In a recent episode of PlayStation’s Face Off, renowned Street Fighter players Justin Wong and MenaRD engaged in a discussion about the most significant moments in fighting game history, specifically highlighting Evo Moment 37 – famously known as the ‘Daigo Parry.’
Saul Leonardo ‘MenaRD’ Mena II and Justin Wong are both icons in the competitive fighting game community. MenaRD is celebrated as a two-time Capcom Cup champion, whereas Justin Wong is a distinguished player with an impressive total of 8 Evo championships and a remarkable esports career spanning over a decade.
During their Face Off conversation, hosted by the respected commentator Tasty Steve, the two players explored the notion of ‘the greatest fighting game moment in history.’
Despite being on the losing end of Daigo’s legendary parry, Justin Wong conceded that Evo Moment 37 rightfully deserves this title. He asserted that the modern Fighting Game Community (FGC) might not have evolved into what it is today if Daigo hadn’t parried his Super move two decades ago.
“If that moment never happened, would we be here right now doing this Face Off episode?” Justin questioned. “In general, I think Moment 37 changed a lot of people’s lives from that era and even now.”
Throughout the years, Justin has shared that many fans have approached him, expressing that Evo Moment 37 sparked their interest in fighting games.
“Even though I’m on the losing side, the fact that we have so many new faces coming up to [me], first-timers at tournaments, saying, ‘Hey, I watched this moment, and I wouldn’t have gotten into fighting games if I hadn’t seen this moment’ is remarkable,” he explained.
According to Justin, Moment 37 isn’t merely a highlight of fighting game culture; it stands as the “number one esports moment of all time.”
“The ability of that moment to outshine League of Legends, Dota, and Counter-Strike moments – in that old, 480p quality – is a testament to its significance. It changed my life, Daigo’s life, and the lives of everyone who has pursued fighting games,” he emphasized.
MenaRD echoed Justin’s sentiment, voicing that Evo Moment 37 is indeed the greatest esports moment ever and remarked on its “underappreciated” nature, as many may not fully comprehend the skill involved.
Nevertheless, he also wanted to shine a light on other defining moments in the FGC. MenaRD pointed out Tokido vs Punk at Evo 2017 as a pivotal battle, as it represented a critical transition from veteran players to the newcomers. Tokido, through his victory over his American counterpart, successfully delayed the torch-passing for several years.
“Had Tokido lost to Punk, that would have marked the passing of the torch,” MenaRD reflected. “The legacy of the old generation versus the new extended for multiple years, even now, due to Tokido’s win and how he achieved it.”
“It’s a beautiful narrative – how the older generation fought back and proved that the competition is not solely for the younger players,” he added.
“While no moment can eclipse Evo Moment 37 in this lifetime, I believe that was the most significant Street Fighter moment over the years,” he concluded.
Despite their differences on other topics discussed, the two fighters reached a consensus on the significance of Evo Moment 37. However, the debate on various fighting game topics continues on their Face Off episode, which you can view on PlayStation Esports’ official YouTube channel.
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