Introduction
Few internet songs are as famous as “The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny.” If you grew up online in the 2000s, you probably remember the catchy chorus and the wild Flash animation full of pop culture characters fighting each other.
But when exactly did it come out? Who made it? And why did it become so popular? This guide answers all of that in simple words.
Direct Answer: When Did the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny Release?
“The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny” released on December 22, 2005. It was posted as a Flash music video on the website Newgrounds. The song was written and performed by Neil Cicierega under the name Lemon Demon, and the animation was made by Shawn Vulliez.
Who Made the Ultimate Showdown?
The song was created by Neil Cicierega, a musician and internet creator who makes music under the name Lemon Demon. He wrote the song, sang it, and produced it himself.
The music video was animated by Shawn Vulliez, who worked under the name “altffour.” At the time, Flash animation was the main way people made cartoons on the internet. Vulliez’s animation was more detailed than most Flash videos of that era, which helped the video stand out.
The two released it together on Newgrounds, a website where creators shared Flash games and animations. It quickly became the site’s “User’s Choice” pick on December 28, 2005, just six days after release.
What Album Is It From?
“The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny” was released as a single first, on December 22, 2005. It later appeared on Lemon Demon’s fifth studio album, Dinosaurchestra, which came out on July 20, 2006.
The album version sounds almost the same as the single, except it has short sound effects at the beginning and the end. The album was later re-released on vinyl, CD, and cassette by the label Needlejuice Records in 2022.
What Is the Song About?
The song tells the story of a giant battle in Tokyo that starts when Godzilla begins “hopping around Tokyo City like a big playground.” Batman jumps in to fight him, and then dozens of famous characters join the fight.
The characters come from movies, TV, history, and pop culture. Some of them include:
- Shaquille O’Neal (who “opens up a can of Shaq-Fu”)
- Jackie Chan
- Abraham Lincoln
- Chuck Norris (who flies down from heaven)
- Indiana Jones
- Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White
- RoboCop and the Terminator
- Darth Vader and Superman
- Every single Power Ranger
According to the song, the fight goes on for a whole century. In the end, the winner is Mister Rogers, wearing a blood-stained sweater. It is a joke, of course — the whole song is comedy.
The song runs 3 minutes and 36 seconds and is best described as comedy rock or novelty music.
Why Did It Become So Popular?
A few reasons made the Ultimate Showdown a huge hit:
Perfect Timing
In 2005, YouTube was brand new and Flash animation ruled the internet. Newgrounds was the main hub for this kind of content. The video arrived at exactly the right moment.
A Catchy Song
The chorus is simple and easy to remember. Once you hear it, it sticks in your head. Radio host Dr. Demento even called it the “#1 song of 2006 thus far.”
Pop Culture Overload
Seeing dozens of famous characters in one big fight was exciting and funny. Fans loved spotting every character they recognised.
Viral Spread
The video got 6.5 million views in its first six months — a massive number for 2005. It also spread to other sites like Albino Blacksheep and later YouTube.
Where Can You Listen to It Today?
The song is still easy to find. You can listen to it on:
- Spotify — it has tens of millions of streams
- YouTube — the official video and many re-uploads
- Bandcamp — where you can buy it directly from Lemon Demon
- Newgrounds — the original Flash video is still there
An updated recording of the song was even released for the game Rock Band in 2010.
Fun Facts About the Ultimate Showdown
- Neil Cicierega was only 19 years old when he released it (he was born August 23, 1986).
- Cicierega is also famous for creating animutation, an early style of Flash music video, and later the Potter Puppet Pals videos.
- The song was Lemon Demon’s most-streamed song on Spotify until 2020, when “Touch-Tone Telephone” passed it.
- The video’s city-wide battle takes place in Tokyo, Japan.
- Despite being a joke song, it got serious praise — Salon magazine warned readers that “if the catchy chorus is running through your head, don’t say we didn’t warn you.”
Common Mistakes People Make About the Release Date
Some people think the song came out in 2006 because that is when the album Dinosaurchestra was released. But the single and the video came out first, on December 22, 2005. The album followed about seven months later.
Others confuse it with the CD single, which some sources date to December 26, 2005. The widely accepted release date — the day the Flash video went live on Newgrounds — is December 22, 2005.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who sings the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny?
Neil Cicierega, performing as Lemon Demon. He wrote, sang, and produced the song himself.
Who animated the Ultimate Showdown video?
Shawn Vulliez, credited as “altffour.” He created the Flash animation that plays with the song.
How long is the Ultimate Showdown song?
3 minutes and 36 seconds.
Who wins the Ultimate Showdown?
Spoiler: Mister Rogers wins, in a blood-stained sweater. The whole thing is a comedy, so do not take it seriously.
What genre is the Ultimate Showdown?
Comedy rock and novelty music. It is meant to be funny, not serious.
Is the Ultimate Showdown on Spotify?
Yes. It has tens of millions of streams and is one of Lemon Demon’s most popular songs.
What album is the Ultimate Showdown on?
It was first released as a single in December 2005, then included on the album Dinosaurchestra in July 2006.
Conclusion
“The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny” released on December 22, 2005, and it is still one of the most loved internet songs ever made. A 19-year-old musician and a talented animator created something that millions of people still enjoy twenty years later.
If you have never seen the video, it is worth three and a half minutes of your time. And if you have seen it, you are probably humming the chorus right now. For more gaming and internet culture guides, check out our gaming guides section and our internet history articles.
Learn more from the official sources: the Wikipedia page for The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny and Lemon Demon’s Bandcamp page.