The Most Interesting Player in Smash History

[@TheRealMew2king]

I love isai he was one of my first friends, he taught me some smash 64 kirby combos to be competitive in that game and cheered for me in bracket in 07, watched him play mario kart DS at a very high level in time trials, teamed with him at some tourneys and we traded sets at MLGs in 2006 (we played twice, i won the rematch off stream but i strongly believe he let me win on game 4 to close out the set), also inspired me to use Sheik more in Doubles myself. The old days were really fun

[@TheRealMew2king]

Ill tell some more stories when my book releases but playing ssb64 vs him with a friend doing 2v1 battles vs his Link (he still won most of the games) in 07 was REALLY fun day/memory. We did this all day at a friend's house. That was same day he was telling me the recommended Kirby combos.

[@TheRealMew2king]

I might stream some Remix this week or next now

[@lordzevallos]

M2K 🐐

[@djcheckers3464]

THE KING

[@digitalrooz7211]

GOAT recognizing GOAT. M2k you're the best

[@KarimBilal1]

Bro nerfed himself by waiting/aging +20 years and becoming a family man... only then did he start to try.

[@JAMllostthegame]

"And now, he will try."

[@NewCrimson100]

He waited until everyone was at his level and he was out of his prime. So he put in a bit of effort

[@lorymiharu]

Definitely something Isai would do

[@CrackshotSSB]

He listened to the GuileWinQuote

[@fogfish303]

@@CrackshotSSBlol i was gna say

[@Jboogie122]

I didn’t believe the notification

[@murky16]

Forgot I was still subbed to lil bro 😂

[@omgdontstealvids123]

My jaw actually dropped

[@RitzMalheur]

Miranda Cosgrove (Megan arc) as your profile pic is iconic. That smug ass smile lives rent free in my head 💀

[@htealchemist707]

Yeah wtf

[@PrestonDLuffy]

It’s a Christmas miracle

[@adamquenano8563]

Before M2K he was the first smash player to be highly ranked in multiple smash games at once. His dominance in 64 proved the whole; “if he tried”, argument was true

[@TheRealMew2king]

The stories about his skill for his time (especially in 64's cast) is true

[@TheAliisawesome]

The GOAT

[@ori.g4mi]

For years, it was always kind of a joke to say "Oh, if Isai REALLY tried, he could dominate, man." 20 years later, the man *really* tried and showed that he could do it. The offhand joke we used to make didn't come from a place of malice or ridicule: everyone always believed that he could because everyone knew how good he really was, and then he proved it without reasonable doubt.

[@brekkoh]

i dont think it was a joke to anyone who saw him play

[@imimmrbulldopsmrbulldops4566]

I just know he hit an age and thought, "man im getting older, Ive been given this amazing gift and if I took it seriously I could be the best in the world and Im running out of time and regret not putting my all into it and having my day in the sun, I owe it to myself." And he very clearly really did deserve to have his day and he proved it and nobody can take that away from him.

[@JK-gm6kk]

Its like all those somewhat lazy NBA/other pro athletes who do well with little effort and are on the level of others who try really really hard. Based off god given talent and little else

[@DigitalInfinity]

Soon we'll need a video essay about GRsmash and his impact on smash history

[@rachelleburke1540]

I concur

[@glowerworm]

Emplemon will have to make that one. Then grsmash will make a bobbybroccoli video

[@magi4020]

Grsmash was my melee doc equivalent, exposed me to the competitive scene around 2014-2015 and birthed my competitive career in Pm and melee. It’s hard to overstate how his content brought new people into the scene

[@stardust_sonic]

Before YEET Smash, there was GRsmash

[@phunkyphresh3799]

Yeah screwed over fortune over a joke he made

[@DubYuhGChoppa]

Okay this is actually too weird, I literally thought to myself "i wish grsmash would come back" when i was looking for something to watch yesterday

[@jawz2005]

Make that wish weekly please 🙏🏾

[@marshallcoleman4406]

I actually thought that last week too. It’s a Christmas miracle!

[@reekt2832]

I just came back to melee after 2 year break, talking with a friend about GRsmash compilations and how he stopped uploading. Then this

[@MaximumPayine]

@@marshallcoleman4406 Pagan worship you mean. Still cool he's uploaded again.

