Two fan favorites were give the Smash Ultimate screenshot treatment last week, and a whole lot of Mii Costumes made their way in. The Nintendo star of the show was one of Masahiro Sakurai’s own creations, though it’s a bittersweet reminiscence for a couple of reasons.
Kirby Air Ride – 18th anniversary
2003年のきょう『カービィのエアライド』(Kirby's Airride)発売!!
ワンボタンで遊ぶレースゲーム｡いや､箱庭的に遊ぶ｢シティトライアル｣が主体かも。
私が最後にディレクター/ゲームデザインしたカービィ作品ですね。
いまでも高い人気のようで、ありがとうございます。#スマブラSP pic.twitter.com/Vr1C3HMT1P— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) July 11, 2021
Kirby Air Ride may’ve been a one-button game, but it brought a whole lot of depth. Most of the praise always seems to fall on City Trial, but there were other Sakurai-isms that left a strong impression in Air Ride. The wall of challenges with rewards and the general UI design here have become trademarks of the director, also found in Smash and Kid Icarus Uprising. Sadly, this would be the final Kirby title that Sakurai worked on as director.
Its Japanese release date is shared by the untimely death of Satoru Iwata in 2015. Though no screenshot or deeper reflection was given, the passing of his colleague from their shared time at HAL Lab was also mentioned.
なお、今日は岩田さんの命日でもあります。
— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) July 11, 2021
Persona 4 – 13th anniversary
2008年のきょう『ペルソナ4』(Persona 4)発売!!
『女神転生』シリーズの流れを組む本作は､グラフィックよし! サウンドよし! シナリオよし! 全てよし!! の無敵ゲーム｡
スマブラのステージ"メメントス"では､『P4』の曲をかけるとイメージカラーが黄色になります｡#スマブラSP pic.twitter.com/gOln3K9e1c— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) July 10, 2021
One of the more surprising gets this week was a dedicated screenshot for Persona 4! Though Joker as a playable fighter steals the show as a representative for Persona 5, his arrival also brought a Mii Costume of the P4 protag. Usually going by the name Yu Narukami, the costume’s been presented on Mementos’ yellow background with Teddie bearly making it in at the corner.
Samurai Shodown – 28th anniversary
1993年のきょう『サムライスピリッツ』(Samurai Shodown)発売!!
格闘ゲームブームの最中に現れた､一撃必殺感のある剣戟ゲーム｡
遊んだ当時は､音楽のよさと風切りの美しさにみとれてました｡演出もよかった｡#スマブラSP pic.twitter.com/HBGR0Dyi8x— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) July 7, 2021
Yume Kojo: Doki Doki Panic – 34th anniversary
1987年のきょう『夢工場ドキドキパニック』フジテレビから発売!!
夢工場というのは､フジサンケイグループのイベント｡
タイアップ商品だったのだけど､ゲームの完成度があまりも高かった｡
その後マリオのキャラに置き換えて海外で発売｡逆輸入的に『スーパーマリオUSA』になりました｡#スマブラSP pic.twitter.com/Q20VhpiLmH— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) July 10, 2021
Bethesda Softworks – 35th anniversary
偶然知ったのですが、Bethesda Softworksが35周年ですと。
Happy Anniversary!! pic.twitter.com/Sfo8afnlCm— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) June 29, 2021
As a last aside, this week was notable for one game that wasn’t featured. The Donkey Kong arcade game’s 40th anniversary was widely recognized on July 9th. With this being the first appearance of both Mario and DK (as well as the more recently popularized Pauline) and even having a dedicated stage, it’s odd to see it not get some attention. We even scrolled back to last year, but no sign of the barrel throwing retro legend. Perhaps he’s waiting for the Famicom version’s birthday later this week instead?
Written by Ricky Berg
When he isn’t writing for Nintendo Wire, Ricky’s anticipating the next Kirby, Fire Emblem, or if the stars ever align, Mother 3 to be released. Till then he’ll have the warm comfort of Super Smash Bros. to keep him going.
