The Super Smash Bros Club provides a space for student gamers to connect with each other, whether they play casually or competitively.
The club meets from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays in AEC 104. Although the club does not typically compete, they occasionally battle against Colorado College’s Super Smash Bros Ultimate esports team.
The club typically anticipates eight members at each meeting but had fourteen at its peak this semester.
Jacob Chamberlain, president of the club, encourages anyone to join, regardless of skill level in the game. “It’s a very chill club — it doesn’t matter if you’re good or bad,” he said. “A lot of people haven’t played this game in years.”
The club typically starts with casual gameplay, then switches over to bracket-style 1v1 games after most members are present. Although some members are competitive, most are just there because they enjoy playing Super Smash Bros.
Chamberlain has been a member for over three years and noted that the club is welcoming to people who might feel intimidated by large groups. “If you’re looking for people to hang out with and to make friends, this is a great place for introverts,” Chamberlain said.
He expressed that the club had brought together people from many different majors. “There’s definitely certain people I never would have met outside of this club,” Chamberlain said.
One of those such people is Oscar Mavila, another long-time member of the club. Whereas Chamberlain is competitive, to the point of being on the power ranking (a leaderboard of top players) for Colorado Springs, Mavila is a more casual player.
Mavila also feels that the club has allowed him to connect with others at UCCS. “When I came here, it was right after COVID, and I really didn’t know anyone … so I decided to come see what the club was about. Without the club, I basically would have just been in my room,” he said.
More information about the club is available on Mountain Lion Connect, and they communicate about events through their Discord group.
Senior Michael Mitchell (left) and freshman Brayden Eske (right) play Super Smash Bros. Photo by Zee O’Donnell.