Trivia Browser
subdirectory_arrow_right Star Fox (Franchise)
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During the development of the original Star Fox, character designer Takaya Imamura originally wanted to make the characters generic humans and aliens, similar to his character designs from F-Zero. It was Shigeru Miyamoto who convinced him to instead make them anthropomorphic animals, as he wanted the game's aesthetic to stand out from every other science fiction property coming out at the time.
Fox in particular being a fox was inspired by the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine located near Nintendo's offices.
Fox in particular being a fox was inspired by the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine located near Nintendo's offices.
Iwata Asks - Star Fox 64 3D:
https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/3ds/starfox/0/2/
2002 Nintendo Dream interview with Takaya Imamura on Star Fox Adventures:
https://shmuplations.com/starfoxadventures/
2002 Nintendo Official Magazine interview with Takaya Imamura:
https://web.archive.org/web/20030416023122/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0210/fox_03/page03.html
English translations of above NOM interview:
https://www.reddit.com/r/starfox/comments/18rek3h/just_throwing_out_a_translation_of_this_old/
Nintendo Classic Mini: SNES developer interview – Volume 1: Star Fox + Star Fox 2:
https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2017/September/Nintendo-Classic-Mini-SNES-developer-interview-Volume-1-Star-Fox-Star-Fox-2-1273086.html
https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/3ds/starfox/0/2/
2002 Nintendo Dream interview with Takaya Imamura on Star Fox Adventures:
https://shmuplations.com/starfoxadventures/
2002 Nintendo Official Magazine interview with Takaya Imamura:
https://web.archive.org/web/20030416023122/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0210/fox_03/page03.html
English translations of above NOM interview:
https://www.reddit.com/r/starfox/comments/18rek3h/just_throwing_out_a_translation_of_this_old/
Nintendo Classic Mini: SNES developer interview – Volume 1: Star Fox + Star Fox 2:
https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2017/September/Nintendo-Classic-Mini-SNES-developer-interview-Volume-1-Star-Fox-Star-Fox-2-1273086.html
subdirectory_arrow_right Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe (Game)
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Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe redesigns Wing Kirby's costume, changing the pattern on the headband to a series of straight lines, adding a red jewel on the front (similar to the kind seen on other Copy Ability hats), and replacing the rows of feathers on the back with arrangements that more closely resemble a bird's wings. As the original design was based on a Native American warbonnet, the redesign was likely to avoid cultural appropriation, as real-life warbonnets are regarded as sacred in tribal cultures and consequently can only be worn by those who have earned the right to do so.
YouTube video highlighting various changes made in the Nintendo Switch remake:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiLRSBsOiFA
Indian Country Today article on cultural appropriation of warbonnets:
https://web.archive.org/web/20170706114746/https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/culture/sports/houska-i-didnt-know-doesnt-cut-it-anymore/
Native Appropriations article on why wearing warbonnets as generic headgear is considered offensive among Native Americans:
https://web.archive.org/web/20160513074733/http://nativeappropriations.com/2010/04/but-why-cant-i-wear-a-hipster-headdress.html
Texas Law Review paper on Native American perspectives on cultural appropriation:
https://texaslawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/RileyCarpenter.FinalPDF.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiLRSBsOiFA
Indian Country Today article on cultural appropriation of warbonnets:
https://web.archive.org/web/20170706114746/https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/culture/sports/houska-i-didnt-know-doesnt-cut-it-anymore/
Native Appropriations article on why wearing warbonnets as generic headgear is considered offensive among Native Americans:
https://web.archive.org/web/20160513074733/http://nativeappropriations.com/2010/04/but-why-cant-i-wear-a-hipster-headdress.html
Texas Law Review paper on Native American perspectives on cultural appropriation:
https://texaslawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/RileyCarpenter.FinalPDF.pdf
subdirectory_arrow_right Sonic The Hedgehog (Franchise)
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Thrash the Tasmanian Devil, a character introduced in Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog comics, is based on a purple sprite that is created for several milliseconds on the game's title screen if the player quickly switches between Sonic and Knuckles' sprites. Notably, Ian Flynn stated in the graphic novel "Sonic Universe 3: Knuckles Returns" that Thrash was meant to be another rogue of Knuckles who could "throw down with Knuckles and have it mean something", which did not line up with his role in his debut during "Sonic Universe" Issue #11. However, this would later be conveyed during the "Endangered Species" story arc of the main comic, where it's revealed that he has a strong hatred towards the Echidna species due to their actions against his ancestors. When asked about the possibility of bringing Thrash back in the comic's reboot, Ian Flynn said he would love to bring him back, but "it comes with all that baggage... We can't really bring him back without people going 'Oh boy! And here we go!'"
