Super Smash Bros. Ultimate recently got its final DLC character in the form of Sora from Kingdom Hearts. With the end of the stream of new fighters, it's generally accepted the game has reached a static place in its life cycle, even seemingly getting no new spirit events.
Of course, the end of new content does not mean the end of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate by a long shot. Hailed as the best in the series since the unique hit that is Super Smash Bros. Melee, Ultimate is a popular party game and has a developing and healthy competitive scene. That scene may soon get a great big boost from an unexpected source.
Nintendo announced that, through a partnership with long-time competitive Smash organization PandaGlobal, it is officially sponsoring a North American Smash tournament in North America. This will be, according to Nintendo itself, the first officially licensed Super Smash Bros. circuit in North America, and it's set to begin in 2022. The circuit will feature competition in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, no doubt shuffling Ultimate's fighter tier list once again as talent old and new takes the scene.
This news of official support from Nintendo is hailed as a good thing by some, including Melee super star Hungrybox, but not everyone is so optimistic. A few point out that this news comes on the same day as the reveal of Warner Bros.' MetaVersus, just like Sora was revealed on the day of Nickelodeon All-Star's release. These statements are mostly jokes, but more serious are the statements of continued discontent with Nintendo over Big House's cancellation almost exactly one year prior. The hashtag FreeMelee became a rallying flag for those angry at Nintendo for restricting the competitive Smash community, and many of them are not quick to forgive the company.
Many players actively protested the Big House shutdown, and it could be argued that perhaps these protests contributed in part to Nintendo's reversed stance on Smash tournaments. More likely is the idea that Nintendo wants more control over Smash's competitive scene, something that some players will resent after its lack of support for so long.
Whether or not this will be the only officially licensed Smash tournament, at least in North America, remains to be seen, and how much will change under Nintendo's hand is also worth questioning. With Sakurai himself uncertain if the series will continue, this could become the new status quo for competitive Smash. Whether that's good or bad, only time will tell.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available on the Nintendo Switch.