Super Smash Bros. Melee

 GameCube
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
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  1. Wormoid
    Jan 8, 2011
    10
    Super Smash Bros Melee manages to equal the greatness of even games likeMetroid Prime. There are many great new characters all with unique moves, including Mewtwo and Mr Game and Watch, along with other great Nintendo classics. This game boasts that simplicity can be great. The event mode is a welcome addition, added to classic and adventure mode and slo the unlockable all star mode! YouSuper Smash Bros Melee manages to equal the greatness of even games likeMetroid Prime. There are many great new characters all with unique moves, including Mewtwo and Mr Game and Watch, along with other great Nintendo classics. This game boasts that simplicity can be great. The event mode is a welcome addition, added to classic and adventure mode and slo the unlockable all star mode! You never get tired of this game, one of the best games in history!… Expand
  2. KendylKlownfish
    Apr 30, 2011
    10
    Essential to any NGC or fighting game collection. Pros: Excellent multi-player mode; a stunning variety of characters, levels, and action; lots of unlockables. Cons: The single-player mode just isn't as multi-player.
  3. GrammyGrim0
    Jun 9, 2011
    10
    This game is amazing. When I first bought it I played for 16 hours hours straight. I like it because it has all of my favorite nintendo characters in it.
  4. Remington
    Oct 3, 2011
    10
    This game is simply and effortlessly amazing, best 2d game of the 2000's I say! It is simply addictive, I played it when it first came out, and still play it!
  5. Zilcell
    Nov 7, 2011
    10
    Super Smash Bros. Melee doubles everything that was amazing from the original. Double the characters, double the stages, double the replay value, and double the fun!
  6. FlyingAsianBear
    Nov 21, 2011
    10
    One of the best games of all time. Possibly the Gamecube's greatest title takes the Nintendo all-stars and pits them together. A very ambitious game that delivers on gameplay, content, and multiplayer.
  7. BasilZero
    Jul 23, 2022
    10
    Game: Super Smash Bros Melee
    Genre: Fighting
    Developer: HAL Laboratory Publisher: Nintendo System: Nintendo Gamecube (GCN) Year of Release: 2001 Length of Playthrough: 88 Hours Total Score: 94/100 Value Score: 9.4/10 • Story: 5/10 • Characters: 9/10 • GamePlay: 10/10 • Graphics: 10/10 • Sound: 10/10 • Music: 10/10 • Length: 10/10 • Replay Value: 10/10 • Player Value:    Game: Super Smash Bros Melee
    Genre: Fighting
    Developer: HAL Laboratory
    Publisher: Nintendo
    System: Nintendo Gamecube (GCN)
    Year of Release: 2001
    Length of Playthrough: 88 Hours

    Total Score: 94/100
    Value Score: 9.4/10

    • Story: 5/10
    • Characters: 9/10
    • GamePlay: 10/10
    • Graphics: 10/10
    • Sound: 10/10
    • Music: 10/10
    • Length: 10/10
    • Replay Value: 10/10
    • Player Value: 10/10

    Pros
    +25 playable characters (including returning characters and new characters)
    +New stages along with some old stages
    +Classic mode returns with new Adventure mode which gives the game a platformer experience across different Nintendo worlds
    +All Star mode unlocked once you have finished all of the Classic/Adventure characters
    +51 event mode match types for challenges
    +Versus, Training and Target modes
    +Special melee match types include more variety of different types of matches
    +More items alongside returning items

    Cons
    -No story in adventure mode or classic
    -Some characters are just clones like Ganondorf, Dr Mario, and Pichu

