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Eric Walter has one hell of a job. He was tasked by Nintendo of America to plan and coordinate a nationwide pre-release tournament for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, one of the mostly hotly anticipated games of our generation, on one of the most hotly selling video game consoles of all time. That's a lot of "hotly". To put on a show that both meets Smash Bros. fans high expectations and equals the current hype enjoyed by the publicity juggernaut known as the Nintendo Wii is no easy feat. Having attended one of Eric's events, I can say first hand that he's pulling it off splendidly.
Watch the video above to see poor Eric field obnoxious questions about Nintendo's softcore image, how competitive gaming compares to the WNBA in terms of cultural acceptance, and the chance that downloadable content will someday become available for Brawl. Eric stated off the record that he wants Brawl DLC, he knows that I do, and that all "the fans" do too. That alone counts for something. Even if downloadable Mega Man for Brawl never becomes a reality, at least We'll always know that one bigwig at Nintendo wanted it to happen.
The jump will lead you to the official press release for the NYC Brawl Tournament Finals / Brawl Launch event. It doesn't matter if you don't play video games competitively, or if you don't even like the Smash Bros. series. Go to this event. It's like being at a giant arcade for five hours where all the games are free. That's the 13 year-old Jonathan Holmes's idea of heaven on earth.
WHAT: Nintendo fans from across the country are expected to converge on the Best Buy at 622 Broadway, New York City for the chance to compete in the New York Super Smash Bros. Brawl Regional Tournament on Saturday, March 8. Over two hundred people will get to take off the gloves, call off all bets and attempt to secure a spot in the Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament Finals taking place later that evening.
Regional qualifying tournaments held across the country in February have drawn between 700 and 1000 consumers lining up to be one of 256 participants to play the U.S. version of the game and compete in the tournaments. The best player from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston-area and New York will meet at the finals in New York City. The winner walks away with bragging rights as the national Smash Bros. champion as well as a special edition, crystal-adorned Wii, signed copy of the game from the game’s creator and a home theater system from Best Buy amongst other prizes.
The alley adjacent to the Best Buy location at 622 Broadway will be transformed to help set the mood for the launch of this celebrated game, featuring a variety of fan favorite Nintendo characters, from Mario™ to Link™ to Pikachu®.
Additionally, Super Smash Bros. Brawl employs online play for the first time. This enhancement allows up to four players to simultaneously duke it out, no matter where they may be.
With new characters, new moves, online multiplayer battles and exciting action-packed gameplay, Super Smash Bros. Brawl has become one of the most anticipated games of 2008. Best Buy will open at Midnight, March 8 to ensure fans can be the first to get their copy of this much awaited release.
VISUALS:
* Enthusiastic fans and competitors vying for their opportunity to play and ultimately win the grand prize. * Multitudes of excited fans playing the game on kiosks while waiting for midnight to approach so they can buy it * First copy of Super Smash Bros. Brawl being sold * Adults and kids dressed up in Nintendo-themed costumes
WHEN: Saturday, March 8
New York Regional Tournament begins at 5 p.m.
Tournament Finals begin at 8 p.m. WHERE: Best Buy (NOHO)
Hey Jonathan, nice interview style, I like the fact that you're not one of those video game reporters who make any event all about them and think that anything related with games has to be presented with attitude in a desperate attempt to cool, you know, the type of reporters who are constsantly reminding everyone that games are so cool and edgy and are on an edge of a cool sub culture.
You simply ask the right questions and get on with it. Well done. Just thought I had to say that.
And Cheeburger, what the hell are you talking about? Are you trying to drive me to suicide?
GoNintendo shut down for a few hours once on April 14, 2007. I immediately attempted suicide, and spent the great part of the following week in grief therapy trying to get over my loss.
They still wont leave me a lone with a gun. But that probably also has to do with the time I shot at Summa for blaspheming against my god.
actualy i just read his posts i do have somthing aginst him now... this guy know there are ne other games than brawl. damn dude come on how long u expect to keep this up
"Eric stated off the record that he wants Brawl DLC, he knows that I do, and that all "the fans" do too."
Shouldn't off the record stuff be kept, ya know, off the record? Not that he said anything incriminating or anti-Nintendo since he works for them, but isn't off the record info divulged in confidence that it won't appear in public?
