Super Smash Bros. Melee (cube: 2001): Reviews

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Super Smash Bros. Melee


9.0

based on 38 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 230 votes
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GAMES:

Super Smash Bros.

Official Website

The ultimate four-player fighting game with unpredictable action and non-stop animated onslaughts features over 20 characters to choose from, including Mario, Yoshi, Peach, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Captain Falcon, Ice Climber, Ness, Kirby, Pikachu, Fox McCloud and Samus. [Nintendo]

PUBLISHER:	Nintendo
DEVELOPER:	HAL Laboratory Inc.
GENRE(S):	Fighting, Action
PLAYERS:	4
ESRB RATING:	T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE:	December 3, 2001

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

GamerWeb Nintendo

Nintendo and HAL have done the impossible…improved a game to near perfection...Vintage gaming mixed with modern expectations and gameplay at its best.

100

XenGamers

Apart from the remarkable gameplay, graphics and sound, SSBM sports enormous replay value.

100

Nintendo Power

Smash Bros. is known for its deep game play, and Melee is a bottomless pit. [Dec 2001, p.166]

100

EuroGamer

An exotic cocktail of entertainment for Nintendo fans, who will slurp up every last drop, and if you want to talk about longevity, I’ve had this game on import for about six months and I still haven’t finished it.

100

Cinescape

Even if you’re alone, the sheer amount of options, trophy collecting and hidden characters make this game worth playing again and again. It’s easy to learn but incredibly challenging to master and collect all the trophies.

100

Cloudchaser

It’s a great party game for those in the need of a quick fix, but there’s plenty of depth for those that desire to see it, as evidence in the copious amounts of secrets, strategies, and subtle nuances.

100

Gaming Age

The amount of detail that has been shoved onto all of the game’s character models is fantastic – some of them it would be hard to differentiate from FMV models.

100

G4 TV

A showcase of a game. There is so much to do and unlock, both in the single-player and multiplayer modes, that the title can easily eat up dozens of hours of your time.

Gaming Maxx

Overall, a very fun game to play, though a warning goes out to anyone who can get frustrated with games, as this game's difficulty can really frustrate and anger you at times as it had me.

IGN

SSB Melee puts the original to shame with its countless options and longevity. This has become and will likely become one of my favorite GameCube titles of all-time. It's that good.

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

It's a long way from the Tekkens of this world, with no complicated combos or tricky special moves to pull off, but under the surface there's a fighting game that requires almost as much skill in its own way, as any of the 'serious' martial arts sims - and is a lot more fun. [NGC]

NintendoWorldReport

The controls are tight and responsive and very well designed. Gameplay is top-notch, with tons of different modes to play though and a multiplayer element that is truly unbeatable. The game will never die, and will remain fresh time and time again.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Suffice it to say, if the first game made you happy, this jam-packed sequel will make you crap your pants with glee. [Feb 2002, p.160]

Gamezilla!

With solid gameplay, numerous options, and loads of extras, most will find their money well spent. Even the graphics and audio are impressive, leaving little to be desired.

GamingTrend

With 25 characters and 29 stages, and only half of that available at start, you have a fighting game you’ll be spending lots of time in. With almost 300 trophies available, you’ll be spending lots of time trying to gather all of them as well.

Game Informer

Melee is wholesome original, and the most rewarding multiplayer experience available for any console. [Feb 2002, p.86]

Electric Playground

I have played SSBM every day since I got it and I cannot get enough of this game.

Nintendojo

While the game might not be the greatest single player adventure we’ve seen this year, it very well may be the best multi-player one.

GameCube Europe

Orchestra-style music and finely tuned sound effects liven up the battlefield quite dramatically and are executed extremely well; I just simply love the music for the Pokemon Stadium stage.

Cheat Code Central

Yes, the game still lacks a certain depth, and fighting game fanatics raised on "Soul Calibur," "Virtua Fighter" and "Tekken" should certainly look elsewhere, but fans of Nintendo (and of the first game) will absolutely love what's going on here.

All Game Guide

The perfect sequel. It gives us more of what we want while not changing the heart of the gameplay too much.

GameShark

The graphics are great, the sound is great, and gosh darn it if the game is just a blast to play with different quest challenges and various hidden characters to unlock.

Nintendophiles

Almost perfect. Some of the challenges are a bit difficult but they help build your skill level. And although the graphics aren’t stunning they are above adequate for this game, and are still very good.

