Nintendo World Championships

In 1990, while us Brits were busy with our Sinclair Spectrums and Amiga 500s, our American cousins were gearing up for what would become a landmark event in competitive gaming history. The Nintendo World Championships, a grand tour spanning 29 cities across the United States, was about to change the face of gaming competitions forever.

Nintendo, already a household name thanks to the smashing success of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), decided to flex its muscles with this unprecedented gaming extravaganza. The championships were a clever bit of marketing, to be sure, but they also tapped into the burgeoning competitive spirit of gamers nationwide.

The tour kicked off with a bang, drawing crowds of eager participants and spectators alike. In each city, players battled it out on a specially crafted game cartridge that combined elements of Super Mario Bros., Rad Racer, and Tetris. It was a test of skill, strategy, and nerves that would separate the wheat from the chaff.

The competition was divided into three age categories: 11 and under, 12-17, and 18 and older. This inclusive approach ensured that players of all ages could have a crack at gaming glory. The winners from each regional event earned a trip to the national finals at Universal Studios Hollywood, where they would compete for the ultimate title of Nintendo World Champion.

The championships weren’t just about finding the best player; they were a proper spectacle. With elaborate stage setups, enthusiastic commentators, and crowds of cheering fans, the events had all the trappings of a major sporting tournament. It was a far cry from the stereotype of gaming as a solitary pursuit carried out in dimly lit bedrooms.

For many Americans, the Nintendo World Championships were their first exposure to competitive gaming on such a grand scale. The event captured the imagination of the public and the media, garnering coverage that helped legitimise gaming as a serious competitive endeavour.

The impact of the championships extended far beyond the immediate participants. It inspired a generation of gamers to view their hobby in a new light, as something that could be honed, perfected, and potentially lead to glory. In many ways, it laid the groundwork for the esports phenomenon that would explode in the decades to come.

Looking back, the 1990 Nintendo World Championships stand as a watershed moment in gaming history. While we Brits may have missed out on the action at the time, the ripples from this event would eventually reach our shores, contributing to the global rise of competitive gaming.

Today, as we witness sold-out arenas for esports events and eye-watering prize pools, it’s worth tipping our hats to Nintendo’s pioneering effort. The 1990 World Championships didn’t just crown a few champions; they helped elevate gaming from a casual pastime to a legitimate competitive pursuit. Not bad for a bit of marketing, eh?