And yet last year, to everyone’s surprise, Nintendo announced a partnership with Panda, an American eSport circuit as well as a professional team active since 2015. On the press release we could read “in 2022, Panda will be the first officially licensed circuit for Smash Bros Ultimate and Smash Bros. Melee in North America”.
You should know that until now, the tournaments took place without Nintendo’s permission and were therefore exposed to risks of cancellations or even legal proceedings. Generally Nintendo let it go as long as its franchises were respected and the money involved did not exceed a certain threshold.
Another interesting fact, for its partnership Nintendo has chosen the Panda Cup, an american circuit contrary to Smash World Tour who wanted to be a circuit mondial. For lack of ambition, caution or because of logistics that are too complex to put in place, no one really knows…