My Gamer

The game has an enormous amount of charm, and it mixes old school with new school almost seamlessly.

Hot Games

Probably the most fun game out for the Game Cube right now. It's not really a fighting game as much as it is a four-person party brawling game.

GamePro

The most complete multiplayer console package to date--an absurd, wild, and wickedly fun game with lots of variety, unbelievable visuals, and more longevity than most of the gods of Olympus.

Adrenaline Vault

It's a button-masher in the best sense of the term, and even people not normally interested in fighting games should check it out. While its raison d’être is multiplayer, soloists can’t ask much more.

GameSpy

This is one game you won't put down until every technique, option and secret has been revealed.

Gamestyle

Seeing the ducks from "Duck Hunt" or the 2 dimensional Ice-climbers (also featured as playable characters) will have you praising Nintendo for their kindness in bringing back some long forgotten gaming moments.

Yahoo! Games

Even above and beyond its top multiplayer action, SSB:M's chief asset is its tremendously varied gameplay.

GMR Magazine

A Nintendo fanatic's dream, if only for the exhaustive gallery of collectible Nintendorabilia. [Feb 2003, p.96]

Armchair Empire

The only reason SSBM doesn’t achieve gaming nirvana is for two reasons: the variety of arenas isn’t extensive and sometimes the camera pans so far out it reduces your character to the size of an ant. Otherwise, you’re looking at great game.

Total Video Games

Completely rips apart the rulebook, delivering a ‘fun’ fighting game that everyone can play.

GameSpot

Nintendo's spastic tribute to itself stands quite strong as one of the most engaging multiplayer games available for any console platform.

TotalGames.net

Frustrating as it can be, every fight is a spectacle of chaotic gameplay that will have you absorbed.

Game Revolution

While it surely won't appeal to the Tekken heads, it's a great fit for those who swear by Samus and die by Donkey Kong.

Play Magazine

There are so many classic Nintendo cues in Super Smash Bros. Melee, I almost cried. [Feb 2002, p.57]

netjak

The camera angles were enigmatic and frustrating. The action on the screen was great when we were fairly close to the fighting, but once scaled out became chaotic. The personal feel of smacking each other around when close was decent and enjoyable; but once the action panned became impersonal and out of touch.

The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 230 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jared C. gave it a5:
The good news is that the gameplay is immense and the variety of characters is phenomenal as each brilliantly designed individual has their own equivalent share of combating principles, which was wonderful to expect. But the bad news ruins it all, although the gameplay was fine, each level seemed so rushed and with all the characters fighting in one woozy rushed place, Melee has nothing to give except chaos.

Chris C. gave it a9:
This is such a great game. It's so much fun that I still play it 6 years later. But that's just the thing that's holding me back from giving it a 10. I'm still playing it 6 years later. It's just so dated, and everything about that game seems tiresome, probably because I just want the new features in Brawl already. Also looking farther into it, the clone characters really don't do much, and are just wasted space. Also a majority of the stages, while being fun to play on, are just tiresome. Don't get me wrong, it really is an amazing game. I'm just sick of it, all around.

Pete C. gave it a10:
OMG immense fun! me and my family would get together and play it. The diversity of characters was great. The time to unlock was long but worth it. Massive step up from orginial. Inventive items. Hope Brawl is as awesome as this one.

Chris M. gave it a10:
Best game, ever completely addictive and not at all just a kids game, anyone who says this is a button bashing game shouldnt really leave a comment as they dont know how to play it, takes a lot of skill and definitely underrated.

Titanium D. gave it a10:
This is the best fighting game ever made. Its single player mode is entertaining, its multiplayer mode is endless hours of fun, it has enough stages and characters to make for an excellent game, and overall it has among the highest potential game hour value of any game. It is a ton of fun and anyone, ranging from the casual gamer to the hardcore fighter genre lover will adore this game's excellent gameplay and difficulty level. This is the best game for the gamecube by far and away, and if you own a gamecube you should possess this game.

Matt D. gave it a10:
Amazing game with excellent replay value.

Ben F. gave it a10:
The greatest action game with the longest lifespan EVER!! it never gets boring, and takes ages to complete everything there is to do in the game. the amount of match awards is near endless but just one problem. pichu sucks! they should have put in a better pokemon like charmander or something. if they replaced pichu this game would be perfect!