Super Smash Bros. 3DS Nationwide US Tournament Announced

Think you're the best Super Smash Bros. player out there? Soon you'll have a chance to put your skills to the test, as Nintendo today announced nationwide tournament for the 3DS version.

On Saturday, October 4, a day after the game launches, 15 GameStop stores across the United States (and the Nintendo World Store in NYC) will host tournaments for the game featuring three rounds of four-player battles. (Full scheduling details are below)

No pre-registration is required, but local tournaments are limited to 64 players, and selection for the tournament will be on a first-come, first-served basis. You can bring your own 3DS or 2DS and a copy of the game to your local tournament, but you don't have to, as systems and games will be on hand.

The 16 local tournament champions will win a trip to New York City (complete with airfare and hotel accommodations for two) to play in the Super Smash Bros. National Open Tournament at the Nintendo World Store on October 11. They will also each receive a 3DS XL, a copy of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, and a $250 Visa Gift card.

The marquee tournament at the Nintendo World Store will be broadcast live through Nintendo's Twitch and YouTube channels beginning at 6 PM ET. The winner of the Super Smash Bros. National Open Tournament will take home a trophy with an estimated retail value of $900, and a "champion's robe."

Super Smash Bros. National Open Tournament local events begin at 11 AM local time on October 4. Participating GameStop stores are listed below. For the full contest details, check out this comprehensive post on Nintendo's website.

In addition, Nintendo today announced that people who visit the Nintendo World Store in NYC can buy a copy of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS starting at 8 PM EDT on October 2 as part of a special fan event. Lastly, the company also announced that the Super Smash Bros. for 3DS demo currently available in the eShop will be playable at 100 GameStop stores across the US on September 27.

The Wii U version of Super Smash Bros. launches this holiday, but Nintendo has not announced an official release date yet. It's also unclear if Nintendo will host a similar nationwide tournament for the Wii U version, but we have to imagine it will.

Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on Twitter @EddieMakuch