The Impact of the Daigo Parry on the Fighting Game Community
The Daigo Parry: A Defining Moment for the FGC
The Daigo Parry, also known as Evo Moment 37, is often hailed as the most iconic moment in fighting game history. This legendary event took place during the 2004 Evolution Championship Series (Evo), where Daigo Umehara made an extraordinary comeback against Justin Wong in Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. Justin Wong, a highly decorated player with eight Evo championships to his name, found himself on the receiving end of this historic moment.
Street Fighter pros Justin Wong and Saul Leonardo ‘MenaRD’ Mena II recently discussed this iconic moment on PlayStation’s Face Off. MenaRD, a two-time Capcom Cup champion, and Wong, a veteran with a decades-long career, shared their insights into why this moment has such a lasting impact on the fighting game community (FGC).
The Legend of Evo Moment 37
During their conversation, hosted by Tasty Steve, a well-known commentator, the two players debated what makes Evo Moment 37 the greatest fighting game moment of all time. Despite being the one who lost in that match, Wong acknowledged the significance of the Daigo Parry. He suggested that without this moment, the modern FGC might not exist as it does today.
“If that moment never happened, would we be here right now doing this Face Off episode?” Wong pondered. “In general, I think Moment 37 changed a lot of people’s lives from that era and even now.”
How the Daigo Parry Shaped the FGC
Wong further shared that numerous fans have approached him over the years, crediting Evo Moment 37 with sparking their interest in fighting games.
“Even though I’m on the losing end, the fact that we have so many people coming up to [me], first-timers coming to tournaments, saying, ‘Hey, I watched this moment, and I wouldn’t have gotten into fighting games if I hadn’t seen this moment.’”
For Wong, this moment transcends the realm of fighting games; he considers it the “number one esports moment of all time.” He emphasized how this event surpassed famous moments from other esports titles like League of Legends, Dota, and Counter-Strike, even though it was captured in low-resolution 480p.
“That really tells you a lot about how important this moment is, how it changed my life, it changed Daigo’s life. And it’s changed [the life of] everyone who’s pursued fighting games in general.”
Other Iconic Moments in the FGC
While MenaRD agreed with Wong on the significance of Evo Moment 37, he also highlighted other important moments in the FGC. One such moment for him was Tokido vs Punk at Evo 2017, which marked a crucial point in the transition between generations of players.
“I feel if Tokido hadn’t beaten Punk, that was the passing of the torch right there,” MenaRD explained. “The older generation versus the new generation extended for multiple years, even now, just because Tokido won and the way he won. If Punk had beaten Tokido right there, that was it. I feel like the torch was gonna be passed right there.”
MenaRD appreciated how this victory by Tokido symbolized the enduring spirit of the older generation, showing that they could still compete at the highest level.
“It’s beautiful about how it happened, how the old generation was able to fight back and show that everybody here gets to play. It’s not only the younger ones.”
The Lasting Legacy of Evo Moment 37
Despite their differing opinions on other subjects, Wong and MenaRD both agreed that no moment in the FGC could top Evo Moment 37. This event remains the most significant Street Fighter moment and continues to inspire new generations of players.
The discussion between Wong and MenaRD on PlayStation’s Face Off provided valuable insights into the lasting impact of Evo Moment 37. While they debated various topics, they unanimously agreed on the unparalleled significance of the Daigo Parry, a moment that continues to resonate deeply within the fighting game community.
