The Super Smash Bros. franchise began in 1999, and has been hugely successful since then with over 15 million copies sold worldwide between the three releases in the series. The large fanbase has given rise to Super Smash Bros. Club (Smash Club). Before the club could surface, it had to go through a lengthy administrative process.

 “It requires first and foremost, a group of students who share the passion enough to take leadership in making sure the rest of the steps happen,” club sponsor and social studies teacher Mr. Kevin Briski said. “Next, it requires a teacher at RHS to sponsor and host the club, while making sure there is permission from the school. You need 15 paying members to sign up to make it official. Overall, if there are students willing to put in the time and effort, there is staff here that will be more than happy to make it happen.”

Once it was approved, Smash Club immediately became one of the most popular clubs offered.

“Our sign up sheet blew everyone else’s out of the water with 70 people signing up,” senior Chase Macinski said. “Not all 70 show up though, so on an average day there will be anywhere between 30-40 kids present and playing Smash.”

Despite the initial interest, Smash Club is still looking to expand.

“We are looking to get more members,” senior Tom Chung said. “We want more set-ups, so that more people can play and ultimately have fun and competitive tournaments.”

Smash Club provides members an opportunity to be in a different type of club than they may be used to.

“It’s not exactly a club that does a whole lot for your college applications,” Mr. Briski said. “However, it means that there are a bunch of people who, after a long Monday of school, can simply retreat and enjoy a great game. People are in the club for the love of Smash and Smash alone. It also brings people together. Where else can you learn to be civil and brotherly to someone in the real world while your Ganondorf is smashing that person into the ground with a huge boot?”

 A typical day at Smash Club isn’t the average club meeting.

“Usually we have many separate stations where you can play different versions of the game,” Chung said. “Also you can compete in individual competition and team competition.”

Mr. Briski elaborates.

“Every Monday after school, we set up the projector and several televisions and play Super Smash Bros. together for about 1 and 1/2 hours,” Mr. Briski said. “We will also be participating in community and school service as we are excited to have the school give this club the opportunity to exist.”

Macinski hopes to see the club continue in the future.

“Super Smash Bros. Club is a dream turned into a reality,” Macinski said. “When I graduate I hope that there will be someone I can pass the torch to. It would really suck to see the club die, but I am confident that the current members won’t let that happen.”

There are high hopes for the future of Smash Club.

“I am very excited to see the club grow,” Mr. Briski said. “A new version of the game comes out this year, which I think will bring a lot of hype. It also shows how timeless these games are. I have a feeling it is a video-gaming tradition that will last for quite some time, and I am honored to support it for as long as it is around.