AbstractWhy are Ice Climber and Donkey Kong fighting each other? Because this is SUPER SMASH BROTHERS MELEE, and that's what they're supposed to do! Choose any of Nintendo's classic characters including Mario, Donkey Kong, Link, Yoshi, Kirby, and many of the more obscure personas from the company's history then try to beat the crud out of the other ones. The premise is simple enough, but the gameplay and graphics take fighting games to a whole new level.
ESRB rating
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Comic Mischief
Mild Animated Violence |
Full descriptionFrantic multiplayer fighting returns with Super Smash Bros. Melee on the Nintendo GameCube. More than just a minor upgrade to the popular N64 game, the GameCube Smash Bros. is chock full of so many options and features it will make your head spin. Players can pummel each other with 25 classic Nintendo characters, and fight in 18 various game-themed arenas (not to mention an assortment of unlockable secret arenas).
Multiple play modes include objective based missions, Stadium Contests, side-scrolling courses, Melee mode, and Versus mode. Stunning orchestrated soundtrack includes exciting remixes of classic game themes. High polygon character models and detailed environments animate smoothly and display in progressive scan.
Editorial review
Source:
AmazonNormally, Nintendo contract players such as Mario, Pikachu, Link, Donkey Kong, Bowser, and Kirby are generally happy and well-mannered, but in
Super Smash Bros. Melee, the pleasantries get thrown out and the gloves (except for Mario's) come off. This update of the N64 favorite features these and other video game icons in furious, yet utterly absurd fisticuffs that usually make for a smashing good time. Just make sure you have at least one human opponent to pound on.
Starting off with 14 characters (an additional 11 are waiting to be unlocked), the game has a pretty standard premise--let Nintendo's stars beat on each other until the timer runs out. However, a lot of emphasis is put on knocking opponents off ledges while avoiding the same fate. In typical Nintendo manner, there are quite a few power-ups to assist you in the melee. The actual combat isn't as intricate as in other fighting games; however, the ultra-cartoony layout of the many, many arenas sometimes adds a strategic element not usually found in similar titles.
Super Smash Bros. Melee's strength lays in the mayhem created in four-player fights. The camera does an excellent job of positioning itself so all combatants are constantly visible. Also, Melee sports some of the best visuals seen in a Nintendo product. All the characters are highly detailed, and the movements of each are smoothly infused with personality. Donkey Kong lumbers and Princess Peach fights with grace.
As the multiplayer mode is the key reason for this game's existence, the single-player mode is decidedly weak. The game features an adventure mode that plays somewhat like an old-school, side-scrolling Mario game. Sadly, despite its good looks, its gameplay is rather uninspired. This game is clearly at its best when there are two or more players with controllers in their hands. --Mark Brooks
Pros:
- Fantastic graphics and sound keep the action upbeat
- Many new characters and other goodies to unlock
Cons: - Single-player experience is comparatively weak
- Too cute for a few folks
- Adventure mode is boring
Classic characters; awesome combat; incredible graphics; hidden bonuses; multiplayer action
