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We are proud to present an annual report for the Latin American region for the very first time! After a year’s worth of tournaments and competition, and with the help of community leaders and T.O.’s, we have gathered enough data to paint a picture and give an idea of the region’s growth. Numbers may not be as impressive as American nationals, especially on the Melee side of things, but they are truly remarkable if you take into account the fact that these were non-existent for many communities last year.  Sadly, we did not get a response from a few countries. If you wish your community to be included in future reports, please contact us at our Smash en Español FB page.

Let’s dive in then, with the biggest tournaments this year.

Mexico’s Smash Factor was the biggest tournament for both games this year and that’s exactly what you would expect. With an established organization such as MVG backing them, and their line up of international players including the likes of M2K, Axe and Mr R, this was the tournament of the year of the region. Antonio “Citi” Vargas, TO and founder, and his team were able to put up a world class event in Puebla this past July. Next up was UFEST in San Salvador, El Salvador, which put up surprising and remarkable numbers in both games this past May, especially considering it was the first installment of the series. The event had players from different countries in attendance and set an incredible precedent for Central American communities going in to 2016. Costa Rica’s Revival of Melee takes the third spot for Melee, yet again showing a strong Melee resurgence in the the Central American area. Showdown v1 (featuring Chile’s own ZeRo) and Torneo Nacional Dream Match, both held in Santiago, rounded up 120 players for Smash 4.

Now, let’s take a look at the individual countries numbers and their top 3 players. Let’s do this geographically from the top, shall we?

Javi and EddieMexico at the top is no surprise to anyone, the Mexican duo have been active and consistent in national and international tournaments for many years. Javi’s own twin brother, Tuga, a very solid Falco takes the third spot. In Smash 4, everyone who follows the scene has probably heard of the 14 year old prodigy Leo, the Metaknight main that flat out called out ZeRo after his dominant performance over Mr R’s Sheik in Factor’s grand finals. Hyuga, arguably the best Toon Link in the world, might have his chance to prove himself internationally in Genesis 3 if everything goes as planned as part of a large group of Mexican smashers planning to attend the super major this January.

T.O.: Antonio Catarino Vargas “Citi”.

Mexico’s FB Community

Melee is ruled by arguably the best Melee player in Central America, Adam Ziane Delgado, a Falco main who lived in Sweden and trained with the likes of Armada, Android and Leffen before moving to back to his homeland. Adam’s skill is on a different level  than most of the other players in his country, and he has proven his worth by winning both majors he attended in El Salvador this year, and successfully taking on international players from Nicaragua and Honduras. In Smash 4, the transtion from Brawl was a really smooth one for champion Eric “Player5” Alvarado and his comrade and rival Randy, both sponsored by 4F, who established their dominance in their newly established league system. Both players have proven themselves internationally this year, with their respective 2nd a 3rd place results in UFest El Salvador.

T.O’s: Itzmar Franco & Eric Alvarado.

Guatemala’s FB community

Big things are happening in the smallest country of the region. The initiative shown by the Salvadoreans, led by T.O. Elvin Flores, to build a stronger Smash community shows in the numbers. A well-oiled ranking system for both titles, bi-monthlies, and two majors with international players in attendance are just a few things worth mentioning. One player stands out above all though, ruling decisively in both Melee and Smash 4 (an odd sight to behold): Zaga Talents Gaming’s Luis Fernando Orellana has had an excellent year, undefeated in Smash 4 and dominating the Melee ranks by a wide margin. One of the first sponsored players in the area, he attended his first supermajor this summer, when he and a few friends attended EVO 2015, where his Diddy made a decent run to top 48. He also won both Smash 4 majors in his home country, UFEST and FIST, and has established himself as one of the strongest wifi warriors in the region. Melee veterans Kuzan and Fercho (both proudly sponsored by Smash en Español) sealed their top 3 spot in the last league battle royale of the year. In Smash 4 Vanitas secures the runner up while Rex, who recently won his first international tournament in Honduras, closes at 3rd.

T.O.: Elvin Flores

El Salvador’s FB community

The core Melee scene has been around for a decade in Honduras, and like many other communities, its making its way back to the front line. Smash is part of the larger FGC there, and it has presence in nearly every tournament organized. Virus and Akito, twin brothers, are the ones keeping everybody in check with their Peach and Falco, and players like Necrid have even traveled outside of the country to represent their flag on an international level. Smash 4 has had a slow but steady start, and the community grows daily.

T.O.: Henry Espinal & Arturo Guevara

Honduras’ FB community

Land of the Falcons, Nicaragua’s melee community may be small, but it has very solid players, which mainly include n0ne’s ragtag crew. It is in fact n0ne’s homie Carlos ‘Bubu’ Osorno who has been rocking the top rank for the past year with his stylish and disrespectful Falcon gameplay. Sponsored by Smash en Español, he came in second in UFEST El Salvador, biggest tournament he had ever attended, falling short to Guatemala’s Adam. Smash 4 is being pushed to the front by the new gaming group Sudden Death and their mission to push the latest title to its limits.

T.O.’s: Carlos Osorno & Mario Zamora

Nicaragua’s FB community.

