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Super Smash Bros. Melee
OVERVIEW
Super Smash Brothers Melee is the sequel to the Nintendo 64 version 'Super Smash Brothers'. The 64 version was a hit despite the game not being as good as it sounds. But Melee is everything the 64 version should have been plus so much more.
The game is a mixture of genres but basically it is a fighting game with a party feel to it. The aim of the game is to beat your opponents in a ..Melee. To beat them you must knock them of the stage. At first it is hard to knock them off but fighting with them will cause damage and make them more vulnerable to attack.
There are many characters and levels within the game. Nearly all of Nintendo's great characters are there. Mario, Link, Peach, Luigi, the list goes on. With around 30 levels to brawl on you will hardly bored.
There are many modes in Melee. 1 Player modes which consist of Classic, Adventure and All Star. There is Stadium, which consist of: Homerun contest, Break the Targets and Multiple Men Melee. Off course there is a multiplayer more with thousands or ways to play. You can customize you battle in just about anyway you see fit. There is the normal melee, coin melee, stock melee plus the special scenario's such as giant, invincible. The list is huge. There is also an Event Mode, which has 51 preset scenarios. They start of easy but boy to they get hard. Melee offers so much but is its offer good?
GRAPHICS
Melee has so much depth to it the graphics would surly take the toll for it. Well this is not the case. The graphics in Melee are visual treat. Each character looks fantastic. The level of detail is amazing. From Mario/Luigi's denim overalls to DK's fur, it all looks very, very nice. The levels look great to. Most of the levels have been adapted from a classic Nintendo scene. It brings back some memories. Peach's Castle, Hyrule, The Great Fox, they all look great. There are no flaws as far as pop - ups, slow downs etc go BUT some of the backgrounds on the levels look very mediocre. We can't blame them for one or two flaws. Overall the game looks fantastic visually and it further enhances the games quality.
SOUND
Retro gamers, welcome to heaven. The sound is equally as impressive as the graphics. All Nintendo's classic tunes are here including the SMB music, Legend of Zelda, Yoshis Island/Story and even that great ballad: DK Rap. Yes, that's right, the DK Rap. All the tunes are in their original form or have had a remix. One of the best soundtracks to a game yet.
As far as sound effects go they are fine to. The grunts, taunts etc all sound fine. Each character has several sounds but sometimes they get repetitive. But it is a great effort none the less.
GAMEPLAY
The most important part of a game, great sound and graphics are pointless if the game isn't fun to play. Fortunately the gameplay is one of the games best points. The single player mode was poor in the 64 version but it has been revamped and polished for the GCN version. Classic mode is randomized each time making it a joy to play. Adventure mode is a great inclusion but is the same each time and get tedious quite quickly. If you are a lone player this game will STILL offer more then most games but multiplayer is where the game thrives. Get some friends over and have the time off your life. With so many characters and levels you will find it hard too turn the machine off. Smacking your friends around the arena never gets old. If you have multiple controls you should get off the computer now and go buy Melee. It will be the best 90$ you have ever spent. The single player modes are great too plus there is Stadium, Event Mode so as a lone played I would recommend the purchase too.
LASTABILITY
Almost infinite. This game will last a great deal of time for the lone player but is better suited as a multiplayer game. There are plenty of characters and levels to unlock plus a new mode (All Star). You can beat all the Event matches, Break the Targets and hit sandbag around a bit. But you now, after 321 hours of gameplay, find yourself getting bored, what do you do? Well, you go out and collect the 290 trophies detailing Nintendo's history. This might sound lame but it is addictive. Getting the first 100 is easy but it becomes increasingly difficult. You obtain trophies through the lottery, finding them or doing something special. Only a true champion could get all 290.
This game is all about quality and it is loaded with it. Yes, you will get sick of it after a while but your wont beat it 100%. So in a few months when you pick it up and turn it on you will still have plenty more to do.
FEATURES
· Huge cast of Nintendo characters
· Over 25 levels
· Superb visuals/sound
· Great Gameplay/Replay Value
· 290 Trophies to collect
FINAL THOUGHTS
Super Smash Brothers: Melee is the best GCN game to date. It simply demands purchase. Not only because it is a great game, because you cannot truly appreciate it if you hire it. Several single player modes and a fantastic single player mode are supported by great graphics and sound. The game sounds fantastic and it is but the truth is, if you didn't like the N64 version, you probably won't like this. If you even got the slightest enjoyment out of the N64 version you will absolutely love this. Happy Gaming.
| GRAPHICS: |
18/20 |
| SOUND: |
19/20 |
| GAMEPLAY: |
18/20 |
| LASTABILTY: |
18/20 |
 |
TOTAL: |
91% Gold Award* |
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