Thrash design origins:
https://web.archive.org/web/20151102123335/http://www.bumbleking.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2220&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=75
"Sonic Universe 3: Knuckles Returns" graphic novel
"Sonic Universe" Issue #11:
https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/Sonic-Universe/Issue-11?id=21631#1
"Sonic the Hedgehog" Issue #244 (Part Two of the "Endangered Species" arc):
https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/Sonic-The-Hedgehog/Issue-244?id=20223#1
Ian Flynn statement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aju-OccReIw#t=993
https://web.archive.org/web/20151102123335/http://www.bumbleking.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2220&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=75
"Sonic Universe 3: Knuckles Returns" graphic novel
"Sonic Universe" Issue #11:
https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/Sonic-Universe/Issue-11?id=21631#1
"Sonic the Hedgehog" Issue #244 (Part Two of the "Endangered Species" arc):
https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/Sonic-The-Hedgehog/Issue-244?id=20223#1
Ian Flynn statement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aju-OccReIw#t=993
Franchise: Sonic The Hedgehog
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Full story:
https://thankskenpenders.tumblr.com/post/668408799676252160/scourge-the-speed-demon-a-summary
Ian Flynn statement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKCfCR4Qojs&t=1651s
Licensing deal outline:
https://twitter.com/KenPenders/status/1430048623778144260
Example of Scourge-Surge comparisons:
https://www.tumblr.com/dootdootboopedsnoot/660612495212462080
Ian Flynn's original plans for Surge:
https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1461140967692677128
https://thankskenpenders.tumblr.com/post/668408799676252160/scourge-the-speed-demon-a-summary
Ian Flynn statement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKCfCR4Qojs&t=1651s
Licensing deal outline:
https://twitter.com/KenPenders/status/1430048623778144260
Example of Scourge-Surge comparisons:
https://www.tumblr.com/dootdootboopedsnoot/660612495212462080
Ian Flynn's original plans for Surge:
https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1461140967692677128
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The box art of the game depicts Snow White, the Dwarves, and the Evil Queen as looking like poorly modelled versions of their Disney counterparts. However, their in-game designs are all completely different.
subdirectory_arrow_right Inspector Gadget (Franchise)
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Dr. Claw's face, a recurring mystery in the Inspector Gadget cartoon, is shown in the Inspector Gadget SNES game. The design of his face, which possesses spiky grey hair, matches up with an action figure released prior, which used a mystery box gimmick for his face. It does not, however, match up with Inspector Gadget character designer Bruno Bianchi's take on the character released in a French magazine contest, where he is instead portrayed as a frog-like alien controlling fake human hands from his chair.
Claw's face in the game:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLqWS1NlbAs#t=2654
Claw's face toy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFUA9JGhiE4#t=91
Gadget character designer's take on Claw:
http://www.oafe.net/blog/2021/02/inspector-gadget-addendum-the-true-true-face-of-dr-claw/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLqWS1NlbAs#t=2654
Claw's face toy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFUA9JGhiE4#t=91
Gadget character designer's take on Claw:
http://www.oafe.net/blog/2021/02/inspector-gadget-addendum-the-true-true-face-of-dr-claw/
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In an October 24, 2023 WIRED video/interview with the Marvel's Spider-Man series creative director Bryan Intihar, he revealed that when redesigning Venom, the development team wanted to take all the elements of Venom that both players and fans loved about the character. Whether it's Venom's size, symbol, teeth, mouth, eyes, transformation and power, they wanted to be respectful of the DNA of the character, but also not afraid to mix things up. Ultimately, the goal was to take all of this all into account to ensure that Venom is "pretty badass".
