Super Smash Bros Themed Dating App Stopped
SmashTogether, a Super Smash Bros.-themed dating app that aims to bring gamers together, has come to an unexpected end with Nintendo’s legal intervention. The app, which was announced in June 2024 and was set to enter beta this week, was halted just 24 hours before launch. The creator of the app announced that he received an official cease-and-desist letter from Nintendo.
Nintendo Officially Intervenes in SmashTogether
SmashTogether was an unusual initiative that aimed to match Super Smash Bros. fans both in games and in romance. The app’s description included the phrases “premium dating app for Smashers.” However, the initiative ended before it even began when Nintendo stepped in. Considering the company’s sensitivity to intellectual property rights, this intervention was not surprising.
One of the reasons Nintendo opposed the application was that it was based on a game featuring characters for children. The concept of the application was found to be risky in terms of brand image, in addition to copyright infringement. Nintendo’s child-friendly approach in particular is cited as one of the reasons for its harsh stance against such side projects.
The creator of the application stated that they had received over 400 pre-registrations before the beta release and that the project had attracted attention. However, these dreams of an interesting pairing have now been shelved. There has been no new statement from the creators of the application yet, but it is reported that they have been contacted.
This development is a continuation of Nintendo’s recent legal moves. The company recently announced that it had won a significant victory against pirated content sharing. In addition, legal proceedings have been initiated against the Palworld game, which draws attention with its similarity to Pokémon. It seems that Nintendo continues to be determined to protect its brands.