    ----

    Super Smash Bros. (N64): 85
    Super Smash Bros Melee (GCN): 94    … Expand
  8. Near
    Apr 14, 2019
    10
    It really didn't age that well, but back in the day it was REALLY good. Some people hate it because of how pro-players always snubbed Brawl, but it is a solid entry in the franchise and a great leap from its predecessor.
  9. NocheShade
    Dec 30, 2012
    10
    Easily the best game overtime.At some points I like certain games more but this is always going to be one of my favourites.Tenouttaten!Also has Marth and Roy.
  10. SuperSkyler64
    May 16, 2013
    10
    What I consider to be one of, if not THE greatest fighting game to ever grace not just the Gamecube, but the fighting genre as a whole. Super Smash Bros. Melee achieves something that all fighting games wish to achieve: lasting fun. This game has aged without a wrinkle in the past 12 years it's been out. Nintendo couldn't even beat their own lasting appeal of this game with Brawl (which IWhat I consider to be one of, if not THE greatest fighting game to ever grace not just the Gamecube, but the fighting genre as a whole. Super Smash Bros. Melee achieves something that all fighting games wish to achieve: lasting fun. This game has aged without a wrinkle in the past 12 years it's been out. Nintendo couldn't even beat their own lasting appeal of this game with Brawl (which I thought was a bit too slow). From the moment the amazing opening is played, to your very last GAME, this is a classic for the ages. Not only is the gameplay quick, but it's easy to pick up and play, and the intentionally made technical tricks in the game make it the most versatile fighting game to date. Your ability to gain more skill in this game is practically unlimited in this game. You aren't restricted with the movements of your character. You can reduce your recoil when you hit the ground, slide around the floor, and string combos around in the most creative ways if your good enough. The music is fantastic. Really legendary in the video game environment, right down to the announcer's voice when you begin and end a game. The Adventure mode is perhaps the perfect distraction in single player sector, but while memorable, it's more of an imperfection that we soon come to see improved in the next game. Event matches are a blast, and personally I find them a little more fun than Brawl's. It's creative how Nintendo can fit so many neat modes in this game. Their's slow melee, lighting melee, big, tiny, etc. The photo feature in the game is the most useless addition however, as you can't take pictures unless you choose the mode and plan something to happen. This is another feature that's fixed in the next generation. Still this is the most solid fighting game I have ever played and is a blast to play with friends and family alike. Also, I would like Nintendo to bring back the old handicap system. It's much more fun to gang up on someone with naturally more strength than you, instead of just some percentage starter. If you have a Gamecube, PLAY THIS GAME NOW! This is a gleaming emerald in the tropical sun, as far as fighting games go. Do yourself a favor and find some friends to play this tonight. Hopefully the next Smash game will be even better than this.… Expand
  11. shprea
    Jun 26, 2013
    10
    This game is a prime example of doing a sequel right. Take all the elements of the first game, refine them to near perfection while adding lots of new stages, characters, trophies, gameplay modes and extras. Really, there's no flaw with this game. It's just an all around amazing fighting game that you shouldn't miss.
  12. vintagegamer16
    Dec 5, 2015
    10
    One of my favoroute games of all time. This game is a great party game that anybody can play........And then theres the deeper neverending, constintly evolving Metagame!
  13. angryjoe1111
    Sep 20, 2013
    10
    This game is one of the best games ever made and my all time favourite Smash Bros game of all time!!! The game is highly addicting to play in with both single and multiplayer!!! The adventure mode is pretty fun and the mission mode for me was better than Brawl, but lacked in difficulty in mode. Characters are fun to play with once they are unlockable and have a good moveset.
  14. Auddy07
    Jul 8, 2013
    10
    In my opinion, this is the best fighting game ever made. It came out in 2001 and is STILL being played competitively in tournaments! This was the first game I ever played at a tournament, and still continue to play it to this day. It has the best mechanics, the best atmosphere, and the best replay-ability in the Smash Bros. series. 10/10
  15. mileswhitmore
    Nov 23, 2014
    10
    This is by far the greatest game Nintendo have ever made and my favourite video game of all time. I played for game for countless hours and never got bored of it. I have played Brawl, it is very good as well but it's a little bit disappointing compared to it's predecessor. No other video game will top a game for many years to come, not even FIFA or Call of Duty will be able to do that.
  16. MIDP
    Aug 4, 2013
    10
    Maybe the best game on the GameCube.
    Also, the reason my brother got our family one, when we were kids.

    This game along with Mario Kart Double Dash, Zelda Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, are must haves for the system.

