The Evolution Championship Series Super Smash Bros. for Wii U competition has come to a close, with 32 players competing today for a shot at their share of a $26,620 prize pool and the title of world champion. Despite the glory and bragging rights, Evo received pushback regarding their tournament organization, seating and scheduling.
A new champion has been crowned: Elliot "Ally" Carroza-Oyarce. Ally made a run to the grand finals all the way from the winner's side of the bracket, failing to lose a set to a single opponent. In his path, using his character of choice, Mario, he took down Japanese players Yuta "Abadango" Kawamura and Takuto "Kamemushi" Ono. In a rematch with Kamemushi in the grand finals, Ally won 3-1 against Yoshi and Mega Man.
Additional premier matches included Gonzalo "ZeRo" Barrios taking down Larry "Larry Lurr" Holland, Ryuto "Ranai" Hayashi and James "VoiD" Makekau-Tyson in the grand finals.
Meanwhile, other players, including Ally, ZeRo, Tyrell "NAKAT" Coleman and Jason "ANTi" Bates, criticized Evo for several different reasons. The first was seeding, pitting top players against one another early on in the bracket. Additionally, prior to the Top 8, there was no projector to view the Smash for Wii U stream, causing hundreds to crowd around the streaming area. Finally, the event received backlash at its 8 a.m. scheduled time slot for the Top 32; pools did not conclude on Friday night until 1 a.m., leaving top players sleep deprived.
Overall, Evo concluded as the biggest Smash for Wii U tournament to date, but not without a handful of complaints from prominent members of the community.