Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, sometimes abbreviated as Smash 4,[1] [2] is a crossover fighting video game for the Wii U. Players control one of 58 characters drawn from Nintendo and third-party game franchises, and try to knock their opponents out of an arena. Each player has a percentage meter which rises as they take damage; characters become easier to knock into the air or out of bounds as the percentage increases.[3] [4] [5]
While Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS is in many ways the same game, the Nintendo 3DS being a handheld system severely limits its viability as both a competitive game and a spectator sport. While the game was played competitively for a few months before the Wii U version's release, there have been few if any serious competitions for it since.
Games in the Super Smash Bros. series have been played competitively since the early 2000s, but the inclusion of Super Smash Bros. Melee at the 2013 edition of Evolution Championship Series (EVO), a major multi-game tournament, was seen as a turning point; after EVO 2013, competitive Smash saw an increase in tournaments, media coverage, and attention from Nintendo.[6] Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is the fourth Smash Bros. title; all four have been played competitively, as has a fan-made mod of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Project M.[7] [8] While Smash for Wii U tournament rules initially varied, by 2016 they had standardized;[9] the first player to knock their opponent out of the arena twice within a six-minute match timer wins the set. Matches are played as best-of-three sets in early rounds of the tournament and best-of-five sets in later rounds. Tournaments use the double-elimination format; after their first loss players are sent to a lower bracket to compete against other players on their first loss, and following their second loss players are eliminated from the competition.[10]
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U was released in North America and Europe in November 2014 and in Japan the following month.[11] The game was both a critical and commercial success; it received strong reviews,[12] [13] and became the fastest-selling Wii U game in the United States, with almost half a million copies sold within its first three days.[14] As of March 2020, it sold over 5.3 million copies.[15] However, despite the game's popularity, prize pools for Smash tournaments were well below those of other esports. Unlike many other developers, Nintendo does not contribute to tournament prize pools. At EVO 2017, Smash for Wii U had 1,515 competitors and a prize pool of $15,150, funded entirely from entrance fees. At the same tournament, Injustice 2 had a prize pool of $50,000, despite having around half as many competitors, due to funding from its publisher, Warner Bros. Interactive.[16] Gonzalo "ZeRo" Barrios, widely considered the greatest Smash for Wii U player of all time, stated in 2018 that one could earn more by working at McDonald's than by winning EVO, and that he had earned only $45,000 for winning a world record 56 consecutive tournaments across 2015 and 2016.[17] [18]
Smash Bros. tournaments are generally seeded so that the best players do not face off against each other until the later stages of an event. The most authoritative ranking of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U players is the Panda Global Rankings (PGR).[19] Five editions of the PGR rankings were released, covering tournaments held between 2015 and 2018. The PGR 100, a ranking of the 100 best Smash for Wii U players of all time, was released after the last regular ranking, and factored six more major tournaments into the rankings. In late 2018 the next Super Smash Bros. title, Ultimate, was released, and the PGR shifted to cover that game. In the first two rankings, covering 2015 and 2016, the PGR designated a combined 13 tournaments as major events with increased influence on the rankings. Beginning with the third edition of the PGR, tournaments were grouped into one of four tiers – S, A, B, and C – based on the number of competitors with S being the most prestigious tier and C the least. In the fifth PGR, S was replaced with A+. This list contains all PGR majors, S-tier, A+-tier, and A-tier events from the release of Smash for Wii U through the end of the PGR in 2018.
