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Top Highlights from Nintendo's E3 2019 Smash Ultimate World Championship

Adam Wells@adamwells1985Featured ColumnistJune 9, 2019

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NINTENDO - In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, crowds gather on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at the Nintendo booth at the E3 video game conference in Los Angeles as fans flock to play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee for Nintendo Switch. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for Nintendo/AP Images)
Jordan Strauss/Associated Press

As a prelude to Nintendo's E3 presentation Tuesday, the company held a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate World Championship tournament in Los Angeles. 

Team Japan knocked off Team Europe in a thrilling finale when Konbu, who was in as a substitute for akasa, was able to secure a mushroom and send SirJon into oblivion and avoid having to go through a winner-take-all fifth match.  

Nintendo Versus @NintendoVS

Congratulations to all of the teams who participated in today's #SmashBrosUltimate tournament. And a big congratulations to Team Japan, your 2019 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate World Champions! https://t.co/5yWhK6A7M8

Konbu's heroics came after Kuro was unable to complete the sweep for Japan in the previous matchup against RobinGG. He did come out of the gate on fire by knocking Princess Peach off the platform:

Nintendo Versus @NintendoVS

TEAM JAPAN LOOKING UNSTOPPABLE! 🔥 #SmashBrosUltimate https://t.co/wz1pIT8ndU https://t.co/Z08t5JIhwf

RobinGG was completely unfazed by that quick loss of a life, taking out Kuro by winning three of the last four rounds. Things looked bleak for Robin with both players down to their final life when Kuro secured a smash ball, but RobinGG got a smash ball of his own that caught Kuro square to give Europe a brief glimmer of hope. 

Prior to the epic final showdown, Japan went head-to-head with Team USA in the semifinals. Kuro led his team to a 2-1 match win by knocking off Devonte in one of the day's highlights. 

Nintendo Versus @NintendoVS

A 2-1 victory over Team North America puts Team Japan in the finals. Now they'll face off against Team Europe! The 2019 #SmashBrosUltimate World Champions will be crowned soon! 🏆 📺 https://t.co/wz1pIT8ndU https://t.co/9psWM3UyM1 https://t.co/szR2IRQVIc

Nintendo Versus @NintendoVS

Man what a bunch of jokers...🤡 Team Japan goes up 1-0 over Team North America in the #SmashBrosUltimate World Championship 2019! Tune in now. https://t.co/wz1pIT8ndU https://t.co/9psWM3UyM1 https://t.co/jj0T2tHb0n

In the other semifinal, Team Europe knocked off Team Australia/New Zealand thanks to SirJon taking out Ghost in the decisive third match in the best-of-three round. With both players down to their final life, SirJon saved his best move for last by swiping a smash ball and using perfect aim to send Ghost into the pit of despair. 

Even though this tournament is over, there is more Super Smash Bros. Ultimate action still to come this summer. Nintendo announced an Online Open tournament will take place the weekend of June 29, with the winner getting a trip to the 2019 Evolution Championship. 

The biggest week in gaming also begins Tuesday with the start of E3 in Los Angeles.