Wombo Combo
| “ | Happy Feet! Wombo Combo! That ain't Falco. That ain't Fal-[screaming] Where you at? Where you at? Where you at? Oh! Oh my God, Wombo Combo! Oh! Get yo ass whooped! | ” |
| —HomeMadeWaffles and Phil, 2008 | ||
The Wombo Combo refers to both a video in the competitive Smash community and the finishing combo featured in this video. Stemming from a doubles match in Super Smash Bros. Melee featuring commentary by HomeMadeWaffles, Phil, and Mango in response to a combo started by SilentSpectre and Tang against Zhu, the video later became an internet phenomenon, and one of the most famous videos in Smash history.
Background
Contrary to what the video's commentary might imply, and based on the commentary of the previous match of the set, the term "Wombo Combo" was initially a generic term used to refer to either a combo of Fox's Shine to an immediate up smash (which by itself is technically demanding and reasonably impressive) or any particularly impressive team combo. However, once the combo occurred and was seen to contain both these elements, all previous connotations of the term became antiquated.
The term "Wombo Combo" itself reportedly originates from a pizza formerly offered by the chain "Round Table Pizza". In fittingly grandiose style, the pizza features various uncommon toppings, including artichoke hearts and green onions.
The match
The Wombo Combo was performed during losers' semifinals at the regional tournament SCSA West Coast Circuit on December 6th, 2008. The deciding game of the set took place on Battlefield, with SilentSpectre (as Captain Falcon) and Tang (as Fox) fighting against Lucky and Zhu (both as Fox) in doubles. Near the end of the match, Lucky was KOed by SilentSpectre's up smash, giving the latter and Tang a significant stock advantage; they both had two stocks apiece, while Zhu had only one left.
The combo itself began after Zhu poorly spaced two back aerials; the first one hit SilentSpectre for negligible damage, while the second one missed completely. Capitalizing on the mistake, Tang performed a grab release, opening up a massive combo consisting of multiple grabs and throws by SilentSpectre and up smashes from Tang, ultimately culminating in Tang's Shine to up smash into SilentSpectre's Knee Smash to KO Zhu. Within the span of only seven seconds, Zhu's damage had gone from 0% to 77%, and he and Lucky were knocked out of the tournament.
Shortly before the combo, the commentating team of HomeMadeWaffles, Phil, and Mango made snide remarks about Zhu's predicament, such as "poor Zhu", "Happy Feet?", and "that ain't Falco!", ironically referencing Zhu's series of Falco-themed combo videos entitled "Happy Feet". As the combo began, however, all three degenerated into constant yelling, with HomeMadeWaffles screaming the now-infamous phrase "Where you at?!" into the microphone several times as the match ended. After the end of the match, the stunned response of the smashers taking part in the match, as well as the observers, can be heard in the background.
SilentSpectre and Tang went on to top the losers' bracket and made it to the grand finals against Mango and PsychoMidget; however, they ultimately lost and finished second place in the tournament.
In popular culture
The video documenting the combo quickly became popular in the Smash community due to both the combo itself and the absurdity of the commentary. The video would also go on to become popular in other communities on the internet and reach the status of an internet meme. The video was praised for the humorous reactions that can be at least partially applied to a wide variety of other games, coining such phrases as "Where you at?!", "Happy feet!", "That ain't Falco", and "Get yo' ass whooped!". The commentary has since been applied to other videos to make them more humorous, such as scenes from the Pokémon anime and multiple videos related to baseball. In addition, several multiplayer online battle arena games, including League of Legends and Dota 2, have incorporated the term "wombo combo" to refer to several teammates using extremely powerful attacks to damage an opponent with no chance of escape. The commentary has been uttered in almost every competitive game since its inception at least once.
The original Wombo Combo video, uploaded by Lumpycpu on December 8th, 2008, has attained over 21 million views on YouTube, a testament to the enduring popularity of the video. The VOD of the full game on HomeMadeWaffles's channel is the most viewed competitive Melee game on YouTube, with 1.2 million views.[1]
As another reference to the original video, Zhu's current YouTube channel is named "Poor Zhu".
"Sequels" to the Wombo Combo
Owing to the continued popularity and longevity of the original video, attempts to recreate the Wombo Combo have been performed over the years, both with the original parties responsible and unofficially with unrelated individuals. None of these sequel videos, however, have attained the popularity of the original video.
Wombo Combo 3
A later reenactment of the Wombo Combo occurred during the second grand finals game between SilentSpectre and Tang against Phil and Falcomist on Corneria, at CGC @ SFSU IX(9) (Bi-Weeklies). It is the only Wombo Combo video that didn't take place on Battlefield, and features Replicate as a commentator instead of Phil and Mango.
Lunch money combo
The lunch money combo was performed in the third game of winner's finals between SilentSpectre and Tang against Shroomed and DP on Battlefield, at CGC @ SFSU XIII(13). Like the previous two videos, HomeMadeWaffles provided the majority of the commentary, though this time, he was assisted by Darrell.
The Alliance combo
Commonly considered the European version of the Wombo Combo, the UGS combo was done by Armada (Peach) and Aniolas (Sheik) on a Falco on Battlefield. A remixed video was later made, featuring audio from the original Wombo Combo video.
10 Year Anniversary rematch
Wombo Combo: 10 Year Anniversary was a super regional Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament that was held in Oakland, California on December 8th, 2018. The tournament was a celebration of the 10 year anniversary of the original Wombo Combo. A special "Wombo Combo Rematch" between SilentSpectre and Tang against Zhu and Lucky was planned to be played at the event, but was altered to a 2v1 between SilentSpectre and Tang against Zhu due to Lucky's inability to attend the event, with Zhu given 8 stocks. SilentSpectre and Tang won 3 games to 1.
An appearance in another game
In Completing the Mission of The Henry Stickmin Collection, "Wombo Combo" is the final winning option of the route Capital Gains. To add to the reference, Henry's friend Ellie even says "Happy feet!", and Henry creates his own version of the Falcon Punch.
Gallery
The Wombo Combo 2
The lunch money combo
The UGS combo
See also
References
External links
| Significant events in competitive Smash history | |
|---|---|
| 2000s | Wombo Combo |
| 2010s | Release of The Smash Brothers · Leffen vs. Chillin (Apex 2015) · Super Pichu cheating scandal |
| 2020s | COVID-19 pandemic · Sexual misconduct allegations · Cancellation of The Big House Online · Cancellation of Smash World Tour 2022 · Nintendo Community Tournament Guidelines |
