Nintendo and Panda Global to Launch First-Ever Official SUPER SMASH BROS. Tournaments in North America
Panda Global is known for being a big part of the Super Smash Bros. community and they recently scored a big win for said community. Nintendo announced a new partnership with Panda Global last week to bring about the first-ever officially licensed Super Smash Bros. tournaments. In 2022, things will kick off with a championship circuit in North America for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Super Smash Bros. Melee. That’s right. In addition to the current iteration of the game, the arguably most popular iteration at the competitive level is also being featured! There are no dates or prizing information yet, but those updates will come in the future.
First, players will need to compete in qualifiers which will be available both online and offline for Ultimate and only in-person for Melee. The offline events will have to wait until large-scale events return so they may be delayed or canceled depending on the state of the world and COVID-19 pandemic. Those who win the qualifying rounds will move on to the grand finals. Players in Canada and Mexico will be able to join in on the fun once international travel and attendance is deemed permissible by Panda Global and Nintendo. All the latest information will be available on Panda Global’s website.
Talking about this new partnership, Bill Trinen of Nintendo of America said:
This partnership with Panda Global is the next step in Nintendo’s efforts to create a more consistent, fun and welcoming competitive environment for our players and fans. We are proud to stand with an organization like Panda Global to celebrate and support the ever-growing competitive Super Smash Bros. community and create a space where all players can test and hone their competitive skills.
Dr. Alan Bunney of Panda Global shared his excitement as well:
One of our key missions at Panda Global is to serve our communities in new and exciting ways. By partnering with Nintendo, we are giving our competitors in North America the chance to compete in an officially licensed Super Smash Bros. circuit for the first time.
Are you hoping to participate or even spectate this tournament? Could this help Nintendo in realizing that Ultimate shouldn’t use peer-to-peer online?