Throughout the vast, diverse history of the fighting video game genre, few franchises have made an impact as timeless and far-reaching as Super Smash Bros. The popular crossover series, which pits first-party Nintendo characters (and, more recently, noteworthy third-party characters) against each other in dynamic combat, has grown to include and reference an impressive range of game series. At the same time, the game’s intuitive, customizable, and often unpredictable gameplay elements have turned it into one of the eSports community’s premier competitive formats. This fact is especially true of Super Smash Bros. Melee, the franchise’s second installment, which has become known for its favorable pacing, handling, and underlying mechanics – all of which have led many to consider it the most competitively viable Super Smash Bros. title to date.
In this sense, Team Liquid is one of the most emblematic eSports teams representing competitive Super Smash Bros. Melee. Over the last decade, Team Liquid players have established a significant presence in the Super Smash Bros. scene, with its Melee players setting a high standard of excellence and pushing the competitive boundaries of the community at large.
Founded in 2014, the Team Liquid Melee team originally consisted of duo Ken Hoang (“Ken”) and Daniel Jung (“KDJ”), who spearheaded the first professional eSports team of such competitive caliber in the format. From here, the team merged with Team Curse, allowing Hoang and Jung to join forces with notable players Juan Manuel DeBiedma (“Hungrybox”) and Kashan Khan (“Chillin”). Utilizing signature characters ranging from Fox and Marth to Jigglypuff and the Ice Climbers, the team has collectively garnered countless accolades and titles. These victories include, but are not limited to, Smash Summit 5, EVO 2016, and MLG 2015. Several of the team’s most successful Melee players have also carved a considerable niche in other Super Smash Bros. titles, such as Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but their prowess on the Melee front has remained their defining strength. DeBiedma, in particular, is now known as one of the “Five Gods” of Melee, enduring as a top-ranked player as of last year.
Alongside Luis Rosias (“Crunch”), Hoang, Khan, DeBiedma, and Rodriguez remain among the players representing Team Liquid in Melee. The team’s contributions will undoubtedly help Melee remain a popular and active eSports scene – even as the broader Super Smash Bros. franchise moves on to ambitious new horizons on modern consoles.