Mmmm, I remember this having a cult following, but I guess it just wasn't popular enough with mainstream audiences for it to get that much recognition. Or at least, that's how it was over here. Not sure how it turned out in America, but from what I hear it probably suffered a similar fate.
Which is kind of sad, really, as I kind of see this as almost a spiritual predecessor to things like Smash Bros. I guess it'd be nice if it got more recognition than it did, but oh well.