    10 out of 10.
  17. Shigeru
    Sep 7, 2013
    10
    Not much to say. You can play this game for years and it won't get old (multiplayer, that is). And there's always a way to improve your skills or learn a new combo your friends didn't expect.
  18. FreedomFighters
    Feb 25, 2018
    10
    I'm not even gonna dance around it, I'm not going to give an intro that leads into my opinions, I'm just gonna lay it out there now, "Super Smash Bros. Melee" is MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE GAME OF ALL-TIME! There, I said it. No game has taken more hours out of my life than this masterpiece, and I'm perfectly fine with that. It's extremely fun, fast-paced, visually wonderful, filled with content,I'm not even gonna dance around it, I'm not going to give an intro that leads into my opinions, I'm just gonna lay it out there now, "Super Smash Bros. Melee" is MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE GAME OF ALL-TIME! There, I said it. No game has taken more hours out of my life than this masterpiece, and I'm perfectly fine with that. It's extremely fun, fast-paced, visually wonderful, filled with content, and surprisingly technical. There's a reason this game still has a passionate tournament scene 15 years later: because it's just that good! No two ways about it, "Super Smash Bros. Melee" is my favorite video game of all-time, and I will always have a soft spot in my heart for this game. Now, go play it, because I'm gonna go do that, too.
    Final rating: 10 out of 10 "Fantastic"    … Expand
  19. Smags
    Nov 22, 2013
    10
    There are only a limited number of games, few and far between, that stand the test of time. To say this title has stood the test of time would be an understatement. SSB is truly a masterpiece, and is often ranked and praised as the greatest game that was released for the Nintendo GameCube. If you could only own one game for this console, it would unquestionably be this title. The fun andThere are only a limited number of games, few and far between, that stand the test of time. To say this title has stood the test of time would be an understatement. SSB is truly a masterpiece, and is often ranked and praised as the greatest game that was released for the Nintendo GameCube. If you could only own one game for this console, it would unquestionably be this title. The fun and enjoyment factor is undeniably endless, which, consequently, results in a reply value so high that not even the human mind can fathom. I will release no spoilers, other than the known fact that there is an accumulated total of 25 playable characters, as well as 29 playable stages, none of which are even remotely similar to the other. As I conclude this review, let it be noted that, even with the dawning of the PS4 and Xbox One, SSB is still universally played to this very day, and will always be in contention for greatest game ever made. 10/10… Expand
  20. wegie125
    Dec 17, 2017
    10
    This game wasn't meant to be as good as it was, it wasn't meant to bring together like it did. This game was way more than just casual for many of us. If you watch the Smash Brothers Documentary, you will know what I am talking about because this game did so much for the community. People don't even realize how much this changed how many people viewed the smash brothers series. This gameThis game wasn't meant to be as good as it was, it wasn't meant to bring together like it did. This game was way more than just casual for many of us. If you watch the Smash Brothers Documentary, you will know what I am talking about because this game did so much for the community. People don't even realize how much this changed how many people viewed the smash brothers series. This game blew up the streaming side of smash brothers and demolished the small community of kids. This game was so perfect in everyway that crazy combos were available at such high speeds. I was never good but I attended my fair share of tournaments and realized how good people were getting at this game. This game brought the most unlikely people together and that's why it was so good. It brought people together that you would have never even imagined of being friends with and having fun. It gave opportunities to people that didn't have many friends and to people who were outcasts. This game did so much and I wish Nintendo would see that.… Expand
  21. LostNexusGamer
    Jan 3, 2014
    10
    One of the best fighting games ever made. Nintendo used this game and picked up the original Super Smash off its feet. There are a lot of ways to kill your opponent, and the intensity is the fun part. There are many ways in the game to interact including a campaign, 4 player Co-op, personal missions, special melee (like super sudden death or super slow mo.), mini-games, and the tournamentOne of the best fighting games ever made. Nintendo used this game and picked up the original Super Smash off its feet. There are a lot of ways to kill your opponent, and the intensity is the fun part. There are many ways in the game to interact including a campaign, 4 player Co-op, personal missions, special melee (like super sudden death or super slow mo.), mini-games, and the tournament mode. These will keep you going for ages, and the fighting (what it mostly is) never gets dull. I always have the joy of going back to unlock new fighters and maps and collect trophies. This is a game for fighters to last throughout the ages!… Expand
  22. guitarguy001
    Feb 5, 2014
    10
    The best game on the GameCube hands down. It's better then Metroid Prime, it's better than Resident Evil 4, it is the best game on the GameCube. It is one of my all time favorite games. Everything about this game is great. If you have a GameCube and you don't have this game, you are missing out.
  23. EvilChicken
    Jan 26, 2014
    10
    great game!
    fun by yourself on classic mode, adventure, all star, or even the cool special battle thingies, or with a bunch of friends in a tournament. Creative battle royale.
  24. jiffypop333
    Mar 12, 2014
    10
    Add a bunch more characters on one of the best, and of the few, gamecube games that were created. The list of characters is great. I remember getting this as a kid and playing with my brother and friends for hours. The graphics today are not bad and the game play additions and all the added items add to the mix of madness fun that you would expect from a sequel to the great N64 game.
  25. TwillyFSniper
    May 2, 2014
    10
    This game was amazing. It's game-play was excessively fun, and really it is my favorite of the GameCube library. That I'd played. I haven't gotten around to Super Mario Sunshine yet. It's, in a nutshell, a large amount of why GameCube is my favorite Nintendo console.

