To be fair, we also heard them from the ninja turtles, and any other kids media and/or commercials trying to appeal to the demographic. Some of us used it sarcastically on the playground, but I don’t think any of us knew anyone who used it seriously. I think it might have been surfer slang that was co-opted by marketing departments?
Gnarly, tubular, radical, extreme to the max!!!
Even as a 90s kid I only heard half of those from the Super Mario World Special Zone level titles (along with Mondo).
To be fair, we also heard them from the ninja turtles, and any other kids media and/or commercials trying to appeal to the demographic. Some of us used it sarcastically on the playground, but I don’t think any of us knew anyone who used it seriously. I think it might have been surfer slang that was co-opted by marketing departments?