Super Smash Con 2023 Preview

Super Smash Con is a highly anticipated event within the Super Smash Bros. 64 community, serving as a gathering for top players from around the world. With 255 entrants it stands as the fifth largest Super Smash Bros. 64 tournament to date, and the largest one since the post-COVID-19 era. This year’s installment holds particular significance, as it brings together three previous champions: SuPeRbOoMfAn, k y s k and Kurabba.

The matter of seeding, a topic that invariably sparks debate, has taken center stage in the lead-up to this major tournament. Notably, k y s k, the champion of 2019 Super Smash Con, has been granted the top overall seed. This decision has raised eyebrows, placing k y s k ahead of Kurabba, who is the reigning champion from 2022 Super Smash Con and number 1 ranked player on the SSBUPR. While Kurabba showcased an exceptional performance in 2022 at SSC, k y s k has demonstrated dominance over him in various Japanese competitions throughout 2023, triumphing in both Kanto 2023 and BattleGateWay 41.

This year, k y s k has set his sights on winning the doubles trophy, completing a trio of SSC wins with his previous victories in singles and the Combo Contest. He has chosen to team with fellow Japanese player Take, a choice that surprised some given the Yoshi player’s lack of experience compared to his travel companions, but the two are looking to show the power of team synergy and have been putting in hours practicing duo combos in key matchups. Their goal may be more difficult than ever though, as doubles competition this year will be extremely fierce. The competition includes the #1 seed SuPeRbOoMfAn/Isai, a never-before seen pairing of North America’s two best teams players, along with the undefeated Alvin/tacos and rising KD3/StevieG. They’ll also face another similar pairing from Chile in Nax/Shalaka, and their own compatriots in kix/Kurabba. There’s a twist with doubles this year and that is that the team of double Pikachu is banned. This means that this opens the door for other possible team combinations and is a big boost for all the non-pikachu players — namely the Japan Yoshis.

Following k y s k and Kurabba is Nax at the number 3 seed. Going into SSC22 Nax was known by most of the North American community for his performance at Inka Fest in 2019, and being reverse 3-0d by Isai. Despite being the #9 seed in 2022 not much was expected of him when competing with the best in the world. He proved everyone wrong by getting his revenge on Isai en route to a 2nd place finish at SSC22. Kurabba’s red Yoshi proved to be too powerful for Nax in ’22, but after a year of preparing with Peruvian Yoshi player JayKeyAr he may be able to get his revenge against Kurabba this time. With his newfound status as a favorite, all eyes are on Nax as he aims to continue his legacy with a stunning performance.

Isai is considered the frontrunner for the championship title by many members of the community, a position that comes as no surprise given his consistent popularity amongst fans and competitors alike. With his exceptional performance, he secured a commendable 3rd place finish last year and currently holds the 4th seed overall in this year’s tournament. His remarkable mastery of the entire character roster grants him a significant advantage over opponents, allowing him to strategically counter unfavorable matchups. An example of his adaptability was showcased during last year’s competition when Isai strategically played Jigglypuff against Alvin’s Pikachu, effectively thwarting any potential switch to Captain Falcon, which happened earlier in the tournament when Alvin won. This particular match stands out as one of the most exhilarating moments of SSC22. Isai’s unpredictability, skill, and unwavering passion for the game make it difficult for anyone to root against him. Will this year mark his long-awaited triumph, solidifying his legacy as the greatest of all time in the realm of Smash 64?

At the number 5 overall seed is Peruvian player Alvin. Alvin has consistently proven to be a top player placing no lower than 7th at any North American tournaments since 2017, including multiple top 5 finishes at Super Smash Con and Genesis. In Alvin’s Division 1 pool is SuPeRbOoMfAn. The rivalry between the two date back as far as Genesis 4. Historically SuPeRbOoMfAn has had Alvin’s number, boasting a 5-2 record against him, but this time is different as Boom is character locked to Kirby and Yoshi. Alvin’s signature Pikachu could be too much for Boom as the Pika-Kirby matchup is known to be very difficult for Kirby. Boom has had lots of success playing Kirby vs top players like Dogs_Johnson, Josh Brody, SKG and Janco in the PTSD online tournaments, but still has a lot to prove to win the tournament, much less win his pool.

Rounding out the top 8 overall seeds are KeroKeroppi and Wizzrobe. These two are both players with very high ceilings with 2nd place finishes at SSC15 and SSC16 respectively. Disappointed in his 7th place finish at SSC22, his second lowest placing since 2015, KeroKeroppi as put lots of work into playing to reach his long time goal of being the best. In May 2023 KeroKeroppi won his first ever major tournament in Xanadu Origins over SuPeRbOoMfAn, who was character locked to Fox. Right now KeroKeroppi is playing the best he has ever play, but will it be enough to defeat the players above him?

Wizzrobe’s relatively disappointing performance at SSC22 earned him a 13th place finish. While this is no easy feat, it is underperforming for a player who has never placed lower than 7th at any Smash 64 tournament since Apex 2013. Despite this he still has the skill to compete with the best with wins over the likes of KD3, Joshi, and Australia’s best player Jayden in 2022 and even with a win on Kurabba in 2019. Wizzrobe has been streaming and practicing with players online such as Isai, KeroKeroppi, Janco, Dogs_Johnson, and JaimeHR. Just like with Kero, he has the skill to beat any player in the world and many would like to see Wizzrobe back in the top 8.

Many other players seeded out of Division 1 are very skilled and could make a top 16 run or higher. PowerSteeringFluidDrinkr (aka “tod”, Victor Bictor, and HAMMERHEART) won Keystoned VI earlier in 2023 over Finio, baby caweb, and KD3 showing everyone he can play with the best of the best. Maha, a Japanese player also has the skill to make a bracket run and has proven it back in 2019 when he placed 9th with a memorable 5 game set vs Wizzrobe before being knocked out by Alvin in loser’s side of bracket.

Even as low as Division 4 there are players who have the ability to make upsets. One particular Division 4 player has had consistent online results against top players but not many console results. He has expressed on Twitter that his goal is reach top 8. Going from Division 4 to top 8 would be an incredible feat and it may have never been done before. Freean, who is the top solo Luigi main in the world, made top 32 at SSC22 and could make another run this year despite starting in Division 3.

Super Smash Con is always the biggest tournament with the highest skill level of players. There are bound to be many upsets, new contenders proving themselves, and history being made. Many players are rapidly improving at Super Smash Bros. 64 and the floor is much higher in 2023 than ever before. Be sure to tune in to the action starting Thursday, August 10 at 7pm eastern time for the Smash 64 premiere showcase of the Combo Contest. Divisions 3 and 4 stream Friday, August 11 and Divisions 2 through the end of the event on Saturday, August 12. Also, don’t forget to tune into doubles on Sunday, August 13 starting at 11am!

Stream Schedule

Combo Contest: https://www.twitch.tv/vgbootcamp

Reminder! First draft of seeding is LIVE!

Make your requested changes through STARTGG only by Tuesday night at 11:59pm ET – finalized brackets will be up Wed!

ICYMI – Tourney Schedule for all games below! pic.twitter.com/YjbNIJL2Q7
— Super Smash Con (@SuperSmashCon) August 6, 2023