The following is a list of results from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U tournaments in 2015 and 2016 considered major by the Panda Global Rankings.[20] [21]
Tournament | Location | Date | Entrants | Prize pool | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
APEX 2015 | Somerset, New Jersey, United States | data-sort-value="2015-02-01" | January 30–February 1, 2015 | 734 | data-sort-value="15055" | $15,055 | ZeRo | Dabuz | Mr. R | 6WX | [22] [23] [24] | |
CEO 2015 | Orlando, Florida, United States | data-sort-value="2015-06-26" | June 26–28, 2015 | 512 | ZeRo | Nairo | Dabuz | Larry Lurr | [25] [26] | |||
EVO 2015 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | data-sort-value="2015-07-19" | July 17–19, 2015 | 1,926 | ZeRo | Mr. R | Nairo | Abadango | [27] [28] | |||
Paragon Los Angeles 2015 | Ontario, California, United States | data-sort-value="2015-09-05" | September 5–6, 2015 | 505 | Nairo | Dabuz | MVD | Ally | [29] [30] | |||
The Big House 5 | Dearborn, Michigan United States | data-sort-value="2015-10-02" | October 2–4, 2015 | 512 | data-sort-value="6120" | $6,120 | ZeRo | Nairo | Dabuz | ANTi | [31] [32] | |
GENESIS 3 | San Jose, California, United States | data-sort-value="2016-01-15" | January 15–17, 2016 | 1,096 | data-sort-value="13930" | $13,930 | ZeRo | Dabuz | Ranai | VoiD | [33] | |
Pound 2016 | McLean, Virginia, United States | data-sort-value="2016-04-02" | April 2–3, 2016 | 513 | Abadango | Ally | Marss | Mr. R | [34] [35] | |||
CEO 2016 | Orlando, Florida, United States | data-sort-value="2016-06-24" | June 24–26, 2016 | 906 | ANTi | Zinoto | Dabuz | Abadango | [36] [37] | |||
EVO 2016 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | data-sort-value="2016-07-15" | July 15–17, 2016 | 2,662 | data-sort-value="26620" | $26,620 | Ally | Kameme | ZeRo | VoiD | [38] [39] | |
Super Smash Con 2016 | Chantilly, Virginia, United States | data-sort-value="2016-08-11" | August 11–14, 2016 | 1,272 | Nairo | Dabuz | Mr. R | VoiD | [40] [41] | |||
The Big House 6 | Dearborn, Michigan, United States | data-sort-value="2016-10-07" | October 7–9, 2016 | 777 | ZeRo | ANTi | Komorikiri | Mr. R | [42] [43] | |||
UGC Smash Open | Collinsville, Illinois, United States | data-sort-value="2016-12-02" | December 2–4, 2016 | 205 | data-sort-value="15000" | $15,000+ | ZeRo | Abadango | ESAM | Nairo | [44] [45] [46] | |
2GGT ZeRo Saga | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | data-sort-value="2016-12-16" | December 16–18, 2016 | 361 | data-sort-value="10000" | $10,000+ | MkLeo | Larry Lurr | VoiD | ZeRo | [47] [48] [49] |
The following is a list of results from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U tournaments considered S-tier or A+-tier by the Panda Global Rankings.[50] [51] [52] [53]
Tournament | Location | Date | Entrants | Prize pool | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GENESIS 4 | San Jose, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-01-22" | January 20–22, 2017 | 1,010 | MkLeo | Ally | ZeRo | CaptainZack | [54] [55] | ||
2GGC: Civil War | Santa Ana, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-03-24" | March 24–26, 2017 | 573 | data-sort-value="15000" | $15,000 | Dabuz | Fatality | T | CaptainZack | [56] [57] [58] |
2GGC: Nairo Saga | Santa Ana, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-06-10" | June 10–11, 2017 | 485 | data-sort-value="20000" | $20,000 | ZeRo | Salem | MkLeo | Nairo | [59] [60] |
CEO 2017 | Ontario, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-06-16" | June 16–18, 2017 | 611 | ZeRo | MkLeo | Larry Lurr | Nairo | [61] [62] | ||
EVO 2017 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | data-sort-value="2017-07-14" | July 14–16, 2017 | 1,515 | data-sort-value="15150" | $15,150 | Salem | ZeRo | Larry Lurr | Tweek | [63] |
