DAIGO VS ALEX VALLE IN 1998 IS STREET FIGHTER HISTORY?!

[@GoLion]

Hey Justin. Jumpsuit here. I was there when this went down and I have a cool story to share about that day. I had heard that Capcom was arranging for Japan to send their best SFA3 player to the USA to face-off against our best. In those days I worked a minimum wage job, andI could only afford standby tickets because they were the cheapest. I had scheduled the day off to fly out there. Well on the day I requested off, my manager retracted his approval for the day off because he was short staffed. I argued that I already bought my plane ticket and that I could not cancel. "Either it's your games or your job. The choice is yours." He said..... well, I lost my job over it and took the day off anyway. My flight was delayed at the changeover in Arizona, so I was literally going to be there in the middle of the tournament. My ride (Jason "Apoc") was supposed to come and get me but he couldn't because he was still in the bracket. Well, word got around to Alex Valle that I was there stuck at the airport with no ride. He called me and said "Yo Jumpsuit! You in town? Don't worry...I'll take care of it." 45 mins or so goes by and I am sitting there at the airport pickup and guess who rolls up? Alex "Calipower" Valle and Ben "Tragic" Cureton themselves, in the flesh! I was like "DUDE! You're gonna be late!" Well Alex took the chance that he would make it back in time for his next match and thanks to Ben's fast driving we got back to the venue just in time for Alex's finals match. They had already called his name several times and he risked getting disqualified. A million things could have gone wrong that would have caused significant delays or even disqualification for Alex(because remember, this was a Capcom run tournament..and they were running a very tight ship according to schedule). But Alex and Ben came through when they didn't have to. Easily one of the best memories I have in my years being in the fighting game community and a testament to how close we all were back in those days. Alex was not phased by any of it, despite my apologies ...he was just cracking jokes and being his hilarious self! Being there to see it first hand was something else. Sure Daigo vs Alex final was great...but the real treat was seeing Daigo go wild with GUY during that post tournament exhibition!! Nobody had seen ANY of that kinda stuff before!!

[@catspaw]

Yo this story is actually wild. As a wise man once said, "fighting game is something so great."

[@TheRealFreshOJ]

The legendary ST Fei Long himself, Jumpsuit Jesse! Epic story, sir! #altgamessf2forlife

[@gerardovillarrealbojorquez6792]

This sounds like an awesome adventure! We're so young only once in our lifes to actually say "f-it" to some job for our hobbies or whatever, it's such a quality to be a able to recognize those moment and take advantage and live and enjoy life! Hope everything turned out fine after that.

[@kevincollins8620]

The fighting community is still strong today. 💪

[@DPL58]

Amazing story brother. This is what defines legends. I don't know if you got another job but glad you were part of the fgc history

[@hanezroyale2643]

I saw an interview of Daigo in his house showing the trophy. he held it and said, its gathering dust now.

[@dyBBelyBTASTIC]

Fun fact. Daigo Umehara was not the winner of the Kanto region qualifier going into the Japanese nationals (that would decide who was sent to this event) He lost in the finals to Ohnuki in an Akuma mirror match 3-2, both players would qualify for the national tournament. Going into the finals, everyone knew that it would come down to Ohnuki vs Daigo. (TLDR, in japan during the 90's the premier "capcom" tournaments was hosted by a arcade magazine called Gamest, they held a national tournament each year in a different game from 1991 until 1998, so the japanese capcom scene would migrate to the new game each year. Ohnuki won it in 95 (Vampire Hunter) & 96 (SFA2), Daigo won it in 97 (Vampire Savior) & 98 (SFA3) ) Daigo would go on to win Gamest cup 1998 over Ohnuki 3-1. Even though Valle would loose this set in a very close fashion, he did have a major impact on Daigo Umehara as Daigo would swap from Akuma to Ryu because of this set, when he returned to Japan, so if you ever wonder why Daigo plays Ryu? it's because of Valle.

[@Najmatica]

thats some anime + spinoff material right there. so good

[@andrewbwu]

I was making sure someone commented here about the longterm character change to Ryu for Daigo. Talk about having an impact!