[@nevensass4343]

That last set was the definition of “and now, he will try.”

[@benkesler487]

An underappreciated aspect of Isai's legacy is his prowess at break the targets very early on. At one point I think he had every record for the U version of the game

[@Obveeus]

I was 1 of the 22 people playing Smash 64 at Genesis 2. It was surreal being around Isai and some other amazing players I'd only seen on KZbin. Good times

[@Johndavidson4]

Og🤝🏻

[@gmunny46]

I remember seeing a clip of Isai doing almost perfect falcon ledgestall in 2005

[@tinierdancer]

11:45 '...including taking 20 stocks with link alone' DONT GET HIT

[@brawlmaster234]

It's getting to that point in a lot of smashers careers that we're seeing old legends being retold again and newcomers hearing about it for the first time. I'm so glad the community is still thriving all these years later. - From a retired competitor 2011-2019

[@trueblueryu5713]

Those first few seconds are pivotal. He won a Smash 64 major in 2023, when Smash 64 players have had years to grind with each other and reach the theoretical peak of skill, and he was 38 when he won. A lot of older players feel discouraged trying to keep up with younger players who already seem way ahead ( go to a handful of Ultimate locals and you’ll be surprised how few people there are over age 30.. in fact some of them barely have anybody above age 25). We shouldn’t view this as something that people miss the window for once they get older; players can still make moves and compete against the best even as they progress through life.

[@tekklover1489]

Older people don't have such time

[@AL-lh2ht]

To be honest most 64 players are pretty old

[@cheesewheel]

@@tekklover1489 For me, my wrists hurt. Im tired boss. I did enjoy competing locally years ago though.

[@danielvutran]

it is amazing, but u have to remember there are people in the fighting game community in their late 30s / 40s that have also winnin tournaments x]

[@guitarguygreg]

Why would his age matter? It's not like basketball where your joints are being worn down lmao. You're just pressing buttons on a controller. Age would only lead to more experience.

[@GimR]

This was a treat to watch!

[@Landmasters]

I'm grateful for Isai still killing it because I do think the Smash scene sleeps on the old school players too much. Chudat in 2017/2019, Ken in 2015, Drephen for the last half decade, these are all guys from the Golden Age who found incredible success despite it being more than a decade after they started and the metagame changed And now Isai, a married man approaching 40 years old, wins the biggest tournament in Smash 64 in explosive fashion while actually trying. Supernova is a fine enough name, but I'm so grateful Isai got to take the final Smash Con in 64

[@noodletribunal9793]

ken didnt do too great tbh, but as an aging player myself, i like to see someone like isai do well too

[@bowsercake3336]

The last section of this video was incredible. I haven’t followed smash in years, but this made me feel something

[@Nkodtb]

Last time this man uploaded, my life was together.

[@Diispaceyone]

facts

[@edgar8316]

Same, I had a job and everything ..

[@PlayfulPlatypusWasTaken]

Too real my guy. Too real. job and a relationship.

[@TypicalURL]

Hope you're well bro, life is hard 😆😭

[@yolobuttrill]

You got this yo. Anybody who is reading this, change is coming cuz nothing lasts forever. Stay blessed and keep ur head up, I love you ❤️

[@BlueFoxXT]

ive met isai a couple of times back in 08/09 when he was inactive but he was very down to earth. at the CGC tournament series he joined me and some randoms in a quiet room to play melee doubles for a short time, and he and I were on a team. We were fairly dominant and he would randomly SD with a "haha oops" to keep the games fun and light hearted. Other time was a house party where he had a 64 setup and was 8 stocking everyone.

[@celastik]

I know everyone is like "THE GOAT IS BACK!" but my GOAT here is the one and only: Isai

[@ramengg9066]

loved the vid! just a heads-up that penultimate doesn't mean "most ultimate," it means second to last. like the penultimate floor of a 33 story building is the 32nd. much love!

