To say that automaton and I used to play a lot of Super Smash Bros. would be as accurate as saying an ocean is deep; it doesn’t properly convey the sheer volume of time our group dedicated to that game. We’ll get there.

For those unaware Smash Bros. is a Nintendo-based, fighting game for up to four players. Unlike other fighters, instead of having health power reduced with each hit, each blow you deal your opponent increases their percentage rating. The higher your percentage hits, the further you fly when attacked. The goal is to increase your opponent’s percentage high enough to knock them out of the stage boundary. Additionally, similar to the MarioKart series, Smash Bros. also has items to help unbalance an otherwise balanced game, like bombs, fire flowers, and yes … those hammers from the first Super Mario for NES that put you in an invincible trance of unstoppable smashing.

This comic is a part one of a three-part arc about our time with Super Smash Bros.. Each comic will reveal another small layer of our story.

That we recently learned from the E3 Nintendo Press Conference there will be a new Smash Bros. game is a happy coincidence for the strip. I can’t say I’m excited about the game, or the news that it will “somehow” use the Wii U and the 3DS together. But whenever someone mentions Smash Bros. my fighter’s pride bristles.

Because we played the game so much we often engaged in meta gaming; usually tyrannical in nature. There was this one game (as the comic suggests) where we would turn items on high and make sure they were only hammers. Then everyone would get a hammer except me and I would have to try to avoid them.

That tells you something about our group dynamic.

The other part of the strip references the New Years where we had a “world” tournament in my basement. Because we played so much Smash Bros. we were convinced that we were the best in the world. So on that New Years we played for money, and a trophy. Automaton has that trophy.

But it doesn’t matter, because in my heart I know I’m the best.

This is a video of a high ranking Smash Bros. player named Isai. We can definitely compete at his level. Maybe we should.