Super Smash Bros. Melee

"A game that expands upon every aspect of its predecessor, but especially quality."

Welcome to my written review of the splendid Gamecube title: Super Smash Bros. Melee. This game was released shortly following the launch of the Nintendo Gamecube. That launched commenced Approximately 6 years ago, and the appeal of the little purple cube is still going strong, primarily because of this particular piece of software. I express my gratitude for you taking the time to read my review, now lets begin…

Gameplay: 10/10
The majority of you may have already played (and or still own) Melee's predecessor “Super Smash Bros” on Nintendo's N64, You'll find the core gameplay hasn't changed too much, and that what has been changed is definitely for the better.

For those of you who haven't played the original “Super Smash bros”, this game contrasts with traditional fighters mainly because of its 2D movement system. You'll play as 3d character model, in a 3d environment, although the camera observes the action from a flat 2d angle. So the players will be getting the sense that their playing a fighter game structured like a traditional Mario platformer. This is actually a good viewing angle though, as you fresh smashers will instantaneously learn.

The concept for every battle or challenge will ALWAYS remain the same, KO your adversary out the arena before he does the same to you. Players literally knock-out each other in a cartoon-like fashion flying form the arena to either the: sides, bottom, or top of the TV screen. When a participant is flung from the arena the player usually always has an opportunity to return to the stage. Using the character's double jump abilities (just like the first smash bros) you can return to the arena. This can truly get intense and involving though, as when you are knocked out of the stage you'll most likely be returning by just barely grabbing the edge of the arena and pulling yourself up. This element will always grasp your full attention and keep your mind totally focused on the gameplay. Although when your player has accumulated enough damage, it will become increasingly easier for them too defeat you… but the same can be said for your opponent.

The grip the game has on your focus and visual attention is amazing, it's so involving that if even the smallest thing in reality distracts you, you'll probably become a bit agitated. Intensity is also expected, as players will be constantly struggling for both victory and survival. The sense of pride that most get when they have made an amazing return to the stage is almost laughable. Being victorious, just by the skin of your teeth also fills you with a sense of satisfaction that for a moment seems unparalleled. This can be ruined in brief instant though as anything, be it utterly amazing or just extremely lucky can occur in your opponent's favor causing you too lose it all. Melee does have a vice-versa method to it though, so if you losing pretty bad don't expect that to happen for too long, you may be surprised at what you can do to achieve victory.

Multiple modes have been added to the game since its original installment, including brand-new single and multiplayer modes. These modes can be challenging and fun but after being beaten, can get old (for some people, especially casual gamers). People asking for a challenge will receive what they were preaching for though, as mainly all of the modes have their ways of ramping up the difficulty. Increasing the difficulty level to very hard mode is the how HARDCORE players will attain the most fun and excitement from their experience. That is….. If you can beat the game with all of its characters on this insane difficulty! Although, if you aren't looking for a challenge in particular Melee can accommodate that as well, adjusting the difficulty is simple just toggle it to what you think you can handle. Melee possesses 5 varying difficulty levels that can be adjusted before starting a single-player game so don't worry about the game being too hard.

Just a brief note to smash fans, trying to beat every mode with every character on very hard difficulty isn't as easy as you predict it to be. I'm not discouraging the notion I'm just giving a warning, this actually is a fun goal to pursue and is worth attempting all the way. Maybe I'll beat it myself one day. Melee is much harder (in most ways) than its predecessor.

Another aspect that improves the gameplay is the nostalgic Nintendo items that have been included into the battles. Various items from several other past Nintendo games make an appearance, also included are most of the items form the original smash bros and some unique additions exclusively added to this game. Items will spontaneously generate at varying locations and speeds. Items can be a huge help or a huge bother depending upon what you're using. Items can usually turn a bleak situation into a victory; they can save your butt in the midst of a battle, or vice-versa. These items just help increase the fun factor and the chance that you'll win or lose a battle.

Multiplayer is where the game truly shines though, as all of the varying combat modes enhance gameplay to a truly catastrophic level. There are your standard fighting modes where 1-4 players engage in combat without any character handicaps (that is if you don't want to set any). Special modes have also been included where you can duke it out with challenging, bizarre, and just plain funny circumstances forced on the battle. Tournament mode a new feature has also been included, in this mode you and your friends can fight in an organized and structured tournament to discover the smash champ amongst you.

Several characters from across the Nintendo universe make an appearance along with the veteran characters from the original game. Character selection and combinations rarely lack or tediously repeat. This along with the combinations of stages help increase the overall replay value of Melee, and its appeal toward others.

