Video games, like any art form, have seen their share of controversial endings. From the shocking demise of a beloved character in Half-Life 2: Episode Two to the abrupt conclusion of Halo 2, few endings have stirred as much debate as the climax of Super Fire Pro Wrestling Special. This Super Famicom game, penned by Goichi Suda (Suda51), has left an indelible mark on gaming history with its unexpected and deeply unsettling conclusion. Recently, a fan translation has made this unique narrative accessible to English-speaking audiences, reigniting discussions about its impact.

The Unconventional Career of Goichi Suda

In the early days of his career, Goichi Suda was far from the punk rock front man of the video game industry he is known as today. In 1994, while working at Human Entertainment, Suda took on the challenge of writing the single-player storyline for Super Fire Pro Wrestling Special. The game follows Smith Morio, a wrestler named after British rock band The Smiths, as he rises from an aspiring athlete to a champion. Initially, the game was designed to have multiple endings, but Suda made a bold decision late in development to strip away player agency and conclude the story with a tragic twist.

Suda's unconventional approach led to a dramatic and unexpected ending where Morio, overwhelmed by the sacrifices he made for success, takes his own life. This choice sparked intense backlash from players, who flooded Human Entertainment with angry letters. Suda later reflected on this period, noting that the response was overwhelmingly negative, with many expressing deep dissatisfaction and even hostility towards the developers. Despite the controversy, this ending cemented Suda’s reputation for pushing boundaries in storytelling within the gaming world.

The Lasting Impact and Fan Response

The aftermath of Super Fire Pro Wrestling Special's release was nothing short of explosive. The game's ending, which deviated sharply from traditional narratives in wrestling games, generated significant controversy. Fans were not only disappointed but also deeply affected by the emotional weight of Morio's fate. The flood of hate mail Human Entertainment received highlighted the intensity of the public reaction. For Suda and the company, this marked a pivotal moment, demonstrating the power of unconventional storytelling in video games.

Years later, Suda's work on Super Fire Pro Wrestling Special continued to resonate. When Spike Chunsoft, the current owners of the Fire Pro brand, invited him to write a sequel featuring Morio's son in Fire Pro Wrestling World in 2020, it was a testament to the lasting impact of his original story. The fan translation of the single-player mode has now allowed a new generation of players to experience this groundbreaking narrative. The game's legacy serves as a reminder of the profound influence that bold creative choices can have on both creators and audiences.