[@ShinUltima]

@@dyBBelyBTASTIC The reverse also happened: Valle switched to V-Akuma because of Daigo!

[@Evilj82]

The cool thing about this was it was pre internet days. I believe no one in America or very few had seen Akuma V ISM tech like this. It’s similar to when Tokido used Urien at Evo 2002 and people were amazed at the tech like Aegis Reflector combos .

[@Judgment]

Yeah, lots of discoveries in the late 90s to early 2000s. Another gem was the Namco sponsored tournaments for TTT (organized online by WCMaxi), which also involved Valle. It was during this event where the Armor King glitch was exploited, but more importantly, it was the start of wave dashing either being discovered or becoming mainstream.

[@kevincollins8620]

​@@Judgmentthe wild stuff is if you traveled and played arcade a ton in the late 90s... you'd see this stuff personally and tell your friends and they wouldn't believe it. Then later on you'd see full health juggles and resets becoming a thing and remind homies "See I told you dudes were doing this"

[@chiarosuburekeni9325]

Wasn’t even close to pre-internet but it was definitely pre being able to watch long videos such as this on the internet.

[@TheL1arL1ar]

@@chiarosuburekeni932556k still amazed us with the ever growing world especially newgrounds and StarCraft with netacape and gamefaqs, being oh so helpful. 😊

[@LuciferHunter-kt7pm]

Yeah the internet was there but early dial up days and not everyone had it but I knew what he meant. I remember we had AOL for internet. They still around??

[@cgrumler]

I would personally be shocked if Daigo didn't still have this trophy today.

[@IsaacSperrow]

Unless Capcom made copies for preservation purposes, Daigo has only trophy of that tournament today. It would be crazy if he sold it. He basically has a Capcom historical item.

[@GoLion]

That trophy is glorious!

[@phillipcruz149]

I worked at that Nickel City arcade in San Jose. I was off that day but decided to swing by to catch it. This video brings back a lot of memories. That building is a Goodwill now.

[@TheL1arL1ar]

Was it the one by silver creek high school? 😂

[@sonic_genesis]

Good ol’ Nickel City. Huntington Park was popular for a lot of kids playing MVC2

[@pcruz620]

​@@TheL1arL1ar Yup!

[@lowcorrelation]

DAMN! you know you old when you look at ryus alpha 3 background and think, "ya know, that would make for a nice painting\picture for the garage"

[@seang9450]

Man those were crazy times. Arcades were everywhere. I honestly miss it.

[@rebirth2526]

Young Daigo seems more a bit more expressive while current Daigo is even more calm and reserved.

[@Cashmoneez]

If you watched daigo in guilty gear xx you would never imagine he’s the same guy that plays today

[@Luckydicey]

Just like Ryu

[@TheRealFreshOJ]

IIRC, Bob "Kuroyume" Painter was the person that showed me this video on a VHS cassette player after he went there himself. "Mad legendary" indeed!

[@Strizz484]

Uncle Valle and the story of B3: Battle By the Bay from the Street Fighter Alpha 2 Perfect Guide (written by virtually every 90's American SF pro) is what got me into the SF tournament scene. Awesome stuff here.

[@dionysysentertainer3261]

that guide was the truth. it was like the dream team teaching everything about basketball. teenage me will never be able to thank all of them enough.

[@Strizz484]

@@dionysysentertainer3261 fr fr! Even though it's quite outdated now, it really was the first example of an American strategy guide (and arguably STILL the best) for a fighting game that had REAL strategy and tech. I remember when Tekken Tag came out Versus Books had a plan for the monster of all strategy guides that would have topped out at something like 400+ pages co-written by every major tournament pro in the American scene at the time and the publisher didn't want to do it, which left us with the heavily edited barebones guide we eventually got. They really were the only company in America that were putting out guides at the level of quality of the Japanese Mook books, sad that they're not still around.

[@um931]

Daigo saw what Valle was doing with Ryu at this tournement and his potential and then started using Ryu.

[@jewellegardner1827]

26 yrs ago man!!!! How time flies.. Class of '98 .🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@EAprima]

Damn. I feel old seeing that... Numbers don't lie.

