Nintendo announces partnership with Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance

Competitive gaming is bigger than ever these days, and Nintendo of America has now announced a partnership with the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA) “to make gaming competitions more social, accessible, and rewarding.”

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Splatoon 3 will begin to be used for school-organized tournaments and events for grades 4 through 12 starting this fall. The initiative is expected to reach over 80,000 elementary, middle, and high school students across 23 states. Nintendo of America will be giving “a large quantity” of Nintendo Switch Online memberships and digital game download codes at no cost.

ISEA President Danielle Johnson said of the partnership with Nintendo:

“We are so excited to partner with Nintendo as we continue to grow and expand competitive gaming opportunities for students across the country. Games are a fun, communal experience. We want to make gaming accessible to as many students as possible regardless of their previous gaming experience. School-based gaming programs connect students that may have not been involved in social competitive activities before, and every student deserves a place to belong at school. These programs not only raise student attendance and achievement but also help students build healthy relationships that can last a lifetime.”

Bill Trinen, VP of player and product experience at Nintendo of America, added: “We support kids who want to celebrate their passion – or discover a new passion – by getting involved in memorable cooperative and competitive play experiences. Working closely with the ISEA ensures that we are creating a fun experience that is open to everyone.”

Nintendo says it “reorganized its official guidelines and application portal for individual competitive gaming event organizers” back in November 2023. By doing so, it hoped to “make the process of hosting not-for-profit, small-scale community tournaments involving games for which Nintendo owns the copyright easier and more transparent.”

Those interested in finding the organization that is building esports in their state can visit the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance official website here.