DreamHack Atlanta 2017 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | data-sort-value="2017-07-21" | July 21–23, 2017 | 393 | data-sort-value="10000" | $10,000 | Salem | VoiD | Tweek | Nairo | [64] [65] |
Super Smash Con 2017 | Chantilly, Virginia, United States | data-sort-value="2017-08-10" | August 10–13, 2017 | 1,531 | Nairo | ZeRo | MkLeo | Mr. R | [66] [67] | ||
2GGC: SCR Saga | Santa Ana, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-08-19" | August 19–20, 2017 | 301 | data-sort-value="3000" | $3,000+ | ZeRo | MkLeo | Larry Lurr | Mistake | [68] [69] [70] |
Shine 2017 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | data-sort-value="2017-08-25" | August 25–27, 2017 | 659 | ZeRo | Tweek | Nairo | Salem | [71] [72] | ||
Game Tyrant Expo 2017 | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | data-sort-value="2017-09-29" | September 29–October 1, 2017 | 332 | data-sort-value="30000" | $30,000 | MkLeo | Elegant | ZeRo | Larry Lurr | [73] [74] |
The Big House 7 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | data-sort-value="2017-10-06" | October 6–8, 2017 | 512 | Dabuz | Marss | Cosmos | ZeRo | [75] [76] | ||
2GGC: Fire Emblem Saga | Santa Ana, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-10-14" | October 14–15, 2017 | 351 | Salem | Nairo | Komorikiri | Tweek | [77] [78] | ||
2GGC: MkLeo Saga | Santa Ana, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-11-04" | November 4, 2017 | 313 | Tweek | KEN | MkLeo | Nairo | [79] [80] | ||
2GG Championship | Santa Ana, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-12-01" | December 1–3, 2017 | 20 | data-sort-value="50000" | $50,000 | MkLeo | ZeRo | Salem | Dabuz | [81] [82] [83] |
2GG: Hyrule Saga | Long Beach, California, United States | data-sort-value="2018-06-23" | June 23–24, 2018 | 780 | Tweek | Mr. R | Dabuz | ANTi | [84] [85] | ||
CEO 2018 | Orlando, Florida, United States | data-sort-value="2018-06-29" | June 29–July 1, 2018 | 679 | MkLeo | Tweek | Cosmos | CaptainZack | [86] [87] | ||
EVO 2018 | Las Vegas, California, United States | data-sort-value="2018-08-03" | August 3–5, 2018 | 1,358 | Lima | CaptainZack | Nietono | Mistake | [88] [89] | ||
Super Smash Con 2018 | Chantilly, Virginia, United States | data-sort-value="2018-08-09" | August 9–12, 2018 | 1,380 | MkLeo | Samsora | Tweek | Cosmos | [90] [91] |
The following is a list of results from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U tournaments considered A-tier by the Panda Global Rankings.
Tournament | Location | Date | Entrants | Prize pool | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2GGC: Genesis Saga | Santa Ana, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-01-14" | January 14, 2017 | 466 | data-sort-value="2000" | $2,000+ | ZeRo | Komorikiri | VoiD | Tweek | [92] [93] |
2GGC: Midwest Mayhem Saga | Santa Ana, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-02-11" | February 11, 2017 | 331 | data-sort-value="2000" | $2,000+ | ZeRo | Tweek | Komorikiri | Ned | [94] [95] |
Frostbite 2017 | Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States | data-sort-value="2017-02-25" | February 25–26, 2017 | 342 | ZeRo | Tsu | Nairo | Dabuz | [96] [97] | ||
Frame Perfect Series 2 | Orlando, Florida, United States | data-sort-value="2017-03-18" | March 18–19, 2017 | 208 | data-sort-value="1500" | $1,500+ | Kirihara | ZeRo | MkLeo | Komorikiri | [98] [99] |
CEO Dreamland | Orlando, Florida, United States | data-sort-value="2017-04-14" | April 14–16, 2017 | 376 | ZeRo | Mr. R | Nairo | Dabuz | [100] [101] | ||
DreamHack Austin 2017 | Austin, Texas, United States | data-sort-value="2017-04-28" | April 28–30, 2017 | 313 | data-sort-value="10000" | $10,000 | ZeRo | MkLeo | Ally | Larry Lurr | [102] [103] |
