Super Smash Bros. tournaments always pop up, but few have the staying power of a Major event like Shine. Unfortunately, the incredible final showdown where Cody Schwab overcame Zain for his second Major win of 2023 marks the end of Shine as an event series—ending what was a stable tournament for Melee and newer Smash titles.
Smash Melee has been consistently growing in popularity as a competitive esport since The Smash Brothers documentary dropped in 2013 and introduced an entirely new audience to the 2001 game. Shine is one of several Melee-focused events that popped up in the aftermath, exploding onto the scene in August 2016 and instantly becoming one of the bigger Major tournaments.
Shine was around for the boom of new players rising to match the old guard of the Melee Gods. Still, it won’t be continuing its Boston-born and community-supported legacy any further due to continued financial issues that the tournament organizers brought up back in April.
To many moments and even more memories.
We hope you enjoyed that little video before Grand Finals…it’s been one hell of a ride. ✨ pic.twitter.com/3MFYAOsdap
— Shine Series (8/25-8/27‼️) (@Shine_Series) August 28, 2023
With the knowledge that this would be the final Shine, Melee players turned out in force, making this the largest event in the series since Shine 2018. And, while there were many notable players like Hungrybox and Mang0 missing from the bracket, it still ended up with Zain looking for his third Shine title.
The Shine 2018 and 2022 champion was far from uncontested, however, as Cody Schwab managed to sweep Zain 3-0 in the winner’s finals. Headin