NEWBURYPORT — Normally a space for reading and learning, the Newburyport Public Library was transformed into a den of intense video game competition Tuesday afternoon as it held a Super Smash Brothers Ultimate tournament for local kids.
While dozens of gaming icons from Kirby to Mario were called upon as gamers ranging from fourth to 12th grade duked it out, ultimately it was Bowser, ultimately Nintendo’s most iconic villain that helped eventual champion Killian McKieonan reach the top.
“I’m really happy, because this is the second tournament I’ve won. It went by really fast. It was really fun,” McKieonan said.
The tournament was held in the library meeting room on the first floor, with Plainville-based One Up Games coming in to help transform the space with Nintendo Switch consoles and nine televisions for kids to game on.
Teen Services Librarian Kristen Young said this was the fourth time the library had hosted One-Up Games.
“We’ve had a Super Smash Brothers Ultimate tournament all four times, and the kids love it,” Young said.
She said she loves seeing the kids interacting, with some just coming for the social element but many others entering the tournament.
“It’s been nice seeing a lot of the kids cheering on their friends, or smack-talking them too,” Young said.
Walking around the room, matchups of characters varied, with kids taking full advantage of the game’s 89-character roster ranging across various franchises.
On one screen, the iconic Final Fantasy villain Sephiroth could be seen fighting Sonic the Hedgehog. On another, the lovable pink blob Kirby was fighting Byleth, a more recently created Nintendo character from the series Fire Emblem who wields a variety of weapons.
One-Up Games staff member Xavier Burch said that events like the tournament at the library is the reason he loves his job.
“You get to discuss games with the future generation and see how it’s all going. I mean, working with games, you can’t really complain. You get to meet a lot of new people, learn new games from the next generation too,” Burch said.
Young said prizes would be distributed at the end of the tournament.
“All of the winners are going to get a box of Magic: The Gathering cards, and then first place is going to get a gift card to Stonecrust, the pizza place,” Young said.
Ultimately the final came down to McKieonan and Bowser versus fellow 12-year-old Tucker Lee, who used Sora from the series Kingdom Hearts.
Though both matches were tough, with Lee using Sora’s evasiveness to try to counter Bowsers big, lumbering approach, McKienonan proved to be too much and managed to secure the victory.
“It’s been great. It’s been really fun,” McKieonan said.
Though he did not win, Lee said he was happy to have participated.
“It was fun just seeing the people I’ve played against and stuff,” Lee said.