(I made a new topic. The old one had a glitch.)
For those who might be new, this archive features Ken. His main is Marth, and from 2003 to 2007 was the most dominate player. He first appeared in 2003 at TG4, and although he's had his fair share of losses, he was the most consistant player during his reign. He pioneered a lot of tactics still used to day, such as dash dancing, and the "Ken Combo",and set the standard for Marth play. He was well known for not being easily shaken, and for his aggressive play style. After 2007, he started playing less and less before finally retiring.
He resurfaced again in 2012, but he is no longer dominate as he was when he first appeared. A lot of it seems to be attributed to the fiercer competition; there are many more great players today than during Ken's prime. Also the average tech skill level of players is a lot higher, and a lot of the players today have many years of experience under their belts, and their reactions are more well defined. Still, Ken has held his own even against some of the elite players, and the strong mental he's legendary for is still intact. Infact, many in the community consider Ken as of right now as being even better than when he was in his prime. Overall, even though he hasn't won any big tournaments since his return, and lacks the dominance during his reign, the reaction to his return is mostly positive. His unique play style is enjoyable to watch, and it's hard to find a match with Ken without hearing cheers when he lands a Ken Combo.
I started this topic because I think his Marth is really unique. I wanted to discuss the things considered to be his strong points, and also try to point out his weak points. Also, I wanted to post videos highlighting each year of his activity. For time(and sanity sake), i'm not going to post every single video out there, but enough to make it a good collection to show his growth as a player since he started playing, and since his return.
Anyway, I encourage all input. A breakdown of his playstyle is encouraged from everyone too.
The Videos
2003 - Ken enters the fray!
2004
2005
2006
2007 - End of an era
2012 - The Return of Ken
2013
2014
2015 - Ken still has it!
Miscellaneous
Ken takes the Bowser Challenge
The Smash Bros. Documentary Episode 4 - The King of Smash
SSBM music video "The King of Smash" by bme
Enjoy!
"Hey man, it could go either way." - Ken
For those who might be new, this archive features Ken. His main is Marth, and from 2003 to 2007 was the most dominate player. He first appeared in 2003 at TG4, and although he's had his fair share of losses, he was the most consistant player during his reign. He pioneered a lot of tactics still used to day, such as dash dancing, and the "Ken Combo",and set the standard for Marth play. He was well known for not being easily shaken, and for his aggressive play style. After 2007, he started playing less and less before finally retiring.
He resurfaced again in 2012, but he is no longer dominate as he was when he first appeared. A lot of it seems to be attributed to the fiercer competition; there are many more great players today than during Ken's prime. Also the average tech skill level of players is a lot higher, and a lot of the players today have many years of experience under their belts, and their reactions are more well defined. Still, Ken has held his own even against some of the elite players, and the strong mental he's legendary for is still intact. Infact, many in the community consider Ken as of right now as being even better than when he was in his prime. Overall, even though he hasn't won any big tournaments since his return, and lacks the dominance during his reign, the reaction to his return is mostly positive. His unique play style is enjoyable to watch, and it's hard to find a match with Ken without hearing cheers when he lands a Ken Combo.
I started this topic because I think his Marth is really unique. I wanted to discuss the things considered to be his strong points, and also try to point out his weak points. Also, I wanted to post videos highlighting each year of his activity. For time(and sanity sake), i'm not going to post every single video out there, but enough to make it a good collection to show his growth as a player since he started playing, and since his return.
Anyway, I encourage all input. A breakdown of his playstyle is encouraged from everyone too.
The Videos
2003 - Ken enters the fray!
Tournament Go 4
Ken (Marth) vs. Sam (Falco) [Money Match]
Background: Ken's first pro tournament appearance, in which he won first place! His style was unlike anything his competition had ever seen, who were shocked by his aggressive style and dash dancing Marth.
Ken (Marth) vs. Sam (Falco) [Money Match]
Background: Ken's first pro tournament appearance, in which he won first place! His style was unlike anything his competition had ever seen, who were shocked by his aggressive style and dash dancing Marth.
