Nintendo has made the decision not to make any Super Smash Bros. game. Part of EVO 2022, the world’s largest fighting game tournament now owned by Sony, for the first time since 2007.
EVO shared a message announcing the news on Twitter ahead of the EVO 2022 ad showing on March 8 at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET.
– EVO (EVO) February 26, 2022
“Please join us on March 8 at 5pm PST on twitch.tv/evo for the EVO 2022 ad show,” EVO wrote. “While we thank all the great games that joined us later this year in Las Vegas, we want to let you know in advance that Super Smash Bros. will not be back again.
“Since 2007, we’ve seen historic Super Smash Bros moments created at EVO events. We are saddened that Nintendo chose not to continue that legacy with us this year. In the future, we hope to once again celebrate Super Smash Bros. The community is by their side.”
Nintendo’s choice not to participate in EVO follows Sony’s purchase of the fighting game championship in 2021. At the time of the acquisition announcement, Nintendo said it wished the show’s organizers the best and would continue to evaluate EVO in the future. That decision, at least for now, appears to have been made.
“Nintendo has enjoyed interacting with fans at previous Evo tournaments and I wish the show’s organizers the best with their new project. We will continue to evaluate Evo and other opportunities, as we plan future Super Smash Bros tournament activity both online and offline.” A Nintendo spokesperson said in March 2021.
EVO 2022 is currently scheduled to take place August 5-7 in Las Vegas.
So, 2022 wouldn’t just be the first year without Super Smash Bros. content. The new Ultimate as in 2021 Sora was the last DLC fighter to be released, But fans will also have to look elsewhere to watch competitive Smash battles.
For more information on this ongoing situation, check out our look at the rocky history between Nintendo and the esports communities.
Do you have a tip for us? Want to discuss a potential story? Please send an email to [email protected].
Adam Pankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter Tweet embed and on Twitch.