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Catbat is the first Crash Bandicoot character confirmed to be non-binary, and was inspired by musician David Bowie's "rock star androgynous look".
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According to Super Mario Bros. Wonder's art director Masanobu Sato, Shigeru Miyamoto reportedly explained during the development of the first Super Mario Bros. that the reason why Goombas damage Mario when walking into them is because they bite Mario on impact. Due to graphical and hardware limitations, this could not be shown at the time. However, while Super Mario Bros. Wonder is thought to be the first game in the mainline series that shows this detail in gameplay, it's not the first game in the overall franchise to show it, as Goombas had been seen biting in earlier spin-off games like Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder developer interview:
https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2023/October/Ask-the-Developer-Vol-11-Super-Mario-Bros-Wonder-Chapter-2-2460633.html
Super Mario RPG Goombas biting:
https://youtu.be/uoggsLQDf5I?t=148
https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2023/October/Ask-the-Developer-Vol-11-Super-Mario-Bros-Wonder-Chapter-2-2460633.html
Super Mario RPG Goombas biting:
https://youtu.be/uoggsLQDf5I?t=148
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Originally, YouTuber Jirard Khalil (most famous for his webseries "The Completionist") made a cameo in Sea of Stars as an NPC named "Jirard the Constructionist", who you could donate building plans to to help construct new buildings in the town of Mirth as part of the "Home Neat Home" achievement. This cameo came after Khalil had previously featured unique builds of Sea of Stars, including one featuring Jirard the Constructionist, during his annual indie game spotlight charity event "IndieLand", which was run by his official charity organization, the Open Hand Foundation. In November 2023, a few months after the game's release, Khalil was accused of committing charity fraud through the organization, spawning a controversy that prompted the game's developers to release a patch for the game that removed his cameo, and replacing him with a generic NPC named Bob. Considering Bob is a builder, this new character may be a reference to the children's animated series "Bob the Builder".
Sea of Stars - Jirard the Constructionist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02mb5Q6RiWo
Sea of Stars - Home Neat Home achievement guide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC1KJJS93A0
Jirard accusations:
https://www.ign.com/articles/youtuber-the-completionist-responds-to-allegations-of-charity-fraud-against-him-and-open-hand
Cameo removal:
https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/sea-of-stars-devs-remove-the-completionist-cameo-amid-charity-controversy-2434740/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02mb5Q6RiWo
Sea of Stars - Home Neat Home achievement guide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC1KJJS93A0
Jirard accusations:
https://www.ign.com/articles/youtuber-the-completionist-responds-to-allegations-of-charity-fraud-against-him-and-open-hand
Cameo removal:
https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/sea-of-stars-devs-remove-the-completionist-cameo-amid-charity-controversy-2434740/
This trivia has been marked as "Not Safe for Work".
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subdirectory_arrow_right Tekken (Franchise)
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In an interview with Polygon, the series lead Director, Katsuhiro Harada, confirmed that King's motion capture was performed by Japanese pro-wrestling star and MMA pioneer, Minoru Suzuki. The wrestling star made King's fighting style with a mix of Mexican lucha libre and Japanese puroresu. Harada also said that Suzuki also invented original moves for King and Michelle (as well as Julia in future games). Harada also says that Suzuki also offered to choke him out, to which he said "Yeah, of course dude, I want you to choke me out" and that "it felt like taking a refreshing nap."
King's backstory was inspired by Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez, a catholic priest who moonlit as the masked wrestler Fray Tormenta to raise funds for his orphanage, while the character's jaguar mask design was inspired by Tiger Mask, a recurring masked persona first portrayed in real-life by mixed martial artist Satoru Sayama, and a character licensed out to Japanese professional wrestling companies from the 1968 manga of the same name by Ikki Kajiwara.
King's backstory was inspired by Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez, a catholic priest who moonlit as the masked wrestler Fray Tormenta to raise funds for his orphanage, while the character's jaguar mask design was inspired by Tiger Mask, a recurring masked persona first portrayed in real-life by mixed martial artist Satoru Sayama, and a character licensed out to Japanese professional wrestling companies from the 1968 manga of the same name by Ikki Kajiwara.
