Recent SNL Sketch on Gaming Rivalry

The latest episode of the American comedy series Saturday Night Live featured a sketch humorously addressing the competition between Grand Theft Auto 6 and the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This humorous portrayal has garnered attention from fans of both franchises.

Reflecting on Past Controversy

Amid the discussions about the recent sketch, former Nintendo employees Krysta Yang and Kit Ellis shared their memories of a more contentious SNL skit from earlier years. In that sketch, billionaire Elon Musk dressed as Wario, the notorious antagonist from the Nintendo universe, and staged a courtroom trial for his alleged evil deeds. Various inappropriate references, including drug use and blurred images related to other characters, contributed to the controversy.

“That did not go over well,” stated Krysta Yang during the Kit and Krysta podcast, reflecting on the sketch’s reception within Nintendo.

Ellis echoed this sentiment, noting that, “That was not beloved by the people … That was not received well at Nintendo.”

Sketch Context and Industry Reactions

The pair emphasized how the Wario-centered sketch felt disconnected from any ongoing promotions or releases, leading to confusion among viewers: “Why is Elon Musk Wario?” Ellis recalled. They noted that the subject matter was not entirely suitable for Nintendo’s image. Although the company had no direct involvement in the sketch, a strong relationship exists between Nintendo and the production teams of prominent late-night shows.

“But there is a lot of contact between Nintendo and the producers of SNL,” Yang explained, underscoring the care Nintendo takes in managing its public image.

Recent Sketch Review and Future Releases

Returning to the current sketch, Yang and Ellis provided their insights on the Zelda vs. GTA 6 scenario. While they appreciated the attention to Link’s costume — which appeared to be custom-made — they felt mixed about the overall quality of the sketch. Yang mentioned, “This seemed to be generally fine… I wasn’t rolling on the floor laughing or anything like that. There were some moments where it’s a little cringey.”

The highly anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is set to release on November 5th, with discussions around its updated art style and performance improvements ongoing in the gaming community. Meanwhile, Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated for launch on November 19th, making the competitive landscape particularly vibrant as these releases approach.