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)
Jonathan Holmes is the most lovable Associate Editor on Destructoid. Catch him on videos, original editorials, and on back episodes of the Destructoid Show and MTV's Road Rules. Jonathan is a retro gamer's gamer.
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Mega Man 2, Resident Evil, Katamari Damacy, Bit.Trip, Metal Slug 3
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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
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
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Contest:
10:49 PM on 03.06.2008
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That's so sweet!
For what it's worth, good interview, man.
I blame Workman.
Hounestly.
FRIED CHICKEN!!!
You simply ask the right questions and get on with it. Well done. Just thought I had to say that.
03/06/2008 23:21
Hey Jonathan, u suck
*fixed
me am laugh.
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.
Don't you have to read in Road Rules or some shit?
It means "Nintendo" in Micronesian.