Super Smash Bros Melee for GameCube

Again, target came through for me. I got my gamecube on launch day there, and i got SSBM on its launch day there as well. I put a preview up on epinions about 2 weeks ago, but then i remembered that this was a review site and took it off, sorry to everyone that read it. Now, i haven't beat the game, unlocked all the characters or levels, but I now have a real owners review for all you considering this game.

I'm sorry if i offend someone, but i was not a big fan of the first super smash bros. for n64. I played it, and it was fun, but the single player mode got really old, really fast. I guess i never really gave it much of a chance though, because about 2 weeks later, i sold it to my friend. It may have been that i never really mastered that game, and who can say that they truly enjoy a game that they suck at? But either way i was really looking forward to this game. I saw the preview video's, and i knew what it was all about, and it sounded like this game would redeem my faith in super smash bros. It did just that.

If your looking for one game that will take you months to complete this is it my friends. It seems like there are countless game modes and features. First and fourmost, this game is packed with 25 different characters. 14 of the most famous nintendo characters, and 11 secret characters for you to unlock. It also features well over 20 different levels, some to unlock, some already unlocked. But along with this there is also the classic single player mode, a new event mode where players fight in objective based simulations, its a lot of fun. There is also a new special melee mode where you can fight with very large characters, in slow mode, and deploy many options for battle. You can also set up a tournament with up to 64 players for you and your friends to truly find out who truly is the "Super" smash brother. If that gets tiring, which could take a while, there is also an all new trophy mode. Fight for trophies of all kinds of classic nintendo characters, and objects from classic games. I hear there are more than 400 objects, although i only have 35 or so. These different features alone are enough reason to buy this game, but there are many more along with them.

The game play in this game is flat out awesome. You can have a bonanza trying all these modes and competing against your friends. It is a huge upgrade from the original. Why you ask? Because Nintendo and Hal decided to focus on the originals biggest problem. For 64, the game's single player mode wasn't anything special and got old quickly. Everything has changed though. If your by yourself, why not try the adventure mode. Go through classic nintendo areas like kirby's dreamland, and zelda's dungeon. Save the princess from peril, and while your at it, why not get another small taste of mario 64. If that's not good enough, start trying to win some trophies. Win a metroid trophy and get a bio on the character along with a picture. Dont like metroid? theres over 300 other trophies to win. Practice using the home run bat in the home run derby. You can do a lot with this game, thats what makes it great. Of course if you have friends, the game hits another level. The tournament mode is awesome, i played a 32 player tournament mode just last night for a couple hours with 3 buddies. It may have been the most fun we've ever had together. (tells you something about us huh?) And you gotta love the way that you can all fight on one big screen instead of looking at a split screen. This game truly turned out to be fun for one or many.

The graphics are no slouch either. Every player has his or her own distinct look, both just on their bodies, and in their movements and actions. The characters we've all come to know and love look as smooth as a pair of pants just coming off the ironing bored. There are lots of player animations as well, which are great. The backgrounds though, could use a little work. I'm not going all out bashing the backgrounds, because they do look nice overall, and they do work well with the game, but they could have used a little bit of fine tuning. The number of backgrounds does make up for the "Good" background graphics. What you have to understand is that the backgrounds are only good, and the rest of the game is great, plus as a critic, theres always got to be something wrong with the subject. But dont worry, they dont take away from the games overall quality one bit, and they are a big upgrade from the original.

I was very impressed with the sound this time around too. The players of course have there own sound effect when giving another player a big final blow, or when they fly into the air and dont return. Each player does in fact come with their own library of sounds, none alike. But along with that, the game music is very nicely orchistrated. Each level has a nice flowing sound in the backround, and it adds to the games overall mood. If you didn't think nintendo could produce sound in a game, this one should prove you wrong.

The controls were very nice all and all as well. After playing the game for about 5 hours, i felt that i had a pretty good grasp of what had to be done. Of course, each player in the game has his or her own moves, therefore, each player has to be mastered. I pretty much mastered mastered links, my favorite characters moves in about 2 hours or so. You dont have to use multiple at a time, and this game is just another compliment to the gamecubes great controller. If you liked the first games controls you'll like this games as well. It really feels nice.

There a few extras i would like to mention too. The game also takes very deep stats for you. They include win and loss records, how many knockouts you have against certain characters, and so on. And of course there are 11 different secret characters to unlock. I already have 5 of the easier ones, and am currently working towards the sixth. I'd also like to say that nintendo and hal clearly spent a lot of time on this game. They really didn't leave anything out. Of course, with all the modes, this game is going to have great replay value. I haven't been able to put it down yet, except to write this. If one word can describe this game, it is polished. They really wanted this game to live up to the standards of both the first game, and the hype behind its launch and it did.

If you have a gamecube, you better go out and buy this game. It is the best game out for gamecube right now, and it has already become an instant classic. Some would even call it the best game ever. If you dont have a gamecube, this game may be one of the many reasons to consider purchasing one. This one will not let you down, it is awesome.