Nintendo’s Smash Bros. Absent from EVO 2024, But EVO GM Remains Optimistic on Future Nintendo Collaborations
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Published on: February 08, 2024
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The Evolution Championship Series (EVO), the world’s premier fighting game tournament, has officially announced its 2024 roster, featuring iconic titles such as Tekken, Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter.
However, once again missing from the lineup is Nintendo’s beloved Super Smash Bros.
series, continuing a notable absence from the event in recent years.
Nintendo made the decision to withdraw Super Smash Bros.
from EVO in 2022, following Sony’s joint acquisition of the event in 2021.
At that time, EVO expressed regret about Nintendo's direction, highlighting its disappointment in not being able to showcase one of the fighting community’s most popular franchises.
Despite this, organizers have maintained a welcoming stance toward Nintendo should the opportunity arise for the series to return.
Speaking with Dexerto, EVO General Manager Rick Thiher reaffirmed EVO’s enthusiasm for the Super Smash Bros.
community.
In his comments, Thiher stated that EVO “is always happy to host Smash” and remains eager to engage with its dedicated player base.
He noted that over the past several months, significant strides have been made toward stabilizing Nintendo’s licensing program.
According to Thiher, the market is seeing an increased number of officially licensed events for Nintendo’s fighting games, suggesting a healthier and more active ecosystem for both players and organizers.
Thiher went on to emphasize EVO’s openness to future collaboration, remarking that while it’s uncertain what developments may arise, the organization is ready to respond when opportunities become available.
“We’re seeing more and more licensed events out in the market for those titles.
Don’t know what the future holds today and we will find out whenever it arrives,” Thiher explained.
In recent years, Nintendo has supported officially sanctioned tournaments such as the Panda Cup, signaling a shift toward more structured competitive frameworks for Super Smash Bros.
on platforms like the Nintendo Switch.
The ongoing evolution of Nintendo’s licensing approach could pave the way for partnerships with major tournaments like EVO.
Super Smash Bros.
remains one of Nintendo’s flagship franchises, renowned for its crossover roster and competitive scene.
Despite its absence from this year’s EVO lineup, the Super Smash Bros.
community continues to thrive through various officially licensed and grassroots events, both locally and globally.
For now, while EVO 2024 will proceed without Super Smash Bros., the door remains open for future collaboration, with both organizers and fans hopeful for the series’ eventual return to the main stage of one of esports’ biggest fighting game events.
