Super Smash Bros. Melee

 GameCube
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
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  1. Eurogamer
    100
    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.
  2. GMR Magazine
    90
    A Nintendo fanatic's dream, if only for the exhaustive gallery of collectible Nintendorabilia. [Feb 2003, p.96]
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  3. Gamestyle
    90
    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.
  5. Nintendo Power
    100
    Smash Bros. is known for its deep game play, and Melee is a bottomless pit. [Dec 2001, p.166]
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  6. Cloudchaser
    100
    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.
  7. GamerWeb Nintendo
    100
    Nintendo and HAL have done the impossible…improved a game to near perfection...Vintage gaming mixed with modern expectations and gameplay at its best.
  8. Gaming Maxx
    97
    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.
  9. IGN
    96
    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.
  10. Gamezilla!
    95
    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.
  11. Games Radar
    95
    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]
  12. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    95
    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]
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  13. NintendoWorldReport
    95
    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.
  14. GamingTrend
    94
    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.
  15. Game Informer
    93
    Melee is wholesome original, and the most rewarding multiplayer experience available for any console. [Feb 2002, p.86]
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  16. Electric Playground
    92
    I have played SSBM every day since I got it and I cannot get enough of this game.
  17. Nintendojo
    91
    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.
  18. GameCube Europe
    91
    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.
  19. Total Video Games
    90
    Completely rips apart the rulebook, delivering a 'fun' fighting game that everyone can play.
  20. GameShark
    90
    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.
  21. Armchair Empire
    90
    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.
  22. Nintendophiles
    90
    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.
  23. GameSpy
    90
    This is one game you won't put down until every technique, option and secret has been revealed.
  24. My Gamer
    90
    The game has an enormous amount of charm, and it mixes old school with new school almost seamlessly.
  25. GameSpot
    89
    Nintendo's spastic tribute to itself stands quite strong as one of the most engaging multiplayer games available for any console platform.
  26. TotalGames.net
    85
    Frustrating as it can be, every fight is a spectacle of chaotic gameplay that will have you absorbed.
  27. netjak
    65
    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.
    All this publication's reviews
  28. G4 TV
    100
    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.
  29. Hot Games
    90
    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.
  30. GamePro
    90
    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.
  31. Adrenaline Vault
    90
    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.
  32. Yahoo!
    90
    Even above and beyond its top multiplayer action, SSB:M's chief asset is its tremendously varied gameplay.
  33. All Game Guide
    90
    The perfect sequel. It gives us more of what we want while not changing the heart of the gameplay too much.
  34. Cheat Code Central
    90
    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 this publication's reviews
  35. Play Magazine
    80
    There are so many classic Nintendo cues in Super Smash Bros. Melee, I almost cried. [Feb 2002, p.57]
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  36. XenGamers
    100
    Apart from the remarkable gameplay, graphics and sound, SSBM sports enormous replay value.
  37. Gaming Age
    100
    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.
  38. Cinescape
    100
    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.
  39. Game Revolution
    83
    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.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best GameCube Game of 2001
1
#1 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2001
1
#1 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2001

User Reviews

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User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 1030 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 943 out of 1030
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 1030
  3. Negative: 44 out of 1030
  1. DemonicAngel
    Feb 6, 2005
    9
    First off, let's get one thing out of the way. Don't even bother with the single-player. This is a multiplayer game through and First off, let's get one thing out of the way. Don't even bother with the single-player. This is a multiplayer game through and through, and whilst it's commendable that the developers came up with modes to keep lone gamers happy, they can't compare to the sheer insane joy of 4 players smacking each other around with crazy special moves. Controls are simple to learn but it'll take some time to become really good at the game. All the characters control differently and have different strenghts and weaknesses. Samus Aran, for example, is powerful and has plenty of ranged attacks, but her bulky armoured suit slows her down. Captain Falcon, on the other hand, is very speedy and has great hand-to-hand combat skills, but can be tricky to control and has no ranged attacks. Everyone will find one or two characters they prefer, but they're all good in one way or another (except the horrible Ice Climbers... *shudder*). Overall, an immensely fun multiplayer experience that would make an ideal party game.… Full Review »
  2. TheQuietGamer
    Jun 11, 2011
    9
    This may be the most chaotic fighting game of all time, it's hard to see what's going on screen do all the crazy crap that's happening at allThis may be the most chaotic fighting game of all time, it's hard to see what's going on screen do all the crazy crap that's happening at all times, which makes it all the more fun, not only is it fun to play by yourself but if you get 4 friends together it's even more fun, plus it delivers several blasts from the past like the music, and references to classic games in the stages and items, and the characters themselves, and it has tons of cool unlock-ables like characters, and tons of statues which are completely useless but I must have them all, while I do have my complaints like how hard it is to unlock some characters, annoying plat-forming sections in the adventure mode, and the controls are cluttered which really isn't the games fault, it's the controllers, but an option to customize the controls would have been, but in the end this is a fighting game that will have you entertained for many hours still today whether your new to fighting games or not trying to master everything, this is one of the best games on the GameCube, if your a Nintendo fan and have stuck with them throughout the years and haven't played this game you owe it to yourself to buy this game, this is highly recommended, especially for Nintendo fans.… Full Review »
  3. Humfry
    Jan 12, 2002
    10
    I can have ganondorf kick pikachu in the groin! U cant get much better than that!
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