2004
Game Over
Losers Quarterfinals
Ken vs Chillin - 2
Ken vs Chillin - 3
Background: Up to this point, Ken was almost proving himself unbeatable. Earlier in this tournament, Ken fell to Chillin. This would mark his first set loss in a tournament, and led to many doubting if he was really that great or just overrated. Ken and Chillin would meet again in losers, and Ken eventually moved on to beat Azen in the tournament finals, removing doubt about his dominance of Smash.
Grand Finals
Ken vs Azen
Background: The start of one of greatest rivalries in Melee history.
Losers Quarterfinals
Ken vs Chillin - 2
Ken vs Chillin - 3
Background: Up to this point, Ken was almost proving himself unbeatable. Earlier in this tournament, Ken fell to Chillin. This would mark his first set loss in a tournament, and led to many doubting if he was really that great or just overrated. Ken and Chillin would meet again in losers, and Ken eventually moved on to beat Azen in the tournament finals, removing doubt about his dominance of Smash.
Grand Finals
Ken vs Azen
Background: The start of one of greatest rivalries in Melee history.
2005
The MOAST 3
Grand Finals
Ken vs Isai
Background: Isai was considered the best Falcon player of his time, but was notorious for not always trying his best to win. Allegedly, a girl Isai liked was in the audience watching the finals between himself and Ken, and she was cheering him on to win. This seemed to result in Isai trying his best to win. Although Ken played valiantly in the set, Isai's brutal combos and seemingly superior positioning and technical skill did Ken in.
Jack Garden Tournament
Grand Finals
Ken vs Bombsoldier - 1
Ken vs Bombsoldier - 2
Ken vs Bombsoldier - 3
Ken vs Bombsoldier - 4
Ken vs Bombsoldier - 5
Ken vs Bombsoldier - 6
Background: Ken traveled with some friends to Japan to take part in a tournament. Ken tore through his competition, making it to the grand finals to face off against Bombsoldier, who was unknown to most of the world at the time. Bombsoldier displayed incredible tech skill and devastating combos of a caliber not seen before with Falco, and which nearly overwhelmed Ken.
Grand Finals
Ken vs Isai
Background: Isai was considered the best Falcon player of his time, but was notorious for not always trying his best to win. Allegedly, a girl Isai liked was in the audience watching the finals between himself and Ken, and she was cheering him on to win. This seemed to result in Isai trying his best to win. Although Ken played valiantly in the set, Isai's brutal combos and seemingly superior positioning and technical skill did Ken in.
Jack Garden Tournament
Grand Finals
Ken vs Bombsoldier - 1
Ken vs Bombsoldier - 2
Ken vs Bombsoldier - 3
Ken vs Bombsoldier - 4
Ken vs Bombsoldier - 5
Ken vs Bombsoldier - 6
Background: Ken traveled with some friends to Japan to take part in a tournament. Ken tore through his competition, making it to the grand finals to face off against Bombsoldier, who was unknown to most of the world at the time. Bombsoldier displayed incredible tech skill and devastating combos of a caliber not seen before with Falco, and which nearly overwhelmed Ken.
2006
MLG Dallas
Winner Bracket Finals
Ken vs PC Chris - 1
Ken vs PC Chris - 2
Ken vs PC Chris - 3
Ken vs PC Chris - 4
Background: PC Chris shocked the nation when he defeated Ken previously at MLG Meadowlands in two sets. It seemed like maybe Ken was soon to be over thrown. These two would meet again, and Ken impressively displayed his reinvented style to counter PC Chris's Falco.
NCT2
Grand Finals
Ken vs Forward - Match 3
Background: Damn.
Winner Bracket Finals
Ken vs PC Chris - 1
Ken vs PC Chris - 2
Ken vs PC Chris - 3
Ken vs PC Chris - 4
Background: PC Chris shocked the nation when he defeated Ken previously at MLG Meadowlands in two sets. It seemed like maybe Ken was soon to be over thrown. These two would meet again, and Ken impressively displayed his reinvented style to counter PC Chris's Falco.
