Since I want Super Smash Bros. back to Evo, it doesn’t make sense to install it anymore

Previously, Evo had one of the biggest Smash tours in the country. The prize pool was over $100,000. It was definitely the culmination of all the professional hard work after raising the bar to the elite across the country. Nintendo’s decision to drop Smash from the Evo was a huge blow.

At the time, Nintendo was working with Panda Global to make its own official Smash circuit. That would be Nintendo’s first time participating in the Smash esports scene, meaning it would be the first time there was support. Obviously this fell through.

While it’s possible that Nintendo backed out because of Sony, or because it was planning its own circuit (which it didn’t know about at the time), the truth is that Nintendo was probably shocked that Smash was on Evo anyway. The company was against Smash esports decadesactively trying to shut down tournaments, sending cease-and-desist letters to online tours and LAN events, banning the sale of merchandise inspired by Nintendo’s IP, and preventing tournaments from hosting Project M side events.

Juan “Hungrybox” DeBiedma publicly declared “f*** Nintendo” at awards shows, expressing public outrage at the lack of support. There is also a Nintendo diss track that appears Kashan “Chillindude” Khan. But no matter how many times Nintendo has tried to disrupt the esports scene, the benefits have persisted.

But here’s the thing: persistence, patience, salt, and determination are what make the Smash scene unique. I don’t think it has a place at Evo anymore, especially given the way things are going.

Evo has long been recognized as the most prestigious fighting game event of all time, due to its history and size. It was a proving ground and community center for fighting gamers in every game from Mortal Kombat to Street Fighter to Super Smash Bros. Melee. When you’re in such a niche position (even by esports standards), it feels like a worthwhile trip to Evo. It was a place where you could finally feel like you belonged, where everyone could be themselves and celebrate what they loved.

That all changed (at least in FGC’s mind) when RTS, a Saudi Arabian company, bought the Evo in early 2026. While promising that Evo’s community focus will remain the same, the FGC could not resist the idea of ​​expanding Evo to seven events a year. Like the World Cup of Esports, it felt like Saudi Arabian interests were trying to turn Evo into a spectacle rather than leaving it as a true niche event. This feeling was confirmed when famous broadcasters were invited to the event.

FGC would rather die than deal with normal problems. Where is the green? Is it true? Evo was not intended to be a “situational” place to watch Chipotle commercials. It’s a little gate-y, but that’s the result of it being a niche area that struggled to make it for decades. It’s a sense of pride, anger, reality…

And Ludwig Ahgren taking the stage to say that Street Fighter isn’t getting the critical look that FGC feared: no one else is.

Smash is probably the greenest and most authentic of all FGCs. You could argue that it is also the smelliest or most distorted. Or maybe they argue that it’s too dramatic. I’m not here to agree or disagree with that. What I’m here to say is that Smash is more realistic in Evo.

Now that Evo has decided to push mainstream viewers and expand globally, I don’t think it’s the right place for Smash. I enjoyed Evo Las Vegas, even though it had fewer people, more ads, and more broadcasters. The 2XKO Top 8 and Invincible Grand Finals were hype. But Evo is a place to connect, communicate, companies…

Every major announcer was present at Evo, in private rooms throughout the convention center. They were there to hold demos and give interviews to reporters and media. There are large booths in the main area where attendees can sample upcoming titles. This is an event for companies that want to expand their esports space.

Nintendo doesn’t. So, there really isn’t a place for Smash in Evo. It’s too low, too independent, and too unpredictable. Although the FGC is smaller than other esports titles, the big titles still have a sense of order and anticipation. There is still a certain level of professionalism.

While I don’t think Smash is useless, I do think it’s too raw and realistic for Evo’s new environment. An entire stadium lamenting a lame Grand Finals draw won’t fly at Evo, where manufactured hype is the new norm. Hungrybox throwing a chairor Cody Schwab to eat an apple and pick his teeth from a living river, it would be not give a polished experience Evo wants you.

You could argue that Smash players and fans can relate to Evo’s wishes. But the thing is that there is none it should. Being raw and real is what makes Smash so unique. You won’t hear the main player of Tekken 8 tell you that the crowd hates him when he chats with him in the VIP lounge. They won’t even talk to you without PR around. Smash is a completely different animal and should not be contained.

Currently, Super Smash Bros tournaments, such as Smash Con, GENESIS, and Port Priority, capture the unique magic of Smash. There’s no reason to water it down to Evo without a bigger prize pool. I want the experts to be paid, but I can say with confidence that Smash in Evo will not be good and will not have the same feel of other tournaments. If that means a higher prize pool for some pros, I get it.

But I still stand by my point: Evo is becoming everything Smash esports hates.