    It's so fun fighting against your friends as Nintendo characters. But I'm definitely going to discuss quality. The    This game was amazing. It's game-play was excessively fun, and really it is my favorite of the GameCube library. That I'd played. I haven't gotten around to Super Mario Sunshine yet. It's, in a nutshell, a large amount of why GameCube is my favorite Nintendo console.

    It's so fun fighting against your friends as Nintendo characters. But I'm definitely going to discuss quality.

    The game-play is the most balanced in it's series, and it definitely was a huge add-on to the original. It did a lot to change the series. It also... Well... Hard to explain... Was perhaps the most fun I've ever had.

    My personal rating out of 100: 95/100.    … Expand
  26. Dman63
    Jun 8, 2015
    10
    Super Smash Bros. Melee is one of the best games for any Nintendo franchises. This game brings together many of Nintendo's favorite characters for a great competitive and party style game. Overall, it is a classic game that many still enjoy.
  27. ScholarCrosty
    Sep 17, 2014
    10
    A classic game that is arguably one of the Gamecube's best. The game came out over ten years ago, and it's aged beautifully, sporting fast-paced combat that is fun to pick up but difficult to master. This makes it great to play on both casual and competitive levels. It definitely has the smoothest gameplay of any release in the series. There is also a lot of content to unlock, andA classic game that is arguably one of the Gamecube's best. The game came out over ten years ago, and it's aged beautifully, sporting fast-paced combat that is fun to pick up but difficult to master. This makes it great to play on both casual and competitive levels. It definitely has the smoothest gameplay of any release in the series. There is also a lot of content to unlock, and distractions to indulge oneself which count towards the many hours of enjoyment to be found here.… Expand
  28. Blakeison2112
    Sep 29, 2014
    10
    Better than brawl played competitively to this day. Amazing roster great stages fun event matches great engine. Please play Brawl then this you can never go back to Super **** Bros Brawl.
  29. ikereview
    Nov 2, 2014
    10
    this game is not better than brawl i put alteast 100+ hours into it just last YEAR sience i got the game 350+ hours the game is simply perfect the only thing the game lacks is custom stages and characters
  30. UAOO
    Nov 24, 2014
    10
    This is the best game evaaaaa!!!! The gameplay is fantastic, graphics are awesome and it is the most competitive fighting game ever. Buy this now you piece of flth.
Page:

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  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.
    Read full review
  2. GMR Magazine
    90
    A Nintendo fanatic's dream, if only for the exhaustive gallery of collectible Nintendorabilia. [Feb 2003, p.96]
  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.
    Read full review
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