New Dating App for Smash Bros Fans Gets Cease and Desist

SmashTogether, a new dating app that was to launch in beta version on May 15, received a cease-and-desist order before the platform went live.

The new dating app was meant to bring together fans of Super Smash Bros, a popular video game, with its name being a cheeky reference to hooking up. SmashTogether doesn’t say who ordered a cease-and-desist, but likely it’s from the Smash Bros. game’s company Nintendo.

The legal news was announced via a Twitter post from SmashTogether, alongside a picture of Yoshi from the video game perched on a wall and looking off into the sunset. 

According to IGN, SmashTogether had marketed itself by heavily referencing the game - as “the premium dating site for Super Smash Bros. enjoyers of all kinds.” It also noted that users could meet their “dream doubles partner (in and out of Smash)” with the apps’ tailored algorithm which would connect users with their “ideal Smash partner.”

Not to mention, the artwork for the dating app was strikingly similar to the game’s visuals.

There were also sections on the dating app’s platform where users could list their preferred characters from the game, as well as notable wins and prompts, according to IGN. In other words, the dating app made several game references specifically meant to connect with fans, including prompts like: “I’m looking for…Someone who can make it out of pools at a major.”

Nintendo might not be happy that its IP was associated with a dating app, which have come under fire for not protecting users from scammers and catfish schemes, or from online predators. In fact, a scathing report came out that found Match Group had allowed blocked users who had been reported for abuse to join other dating apps in its suite of offerings.

Although Smash Together spent almost a year developing the platform, it was likely to get a cease-and-desist without proper licensing of the IP. But the buzz was already in motion for the app, based on the initial idea. In fact, when developers announced they would be creating the dating app, they received over 400 applicants wanting to test out the beta version, according to Games Radar.

The cease-and-desist motion for SmashTogether was covered thoroughly by game sites like IGN, Games Radar, and other tech outlets.

There was no follow-up from the dating app’s developers as to whether they would pivot away from the game and re-release a new version of the dating app, but the since hook was in relation to Smash Bros., it might be difficult to relaunch as something new.