there will already know.
Let's play the game for Chris too. It's what he would have wanted. And let's all share our love for the games we love with everyone in the world. Let's not be the rabid fandom we seem to be at times. Let's be a fandom to be proud of.
Ah, this is so sad. In my English class we’re analyzing news articles and I decided to do the one about him getting to play Ultimate. 😞 My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends.
“He just wanted to get out there meet some people and play some games.” Isn’t that what we all want? It’s such a simple yet such an inspiring quote.
Very sad... Honestly, out of words.
May he rest in peace.
Dang. He looked tired but in good spirits when playing.
He was a peppy dude, even though the cancer had been getting at him several times over.
This is such sad news. I hope his family and friends can find comfort and peace. I’m glad he got to play the game he wanted with people he loved. I had been following him on Twitter recently and he seemed like such a positive, upbeat person despite all that befell him. May he rest in peace.
I bet he loved playing smash ultimate
I hope his family and friends can find some comfort in knowing that he was able to play the game he wanted to see so much, even if it's a small comfort.
@AlexSora89
You have referenced the previous thread much more graciously than I could, so I will leave it at that.
...
@k8sMum
Because the standard approach wasn't worth it, mom. I said it was a moot point by now.
@mist
Even though I hope that not to be the case, should another time ever arise, keep fighting, and never, ever, ever, ever surrender.
Remember when there were people here and on the rest of the internet who doubted this guy’s illness and thought he wanted to play just so he could leak info? That being said, I’m happy he was able to play Smash, considering he died not too long after his wish was granted.
R.I.P.
Wow. And to think I honestly thought this was a hoax of sorts. Glad he got his wish in that case.
It could be a great tribute to transform him into a game character.
R.I.P.
@Bart_T I think warios cutting onions again because this is so sad rip Chris
I remember how happy he was just to play the demo.Despite what he was going thorough, he still managed to smile. R.I.P.
I'm sorry that this horrible disease has taken another innocent person, but at least he had his final wishes answered and he was with friends and family.
RIP Chris.
Rip Chris
Life dealt this guy a terribly cruel hand - truly heartwarming to hear that Nintendo could at least bring him some joy in his final days. May he rest in peace.
I actually read a bunch of his Twitter a few days ago... this is awful news to wake up to.
May his soul rest in peace and a big thank you to Nintendo for making his dream come true
Very sad news, but it's a great reminder that people can get together and provide happiness to others even in the grimmest of situations. I'm not a religious man.. but if he believed in a God, I hope he's with them now kicking his/her/it's butt off of Hyrule Castle Stage.
I wonder if Nintendo would be gracious enough to put a dedication somewhere in Smash Ultimate? Sounds silly, but they've done such things in the past.
At 21. Poor guy barely got to live. Rest in peace stranger.
Game on Chris, wherever you are. Well done to Nintendo for making his last days fun. I have never played Smash and wasnt going to bother. But if Chris was this passionate about the game, there must be something there, and I will be buying the game now.
Rest in peace man. </3
Rest in peace man.
Very sad to hear... At the same time, though, this guy’s story heartwarmed me. He got his final wish just before he died. I’m happy for that. It’s a very lovely thing we saw here, everyone banding together and Nintendo responded. It just shows that in this world that is getting filled with badness, there are still so many people with wonderful, kind hearts out there, and those people deserve all our respect. Rest in peace, Chris. Your story has touched many.
May he rest in peace.
It is awesome that Nintendo was able to respond in time for him to get to play Smash Bros Ultimate. Prayers for his family and Thank Yous to Nintendo for being so awesome to it's fans.
He didn't die. He just beat this stage and moved on to a better place. Keep on being awesome wherever you are man.
Even though I barely know you and have wished to have met in better circumstances. Rest in peace, my fellow gamer.
Oh my, and I was just reading his Twitter posts less than 12 hours ago 😥
Losing a loved one to cancer, specially someone so young, is a very draining experience, but one can hope they have had time to come to terms with it and left nothing unsaid.
I wish his friends and family all the best.
I am so, so glad that Nintendo responded to that campaign and made one of this guy's last wishes a reality. Those pictures from Twitter of him playing the Smash Ultimate demo still bring a smile to my face.
May you rest in peace, Chris. I pray that your friends and family are comforted during this difficult time.
Cancer is a horrible disease...
Farewell Chris
Very sad news. I was thinking that he might get to see the launch at least. I wasn't expecting this to happen quite so soon. In any case, Nintendo's timing couldn't have been better.
May his loved ones find peace and solace.
Words cannot address how saddened I am to hear this news. Major props to Nintendo for making this man’s final wish come true.
Terrible news
He went out a gamer, doing something he loved. I can only hope that whatever, whenever, and wherever my end will be, I can go doing what I love too. RIP Chris... I'll game on for you.
I was saddened to read this news today.
It seems like Nintendo got the game to him in the nick of time; I'm glad he got that wish granted. My condolences to his family for their loss. RIP Chris, your story helps put life and our time on this planet into perspective.
