'Super Smash' star in Carlyle

So, you think you can smash? Beat this: Seventeen-year-old Joseph "Mango" Marquez has only been playing Super Smash Bros. Melee for two years, but has quickly risen through the ranks to become the game's No. 1 player in the world.

Just last weekend, Marquez stopped by an informal Super Smash Bros. tournament held at NYU's Carlyle Court residence hall while in New York for a bigger tournament. Although he did not join the bracket, Marquez was on hand after the tournament to play any challengers.

"In the beginning, I played every day," Marquez said, "but once you get good, you don't have to play as much."

Now Marquez only plays about 10 hours a week. This leaves time for watching TV — Marquez's other passion apart from gaming.

Two years ago, after several weeks of non-stop training, Marquez, a California native, began playing in tournaments. Since then, he has placed in respected tournaments such as the Evo World, Super Champ Combo and Genesis by DBR.

Although he still pays for his own tournaments, Marquez has the support of his parents and teachers, fame in the gaming community, and even a page on SmashWiki.

If you want to be the next world champion, follow Marquez's advice: practice. And try using his favorite character, Falco. But watch out, he says: Falco is a hard character to play. If you want instant victory, stick to Princess Peach.

Despite his success, Marquez stays humble. At Carlyle, before realizing who he was, another participant in the Super Smash Bros. tournament sat down to play doubles with him. She warned Marquez that she'd never played before, to which he replied, "I'm not that good either."

Several hours later, he had yet to be beaten.