Stages also never lack. In fact one stage in particular barley ever losses its appeal, arenas are also following the nostalgic tradition set in place by this game. Whether you enjoy Donkey Kong, Mario, Zelda, Metroid, or Kirby, players will always discover certain combinations of characters and stages they'll prefer.

Melee is certainly a game to play with your pals; the game supports 1-4 multiplayer. Share the excitement in this game with friends, family, and other acquaintances. Super Smash can also accommodate to the desires of solitary players on multiplayer modes. This is accomplished through the use of sophisticated AI (artificial intelligence) that can be pre-set to a preferred skill status.

This was just a general explanation of melee's gameplay properties, even though the fighting would be enough on its own to suit any person, Melee also excels at all other aspects.

Graphics: 10/10
Even now in 2007 this game still sports some the best graphics on the Gamecube. Melee never lags, it can accommodate any speed and any amount of on-screen action without ever slowing down. The character models are the unsurpassed in comparison to anything else on the current generation of consoles. Stages are superbly detailed even in their structures; none of the stages are exactly alike which assures you a contrasting gameplay experience every time you select a location to battle. Stages will vary in size and obstacle, but always maintain a high visual quality. Conclusively, the character physics are cartoony but still seem to capture the traditional realism mark this game possesses. Controlling these characters isn't hard though…

Control: 10/10
Let me put it this way, the control in this game is so simple that a brain dead monkey with a flat-line learning curve could figure out the controls. This means that it's accessible to any level of player, whether you're casual hardcore or a once in a while gamer, you'll always be able to play this game. You'll barely and I mean BARELY ever forget a button's function for more than a split second. That being said lets move to Melee's audio portion of the review.

Audio: 10/10
Punches, kicks, slaps, sword slashing, hammer bashing… it doesn't matter, every sound is vivid and realistic. Music is orchestrated at a movie quality level with themes that reach back as outlying as twenty years ago. Nintendo games have always had an extraordinary line-up of music that could be burned into your brain should you've heard them a substantial amount of times. Prepare to hum and sing to the old toons you used to love from your favorite Nintendo games. Leave some rooms for new songs too, you'll want to, because these songs are pretty snappy and will become instant classics in your head. This particular element will have subconsciously crawling back to stages just to listen to the music they hold.

Replay Value: 10/10
THOUSANSDS of multiplayer battle and item combinations will be your primary reason for return. Also, all of the single player modes will have you coming back for more. Attempting to shatter previous records and difficulty scores will prove time consuming enough, not to mention the time it will take to unlock all of the characters and extras.

Storyline: 0/10
There isn't a storyline in Melee, unless you want to think that all of Nintendo's mascots just decided to beat each other one random day. The lack of the storyline is easily made up for by its engrossing gameplay though, you'll hardly ever notice the missing storyline because you'll be busy having too much fun inflicting pain on somebody else.

Extras: +
This game deserves the plus, The primary reason why would be the trophy lottery. The trophy lottery, is a sub-menu where you can use the coins you earn from fighting (You get coins based on how long and how intense you fight) in order to gamble for new trophies. This proves to be another fun element as you can never lose. Although, attaining fresh trophies may require you jack up the stakes every now and again.
I also want to include all of the stages, secret modes, characters, and menus you can ascertain in this game as part of the extras segment. Unlocking these variables can vary in time frame… but the insane amount of fun you'll be having will back you up until you unlock that certain prize.

Pros:
• Simple controls making fighting easily accessible in any scenario
• Great graphics and action, without the lag
• Fighting is fun and can get intense but you'll never be able to anticipate the outcome of multiplayer battles, this will heighten your resolve to win and keep the fun at a constant maximum.
•The amount of nostalgia will surely bring back memories of the games you used to play...and how fun they were
•TONS!!! of extras


Cons:
• Trophy lottery is weighed down by too many pokemon trophies
• No plot or storyline

Buy or Rent:
Melee is a MUST BUT for your Gamecube or Wii, if you used to own the game or have never played it before buy it and see how entertaining it can be, this game is honestly worth buying a Gamecube or Wii for. Nintendo has created a game so good that nobody can resist it. 6 years ago I received Melee as a Christmas present… I love this game; I can never honestly deny its quality. Melee obviously represents the best in its genre and should be treated as such.

Thanks for taking the time to examine my review and I hope you read my future submissions

Review submitted on 11/1/07, by: Carnage 54

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/02/07

Game Release: Super Smash Bros. Melee (US, 12/02/01)