[@Scorpio3002]

Yeah the video is great but every time he says "Penn-Ultimate" it just clanged on the ear. Sorta like how Walt used to use the word "prodigal" in his Rundown videos without realizing that it meant "wastefully extravagant". ("After a years-long hiatus, the prodigal son of New York is back" etc)

[@emilearthurshit]

I thought it was a new word I didn't know about : panultimate. Greek prefix pan meaning all and ultimate meaning, well, ultimate. Turns out this word does not exist and I kinda wish it did. But this won't be the penultimate deception I face.

[@mikeb7195]

@@Scorpio3002 Oh wow, thanks for this! I came looking for the penultimate comment but learned that I've also been using prodigal incorrectly lol.

[@FlamingZelda3]

@@mikeb7195 the incorrect usage comes from a bible story where a dude runs away from home and then later comes back.

[@connor.d.l]

⁠@@Scorpio3002in this case, prodigal son is correct as a biblical reference to a son who leaves and returns.

[@hsuhru2051]

Watching this video took me back to my high school years when I'd come home and watch any smash 64 sets I could find on my crappy laptop (many of which were Isai sets) before spending the rest of the day sitting on my floor playing smash 64 against lvl 9 CPUs. Smash 64 is a magical game, easily one of the greatest game ever made imo, thank you for this amazing video.

[@Sandux930]

Isai deserves a vud like this. He was so interesting in the smash documentary

[@AKU-kh6lz]

I'm from where Isai lives and drove past him one time. I was worried I was mistaken but when I screamed ISAI he smiled. I wish I was able to watch him play melee back in the day :(

[@spencermorgan5734]

Hey thanks for including Project M as a part of competitive Smash. Feels like it gets erased or forgotten often

[@Supersquigi]

A history of project m video would be amazing in itself, I know a lot of it first hand, including the downfall

[@ecciq]

Gets left out because its a mod

[@selecta_ssbm]

One of the best documentary style videos for smash I’ve seen. Wonderful storytelling, editing style was interesting and engaging. If this is the new GRSmash I’m excited!

[@LowTierFallout]

Isai was thinking of shield drop applications a decade before they became real. Prime Isai would get swept up at tournaments nowadays-yes, that is true. But he was a genius of melee, and his impact on the game should never be forgotten.

[@sandrin0]

guy was hitting people with shield-drop shines back in the 07 era, might as well have been a time traveller

[@lgachaboyyt]

@@sandrin0you know, that is a possibility Why else would he not try as much. Why would he know so much tech He doesn’t want to change history a lot

[@squidmcbumbleberry2766]

I still believe Isai could enter a melee tournament today and if he really tried he could win

[@Spearra]

​@@sandrin0In that way, he is kind of like the Terminator of Smash players

[@Marthyboy88]

Unless of course he actually attempted to be the best, in which case, we'll legit never know. Dude was a wizard in the early days.

[@TrizzyDRO]

Arguably one of your best videos covering one of the all time legends. Truly spectacular

[@virgilmacmanus7568]

So happy to see more Smash 64 love! This is a very wonderful video; top-quality editing, highly informative, and extremely entertaining! Thanks for doing what you do 🎉

[@Yaeven]

You’re welcome

[@nomado.3855]

Thank you for not forgettin' Isai, he is the GOAT, so you are, good to see you again hermano.

[@SoloCap-Music]

I was just talking about Isai with my sister the other day, and then this vid drops out of nowhere! We were huge fans of the Smash Bros documentary when we watched it in high school about a decade ago. Isai was by far the most interesting person the documentary covered, and "don't get hit" always stuck with me after all these years.

[@Frank7489]

Isai had such a memorable part in the melee doc. I think a lot of people identified with him, including myself. The fact that he’s a family man now and still winning big tournaments is so rad

[@GeoDimFTW]

I loved the video, I was smiling when I saw the notification, took me all the way back to 2015 when I discovered your videos!! As long as you keep making them I'll be sure to watch them!!!

[@brianlemos6487]

Absolutely loving the new type of videos man. Its funny, it feels like I have matured in my content tastes as you have changed yours. When I was young and new to the scene, I loved the top 10s and probably wouldn't be interested in a video like this, but with much more awareness of the scene as a whole now, I find myself absolutely loving this type of video. Good shit =)

[@MakoTheFrog]

Isai is the george foreman of smash, come back 20 years later out of his prime and wins the world heavyweight title back. insane dad lore.