Damn it, I knew he would go soon after he got to play his dream game. I'd bet that was what was keeping him going, and when he got to play it, well...
My condolences to his loved ones. This is nothing, but he got to play his game and I'm sure it made his last days less worse in some way..
Dang... I was hoping he would make it long enough to play the actual game but sadly it wasn't meant to be. I'm glad he was granted his wish though.
Well that is really a sad heartwarming story.
I will admit I was sceptical at first but I'm glad he got to play Smash Bros. He was able to do something that he has wanted to do for a while, with friends, family, and help of the internet.
I do wish his family happiness and ease. My Condolences and they will be able to meet him again.
A sad day, but also a joyous one, as he is no longer suffering. Happy to hear he had a memorable last couple of days.
So sad.
RIP Chris.
At the end of the day, what matters is that he was happy, and got to spend his last moments with the ones he loved. Even though I didn't know him, my condolences to Chris' loved ones in this hard time.
It would be really nice if Smash Ultimate's credits or the next Smash direct said "In Memory of Chris Taylor".
😭
A 21-year-old kid isn't supposed to get cancer. That's just terrible. Good for Nintendo for at least making his wish come true in his final days though.
R.I.P. Chris. We'll continue the fight from here, my man.
Rest in peace my gaming brother. We will all be there to greet you one day. Life is oh so short and sometimes it's jarring to be reminded of that. I'm glad Chris's wish was granted and I really applaud all of the people who helped make it happen. Nintendo did a wonderful thing that they didn't have to do so, kudos to them. Thanks for one more wonderful memory I can carry with me through this life. Peace and love to all.
@TossedLlama
Thank you, Llama. It is greatly appreciated.
Chris,I didn't know you but your story touched me and thousands of people around the world,rest in peace my friend.
RIP
So sad. My prayers are with his family, and friends.
This actually breaks my heart.
They should add something in smash in his memory,even a simple line to make him live forever.
My heart, as a gamer, is broken....
May you rest in peace Chris Taylor.
So sad. I am glad Nintendo was quick about responding to the petition and his wish was granted.
@AlexSora89 Well said, sir.
RIP Chris. Gone way too young, but you touched the lives of all that rallied for your cause before you left. gg Chris.
We humans are so weird.
I find myself with tears in my eyes and praying for an unknown (to me) even knowing that thousands dies everyday.
Yet I can not help but few compassion and sorrow for him and his family.
Rest in peace man, may you be able to play in Heaven.
@Blue_Rover
Thank you. I just said what I felt had to be said.
@AlexSora89 You are most welcome. My very best wishes and thoughts to your family given what they are having to go through. I can't begin to imagine or understand what it must be like if one member of my family was that ill; let alone two.
@Blue_Rover
Thank you, again! One of my relatives never once lost his smile and his therapy appears to be going well. The other... is taking it harder and that's why we've been closer to her than usual lately.
Your wishes are most appreciated, once again.
@Giygas_95
I sense a campaign coming for that already. And I'll join in if the need arises, as said in my long winded speech in this very comment section.
Very sad! I hope there's a heaven with video games for him!
@mist I am glad you survived!
@AlexSora89 sadly, he was probably not told the full roster as he said on Twitter he'd still be able to partake in the newcomer hype
@Jacob-Camerupt
Did he? I didn't catch that particular tweet.
Make every day count. I'm glad he did.
Rest in peace, Chris. Glad your wish came true.
@Mattiac
Thank you
Ah... this is sad. People shouldn't die so young, and also not from such horrible diseases. My thoughts go out to his family and friends, and I wish them strength in these times of hardship.
@AlexSora89 I hope I got this right, 'cause my Italian is a bit rusty, to say the least: i miei pensieri sono con te, amico mio. Ti auguro forza e fede, in questi tempi difficili.
I hope your struggling family member can somehow find the strength to keep fighting and be positive. The (state of) mind can unfortunately heavily influence one's physical state as well.
There are no guarantees in life, unfortunately, but having a more positive outlook does lend us the strength to keep the fight going, regardless of the odds we face, and that in turn gives us time. Time to be with our loved ones, and hopefully also enough time to heal...
@ThanosReXXX
The sentence was perfect, and it warmed my heart like you couldn't imagine. Thank you for being supportive!
You're most welcome, and keep your chin up. As the old saying goes: it ain't over, til it's over...
And until then, we have to keep loving, supporting and fighting for our loved ones, and they in turn need to keep up the fight as well. Not giving up is a tough road to follow sometimes, but I truly do believe it's the only way.
I'm late to this, but, rest in peace, Chris, my fellow Smash brother. I hope you're enjoying the early release of Smash Ultimate in Heaven with Iwata.
👏This is so cool and wholsome can we reach 7 Billion Comments👏
Rest in peace Chris. Hopefully you enjoyed the gaming session.
Man thats so sad I hope he's in a better place..
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