Polygon video about Katsuhiro Harada interview snippet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibweoMXd5RI
Kotaku article featuring Tiger Mask:
https://kotaku.com/in-japan-wrestling-masks-arent-just-for-half-naked-dud-5845062
"Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story" by Eddie Guerrero (page 91):
https://archive.org/details/cheatingdeathste00guer/page/91
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibweoMXd5RI
Kotaku article featuring Tiger Mask:
https://kotaku.com/in-japan-wrestling-masks-arent-just-for-half-naked-dud-5845062
"Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story" by Eddie Guerrero (page 91):
https://archive.org/details/cheatingdeathste00guer/page/91
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In an interview with the Bad Game Hall of Fame, Megumi Ayase, who programmed Virtual Lab singlehandedly, stated that the large-breasted woman who appears next to the playing field was based on the idealized image that she wanted to attain as a transgender woman. This is reflected in her name, Megu, a truncation of Ayase's given name. Ayase also stated that the decision to make Megu 13 years old was done without her consultation, and that she didn't find out about this until she read the game's manual, much to her surprise.
subdirectory_arrow_right Super Mario Maker 2 (Game)
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Many international Mario fans were confused by the design of the Angry Sun in the New Super Mario Bros. U style of Super Mario Maker 2, noticing how it appeared more stern than angry. This is due to the fact that "angry" is not part of the enemy's name in Japan, just being called "sun", meaning that anger is not an inherent part of the character and giving it a different expression would make more sense without knowledge of its localized name.
The new design of the "Angry" Sun seems to be based on pre-colonial mythology based on the sun, most particularly the Inca sun god Inti, a design inspiration that seems to exist in anthropomoprhic suns from multiple other Nintendo games such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mole Mania, and Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters
The new design of the "Angry" Sun seems to be based on pre-colonial mythology based on the sun, most particularly the Inca sun god Inti, a design inspiration that seems to exist in anthropomoprhic suns from multiple other Nintendo games such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mole Mania, and Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters
Angry Sun name:
https://www.suppermariobroth.com/post/727215192118837248/mariowikicomfilesmm2-nsmbu-angrysungif
Video detailing the potential influence for the new Angry Sun:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPVIekKLZWQ
https://www.suppermariobroth.com/post/727215192118837248/mariowikicomfilesmm2-nsmbu-angrysungif
Video detailing the potential influence for the new Angry Sun:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPVIekKLZWQ
subdirectory_arrow_right Gyakuten Saiban (Game)
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One early idea for the game involved Phoenix Wright being an anthropomorphic hamster character. Later versions of the character would give him a hamster as a pet, but this was ultimately cut in the final release.
subdirectory_arrow_right Pokémon Channel (Game), Pokémon (Franchise), Super Smash Bros. (Franchise), Nintendo GameCube (Platform)
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The trophy representing Meowth in Super Smash Bros. Melee is a reference to his appearance in a tech demo shown off at Spaceworld 2000 called "Meowth's Party", which itself was based on a recurring ending musical number from the Pokémon anime. In his trophy he is holding the same red guitar that he performs with in the tech demo. The flavor text for his trophy even directly mentions this tech demo:
A version of Meowth's Party eventually made its way into the GameCube release of Pokémon Channel.
"This...is Meowth's dream. Meowth strides all over the globe, scattering invitations to other Pokémon, insisting they come to "Meowth's Party." At this wonderful party, guests are packed in like sardines as Meowth climbs up the stage with its faithful guitar. It strikes a chord, pauses, and then rocks their world!"
A version of Meowth's Party eventually made its way into the GameCube release of Pokémon Channel.
Spaceworld 2000 Meowth's Party tech demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62O2vFfS_Ok?t=1387
Pokémon Channel Meowth's Party:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DcqH7Cl9MY
Meowth Trophy image:
https://www.ssbwiki.com/File:Meowth_Trophy_Melee.png
Original Pokémon anime short:
https://vimeo.com/267748188
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62O2vFfS_Ok?t=1387
Pokémon Channel Meowth's Party:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DcqH7Cl9MY
Meowth Trophy image:
https://www.ssbwiki.com/File:Meowth_Trophy_Melee.png
Original Pokémon anime short:
https://vimeo.com/267748188