[@Brainsore.]

Dangerous drinking game: take a shot every time he says “extremely”. Take care not to die of alcohol poisoning.

[@durtyharrysb]

We're so back

[@kayden2119]

Isai is the type of person you want for your game. How much he cared for 64 is honestly just heartwarming.

[@FalcoMaster.]

Amazing video essay dude! Been watching your vids since like 2014 or something, love to see you still at it! Huge respect

[@Chillgolfer9664]

It’s been a while since I saw your videos. You never disappoint your compilation and your documentary videos that are special in the entire smash community. Isai will forever be the legend for smash. Not just his way of playing smash, but also how unique he approach the game.

[@Sizzyl]

Its pretty cool being alive in the early days of gaming cuz it's still really really cool to see old players still succeeding in modern day due to it still being relatively uncommon.

[@CookieBuchek]

Always a great day when GRSmash uploads! Amazing content and well edited, man. This was a super fun watch

[@Lukadoesthings]

THE KING IS BACK! didn't expect to see this, much less about a subject I was already looking at!

[@Luigis_Menace]

The quality of this video is honestly up there with the best in the Smash content creator community. A comeback only matched by Isai’s highlighted in this video.

[@im4everskilled]

Guy: what made you pick DK? Isai: I hadn’t played DK today Perfection

[@moonxsword]

The real smash doc Isai episode right here. curious on what Isai thinks of smash remix and other 64 mods

[@Rassmaster]

With Isai being my favorite Smash player, this is a wonderful Christmas gift

[@kevinaweber6517]

0:53 "Extremely old videos" You didnt have to do us like that

[@bucketspree4952]

I mean in internet years its ancient

[@Motobug]

8:01 smashing grounds mentioned!!! another great video GR :)

[@omnipotentfish3404]

my GOAT smash youtuber returns! hope you're doing well! love these history videos

[@ssbperidot5574]

HE HAS RETURNED!!!

[@bi0phony480]

Yoooo gr doing these videos now thats crazy I remember watching your top 10s soooo much

[@SomniaCE]

17:00 so you're telling me Isai was going to Japan and playing on a totally different version of 64 and STILL dominate? Definitely worth mentioning omg

[@andrewcornelius3732]

It's crazy to get chills over watching a video of a game I don't even play, however there's something incredibly special about taking a 20 year journey to becoming number one. Great video!

[@natedross-m4t]

Thanks for making a video about my favourite smash player of all time!

[@itsmekrazyy]

love your editing, didn’t think i would care much for smash 64 at all but it was presented in such an interesting format, great pacing as well, good vid yo!

[@Cosdamotto]

I saw the notification and almost fell down some stairs wtf GrSmash - lets fucking go !!

[@fakeyhero]

The edit and work on this video shows. Thank you so much for making this.

[@maeve717]

An absolute beast. A powerful player. I'm glad to have had a chance to play him, its fun

[@Youknow6969able]

This channel is like a time capsule for anything smash

[@dominator-tc8ik]

Yoooo, new GR Smash and it's on isai?! Fuck yeah.

[@silassmith5348]

Great video, glad to see you uploading! We love your stuff!

[@WhoMightThis1Be]

Glad to hear he's married, last thing i knew was that part with sad anime pictures in the doc

[@queuedjar4578]

The doc was kinda odd in it makes it seem like he dissapeared from the smash scene (or this earthly realm in extreme cases) and gave Isai a weird mystique like he wasn't even a real person in the first place, maybe a collective hallucination of the smash scene or some shit. In reality he's always kinda still been around especially in Smash 64, he has tournament results at least once a year for smash con if not more, and has been pretty active on online smash 64.

[@Spearra]

​@@queuedjar4578I mean, N64 Smash basically is it's own dimension. So anyone playing that game competitively would seem like they disappeared.

[@wilbervsthegalaxy]

I manifested you since your videos had my attention back in HS , isai made me want to try tf out of low tiers & play smash 64. Glad to see you still alive & here for us mr GR , happy new year! 🎆

[@Pav_Plays]

WAKE UP BABE GRSMASH JUST POSTED A NEW VIDEO

[@Dillon000]

It’s probably been 8 years or so since I last watched a video of this legend!!! Thank you for posting this!