[@TsmCrankster]

class of 2002. marvel vs capcom collection releasing at the end of the year, here we come I guess

[@jewellegardner1827]

@@TsmCrankster seriously....

[@Ben-jz3mt]

CRTs make everything look incredibly smooth

[@stashthevampede0]

This event was WILD! Pictures from the footage have been on SRK for years. I even flew in to see this, and can find (young) myself in here. Crazy event!

[@adamg283]

Let’s go Justin!

[@KahPahHala]

This is so cool, thank you so much for uploading this Justin your content has been S tier lately I love watching this FGC history on my lunch break.

[@Ash0512]

0:02 says the guy involved with the most famous Daigo comeback, lol

[@BogusMeatFactory]

I love this stuff. We need more FGC history lessons from legends.

[@lax9586]

I was a little kid watching my uncles play this game in 98. It is dope seeing they had a FGC scene even back then.

[@curtislatham1426]

"In 1998, at the age of 17 Daigo participated in Capcom's official Street Fighter Zero 3 national tournament and advanced to the finals which took place on a stage in Tokyo Game Show 1998: Autumn on October 11.[24] After winning the tournament by defeating Ōnuki 3-1, Daigo, as the champion, went on to face Alex Valle, the winner of the U.S. national Street Fighter Alpha 3 tournament. The international "Grand Championship" was held in San Francisco, California on November 8. This was Daigo's first trip to the U.S. and his first overseas tournament appearance.[25] The match was best of three games, with five-round games. Daigo came from behind to win 2-1.[26][27] Both events aired as a 50-minute TV report in Japan.[28]"

[@85futureshock]

Watching this makes me glad I got to be a kid in the 90’s. No words could emphasize enough how special of a time period this was. Online play is great but seeing footage of this just gets across how much I miss the arcade era of the 90’s even if it had its faults. This footage is a time capsule for so many of us and I’m glad it exists.

[@kevinmalone4341]

Ah, Mike Watson. First player to have a move named after him. "The Mike".

[@OldManAlex719]

Man, that is such a throwback. Unlocked some memories for me.

[@yes4me]

I enjoyed more the exhibition games right after. It was the first time we saw Guy doing so many combo.

[@EAprima]

Love to see a video of it.

[@TheRealFreshOJ]

@@yes4me Daigo playing Guy inspired a lot of players.

[@XxLast__BossxX]

I love how Valle uses the white gi, when he plays Shotos. Also nice Sonic Unleashed Dragon Road bgm.

[@RevengerPhoenix]

Can you react to Justin vs Daigo in 2004 please?

[@ShinUltima]

Fun fact: This is the tournament tht spawned the phrase "Save That Shit For The Nationals/STSFTN".

[@RamonOchoaMusic]

I remember reading all about this in the alt Sf Usenet newsgroup back then.

[@RobertSmithSWSMITH]

Now we need that Tomo retro video

[@techchasetv]

I liked fighting games as a kid before this. But when I somehow got my hands on a V.Hs of this match That's what made me fall in love with fighters & the FGC

[@FlareGunDebate]

official capcom alpha 3 1998 national championship jacket

[@TecmoBowlPlayer]

I was 18 in 98. This is history.

[@Quake2815]

That's crazy. Fitting user name, too, lol. Sometimes, I wish I was born in the 80s to fully experience the 90s.

[@Quake2815]

@TecmoBowlPlayer Word. In 98, I was 6.

[@Fishman465]

I was 16 and used to read about Alex and Mike in game magazines

[@Justinian.Tumberlake]

I was 20. Was mostly playing KOF back then, still playing sf6 whenever I can.

[@johnnybravox909]

I was only 3 years old 😭

[@larethian7339]

Love this kind of old school coverage content every now and then. Thanks Justin.

[@jart122]

Because of this tournament Daigo switched to Ruy as his main in alpha 3. So the legend goes.

