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Super Smash Bros. Melee
OVERVIEW
There is no doubting the fact that the N64 was starved of fighters, especially good ones. While not a traditional fighter, Super Smash Brothers was definitely the best on offer with a multiplayer that was on par with Goldeneye.
The sequel comes to us alongside other console sellers Rogue Leader and Wave Race, and the best thing is it far out cedes its predecessor. The single player has been given some serious revamp, and the multiplayer now features even more friend-smashing goodness.
For those of you unfamiliar with the gameplay of Smash Brothers, you (and your friends) select well known Nintendo characters, put them on well known Nintendo environments and attempt to beat the hell out of each other. You play on 2D levels, each player has a damage metre at the bottom of the screen, that starts at 0% and goes up to about 500% - though its unlikely that you will last this long. The higher your damage, the more likely you are to be "smashed" or knocked off the level.
As well as a full range of kicks, punches and various signature moves, items fall from the sky which adds a whole new side to the game. A player on 200% damage and in danger of losing the match can return back to 0% by picking up the heart container. More fun are the pokemon balls, hammers, guns, light sabres, star rods, warp stars and fire flowers to be found to use upon your opponent.
The gameplay is fast, furious and hella fun.
GRAPHICS
The environments are incredibly well done and an absolute treat for new and retro gamers alike. Everything from Peach's castle, DK's Jungle, Mute City, Brimstar and Great Bay - they're all here and the interactive foreground is brilliantly done. The backgrounds possibly could have used a little work, although if you have time to stare and ponder their flaws there is something wrong.
All 25 characters are animated brilliantly and look superb. No complaints here.
SOUND
Retro gamers - welcome to heaven. Original tunes from many Nintendo classics have been recreated and sound absolutely magnificent. Ice Climbers, Donkey Kong, Zelda, Metroid, F-Zero, Kirby even Mr Game and Watch for those old enough (pre NES days). All the tunes are here and they sound fantastic.
Additionally, the characters have their own little yells and yelps depending on whether your attacking or being attacked. These samples, while only a minor touch and slightly repetitive, add to the experience.
GAMEPLAY
The controls work excellently, and this may be party due to the fact that SSMB isn't a traditional fighter (I have my doubts about how well it would work with games like Soul Calibur 2). Character movement is done with the analogue stick, up on the analogue stick or Y/X are all jump. Each character has 4 signature moves and 4 basic attacks. The A button is your basic attacks and B is your signature moves. The 4 moves can be performed by pressing just the button, the button + up on the analogue stick, the button + down or the button + left/right. Some moves can be charged up by holding the button.
This makes performing moves very simple and in some respects it could be regarded as a button masher like its N64 counterpart. "Smash" moves can be performed by "smashing" the control stick as you press the button, rather than just tilting it. While it sounds complicated it is very easy once you get some practice in.
Where experience will come in is in the defence area. L/R are your basic blocks. You can also do a forward or backward roll or a dodge by tilting analogue stick while blocking, as well as avoid attacks mid air by pressing L/R.
To add even more you can also pick up and throw your opponents by pressing either the Z button or the L/R button + A.
While it all sounds very complicated, those who played the N64 version will adapt straight away and others will not take long to learn.
LASTABILITY
Sooooo many modes! For the single player:
· Classic mode (same as the N64 - fight various opponents with other bonus matches thrown in every now and then)
· Adventure mode (adds some platform elements in between matches)
· Unlockable mode (I'm not telling)
· Event match (try your skills in various specialty task matches)
· Target test (smash 10 targets quick as you can)
· Home run contest (smash that sandbag far as you can)
· Multi man melee (you against lots of others, time or number of opponent based)
The multiplayer contains plenty of customisation. You can play stock (set number of lives), time, or coins (hit your opponent and grab his coins). Additionally you can play in teams, make everyone super big, make everyone start with 300% damage, the list goes on.
There are 25 characters (11 of which have to be unlocked) and 29 levels (11 of which have to be unlocked) to guarantee you won't get tired of the same old stuff.
Not yet satisfied, Nintendo added in trophies - 290 of them - for you to collect. You get trophies for completing modes, triggering events or picking them up/winning them in the lottery. I won't go in to detail, but rest assured you won't be getting all 290 too quick.
There are also 5 difficulties of play for the single player, and you damn well better practice if you think you can handle the AI opponents on hard or very hard.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It's good… it's great… it's damn well brilliant. If you absolutely have no one else to play with, then maybe give it a rental and see how you like it, but don't expect to even test all the modes thoroughly enough on a rental - there is just so much for the single player to do. Definitely one of the best titles you will find for your gamecube, and a worthy addition to anyone's library.
| GRAPHICS: |
19/20 |
| SOUND: |
19/20 |
| GAMEPLAY: |
20/20 |
| LASTABILTY: |
19/20 |
| OVERALL: |
19/20 |
| TOTAL: |
96% Gold Award* |
Reviewer: Tribal
*Rating System
Screens From: Gamecubicle, Gamers Logik
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