In 1999, Nintendo orchestrated a promotional event known as “Slamfest ’99” at the MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park in Las Vegas to increase anticipation for the upcoming launch of the first Super Smash Bros. game on N64. The objective of the campaign was to generate excitement among fans and increase interest in the upcoming release. The event was exclusively held in Las Vegas, and for those who couldn’t attend in person, Nintendo provided a live stream of the event on their website.
As part of the “Slamfest ’99” promotional campaign organized by Nintendo in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park in 1999, a wrestling match was held featuring popular characters Mario, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, and Pikachu.
Donkey Kong dominated the match by quickly defeating Mario, but Yoshi evened the score by beating the gorilla. When Pikachu entered the match, he was no match for Yoshi’s potent tail, which knocked him down.
During the wrestling match at “Slamfest ’99,” an unexpected and startling event occurred when Mario suddenly began to attack his fellow competitors, including Donkey Kong, Pikachu, and even his own teammate, Yoshi.
This surprising turn of events added a unique twist to the match and added to the excitement of the event. Unfortunately, the match came to an abrupt end due to a crash that left all of the competitors unconscious, resulting in a draw.
As a result, the announcer declared that “everyone’s a winner,” which may have been an attempt to turn the unfortunate ending into a positive outcome for all involved.
Upon its debut in 1999, Super Smash Bros. was an atypical offering in the Nintendo 64 game lineup, contrasting with its current status as a prominent franchise in the Nintendo universe. Nintendo resorted to imaginative marketing strategies, including the iconic N64 commercial and the unusual live-action battle event called SlamFest ’99, where performers donning Nintendo character costumes engaged in mock battles.
Recently, some Reddit users stumbled upon high-quality photographs of the Slamfest ’99 show, shedding light on the nascent stages of this pioneering gaming extravaganza.
The event showcased high-quality cosplay of Pikachu, Mario, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong, the same characters featured in the well-known N64 commercial. Notably, the event was available for online streaming, allowing fans worldwide to watch it.
Ultimately, the wrestling match between the Nintendo mascots ended in a stalemate, with none of the characters emerging as the clear victor. Despite the intense and lengthy brawl between the mascots during “Slamfest ’99,” the match ultimately ended in a sudden and unexpected defeat for all competitors. All of the mascots abruptly rushed toward the center of the ring and collided, resulting in a simultaneous loss for all involved.
This unexpected ending may have disappointed some fans who were anticipating a clear winner, but it added an element of surprise and unpredictability to the match, making it a memorable part of the event. Some viewed this ending as a letdown, especially since Donkey Kong was heavily favored to come out on top.
Not long ago, a Reddit user by the name of bozo_ssb shared a collection of photographs that revealed what happened during the SlamFest ’99 event. These images, taken by Ed Espinoza, who worked at the event, are a treasure trove of historical significance that highlights how the gaming world was evolving and becoming more widespread.
The photos give us a unique glimpse into the past, capturing a moment that reflects the changes that have occurred both in the gaming industry and the world over the past few decades.
The match began with Mario and Donkey Kong as the first contestants. Donkey Kong used his size advantage to defeat Mario. Yoshi was the next challenger and avenged Mario by defeating the gorilla. Pikachu then joined the match but was dominated by Yoshi’s powerful tail.
The match concluded with a crash that knocked out all participants, resulting in a tie. The announcer proclaimed, “everyone’s a winner!” at the end of the match. This exciting contest was described by Zelda64.
At “Slamfest ’99,” two teams were formed with Mario and Yoshi on one side and Donkey Kong and Pikachu on the other, and they engaged in a wrestling match. The spectacle of the larger-than-life mascots bouncing around the ring was a source of entertainment for the audience.
During the match, Mario went on a wild rampage and struck anyone within his reach. Donkey Kong accidentally hit himself with his “mallet of doom” instead of hitting Yoshi.
As reported by Nintendorks, the match progressed with all four mascots collided in the center of the ring and fell to the mat. In keeping with Nintendo’s style, the match ended in a draw, and the announcer declared everyone a winner.