PlayVS, the only platform that allows esports to qualify as a high school varsity sport in the U.S. and Canada, is partnering with Nintendo to add three new games to its program.
If you thought your kid was excited about competitive gaming, Nintendo’s partnership will amp up their enthusiasm tenfold. The partnership between Nintendo and PlayVS will allow high schools to add Splatoon 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to their varsity gaming lineup. Previously, PlayVS offered five games to high school students: Madden NFL 21, FIFA 21, League of Legends, Rocket League, and SMITE.
Splatoon 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are popular multiplayer games. All focus on competition and give high school rivals more opportunities to butt heads. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are even more widely available to compete at the collegiate level, so if your kid is thinking of participating in college esports, this is where they can get in all their experience! This expansion allows students to compete on their Nintendo Switch, which previously was not available on PlayVS’ platform.
Kids should start practicing this summer before Splatoon 2 and SSBU are added to the fall high school season lineup. Schools around the country will compete starting on Sept. 20, and if a team succeeds, they can make it all the way up to the state level! But it doesn’t stop there: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, while not currently listed on the PlayVS site, will make its way to the roster in the spring 2022 high school season.
If a school is worried about finances, there is a chance for them to get their expenses covered. PlayVS and Nintendo will provide a Nintendo Switch to hundreds of qualifying schools that compete in this calendar season. Nintendo will also select 3,000 qualifying schools to receive a copy of both Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Splatoon 2, as well as a 12-month Nintendo Switch membership.
Schools must check their respective state athletic associations to see which games will be available for their state leagues in the fall. High school coaches interested in having their teams join the next season of varsity gaming competitions should visit the PlayVS website to join the waitlist.