Quite simply one of the strongest communities in both titles. Melee’s comeback has been a amazing in Costa Rica, especially after the successful Revival of Melee tournament ran by Dan ‘Denfox’ Flores earlier this year. Veteran player Duff secures yet another year at the top of the melee ranks with his relentless Falcon punish game. Costa Rica’s hidden jewel is Yei, undefeated all year in Smash 4 and winning two different Central American online tournaments organized by Smash en Español with a very dangerous arsenal of lesser played characters such as Meta Knight and Olimar. Their mission for 2016 should be attending international events to prove once and for all why they’re considered the best by many.

T.O.: Fabian Morales

Costa Rica’s FB community

If the region was an orchestra, Panama would be no doubt the steady percussion section. Led by T.O. Marcio Matthew Engelberg and with an established rankings based on a series of events (The War),  plus bimonthly tournaments, Panama’s numbers have been on the rise all year. Bboy’s Falcon once again leads him to land first place in the rankings, while the Panamanian Ash Ketchum ‘Gabo’, leads the Smash 4 ranks with his all pokemon roster. One of the most fun events in the region, Inno Smash fest was held at a private beach house. Think about it, a smash tournament at a beach house with all your buddies. Can’t go wrong with that.

T.O.: Marcio Matthew Engelberg “Kewl”

Panama’s FB community

For over 5 years Wito has reigned supreme in Venezuela, and 2015 was no exception. The Fox main even had the opportunity to travel to Barranquilla, Colombia as a guest player for a tournament held there with the intention of revitalizing the scene in that country. Wari and Kimo will have to work overtime in 2016 to catch up to the leader. The Smash 4 community had some really impressive numbers and the ranks are packed with very good players. Sonic main 8a won almost every tournament, with runner up VeXx besting him on one ocassion. 8a traveled abroad seeking new challenges, and took first in a Colombian invitational. VeXx is a Marth main who will be attending his first supermajor in January for Genesis 3, so keep an eye out for him. Garu’s Fox has been known to upset big rivals both in offline and online tournaments and will be aiming for the top this coming year.

T.O. Nelson Ruiz Pestana

Venezuela FB Community

Peru’s Melee ranking serves as hard evidence that training abroad and facing stronger opponents is the most optimal way to improve. Karu, ranked at the top of the list, lives in Australia and participates in tournaments only when he’s back home visiting and still manages to come out on top. No surprise when he’s out there entering prestigious tournaments like BAM7 this year, and facing opponents like Armada, s2J and Lucky among others. The Peruvian community is growing strongly, where they used to have 5 man tournaments on 2014, now they have 30+ entries every tournament and they expect to double that in 2016. Axel’s Sheik reigns the Smash 4 ranks.

T.O.: Dragmire Dick

Peru’s Melee and Smash 4 FB communities

The region’s giant landed some big hits with majors like TMSS 3 near Rio de Janeiro and UFSmash in Sao Paulo, hosting players from different states in the country as well as Peru, Mexico and Chile, most notably Roche and Dark. It’s also worth mentioning that these were probably the biggest Smash 64 and PM tournaments in latinamerica as well. Brazilian master Aisengobay once again proved himself as number one after a close competition all year with friend and rival Bobesco. Both players had some great wins on Brazilian soil but came up short in Chilean tournaments they entered. Player 7, aptly nicknamed “the Brazilian ZeRo”, went undefeated and reigns supreme in Smash 4. Big things are expected from the brasilians in 2016, as they have set their eyes on attending more majors in the US. Want to help their best Melee player make it to Genesis? 

T.O.: Anderson “Dede” Ogura

Brasil’s FB community 

With three major Melee tournaments this year and an average of 70 entries Chile’s scene is carrying good momentum going into the new year. Veteran Fox player Dark and his rival and friend Roche exchanged some pretty heavy blows through the year both in Chile and tournaments abroad, namely Brasil, and successfully defended their flag against challengers Aisengobay and Bobesco. The Smash 4 community pulled some pretty big numbers for their majors, and ZeRo himself had the opportunity to play against his countrymen in Showdown V1 while visiting earlier this year. In the ranks, a very tight battle among the top 3 players Iori, Firehao and Keen saw Iori come out on top. Lots of promising players are grinding the circuit as well looking up to the world champ, and aspiring to bring their gameplay to the big stage.

T.O.s: Pablo Acevedo & Carlos Antonio Moreno “KLG | Alen”

Chile’s FB community

It appears Hungrybox has sucked all the Melee out of his homeland. The scene remains dormant in Argentina, and one can only hope 2016 will mark a turning point. They do have a very active and organized Smash 4 community, with a ranking system organized by Argcade and with Gado ruling it all by winning 10 out of 10 events this year with his Rosalina & Luma.

T.O.: Mateo Acosta

Argentina’s FB community

Going into 2016, Latin America hopes to keep growing and organize a major invitational tournament to help establish a solid regional ranking system. Many players will be traveling to well known majors in the US hoping to prove themselves as well as learn from experience. And if you ever head down to any of the Latin American countries, don’t hesitate to contact the TO’s or community leaders. We’ll find a place for you to crash and smash. Please feel free to join our hub for everything related to smash in the area or follow us on twitter.