Umebura Japan Major | Tokyo, Japan | data-sort-value="2017-05-06" | May 6–8, 2017 | 478 | MkLeo | KEN | Choco | 9B | [104] [105] | ||
Royal Flush 2017 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | data-sort-value="2017-05-12" | May 12–14, 2017 | 146 | data-sort-value="5000" | $5,000 | ZeRo | Mr. R | Tweek | VoiD | [106] [107] |
2GGC: Greninja Saga | Santa Ana, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-05-20" | May 20, 2017 | 350 | data-sort-value="5000" | $5,000+ | Ally | Larry Lurr | Komorikiri | ANTi | [108] [109] |
MomoCon 2017 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | data-sort-value="2017-05-25" | May 25–28, 2017 | 286 | data-sort-value="5000" | $5,000+ | Nairo | Fatality | ZeRo | Larry Lurr | [110] [111] |
Smash'N'Splash 3 | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States | data-sort-value="2017-06-04" | June 2–4, 2017 | 444 | ZeRo | Ally | Larry Lurr | Tweek | [112] [113] | ||
2GGC: Arms Saga | Santa Ana, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-07-08" | July 8–9, 2017 | 200 | data-sort-value="1500" | $1,500+ | Dabuz | ZeRo | KEN | VoiD | [114] [115] |
PAX Arena at PAX West 2017 | Seattle, Washington, United States | data-sort-value="2017-09-01" | September 1–4, 2017 | 12 | ZeRo | Nairo | Salem | Ally | [116] [117] | ||
2GGC: West Side Saga | Santa Ana, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-09-09" | September 9, 2017 | 300 | data-sort-value="2000" | $2,000+ | ZeRo | Tweek | Shuton | KEN | [118] [119] [120] |
IBP Masters Showdown | Santa Ana, California, United States | data-sort-value="2017-11-11" | November 11–12, 2017 | 131 | data-sort-value="10000" | $10,000 | MkLeo | Larry Lurr | KEN | Komorikiri | [121] |
Genesis 5 | Oakland, California, United States | data-sort-value="2018-01-19" | January 19–21, 2018 | 674 | MkLeo | Mistake | Salem | Nairo | [122] [123] | ||
Frostbite 2018 | Dearborn, Michigan, United States | data-sort-value="2018-02-09" | February 9–11, 2018 | 866 | Dabuz | Tweek | Mistake | Salem | [124] [125] | ||
SML: Battle for Vegas | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | data-sort-value="2018-03-24" | March 24–27, 2018 | 154 | data-sort-value="25000" | $25,000 | Nairo | MkLeo | Mistake | Fatality | [126] [127] |
SwitchFest | Long Beach, California, United States | data-sort-value="2018-04-21" | April 21–22, 2018 | 162 | MkLeo | Nairo | Larry Lurr | Komorikiri | [128] [129] | ||
Get On My Level 2018 | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada | data-sort-value="2018-05-18" | May 18–20, 2018 | 446 | MkLeo | Nairo | Mistake | Komorikiri | [130] [131] | ||
MomoCon 2018 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | data-sort-value="2018-05-24" | May 24–27, 2018 | 353 | data-sort-value="5000" | $5,000 | Tweek | Salem | Komorikiri | Nairo | [132] [133] |
Smash'N'Splash 4 | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States | data-sort-value="2018-06-01" | June 1–3, 2018 | 527 | data-sort-value="5000" | $5,000+ | VoiD | Salem | MkLeo | Light | [134] [135] |
Smash Sounds | Brooklyn, New York, United States | data-sort-value="2018-07-07" | July 7–8, 2018 | 261 | Dabuz | Abadango | Shuton | Light | [136] | ||
Shine 2018 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | data-sort-value="2018-08-24" | August 24–26, 2018 | 472 | Salem | Mistake | Tweek | Light | [137] [138] [139] | ||
The Big House 8 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | data-sort-value="2018-10-05" | October 5–7, 2018 | 281 | Cosmos | ESAM | Tweek | yeti | [140] [141] | ||
DreamHack Atlanta 2018 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | data-sort-value="2018-11-16" | November 16–18, 2018 | 280 | Tweek | Dabuz | VoiD | Wrath | [142] [143] |