Nintendo has always held its Space World event in Tokyo, but a week into August Nintendo announced it would host two events simultaneously one in Tokyo hosted by Sega and one in Kyoto hosted by Nintendo. This caught Japanese gamers by surprise, why would Nintendo have two events?
Nintendo Space World - Tokyo
Sega President Hideki Sato walked onto the stage with a large screen behind him. “Greetings everyone welcome to Nintendo Space World Tokyo. In a moment we should be connected.” Sato turns around to look at the large screen. The screen comes on, it’s Hiroshi Yamauchi.
“Hello Sato-san, I’m in Kyoto where Nintendo is hosting Nintendo Space World. This is our largest Nintendo Space World event ever. How is the event going in Tokyo Sato-san?”
“It’s going wonderful Yamauchi-san, I can say without a doubt that attendance is through the roof. But I think we should explain why we are hosting Nintendo Space World in two simultaneous locations.”
“Yes, to explain that further is Satoru Iwata.” Hiroshi Yamauchi walks off screen and Satoru Iwata walks on screen. “First I’d like to say hello to Sato-san and everyone in Tokyo. The advancement of technology has greatly improved our lives. As you can see I can talk with Sato-san in Tokyo while I am many kilometers away in Kyoto. Whenever new technology comes around, at Nintendo we try to think how we can use that technology to entertain people. One rather new technology is online connectivity. As some may know Nintendo has experimented with online connectivity in the past with the Super Famicom Satellaview and the Nintendo 64 DD. While they were not huge successes we believe that technology has improved to a point in which online connectivity can be not just a major success but an enjoyable experience for players. Sato-san can explain further.”
“At Sega we have also experimented with online connectivity. This little experiment started on the Sega Saturn with the launch of SegaNet. When we launched the Sega Dreamcast in 1998 we specifically designed the system with online connectivity in mind. Since the launch of the Sega Dreamcast SegaNet has grown to have over one million subscribers. In late 2000 when Nintendo and Sega entered discussion about Nintendo purchasing Sega one topic that was always mentioned in meetings was SegaNet. Perhaps Iwata-san can help to explain Nintendos point of view.”
“Certainly, we have always been interested in online connectivity at Nintendo. SegaNet is in fact one of the reasons Nintendo purchased Sega. Acquiring Sega gave us more than just some well-known game franchises and more game development teams. Sega provided for us a reliable online service for the Nintendo GameCube. As such we have made sure the Nintendo GameCube was ready for online connectivity right out of the box. We have included a broadband modem built into the Nintendo GameCube. We are also releasing a 56k modem for those who may not yet have broadband, but please be aware that certain titles will not be compatible with the 56k modem. Sato-san can explain the details of the Nintendo Gamecubes online service.”
“Yes, we have vastly improved SegaNet starting with a new name. The Nintendo GameCubes online service is officially named Nintendo Netcast. If you used SegaNet in the past you will have to make a new account but you will have a universal username across all online games. Second is the friend list, you can add friends to your friends list and play directly with them competitively or cooperatively. You can add friends to your friend list with a special code your account has called a friend code. Finally in the past we have charged players a monthly fee for SegaNet but after much discussion with Nintendo we are happy to announce that Nintendo Netcast will be completely free of charge. We also have a new logo that will be used in all regions.
This new logo is of a spiraling galaxy and is inspired by the Sega Dreamcast logo. You may have even noticed that it shares a similar name to the Dreamcast. Imagine that the Nintendo GameCube is like a spaceship and Nintendo Netcast is the warp drive that connects you to infinite possibilities of entertainment. Nintendo Netcast is a wonderful experience and you can experience Nintendo Netcast for yourself right here. Our demos at both Kyoto and Tokyo are online and ready to connect you to players. Oh, and one more thing. We are planning to bring Nintendo Netcast to the Gameboy Advance. We will have more details on this in the future. That’s all I have for you now so I’ll give the floor back to Iwata-san.”
“Thank you Sato-san. We have many games to present to you today. So let’s get right to it.” The screen fades to black to start a trailer.
Mario is seen in a grassy field jumping on goombas before the scene cuts to fast paced trees and plants seemingly fly by with the sound of fast paced footsteps. The scene cuts back to Mario when suddenly a blue blur passes by him sending him flying. “Sonics the name, Speeds my Game!” Live and Learn starts playing.
Sonic the Hedgehog joins the Fight!
Gameplay of Sonic fighting Mario. “WHY YOU CAN HARDLY SWALLOW!”
More gameplay of Sonic fighting characters. “YOUR FEARS AND PAIN!”
Mario and Sonic are fighting enemies in a grassy field. “WHEN YOU CAN’T HELP BUT FOLLOW!”
Mario and Sonic pose together. “LIVE AND LEARN! YA YA YA YA YAAA!” The music fades.
Sonic wags his finger at the audience before speeding off.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
The screen fades to black.
Aux Call
Press Select
Colonel: Snake! Sorry to bother you, but I’ve got big news!
Snake: What? Not another absurd objective I hope.
Colonel: Are you familiar with Super Smash Bros.?
Snake: Ah… That Nintendo thing…
Colonel: Yes. Actually, we’ve received an invitation for you to join. Snake, are you up for it?
Snake: ….
Colonel: Where are you right now anyway?
Snake: Reconnaissance
The scene cuts to a box out in a field.
Colonel: Reconnaissance?! Of what kind?!
The camera zooms out revealing Mario, Sonic, Link, and Kirby fighting each other.
Snake: Knowing your enemy is the quickest path to victory.
