Smash Together, an innovative dating platform tailored for Super Smash Bros. enthusiasts, was set to launch its open beta on May 15 after months of development. However, the excitement was short-lived as the team announced on May 13 via a poignant Yoshi meme on their official X (formerly Twitter) account that they had received a cease-and-desist letter. The post, which read "We got cease and desisted," hinted at a sudden halt to their plans.
We got cease & desisted https://t.co/Zj2J3FNUHL pic.twitter.com/euDbJ3KUiG
— SmashTogether (@SmashTogether) May 14, 2025
While the developers did not explicitly state who issued the cease-and-desist, the general assumption leans towards Nintendo, given the app's focus on their popular game series. Smash Together positioned itself as the "premium dating site for Super Smash Bros. enjoyers of all kinds," promising to help users find their "dream Doubles partner (in and out of Smash)" through a specialized matchmaking algorithm designed to connect players with their ideal Smash Partner.
The app's interface featured unique sections where users could list their preferred character, or "main," along with their notable tournament wins and personalized prompts. These prompts had a distinct Smash Bros. flair, such as "I'm looking for... Someone who can make it out of pools at a major," blending the gaming and dating experiences seamlessly.
The concept of a dating app centered around Super Smash Bros. likely raised concerns beyond just intellectual property and copyright infringement, possibly contributing to the issuance of the cease-and-desist. As of now, there has been no official statement from the SmashTogether team regarding their future plans or potential pivots away from using Smash Bros. as the core theme of their platform.
Despite the setback, the team's dedication and creativity in merging gaming culture with social connectivity deserve recognition. As the situation develops, the community eagerly awaits any updates on whether Smash Together will find a way to continue their mission, albeit perhaps in a different form.