The second annual tournament for the popular fighting video game “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” was held in Esport Coach Micah Smith’s Room, G209, from Dec. 9 to Dec. 13 during lunch.

“I had the idea to keep it during school hours,” Smith said, “so that anybody can kind of just come in and play and not have to worry about getting rides after school.” 

Smith, a Smash player since childhood, drew his inspiration from the various tournaments he’s attended over the years, and hopes to grow a Smash community here at Southeast.

“I really like the game and I like putting on events,” he said. “I was involved in Super Smash Brothers tournaments for some of the older games when I was younger, and so I wanted people to keep playing fighting games.”

Fourteen students competed against one another in a bracket for first place to win a $25 Visa gift card and new gaming headset, with second and third place receiving $10 Mcdonald’s gift cards for their efforts.

Many tried and many failed, but on the final day of the tournament, Malaki Finch (11) took first place. 

Finch, who had previously used Sonic the Hedgehog throughout the tournament ultimately came out on top using the character Min Min, from the game “ARMS,” in what he called a surprising victory.

“I think it was game two or three, either one; he got two crits, and that took both stocks,” Finch said, “and then on the third stock, I was just (freaking out) at that point.”

Currently, Smith has no plans to explore other video games in his tournaments, but promised there is more to come during the latter half of the school year with Super Smash Bros.

“We’re hoping to do it maybe two times next semester as well,” Smith said, “so hopefully it’s not just annual.”