Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will headline EVO Japan 2020

While EVO Japan is still some time away, the premier fighting game tournament has already announced that Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has been selected as the headlining event in a report according to IGN.

In previous years, EVO Japan has only hosted a few select games for this massive tournament that has usually been reserved for the more commonplace titles of the fighting game community such as Street Fighter and Tekken, and while the game was released right before last year’s competition, it is front and center come January.

This suggests a massive shift in regards to the fighting game community at large. The debate rages within if Smash is considered a fighting game in the likes of a Street Fighter, but the decision by the EVO committee to make this the headliner whereas Street Fighter V has yet to be confirmed for the event speaks volumes.

Japan is not known for having a strong presence in the Nintendo brawler, but it is possible that this might be the flashpoint that gives the scene a new set of challengers. In the United States, Genesis 7 will be taking place in Oakland, CA on that same weekend in January. Traditionally, that event has been one of the biggest Smash tournaments in the world.

Whether or not pro players in the community will want the prestige and distinction of being an EVO champion is left to be seen, or perhaps a Japan vs. USA showdown might be on deck for EVO USA 2020 and side plot to the tournament is writing itself.

As of now, the announced games for EVO Japan 2020 are Smash Bros. Ultimate, Tekken 7, Soul Caliber VI, Samurai Shodown and BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle. While Street Fighter V is off the list, many expect it to be announced after a potential announcement before the Capcom Pro Tour concludes in December.

Written by Daniel Howard