The original storyboard documents for Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64 have recently been unearthed and shared online. David V. Kimball, a marketing director and content creator known for his videos on Super Smash Bros. Melee, stumbled upon these design documents created by Masahiro Sakurai while using the Wayback Machine on HAL Laboratory’s website. Kimball discovered the panels while conducting research for his next video project, rather than actively seeking out the artwork on the HAL website.
The storyboards provide a fascinating look into the creation of the opening movie for the N64 platform fighter, a sequence that holds immense nostalgic value for players of the original game. Among the iconic panels depicted are Mario seated at a desk and all the fighters leaping onto the screen simultaneously. According to a translated statement from the HAL Labs website, the selected scene from Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64 serves as a tribute to the game’s tremendous success, having sold over 5 million copies worldwide.
Exploring the Storyboard Panels
While some of the thumbnails on the HAL Labs website may appear broken, most of the links will indeed lead to the storybook panels. It is recommended for fans and enthusiasts to explore these panels on the Wayback Machine themselves for a closer look. However, it should be noted that there were a few panels that were inaccessible at the time of writing, as Kimball also encountered difficulties in recovering all of them.
The unveiling of the original storyboard documents comes at a significant time, following the completion of development for the latest installment in the series, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Masahiro Sakurai, the mastermind behind the franchise from its inception, is currently wrapping up his work on the game and also preparing to conclude his YouTube channel. Through his channel, Sakurai has shared insights into the early stages of Super Smash Bros., including footage of the prototype known as Dragon King. Additionally, he has expressed concerns about the future of the series once he steps back from his involvement.
The discovery and sharing of the Super Smash Bros. original storyboard documents offer fans a unique opportunity to delve into the creation process of a beloved classic. With insights into the design and development of the iconic game, these panels provide a glimpse into the history and evolution of the Super Smash Bros. franchise.
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