Some might say the Nintendo Switch is the perfect platform for a game likeSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, providing the full experience of a home console with the portability of a handheld. However, it seems some folks like to experiment with other ways to play the multiplayer fighting game, which has resulted in something both absurd and genuinely fascinating.
In this somewhat jarring bit of footage posted by Reddit user NESNerd427, the newest entry in theSuper Smash Bros. series can be seen running on an 80s-era Sony Watchman, which is the sort of like a handheld TV. The ancient, batter-powered device is seen displaying roughly five minutes and a few rounds ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateon its fuzzy, green-tinted screen.
The player behind the project explained to Kotaku how they were able to get a month-old game to run on a device that’s over three decades old. Apparently, all it took was a mini HDMI cable, A/V converter box, coaxial cable and port, VHF amplifier, RCA TV with antenna, and of course the Watchman itself. The process itself doesn’t sound overly complex. Instead, the challenge would likely be obtaining the various components needed for setup.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimatecame under fire around its release when reports began to surface indicating that it suffers from input lagmore severe than any other game in the series. Although it doesn’t appear to be an issue these days, anyone feeling let down by the amount of input lag should try running a similar rig and playing the game on a Sony Watchman for perspective.
As if seeingSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatebeing played on a Sony Watchman wasn’t bizarre enough, it may be even more of a shock to see theSmash Bros. cast duke it out in a real-life setting. And as it just so happens, footage of just such a scenario exists today. Recently, a filmmaker recently rounded up a team of professional stuntmen to recreate a classicSmash Bros. scene in real life, complete with costumes, props, and special effects.