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Haha, now I don't even care what this story was about anymore. And Velcroman sighting!
Aw, were you guys waiting for me, all prepared with "funny photo shops"?
That's so sweet!
LMAO!!
I absolutely lost it after viewing that first picture. You guys are insane. Also, funny.
For what it's worth, good interview, man.
What in Venguaq's name is up with these comments.
What in Venguaq's name is up with these comments.
In my last Brawl post, it was furries in the comments. Somehow, this is even weirder.
I blame Workman.
Honestly, there's nothing I can say after seeing these amazing pics.
Hounestly.
They are getting pretty funny.
FRIED CHICKEN!!!
Spidey always get's his man! er...woman.
Hahahahahahahaha
SO WHAT IS THIS BLOG ABOUT?
Road rules.
I sure am hungry.
This blog is about Blonde Jerkman.
GO-NINTENDO.COM IS SHUTTING DOWN FOR A FEW DAYS, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO POST ABOUT JONATHAN?!?!
Also, Comic Sans
Hey Jonathan, nice interview style, I like the fact that you're not one of those video game reporters who make any event all about them and think that anything related with games has to be presented with attitude in a desperate attempt to cool, you know, the type of reporters who are constsantly reminding everyone that games are so cool and edgy and are on an edge of a cool sub culture.
You simply ask the right questions and get on with it. Well done. Just thought I had to say that.
zardoz says:
03/06/2008 23:21
Hey Jonathan, u suck
*fixed
also i dont even have ne thing against johnathan holmes i just like following the group :D
Nice interview. (bizarro)
@sadistic
me am laugh.
Thanks Zardoz.
And Cheeburger, what the hell are you talking about? Are you trying to drive me to suicide?
GoNintendo shut down for a few hours once on April 14, 2007. I immediately attempted suicide, and spent the great part of the following week in grief therapy trying to get over my loss.
They still wont leave me a lone with a gun. But that probably also has to do with the time I shot at Summa for blaspheming against my god.
You have a typo, alone is one word, not two words.
What Butmac said.
What about knives?
Are you going to record your thoughts on camera about this post?
It's fucking Cheeburga
Don't you have to read in Road Rules or some shit?
I'm just messing with you, Jonathan Holmes. I love Road Rules.
actualy i just read his posts i do have somthing aginst him now... this guy know there are ne other games than brawl. damn dude come on how long u expect to keep this up
"A lone" is so two words.
It means "Nintendo" in Micronesian.
When I eat some how I like to be a lone
lol let's play along with the haterz
How do you say fail in Micronesian?
JONATHAN HOLMES
johnathan holmes
Jonathan Holmes
Jonathan Holmes.
We love you Holmesi-kins!
Lulz at Cheezburger.
Never saw that picture before.
Jonathun Summa.
Fail in Micronesian?
"Tazar"
If someone gets Brawl early, can they put it on /v/?
is that holmes driving the road rules bus?
I HAVE FOUND THE TRUTH.
"Eric stated off the record that he wants Brawl DLC, he knows that I do, and that all "the fans" do too."
Shouldn't off the record stuff be kept, ya know, off the record? Not that he said anything incriminating or anti-Nintendo since he works for them, but isn't off the record info divulged in confidence that it won't appear in public?
What was all that about?
Good point, Dunmiff, but I got Eric's permission. I guess I probably should have said "off camera".
And Zardoz, don't mind the children. They come from broken homes.
AT LEAST I AM ACTUALLY A CHEESEBURGER.
So, wait, what was this about again?
To far meng, to far.
Cheezburger, are you two people now?
i'm only going if johnathan Holmes himself pays for my damn trip to the tournament.
umm..otherwise I have to settle for that silly Gamestop tournemnt.
No robert summa.
Robert Summa is dead. I know this to be true.
I saw him die. It was awesome.
But Summa was just here the other day!! Did Nikole do it?
Wow. Those photos were great fun while waiting for stupid YouTube to load.
hey hey, keep it clean
Hi baby.
I just have to say that you guys are dicks, but damn those MS Paint porn pics are hilarious and never get old.
This was so god damn funny. Thanks guys.
Wow that was fucking hilarious.