Nintendo Strikes Down Unofficial ‘Smash Bros.’ Dating App Before Launch: Was It Destined for a Game Over?
An unofficial Super Smash Bros.-themed dating application, SmashTogether, has been shut down by Nintendo before its official launch. The app, designed to connect Smash Bros. fans for both in-game doubles matches and real-world romance, faced the inevitable ban hammer from the notoriously protective gaming giant.
SmashTogether marketed itself as "The premium dating app for smashers," promising to connect users with their "ideal Smash Partner" through a sophisticated matchmaking algorithm. The novel idea garnered significant interest, reportedly attracting over 400 sign-ups eager to test the open beta.
However, just before its scheduled open beta, the app's Twitter account posted a simple message: "we got cease & desisted," accompanied by a poignant image of Yoshi looking wistfully at a sunset. While the developers had a noble goal of pairing Super Smash Bros. players, Nintendo's swift action highlights the challenges independent projects face when infringing upon the company's strictly guarded intellectual property rights.
The app's profile design included all the essentials for a prospective Smash partner: regional ranking, notable wins, main character emblem, and typical dating profile sections like "two truths, one lie" and "I'm looking for..." This level of detail suggested a serious attempt to blend gaming interests with the pursuit of love.
Nintendo's decision is not entirely surprising, given the company's reputation for fiercely protecting its IPs and suing those who infringe on them. This action aligns with their pattern of cracking down on mods, ROMs, and other unauthorized uses of their characters and games. The potential association of their child-friendly fighting game with the adult world of online dating likely played a role.
Some speculate that this incident could be a hoax; however, given Nintendo's past actions, it appears to be a legitimate case of intellectual property enforcement. While the developers of SmashTogether might have had good intentions, the shutdown serves as a reminder of the risks involved in operating within Nintendo's vast and carefully controlled universe.
Is the dream of finding love through Super Smash Bros. officially game over? Perhaps not. Could this motivate developers to create a dating app that connects people through a broader range of games, avoiding the singular focus that attracted Nintendo's attention? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
