Nintendo World Championships 2017 Winner Crowned, Photos

Thomas Gonda Triumphs Over 23 Other Competitors Through Multiple Nintendo Games Past and Present

A champion has been crowned! After battling it out through multiple rounds, Thomas Gonda, 21, of Oakland, California, has earned the title of Nintendo World Championships 2017 winner. Gonda, a self-proclaimed lifelong runner-up, came out on top this time and received a beautiful trophy commemorating his incredible achievement.

Hosted by gaming personality Andrea Rene, the Nintendo World Championships 2017 followed 24 competitors through a challenging gauntlet showcasing a wide array of Nintendo games. The competitors not only had to master games on recent systems like Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS, but also on games spanning many systems throughout Nintendo history, including NES, Game Boy Color, Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS.

Sixteen of the competitors were the winners of their respective local qualifying rounds at Best Buy retail locations (eight from the 13-and-over group and eight who are 12 and under), while the other eight, including English actor Asa Butterfield, WWE Superstar Bayley and notable gamers from Germany, Mexico and Canada, were invited guests. Starting with a unique three-game opening stage including a shield-surfing challenge in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, over a series of rounds the 24 were whittled down to two finalists: Gonda and Nintendo World Championships 2015 winner John Numbers. At this point, the two final competitors participated in a three-part finale in Super Mario Odyssey. After a nail-biting and cap-throwing final round, Gonda emerged victorious.

“We congratulate Thomas Gonda on his victory tonight. Nintendo World Championships 2017 showcases the best competitive spirit and sportsmanship of the Nintendo fan community,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Whether players compete on a global stage or with friends and family members in the living room or on the go, Nintendo games always deliver fun times and big smiles.”

The Nintendo games played in the tournament included the following:


Stage	Game	Original System
Stage 1, Game 1	The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild	Nintendo Switch
Stage 1, Game 2	Super Smash Bros. for Wii U	Wii U
Stage 1, Game 3	Metroid: Samus Returns	Nintendo 3DS
Underground Stage 1*	Balloon Fight	NES
Stage 2	Super Smash Bros. for Wii U	Wii U
Underground Stage 2	Bird & Beans	Nintendo DS
Stage 3	Mario Kart 8 Deluxe	Nintendo Switch
Underground Stage 3	Donkey Kong Country Returns	Wii
Stage 4	Splatoon 2	Nintendo Switch
Underground Stage 4	Tetris	Game Boy
Stage 5	ARMS	Nintendo Switch
Underground Stage 5	Mario Party 2	Nintendo 64
Finals, Game 1	Super Mario Maker	Wii U
Finals, Game 2	Super Mario Bros. Deluxe	Game Boy Color
Finals, Championship Game	Super Mario Odyssey	Nintendo Switch

* The Underground Stages were competitions between the contestants that failed to advance in the normal Stages. The winner of the Underground stages rejoined the main tournament in the Finals.

Here are photos from the Nintendo World Championship 2017:

In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, fans line up outside the Manhattan Center in anticipation of the Nintendo World Championships 2017 finals. (Photo: Business Wire)

In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, host Andrea Rene welcomes attendees to the Nintendo World Championships 2017 finals at the Manhattan Center in New York, NY. (Photo: Business Wire)

In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, competitors Abe E. and speedrunner “YellowKillerBee” face off at the Nintendo World Championships 2017 at the Manhattan Center in New York, NY. (Photo: Business Wire)

In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, finalists John Numbers and Thomas Gonda face off over upcoming Nintendo Switch game Super Mario Odyssey in the ultimate battle of the Nintendo World Championship 2017 at the Manhattan Center in New York, NY. (Photo: Business Wire)

In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, fans watch the final two competitors in the Nintendo World Championships 2017 face off at the Manhattan Center in New York, NY. (Photo: Business Wire)

In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, fans have a chance to watch the competition take place live in the Nintendo World Championships 2017 finals at the Manhattan Center in New York, NY. (Photo: Business Wire)

To view the tournament in its entirety, visit the official website.

Nathan Stevens

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I have always enjoyed playing video games and am a programming team lead for a video game company. I co-founded Gaming Cypher because I enjoy the gaming community and would like to provide the best news service around. Feel free to ask me any questions and I will make sure to get back to you quickly.