Brooke Thames, Guest Writer
Arguably one of the most classic Nintendo video game series, “Super Smash Bros.” has made a home at Pacific Lutheran University in the form of a club.
The PLU Smash Club is a new organization dedicated to the casual and professional play of all versions of the notorious “Super Smash Bros.” video game.
Hosted every Wednesday in the main lounge of Ordal Hall, Smash Club invites Super Smash enthusiasts to gather and engage in what club president junior Devin Turner said is one of the most fun games in existence.
Each week, the club features a different edition of the game and hosts play at several stations spaced about the lounge, at which fierce and technical gameplay is encouraged.
“[Smash Club] is an educational place where people can express their play style, because there are so many ways to play Smash,” Turner said.
Smash Club not only provides an atmosphere for competitive gameplay between gamers, but also operates a competitive tournament at every club meeting.
Tournaments consist of two brackets: winners and losers. Participants face off against each other in a heated round of Smash in an attempt to advance to the next tournament stage. Winners remain in the “winners” bracket, while losers are knocked to the “losers” bracket. Elimination rounds continue in both categories until a champion in each is crowned.
Finally, the two champions go head to head in an explosive final battle to name the ultimate winner of the night, who is memorialized on the “PLU Smash Club” Facebook page.
The idea of rigorous competition isn’t simply contained within the walls of Ordal Hall. It’s the club president’s goal that all of the residence halls on campus will eventually participate in a “PLU Super Smash Bros. Tournament,” where the winner would receive a grand monetary prize.
“[The residents of] one hall will face off, and the ‘King’ of that dorm will face off against the ‘King’ of all the other dorms,” Turner said.
While the PLU Smash Club encourages fast-paced, aggressive gameplay and honing of technique and strategy, casual Smash players are just as welcome to kick back and flex their novice game muscles. At least one station is always dedicated to players who simply wish to relax and have fun.
Smash Club is all-inclusive and aims to build a community of players with a love for the game of Super Smash Bros. Anyone interested in Smash – experienced and inexperienced, seasoned professionals and eager newcomers – are invited to enjoy a stress free gaming experience full of friendly competition and relationship building.
The main purpose of PLU Smash Club, as President Devin Turner said, is simply for everyone who plays Smash to come out of the woodwork and say “let’s play.”