NCT2
Grand Finals
Ken vs Forward - Match 3
Background: Damn.
Evolution World 2007
Winners Bracket
Ken vs Mango - 1
Ken vs Mango - 2
Ken vs Mango - 3
???
Ken vs ChuDat - 1
Ken vs ChuDat - 2
Ken vs ChuDat - 3
Losers Bracket Rnd 3
Ken vs PC Chris - 1
Ken vs PC Chris - 1
Losers Finals
Ken vs Mango - 1
Ken vs Mango - 2
Grand Finals Set 1
Ken vs HugS - 1
Ken vs HugS - 2
Grand FInals Set 2
Ken vs HugS - 1
Ken vs HugS - 2
Ken vs HugS - 3
Background: Ken faced Mango in bracket and lost 1-2, sending Ken to losers bracket. What occured after is considered the most dominate and best play ever displayed by Ken, tearing through losers bracket, including convincingly defeating Mango second time around, and eventually emerging champion of the tournament.
Winners Bracket
Ken vs Mango - 1
Ken vs Mango - 2
Ken vs Mango - 3
???
Ken vs ChuDat - 1
Ken vs ChuDat - 2
Ken vs ChuDat - 3
Losers Bracket Rnd 3
Ken vs PC Chris - 1
Ken vs PC Chris - 1
Losers Finals
Ken vs Mango - 1
Ken vs Mango - 2
Grand Finals Set 1
Ken vs HugS - 1
Ken vs HugS - 2
Grand FInals Set 2
Ken vs HugS - 1
Ken vs HugS - 2
Ken vs HugS - 3
Background: Ken faced Mango in bracket and lost 1-2, sending Ken to losers bracket. What occured after is considered the most dominate and best play ever displayed by Ken, tearing through losers bracket, including convincingly defeating Mango second time around, and eventually emerging champion of the tournament.
2012 - The Return of Ken
Kings of Cali
NorCal vs SoCal Crew Battle
Ken vs PewPewU (skip to 41:20 to view their match)
Background: The return of the King of Smash! He initially returned just to commentate on matches. Mango vs PewPewU concludes with Mango losing his remaining stocks and PewPewU having 3 stocks left. SoCal chants for Ken to enter for SoCal. At first reluctant, Ken finally decides to play on stream for the first time ever. Although visibly rusty, he holds his own against one of the best Marth players in the US.
NorCal vs SoCal Crew Battle
Ken vs PewPewU (skip to 41:20 to view their match)
Background: The return of the King of Smash! He initially returned just to commentate on matches. Mango vs PewPewU concludes with Mango losing his remaining stocks and PewPewU having 3 stocks left. SoCal chants for Ken to enter for SoCal. At first reluctant, Ken finally decides to play on stream for the first time ever. Although visibly rusty, he holds his own against one of the best Marth players in the US.
Kings of Cali 3
Singles Pools Rnd 2
Ken vs Fly Amanita
Background: One of the greatest comebacks in Ken's career.
Singles Bracket
Ken vs PewPewU
Background: Hype Marth duel! Ken gets four stocked, but the real highlight is at the end when PewPewU displays true sportsmanship.
Singles Pools Rnd 2
Ken vs Fly Amanita
Background: One of the greatest comebacks in Ken's career.
Singles Bracket
Ken vs PewPewU
Background: Hype Marth duel! Ken gets four stocked, but the real highlight is at the end when PewPewU displays true sportsmanship.
2014
Super Smash Sundays 2/23/2014
???
Ken vs MacD
Background: A close, tense set. Ken shows he's still got it.
SCR 2014
???
Ken vs Axe
Background: Ken is at first outclassed by the worlds best Pikachu, but still shows why hes the king of adaption.
Super Smash Sundays 20
Winners Rnd 2
Ken vs Black Power Ranger
Background: Ken double 4 stocks. Yep.
SKTAR 3
Friendlies
Ken vs KoreanDJ
Background: Blast from the past! Two old rivals go at it in a friendly set.
Singles Bracket
Ken vs The Moon
Background: I believe this is the first time these two have played. Ken's starting to really shows he's a threat to the upper players.