[@SwordInThroat]

Please never stop posting

[@SwordInThroat]

also shoutout to the OSRS music

[@Ssethtzeentach_enjoyer]

Nice handle.

[@Bread._]

I haven't watched since your compilation days, this just popped up in my feed. Great work, I'm like 75% through so far, and it's really well done!

[@tysquirt111]

A GRSmash upload in 2024? Fuck yes, my night is made

[@nobotik]

bro was so far ahead that he had to wait 20 years for people to catch up to finally start enjoying smash. Amazing, truly one of the most gifted gamers to exist.

[@pho7925]

i am on a flight and i'm going to use half of my free hour watching this

[@themaseofspades6857]

These “new” essay style videos are amazing, seriously well done. Hope to see more highlighting all the legends from this great community.

[@FrydryChowicz218]

The goat returned to talk about the goat isai. It's a glorious day indeed.

[@winmazing]

Once i started watching, i couldn't stop. Great work with the editing, narration and story!

[@RazzleGGs]

It's always a good day when GRsmash uploads

[@omar10wahab]

The history and legacy of izai is one of the one things about smash i always loved. Idk why but being the best without trying is such a God tier compliment

[@_alarmclock]

GRsmash AND sam o nella uploads in the same week?????????????

[@TheCarsfan4ever]

such a freak coincidence how YT starts recommending me Smash videos again and it turns out you posted just 7 days ago. Happy new year!

[@AyRookie]

Great video. Nice to hear your voice (if it's you) too! Long live Isai and GRsmash!

[@turtlesage25]

The greatest Mario in the solar system.

[@AyRookie]

@turtlesage25 I appteciate it boss!

[@DavidJr0917]

With everything going on in this world. Good to know you’re still here and uploading

[@ZachStarAttack]

😊 I can't believe bro is basically like a competitor from the future

[@sabado12x]

god, this is what i asked for, grsmash coming back and with another ISAI video!!!!

[@irongiant5951]

THE LEGEND GRSMASH IS BACK!!!!!

[@braxaculee]

I love this new content so much. Don’t get me wrong the compilation and combo vids were great but these are so high quality and well researched.

[@Kurt-LoMein]

babe wake up grsmash just posted

[@Sam54345]

Thank you for making this, incredible video, especially the ending!

[@ninfia7600]

We are so back? If 2025 marks the return of GRsmash content, I think we're all gonna get by just fine!

[@Testiculosv2]

I don't know anything about Smash or even why this video was recommended but this was still fun to watch, and that Isai dude is a legit MENACE. Like Holyyyyy dudes insane.

[@upperlip3321]

Same

[@Faradaybear]

Goat talking about the goat, what a way to end the year

[@willkent9552]

Outstanding video. Thank you for making this. I never knew his story, and was captivated by it from start to finish.

[@MetalMusicMan]

Great video :D Also, penultimate: "last but one in a series of things; second last."

[@HPRshredder]

This was great man. Excellent video.

[@hidalgopika]

grsmash dropping on my birthday 😎 best gift ever

[@ERFMXVCC]

Isai is one of the absolute sickest smash players when he tries, which was rare, but god DAMN it was so hype when it happens

[@huntsmanssb649]

Important note about Isai beating SuperBoomFan: SuperBoomFan decided to character lock himself to Kirby and Yoshi for SSC 2023 putting himself in a big disadvantage.

[@TheMusician4748]

No Johns

[@Ssethtzeentach_enjoyer]

We take those.

[@YoutubeConnoisseur]

That ending was so hype!!! Im in tears 😂 Absolutely perfect video. Thank you so much GRSmash.

[@EqualityEnjoyer]

7:49 Worth noting that footage from Japan during that era isn't as scarce to find as it seems if you only go by KZbin. There is quite a bit of Japanese sets from that era that was only uploaded to NicoNico.

[@heypinecone]

I haven't watched one of your videos in years, but when I saw this in my sub box I had to watch. I'm blown away by the quality of the storytelling.

[@TheBadBuffalo]

Ending the year with an absolute bang

[@Zaitann]

Nice work, great editing and amazing story !