Nintendo: Difference between revisions

The original of the ''Smash'' series began life as a prototype created by [[Masahiro Sakurai]] and [[Satoru Iwata]] in their spare time titled ''Dragon King: The Fighting Game'', and originally featured no pre-existing Nintendo characters. However, Sakurai hit on the idea of including fighters from different Nintendo franchises in order to provide 'atmosphere' which he felt was necessary for a home console fighting game. The two made a prototype in secret without knowledge or permission from Nintendo, fearing the concept would immediately be shot down. This prototype with [[Mario]], [[Donkey Kong]], [[Samus]] and [[Fox]] as playable characters on placeholder stages was pitched to Nintendo and approved for HAL Laboratory to enter full development production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/ssbb/vol7_page1.jsp|title=Wii.com - Iwata Asks: ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''|accessdate=2008-01-31}}</ref> The game had a small budget and little promotion, and was originally a Japan-only release, but its huge success saw the game released worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=120|title=''Super Smash Bros. Melee''|publisher=N-Sider}}</ref> The game was released on January 21, 1999 in Japan and in the Americas on April 26.