Super Smash Sundays June 15 2014
Pools
Ken vs Sung475
Winners Round 3
Ken vs Lucky
Losers Round 5
Ken vs Mew2King
Background: Ken starting to be a real threat. No video that i'm aware of yet, but Ken beat Westballz for the first time in a best of 3 set.
CEO 27-29 June 2014
Ken vs Armada - 1
Ken vs Armada - 2
Ken vs Armada - 3
Background: A must see set. Armada, the beast from the east, clashes with the original King of Smash.
Kings of Cali 4
aMSa vs Ken
Scar vs Ken
Mango vs Ken
Bizzaro Flame vs Ken
Madman vs Ken
Evo2014
A Rookie vs Ken
Goku X-Treme vs Ken
PPMD vs Ken
Super Smash Sundays 25 (Sept 14th)
Pools
ROFL vs Ken
Background: I won't spoil who wins. This was probably the craziest match of the tournament!
Losers Round 1
Conner vs Ken
Background: close game!
Losers Round 3
Larry Lurr vs Ken
Super Smash Sundays 26(October 12th)
Pools
Ken vs Jace
Top 16
Ken vs Westballz
Background: 6:06 - 6:12.
Top 16
Ken vs S2J
Background: Ken is becoming a threat!
???
Ken vs MacD
Background: A close, tense set. Ken shows he's still got it.
SCR 2014
???
Ken vs Axe
Background: Ken is at first outclassed by the worlds best Pikachu, but still shows why hes the king of adaption.
Super Smash Sundays 20
Winners Rnd 2
Ken vs Black Power Ranger
Background: Ken double 4 stocks. Yep.
SKTAR 3
Friendlies
Ken vs KoreanDJ
Background: Blast from the past! Two old rivals go at it in a friendly set.
Singles Bracket
Ken vs The Moon
Background: I believe this is the first time these two have played. Ken's starting to really shows he's a threat to the upper players.
Super Smash Sundays June 15 2014
Pools
Ken vs Sung475
Winners Round 3
Ken vs Lucky
Losers Round 5
Ken vs Mew2King
Background: Ken starting to be a real threat. No video that i'm aware of yet, but Ken beat Westballz for the first time in a best of 3 set.
CEO 27-29 June 2014
Ken vs Armada - 1
Ken vs Armada - 2
Ken vs Armada - 3
Background: A must see set. Armada, the beast from the east, clashes with the original King of Smash.
Kings of Cali 4
aMSa vs Ken
Scar vs Ken
Mango vs Ken
Bizzaro Flame vs Ken
Madman vs Ken
Evo2014
A Rookie vs Ken
Goku X-Treme vs Ken
PPMD vs Ken
Super Smash Sundays 25 (Sept 14th)
Pools
ROFL vs Ken
Background: I won't spoil who wins. This was probably the craziest match of the tournament!
Losers Round 1
Conner vs Ken
Background: close game!
Losers Round 3
Larry Lurr vs Ken
Super Smash Sundays 26(October 12th)
Pools
Ken vs Jace
Top 16
Ken vs Westballz
Background: 6:06 - 6:12.
Top 16
Ken vs S2J
Background: Ken is becoming a threat!
2015 - Ken still has it!
Evo 2015
Losers Bracket
Ken vs. Westballz
Background: Ken shocks the community by not only utterly dismantling Westballz in two games, but seemingly playing at his peak prime. Many question how well Westballz was playing, but no one can argue that for a brief moment Ken seemed to become The King of Smash again.
Losers Bracket
Ken vs. Westballz
Background: Ken shocks the community by not only utterly dismantling Westballz in two games, but seemingly playing at his peak prime. Many question how well Westballz was playing, but no one can argue that for a brief moment Ken seemed to become The King of Smash again.
Miscellaneous
Ken takes the Bowser Challenge
The Smash Bros. Documentary Episode 4 - The King of Smash
SSBM music video "The King of Smash" by bme
Enjoy!
"Hey man, it could go either way." - Ken
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