Super Smash Bros. is a crossover fighting game created by Nintendo with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate being the largest roster ever for the series. With over 80 characters the series stands out from other cross-over games for the various depth for each character move kit and is sort of a way to memorialize a series/character by being in the game. The game is created with casual and hardcore players in mind with percentages and stage knockouts being the main way to K-O opponents. It is a party game that has grown into a mainstay competitive scene. It is the only game with characters like Minecraft Steve, Mario and Sora from Kingdom Hearts.
Last week on Friday, Campus Recreation with the eSports Association hosted the 2023 Super Smash Bros. Tournament at The Space in Marano Campus Center. Events like this help show SUNY Oswego it is possible to create an esports room for students to have a space for like-minded nerds to play various games and systems. Competitive gaming has various peripherals that would not be available to the average student.
A total of 34 people participated in the tournament with winners receiving dining dollars and a t-shirt. Each game was scored best out of three with eight minutes on the clock. However, most games lasted about six minutes. Players chose between five normal stages: Battlefield, Final Destination, Smashville, Pokémon Stadium 2 and Town and City. Rules for the stages were no items, no Final Smash and three stocks. Counterpick stages, meaning they could be picked out after the first match of a game could be chosen through rock paper scissors, included Yoshi’s Story, Lylat Cruise and Kalos Pokémon League.
All skill levels were encouraged to participate and many people participating had skills above average. Even if you wanted to watch the event, there were snacks and drinks for everyone. A common question was “Who do you main?” to greet others. Obviously no one can be good at the 80+ character roster so many people will only choose a few characters to play as. The “main” is the character they have played the most to perfection. Despite the tournament setting there was good natured spirit overall. Some matches would have explosions of excitement over a move, for instance placing a bomb right where the opponent is going to land or a string of combos over an aerial. Players always end a match by saying “good game” to each other.
The setup for the tournament uses brackets to determine the winner starting with 16 games until there are only two left. Losers from each round are put into the losers bracket and have a chance to win the whole tournament after the finals. Those who are interested can visit https://challonge.com/grjef6b8 to check out the bracket winners and rank. First place belongs to R7Minty_, 2nd place to Treble Clefable and 3rd place to Waterloo. Congratulations to the winners and everyone who participated.
Image from Nintendo of America via YouTube
