Hello, and welcome to the first what I hope to be a continuing series. Here's a toast to all the gamers out there; casual or competitive, it matters not. I'm just glad to be a part of this wonderful community you've created over the years, and I'm honored to be a part of the new-and-growing Gamers of New York group. Cheers!

In this series, I'd like to talk about the absolute best moments of competitive gaming. These are moments that we all strive to achieve in and out of the competition, ranging from clutch comebacks to enduring domination. If you've wondered how to make your match-ups as hype as this, you're in luck, because that's what I intend to talk about here.

THE HYPE REPORT

Smash at Xanadu 167: September 23rd, 2016

Analysis: Cinnpie vs. Light

First off, we have players Cinnpie and Light facing off in the glory that is VGBootcamp's weekly Smash 4 lineup. Cinnpie stuck to her Zero Suit Samus for the entire match, as did Light with his Bayonetta. Things started slowly considering the speed and combo-stringing ability of both characters, but in truth, it may have been due to the players wanting to get a feel for the other. Bayonetta made several attempts to carry Zero Suit Samus to higher percents, but Cinnpie kept a strong directional influence tactic that kept her out of the combo attacks. Despite this, Light was able to end the game with an accumulation of strong air attacks.

In the second game, we saw a slightly more aggressive Samus come out of her shell. Cinnpie completed a lot of good grabs, although a lot of the stocks were taken from more aerials. Light tried a different tactic when shield pressure seemed ineffective, but when a Witch Time finally connected, made little use of it. He then fell to a forward smash after one of his own missed.

Light went into the one-to-one matchup decider fairly salty, while Cinnpie kept her composure. On Lylat, Light gave her a lot of pressure but did not account for Zero Suit Samus' many options. She took his first stock with a down-special stun into an up-special from below the center platform. Light decided to camp and spam Bayonetta's guns coming out of respawn, but Cinnpie relentlessly shielded, proving the strategy completely ineffective with a taunt. She finally fell too far off stage after a forward-throw followed up with Bayo's guns. From here, the match winner was anyone's guess.

Again, Light managed to pull off a successful Witch Time but was unable to do much with it. Eventually, the percentages rose up far above potential kill range, but Light decided to try to time Cinnpie out since the game had less than one minute left. Right about the 30-second mark, Light shot her damage only 14% higher than his and then proceeded to stick to the stage's corners. Cinnpie took even further hits from Bayonetta's guns but pulled through with a happy forward-smash merely five seconds from time.

For those of you who missed it, you can view the entire match here.

Although this is merely one of the first match-ups in Smash at Xanadu's 167th playlist, it may have been the most hype of them all. Certainly, the split-second decisions made by these players are what defines them, as it is in any Smash competition. Light walked away leaving a trail of salt, but can you blame him? Cinnpie is a player you have to respect for, at very least, her patience in-game that, despite Light's admirable aggression and adaptability, held strong throughout the entire match.