After the recent Super Smash Brothers tournament here at Oratory, people have become more aware of the competitive nature of the game. Not much unlike conventional sports, Super Smash Brothers requires not only skill but also quick thinking and good reflexes. Despite the fact that Smash does not require much physical endurance, many still consider it a sport of sorts.

Having a different match each time keeps games like these interesting and competitive, even since the first game on the Nintendo 64. In Super Smash Brothers 4, there will be 56 characters after the release of Cloud from Final Fantasy VII. Seeing that each character has 16 moves (excluding final smashes), this means that there are 896 moves possible in the game. With 2 stocks per match and 9 tournament league stages, this will make for a varied experience every time.

Not only is Smash enjoyed due to its diversity, but it is also enjoyed universally. Anybody can pick up the game and play it, but it takes years to master. Many people play Smash from all corners of the globe, from Japan to Sweden to Chile. Even people from both sides of the economic spectrum come and play the game together as a community.

In competitive Super Smash Brothers, one mistake can turn the tides of a whole set. Sometimes 1/60th of a second can be the difference between life and death. Just the flick of a finger or the press of a button can be your saving grace. One single whiff or a mistimed attack can be your ultimate demise. Hours spent playing in a tournament can be for nothing due to one mistake. Nevertheless, people come from miles around just for a chance to win, just for a chance at glory.

Considering these points, Super Smash Brothers is a very competitive game, spawning many tournaments both big and small. Even though Smash is a game with specifically set rules, its diversity allows for it to be enjoyed each time it is played. All in all, Super Smash Brothers is made to be enjoyed as a party game, but it has evolved into a competitive pastime.