Smash Bros Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch is one of the fastest selling games in the fighter genre, and only trails behind Mortal Kombat in terms of best-selling franchises. It would only make sense to have one of the most popular modern video games featured at EVO (Evolution Championship Series), the year's biggest competitive video game event in the United States, right? Well, it looks like Nintendo disagrees. 

This news came from an announcement on EVO's Twitter in a statement revealing the line-up of fighting games that will be hosted at the high profile event, which is planned to be held in-person for the first time since 2019.

"Please join us March 8th, 5pm PCT on twitch.tv/evo for the EVO 2022 announcement show! While we're thankful for all the amazing games joinging us later this year in Las Vegas, we want to let you know in advance that Super Smash Bros. will not be making a return appearance.

We are saddened to learn that Nintendo has chosen to not continue that legacy with us this year. In the future, we hope to once again celebrate the Super Smash Bros. community alongside them."

pic.twitter.com/7YEX1ZgG4W

— EVO (@EVO) February 26, 2022

Nintendo has been notorious in recent history for pulling the plug on Smash Bros. events, namely independently hosted events ran by tournament organizers. In 2021, Nintendo ordered Riptide, a convention that hosts Splatoon 2, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (a modded version), and Rivals of Aether, to cancel their online event. In 2020, The Big House, a Smash Bros Melee tourney, was issued a cease and desist for also running a modded version of the GameCube game for online play. 

After Sony purchased rights to EVO August of last year, Nintendo stated to IGN that "they will continue to assess EVO". It appears that Sony's purchase held great influence in their decision. Nintendo did not reveal a statement in wake of this news, but the question remains on what they will do with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, be it hosting an event of their own, or remain out of major events in the forseeable future.

SOURCE: IGN