
Back in 1999 Nintendo revealed a Super Smash Bros. marketing campaign which makes those "everyone is here" Ultimate trailers pale in comparison. The company hosted an event called Super Smash Bros. Slamfest '99 and it saw the likes Pikachu, Donkey Kong, Mario and Yoshi take to the ring in a wrestling match in front of a live audience.
The event took place in Las Vegas on 24th April 1999, where the crowd could watch their childhood video game idols beat each other up before their very eyes. Basically, the event sounds insane, and until today we had seen very little of it thanks to the woes of film photography and 1990s streaming practices.
But now that has all changed. The event's producer, Ed Espinoza, has managed to find a collection of his snaps from the day and has shared them online for the world to see. We can catch a glimpse of the giant costumed Donkey Kong taking a beating from Mario, Pikachu and Yoshi wiped out on the floor and even the fighters sharing handshakes with the crowd afterwards.
All of Espinoza's snaps of the day can be found on Imgur, from which you can see the teaser above. Be sure to check out the full album to catch more photos for a 90s throwback.
We can't see Nintendo organising something like this ever again — oh god, imagine the number of Fire Emblem characters there now — so the Slamfest is certainly a tasty slice of the company's history. Video footage of the event is still yet to be found, but you know that we are going to be cheering on Yoshi as/when it becomes available.
What do you make of this event? Would you like to see Smash Bros. live? Let us know in the comments.
[source imgur.com]
Comments 21
🎶Me and you, and you and me...🎶
Had no idea this was a thing but most certainly remember the old commercials. Remember the whole concept of the game kind of blowing my mind as a kid, though back when I had no idea who Samus, Captain Falcon, and Ness were.
I didn't know this was an actual thing before now.
Now I feel like watching the Smash 64 commercial again.^^
@Coolmusic lol we had some good commercials growing up. Good times huh?
Oh cool, the Costumes from the Advertisment
I remember seeing a video with my sister about this back in 1999. Cannot remember who actually won, I think it was the referee.
What great photos! The 90s was such a good time.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K783SDTBKmg00340434180176174450
the Video with those Costumes for everyone that is younger or just haven't seen it.
@Erigen ... So happy togetheeeeeer...
I remember that commercial.
@HammerGalladeBro I just read an article about this on Kotaku. They had some quotes from people who remembered seeing it. Apparently the match ended with all the participants running into each other in the center of the ring, all of them getting knocked out by the impact. The ref then announced, in true Nintendo fashion, "Everyone's a winner!"
lol at last pic you can tell it was during peak pokecraze as everyone wanted to touch Pikachu
Oh wow, only knew about that commercial, certainly not this!
I remember this. Simpler times when Smash was nothing but that silly fun game that came out of nowhere.
I wish there would be a pro wrestling Mario video game to come out on the Nintendo Switch called Mario Wrestling Slamfest where you can do like how you do in the WWE video games.
@mykblo116 TAKE MY MONEY!!! I just don't get Smash, Ive tried, believe me I want to love this game but I just can't figure it out or get the concept of it.
Who remembers the #FreeMelee tattoo guy
Mario and Yoshi stomping a mud hole on DK in the corner legit cracked me up. Fantastic pics!
Wow. Nostalgia central! This is something truly, uniquely special.
Thanks for sharing!
@mykblo116 Next Level Games once pitched a Volleyball/Wrestling hybrid Mario game inspired by WWE called Super Mario Spikers.
That picture of Pikachu on its back in the middle of the ring is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I love this. Imagine if we'd got a No Mercy style wrestling game with Nintendo characters?? Created wrestlers in Wrestling Empire is probably the closest we'll ever get
I had no idea this was a thing! Funny! (Also, seeing the kids there and knowing that I was the same age range back then is wild)
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...