[@nassattack]

this was ever so slightly before my time but I do remember watching old footage like this back in the day. So many memories from the early FGC days, thanks for posting this ❤

[@Fishman465]

A nice look into an earlier era, where familiar names can look different

[@benjwallace7479]

1998!? bro i was 12

[@randez626]

The tier list went like this, Japan, and then East coast. There was no west coast cause it was FREE

[@xxcrono]

Justin, its been something like 15 years since I last played a fighting game. Its really cool to get to watch content like the ones you are putting out!

[@M.W.H.]

The soul still burns, my friend.

[@andrepayne4349]

I first saw this from the Japanese version back in like 2006. I think Daigo qualified from the tourney in Japan. I think it's still on KZbin. I heard Valle got mad cause he thought there was another set left.

[@zachreed1495]

This was the first comp video I ever saw. Brings back so many memories.

[@b.p.888]

Love the content as usual man!

[@MagnusSentDooM]

Daigo terrorized many US top players back in the day. Daigo parry PTSD for Justin Daigo v ism akuma PTSD for Valle 😅

[@tazzlocc4473]

"he choked, dropped the combo?" something jwong knows all too well

[@sonic_genesis]

This is probably my first influence of Alex Valle. I’m genuinely surprised to see the homie Alex Valle whooping ass in Alpha 3 and then get his ass beaten by Daigo lol Great video!

[@vshekar]

Glad Valle dressed up. Representing USA in style 😂

[@catspaw]

The damage creep in SF is insane. Rounds were so long back then because combos were shorter and damage was lower, but nowadays you get three touches and that's game.

[@Chaoskae]

SF2 had TODs bruh them 3 hit combos took half life and dizzied.

[@catspaw]

@@Chaoskae I was talking about Alpha 3, which is what they're playing here, but yep, I remember SF2 well. Like gief's redizzy and the wild damage throws did.

[@fRikimaru1974]

What?

[@gwinbeer]

These games are for arcade cabinets, and (edit: arcade centers) would be losing crapload $$$ for long matches

[@P0rk_Sinigang]

Speak for yourself, I play against a lot of people who can't combo to save their lives, and neither can I, so our rounds aren't short at all.

[@GamerGee]

1:28 man them big ass candy on the projection screens. Nice.

[@shinjoni]

It is so crazy to see how these guys were so sweaty even from back in the day. The Ryu vs Akuma felt like it was cannon.

[@chloeirnes]

Loving the nostalgia videos! Thanks!

[@apinutkangpanich4958]

This tournament had already been recorded for 26 years as the most memorable high-level & intelligence match for DaigoTheBeast forever

[@LuciferHunter-kt7pm]

98 was a good year. Got black out drunk on 4th of July. Woke up on a curb on MLK JR Ave in DC.

[@iProvidings]

I'm keeping that trophy on display in the middle of my living room. Damn thing was nice!

[@nai3346]

Where do you guys even find this kind of footage, someone uncovers an old VHS tape that was sitting in their attic for a couple decades? Honestly more impressive than discovering some unknown Picasso painting to me.

[@carlosaugusto9821]

This one is fairly known... though not this specific video, that has a better quality than the more popular footage (at least the way i remember). But it's possible to find here on YT the footage of even older american tournaments. There's one Alpha 2 tournament footage from 96 or 97 and it even has a good number of familiar faces... including James Chen, who wasnt a little kid already (and luckily has been supported by those slow-aging asian genes).

[@alanfa3idan]

broooo i love this! justin your channel keeps getting better 😁

[@spiderphil]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Wonderpalm1979]

Man this takes me back. Somebody get cracking on that time machine plz

[@fgcfahad]

9:20 pls ask him :D im so curious

[@zandiskoul]

Alpha 3 is my jam. I still got the instructions manual 20 years later. I call it the new testament with MKT as my old testament.

[@ASSASSIN79100]

Where is the Street Fighter 3rd Strike Evo 2004 semifinals breakdown between Daigo Imahara and Justin Wong?

[@paoloalcantara2813]

Its like watching a war footage in history class😅

[@riens7427]

Considering the pace of SF6 it could also use 1st to 3 rounds format in competitive scene imo

[@Drew_D]

A glimpse into the long long ago. 😁

[@LoneHero2]

Love the video, Justin, love all the content, you're the GOAT... real talk, it's weird you sound like Sajam now but I'm gonna rock w/ it LOL

[@jman2050]

Dang Daigo was COOKIN those last few rounds.

