Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's new tournament doesn't mess around

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Test your stamina

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo has announced its newest Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament, titled 'The Road to Becoming Fighting King,' and it'll run for three days starting Friday.

If you plan on competing, you best start training, as this one matches up fighters in strictly one-on-one stamina fights in Omega levels, meaning there's nowhere to hide if you're outmatched. The reveal happened during Wednesday's Terry Bogard livestream, hosted by Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai. 

Stamina mode is what stands out to me most about this new tournament, as it's not seen nearly as much as Time and Stock modes. It's unclear whether it'll be layered with a time limit or lives, but it's sure to make for some gripping matches, whether you're playing or watching. Combined with the intensity of the one-on-one structure and exclusively Ω-form maps, this isn't a tournament for the casual Smash Bros. player - this is the one to decide who's the "fighting King."

The graphic posted alongside the announcement features the latest DLC fighter, Fatal Fury's Terry Bogard, along with Little Mac, Kirby, and Ryu each looking primed for battle. The three boxer-types make sense, but I didn't expect to see Kirby, who seems to have just inhaled Terry Bogard. Regardless, it's refreshing to see Nintendo do something different, and it'll give competitive Smash Bros. Ultimate players the chance to test their skills against each other in balanced competition.

It wouldn't be surprising to see Super Smash Bros. Ultimate get discounted for Black Friday - just be sure to keep an eye on GamesRadar's guide to the best Black Friday game deals. 

Jordan Gerblick
Jordan Gerblick

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.