Snake reveals himself from the box. Mario, Link, Sonic and Kirby all stare in surprise.
Snake joins the Fight!
“Showtime!”
Coming Summer 2002
The crowd goes wild as the screen goes back to displaying Iwata. “We are proud to announce that Sonic the Hedgehog and Metal Gear Solid’s Solid Snake are both joining the fight in Super Smash Bros Melee and we are also proud to announce that Super Smash Brothers Melee will feature online play.” The crowd goes from wild to absolutely roaring with excitement. “Well Sato-san I think it’s time we gave the stage to someone else.”
“Your right Iwata-san, allow me to introduce Yuji Naka of Sega and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo.”
Hideki Sato leaves the stage and Satoru Iwata leaves the screen. Yuji Naka walks on stage and Shigeru Miyamoto comes on screen.
“Hello Naka-san. How are things in Tokyo?”
“Things are great. How are things on Kyoto?”
“Things are excellent. I think we’re ready to show the newest Mario game.”
“Really, I haven’t seen it yet so I’m just as excited as the audience.”
“Alright then let’s-a go.” Miyamoto fades from the screen.
The Nintendo Gamecube logo flashes on screen “It’s a-me Mario!”
The logo fades out to Mario wearing a strange device on his back. Mario is seen jumping around a tropical town doing wall kicks, flips and kicking a soccer ball.
Mario is seen on a flagpole overlooking the town as the screen fades out.
Summer 2002
The crowd cheers as Miyamoto starts talking “What did you think of that Naka-san?”
“It looks great, it makes me want to go to the beach.”
“I must apologize that Mario’s next big adventure will not be ready for the Nintendo GameCubes launch.”
“Don’t worry Miyamoto-san, Sonic has you covered.” Miyamoto laughs. “Thank you Naka-san. Why don’t you show off something now.”
“Alright, How about a look at the new and improved Phantasy Star Online.” The screen fades to black.
Phantasy Star Online
Dramatic music starts up as the camera zooms in on a planet and onto the vast ocean. A woman starts singing as beautiful scenery starts to roll over.
Innumerable stars
Won't tell us where to go
It's a long long run
To the place in the sun
With hopes and dreams
Our ship will cross the sea
To the whole new world
The camera cuts to showing off various classes in battle.
Shining like a pearl
The whole new world
The camera cuts to beautiful shot of scenic mountains at night.
Phantasy Star Online: Episode I & II
The trailer ends as Miyamoto comes back on screen.
“Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II features nearly an entire sequel worth of content and you can play it on the show floor today. While playing Phantasy Star Online you will be connected to SegaNet. You might be playing with the person right next to you or you could be playing with someone in Kyoto.”
“That looks like a lot of fun Naka-san. I can’t wait to play it for myself. Anyway we have a lot more games to show off so how about a video of some of the games we have in store.”
A video plays featuring games that have been already announced such as Luigi’s Mansion, Wave Race Blue Storm, NBA 2K1, Pikmin, Shenmue, Mario Kart, NFL 2K1, Eternal Darkness, Bomberman Online, Dinosaur Planet.
“Alright Miyamoto-san I think we should let Iwata-san and Sato-san finish the presentation.”
“Wait! Naka-san I have one last thing to show.”
“Oh Really, I’m excited. What is it.”
“I think it would be better to show you.” Miyamoto fades from the screen.
A large door is shown loud banging is hear as something is on the other side. A large pig creature bursts from the door staring down someone behind camera. It’s Link who draws a sword. Link is noticeably designed to be cartoony.
The Legend of Zelda
The Zelda theme plays as some brief gameplay shows Link fighting monsters and sneaking around. One scene depicts Link stabbing a moblin in the butt, the moblin cartoonishly winces in pain and starts jumping up in down with his hands on his butt. A horde of moblins comes from out the door. Link’s eyes widen in shock and he starts to run away. Link smiles as he sees a way out. Link jumps from a cliff and graps a chandelier. The moblins cartoonishly walk off the cliff before realizing there is no ground below them. The moblins cartoonishly run for the Cliffside before falling into the chasm. Link hangs from the chandelier and winks at the audience.
The screen fades to black and Miyamoto comes back on screen. The crowd cheered but it wasn’t very loud.
“We plan to release the new legend of zelda by next year. What did you think Naka-san?”
“I have definitely never seen a Zelda game quite like this one Miymoto-san. I look forward to it.”
Miyamoto laughs “Alright, let’s go back to Iwata-san and Sato-san to finish the presentation.”
Miyamoto walks off screen and Yuji Naka walks off stage, Hideki Sato comes back on stage and Satoru Iwata comes back on screen.
“I hope everyone enjoyed our short presentation before we open the booths. While we have had a lot of fun planning this event I must regrettably inform you that this will be the last Space World event. However I think we really went out with a bang. Don’t you think so Sato-san?”
“Yes, we at Sega have really had fun hosting Space World in Tokyo. We’re sad that our first Space World will also be our last. This concludes our brief presentation.” Iwata fades from the screen and Hideki Sato walks off stage.
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So I would've posted this earlier but I got absorbed in a Persona 5 Let's Play and I can't stop watching. I made a logo for Nintendo Netcast. On top of being inspired by the Sega Dreamcast logo, the Nintendo Netcast logo uses all three colors that the Sega Dreamcast logo used. Next chapter is a Nintendo Power Article that covers Space World in a bit more depth, then finally will be the launch of the GameCube.
Next Chapter: Nintendo Space World Part 2 - Nintendo Power Article