[@ArbeeAmiel]

I didn’t expect that…daigo is competing in tournament on that day (since his teenage days) ☺️ until now he is still a beast in SF games 😄

[@LostChildOfTime]

Alex fighting Daigo in Alpha 3 as A-ISM Guy vs V-ISM Rolento. Where is it????

[@PallSall]

Feeling a little sea sick here, whew. Heres a like my dude.

[@vodkagobalsky]

Dude, Diago's Akuma customs looking mad sus. I wonder how solid was Bas back during this time. I feel like Bas would have cooked Valle.

[@JeanAlesiagain3]

Let's go Justin!!!

[@hobbysickness]

How young Alex is here, dang

[@bman409]

I wonder if he has that trophy and jacket too. I can only imagine how much it's worth right now.

[@kevjul100]

Was that Jason Wilson at the end with Daigo

[@haeven1622]

Daigo was and is very cuuute as Akuma.

[@MichaelHarto]

maaan... we're OLD! but I'm glad and proud to say, the newer generation FGC is SOLID! we did leave a good legacy guys.

[@davicpetrovski155]

Those crts look sweet

[@hayatorpg3896]

Wow Daigo goes back that far? I know Alex Valle does

[@carlosaugusto9821]

Daigo plays seriously since the mid 90s and he also played Darkstalkers at the time. It's just that his first international match was that one with Valle, and then at Evos (since the first one).

[@theafrocain9203]

Shiiiiiii Daigo was 17 and Wong 13. Damn!!!

[@misplaydave]

Don’t forget to ask him!!!!

[@tomaszkubala6266]

Damn i could barely make out Akuma but that was still a tight match.

[@robsmith6281]

Man this was close the way it should be.

[@hecatomb1864]

Alpha 3 was fun back in the day, they should have just banned v-ism cause of crouch canceling

[@joebloggs2534]

5:41 Nah lots of characters have unblockable V-Ism strings, Xenozip made a good video about it way back when.

[@Wonderpalm1979]

Ah Baby Beast

[@Cashmoneez]

Sf3 especially 3rd strike gets a lot of love but I’ve always preferred the alpha series it was my favorite. Prolly the most “anime” sf ever got not counting vs games

[@franky.378]

This feeling like dejavu because i watched this live on twitch 😅

[@didiMao]

How do they get 4k out of a tape? Ai upscale?

[@user-cp3ip3rw7r]

こんにちわ！ジャスティンさん応援しています！ありがとう！🎉🇯🇵

[@derponk]

now i also want to know if daigo still has this trophy

[@calixjenx]

Do you have any footage from B3 or B4?

[@carlosaugusto9821]

There are footage on YT, unless the videos were removed by now... though i dont know if the footage is in "watchable" conditions for this purpose of watching, reacting, analyzing, etc, on a live stream situation. But hopefully it can be used.

[@calixjenx]

@carlosaugusto9821 it was more for nostalgia. I used to go to the gameroom around the same time those tournaments happened, but thanks I will look around for it.

[@HORI_Chur]

Daigo still competing but J Wong ain't. Daigo Built Different PS Thumbnail Has Black Hair Wong, He's Ginger Now

[@phychmasher]

This makes me sad that Bang the Machine is lost forever (except for the copy Valle has) :(

[@mafaldinho8477]

Em 1998 eu nem sabia que existia videogame rs

[@crimcrusader8459]

This video link here is a Japanese TV Program coverage on Daigo vs. Alex in 1998: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYHdoqKabJWEaq8

[@mmt9938]

The original EVO?

[@Nintenite]

Everytime he says Vail instead of Valle confused me.

[@DualitySmith]

Yo I’m early!

[@bloodeagle6458]

Wait this isnt the fight with messmer mr. Wong get back to the lands between

[@kaiserbts8007]

Didn't even know people play Balrog in this, I don't even think he's good, he can't even do headbutt unless you do it as a reversal (according to the game), except for V-ism, but I don't know what kinda sauce he even has there