A Nintendo Switch fighting game that players control with their butts is heading to a major esports competition in Japan. Ketsu Battler, which means “Butt Battler” in English, will be featured at GBVS Cygames Cup 2026 next month. The game’s publisher, CoroCoro Comic, is calling this the first-ever butt esports tournament in history.

【今こそ、最強をケッする時────】
ケツバトラー初の公式大会、GBVS Cygames Cup 2026で開催ケッ定！！

最大128名参加可能、上位プレイヤーには高出なおたか直筆サイン色紙を贈呈！！

エントリーは本日20時より先着で募集開始！！「初代最強ケツバトラー」の座に輝くのは……君だ！！ pic.twitter.com/HmB7Jt5F90

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— ケツバトラー【③巻12/26発売!!】 (@KetsuBattler) December 12, 2025

The game came out in December 2024 and quickly gained attention for its unusual control method by having players use their butts. Instead of using controllers with their hands, players attach a Joy-Con to their butt and move their hips to control the action. These movements translate into sword swings for their on-screen characters, which include samurai, ninjas, and gorillas. The characters fight butt-to-butt, holding their weapons with their “cheeks.”

Despite starting as what seems like a joke game, Ketsu Battler caught the attention of the staff behind Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, another fighting game. According to a press release, they found the gameplay “deeper and more intense” than expected, which led to the tournament invitation.

The competition will take place on January 18 and can accommodate up to 128 players. Matches will follow a single-elimination format with best-of-three rounds, except for the top four players who will compete in best-of-five matches. Ketsu Battler is currently available on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.