In anticipation of Brawl‘s impending release, GameStop is organizing a massive tournament, to begin the night before release and to finish on April 12. Exactly 2,500 stores around the nation will participate in the first round on March 8, and elimination will continue through two more rounds, until the final contenders are flown out to San Jose, CA to compete for the grand prize – an LCD TV worth $900, a Wii system, every first-party Wii game, and $5,000 cash.
To enter, you need to be 13 years of age or older, or 18 to enter without parental consent. Round one matches are regulated at one minute in length; there are no prizes for winning a tournament at the lower two levels, except the opportunity to advance. Check the source for a full list of participating stores, and the complete rules. Don’t forget to stick around after your tournament for GameStop’s midnight launch of Super Smash Bros. Brawl!
Additionally, NintendoGal will be headed to the closest tournament spot to deliver a report on the tournament, as well as a preview of Brawl before we review the final product. Check back with us then!
Those idiots at GameStop told me I had to pre-order the game to enter!
It’s $5 to reserve it, and you can always get your money back afterward. They can’t let tons of people who aren’t there to pick up the game in, most stores are small and hundreds of people have reserved it. If it makes you feel any better, Gamestop employees cannot participate in the tournament, reserved or not.
Interestingly enough (though by no means a coincidence I’m guessing), some (if not all) GameCrazy stores will be hosting an earlier tournament on that same day. Maybe I can make it to both.