Nintendo To Host Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournaments Before Launch

I'm stoaked about Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and if all goes well I'll be picking up my Wii the day it launches. However, those one the East and West Coast will have a chance to play the game as early as tomorrow. No, the game isn't making an early debut, you'll be playing it in Nintendo's upcoming tournament. More info after the jump.

As if this game hasn't been hyped up enough, Nintendo is hosting four regional Smash Bros. Brawl tournaments. I'm not really sure how they can be considered "regional" when they only cover three states. (Don't mind me, I'm just grumpy because nothing ever comes to the Midwest) The four cities will be Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and New York City. The dates and times are listed below for each city.

Saturday, Feb. 16

Doors open at 3 p.m.

Orpheum Theater

842 S. Broadway

Los Angeles, CA 90014

Saturday, Feb. 23

Doors open at 2 p.m.

Ten15 Folsom

1015 Folsom St.

San Francisco, CA 94103

Saturday, March 1

Doors open at 3 p.m.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Olden Hall

100 Institute Road

Worcester, MA 01609

Saturday, March 8

Doors open at 5 p.m.

Best Buy (NOHO)

622 Broadway

New York, NY 10012

Each contestant (there will be a max of 256 at each city) will receive $10 Best Buy gift certificates, the three non-winning finalists will receive a Wii, a copy of the game and a Best Buy gift card worth between $250 and $1000. The grand prize winner? They'll walk away with a crystal-coated Wii, a home theater setup and a copy of the game. Not too shabby for playing a game before launch.

[via Joystiq]