Playing aSuper Smash Bros.game competitively has always involved some degree of participation in the grassroots fighting game community. Whether on the local level against players in the same city or state, on a regional level against multiple states, or at a major with international talent, there’s opportunities all across the U.S. (and the world) to play in tournaments. Unlike traditional fighters likeStreet FighterorTekken, where there’s plenty to be gained by grinding online or sitting in training room, the best experience in playingSmashcompetitively is generally experienced through tournaments. However, Nintendo has rarely supported these grassroots tournaments.
RELATED:The Future of Platform Fighting Games Looks Bright
Panda Global’s History with Super Smash Bros.
RELATED:Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tier List (Including Sora)
Nintendo Backing Competitive Super Smash Bros. is Promising
Until 2015, some of the biggest tournaments were entirely organized and funded by passionate fans. Unlikeother big fighting games likeStreet Fighter, which is supported by the Capcom Pro Tour league, the pro scene ofSuper Smash Bros.never received the same treatment. Big tournament series like Genesis, Pound, Apex, R.O.M. (Revival of Melee), The Big House, Super Smash Con, and various other major tournaments wouldn’t exist without the fan communities behind them. Even the Smash World Tour, the premier competitiveSuper Smash Bros.tournament circuit, didn’t have the financial backing or support necessary to exist until 2020/2021.
Previously, Nintendo has had a penchant for stifling the competitive growth ofSuper Smash Bros.as an officially supported esport. There are numerous examples of this throughout Nintendo’s history; like whenNintendo issued a cease and desist to The Big House OnlineSuper Smash Bros. Meleetournament for issues of “piracy of its intellectual property,” related to the use of Slippi to facilitate an onlineSSBMtournament. Project Slippi, being the only online alternative to host aSuper Smash Bros. Meleetournament online during the Covid-19 pandemic, was deemed a threat to Nintendo’s IP. Many fans reacted negatively to Nintendo because of the tournaments cancellation.
To officially license a tournament circuit, for bothcompetitiveSuper Smash Bros.gameswith cash prizes for winners, is a sign that things could be changing. While some top players and commentators have expressed some wariness of this announcement based on the past, this is still a very exciting prospect for fans and competitors in the pro scene. Panda Global has been a trusted pillar of theSuper Smash Bros.competititve community ever since it was formed back in 2015. With Nintendo backing Panda Global with confidence, it’s clear this upcoming 2022 tournament circuit could be the start of a reinvigorated competitive scene forSuper Smash Bros.
