Fighting game communities are nothing new, and they are very passionate about their games of choice. This is certainly the case for Super Smash Bros., especially Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with its numerous mods, and Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Because of how well they handle, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Melee are the Smash Bros titles with the biggest pro fighting game presence. Melee in particular has endured as a competitive fighting game for years. Several groups have organized competitive events around these games, including the Big House. Unfortunately, due to the use of a certain mod, Nintendo has issued a cease and desist on Big House, and players are making their displeasure known.

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Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Big House had to rethink its competition, putting it all online. Playing online is not a problem for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but it's not a feature for Melee, released back on the Nintendo GameCube. Big House turned to Slippi as a solution, which allows online play in games like Melee through a series of mods. Nintendo, however, is not a fan of Slippi, and issued a cease and desist to Big House, effectively shutting down the competition. As of this article, it doesn't look like the tournament is happening.

big house cancelled

Players responded with backlash immediately, creating the hashtag "Free Melee." It began trending on Twitter, asking Nintendo to allow the tournament to go forward with online Melee play. Since then, the hashtag has evolved, becoming "Save Smash." Players' frustration is understandable, considering they have built a very engaged community around these Nintendo titles, elevating the games past what they were ever meant to be. The fact that a second Super Smash Bros. Melee documentary is coming out soon speaks to how much the game means to so many.

Of course, the game remains Nintendo's property, and banning mods is entirely within the company's rights. Slippi is not on the same level as putting Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity's Ganon into the game, it's a full on series of intrusive mods. It's not surprising Nintendo, already protective of its properties, doesn't want players prodding around inside them.

But on the other hand, many feels like they're being left out in the cold during a time when they want to connect through the game they love. This is a community built around a shared love of struggle and competition, not just a group of Smash Bros. meme sharing friends. Nintendo has reversed decisions like this before, so perhaps, if it gains enough traction, Big House will get them to do so here.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available for the Nintendo Switch.

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Source: Nintendo Life