Super Smash Bros. has been an enthralling game ever since its initial release in 1999, being the epitome of the adage “Easy to learn, but hard to master.” But could this game be an effective way to raise money for cancer?

Mr. Murphy, the creator of this tournament, said, “I got the idea from Mr. Blasena because he has friends who were thinking about doing the same thing.” He continued, “I chose Super Smash Bros. because I’m really good at it and I wanted to be able to show off.”

Ray Gregorio, Smash Pro and WMS 8th grader, said “it’s a great idea to take something that people do for fun in their freetime and to turn that into a way to make money for charity. I hope in the future they do this for other games.”

Luis Scharon, eighth grader and Smash Bros. enthusiast, said, “There’s a lot of competition”. Scharon also said his main is Mario. For those of you that don’t know a ‘main’ is a player’s most preferred character to play as.

Glen Cantalupo, casual smash-er, said he has no real confidence in his own ability, instead saying “I’m just doing it for fun.” Cantalupo said his main was Metaknight and that the circular warrior was “The G.O.A.T.”

Alexandre Eleuterio, another eighth grader, said, “I think Ray [Gregorio] is going to win.” and that “this is a very good cause that we’re playing for.” Eleuterio also added that is main is Wario.

Andrew Kleissler, yet another eighth grader, said “[Kevin Caffrey] and Ray [Gregorio] really have the best chances.” He also said his main was “Sometimes King Dedede and sometimes Simon Belmont.” On the cause, Kleissler said he supports it heavily because people with cancer need better treatment.

Mr. Malmstrom, self-proclaimed “terrible” smash player, said, “I think this tournament is creative and it’ll help to create a sense of community in the school.” Malmstrom’s main is also Metaknight.

Michael Kidwell, a player with over a hundred hours of Smash under his belt, said he’s extremely confident in his Smash Bros. Prowess, especially when he’s playing as Lucina, Cloud, or Jigglypuff.

So far the consensus for the most likely winners has been Ray Gregorio, Michael Kidwell, or Luis Scharon, while Glen Cantalupo says that the true underdog is Mr. Murphy in this tournament.

My suggestion for these tournaments in the future is that we should do multiple every year for different multiplayer games. Maybe we could do tournaments for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Fortnite: Battle Royale, Splatoon 2, or even Tetris 99. What’s better than one tournament raising money for St. Baldrick’s? Several tournaments raising money for St. Baldrick’s.

If anyone reading this is in need of someone to practice against them, you can see Kevin Caffrey on A-Days in Room 23 during second block or in Room A during homeroom for his Switch Friend Code.