wandering_mage's Full Review: Super Smash Bros Melee for GameCube
THE BASIC BEEF
Choose Your Character! Nintendo has made a sequel to the super-awesome Super Smash Bros for the N64 and it’s a complete success. This time, you have a choice of more characters; a lot more characters. In fact you start off with 14 of em’ and by the time you unlock them all, you’ll have a choice of 25 Nintendo superstars!!! The point is, that Nintendo’s best creations, have been brought together head-to-head to duel it out with their own unique abilities and traits. This sequel to the N64 hit is one of the best, and one of the first to come out for the GCN. As you already know, there are few games for the GC that are really worth it, and if you question that about this game, I’ll give you all the answers you need! So what does one look for in a fighting game? Yes, secrets, good fighting music, easily done and neat moves from all players, a complete arsenal of items, many many different ways to play a battle and at least decent fun when it comes to 1 player. Unfortunately most fighting games don’t have that, but SSBM is a completely different story and here, I will tell you why.
This game has many, many different ways of playing. Of course the best is multi-player. You have the choice of customizing your battles in so many different ways, which deep down inside, is what ALL fighting games need. I generally detest fighting games, but this is just the best exception anyone could excuse for. Another really cool thing on SSBM, is that you can collect trophies. That’s right; trophies of the characters, of in-game items, of old Nintendo legends and sidekicks, and of countless relics throughout Nintendo’s history. There are a total of 290 trophies for the taking and each have a complete history about them as well as their game-debut label. There are so many ways to achieve them; that you won’t be done with your collection soon...You can be a collector, an avenger, a loner, a melee master, and the raw, heathen hatred of your very loved ones all in the same game. SSBM is a friendship-destroying dream!!!
MY INSULTING/COMPLEMENTING OPINION
Without a doubt, SSBM is the best fighting game ever; simply because such infamous creatures beat the graphics out of each other. You and your friends can go with your favorite all-time characters from Nintendo and duel it out with theirs; It’s these kinds of Ideas that can only be spent once, and SSBM will not need a do-over. I compliment this game for these reasons; impeccable replay value, awesome graphics, great music and sound effects, unlimited game variety and surprises, and it’s 4-player fun that over-comes any fighting game ever. If you like fighting games and you want the best or if you hate fighting games like me and want to find a good/best one; SSBM is your best armada. If this was any other fighting game, 93% of this review’s vocabulary would be: lame, slow, idiotic, and what in the hell were they thinking? Yes I hate fighting games, and I hate having to love one so darn much.
SURPRISES AND VISUALS
What can you expect in SSBM? Well, that’s the gag; you never know when you are going to unlock a new character (unless you looked it up) or win a new trophy. As far as the game’s visual treats go, you will definitely enjoy your favorite Nintendo characters do what they do best; whether it’s shooting a fireball, shooting an arrow, or blasting your enemies out of the sky, SSBM will definitely satisfy your cravings to see your all time favorite characters frustrate your friends to death!You are used to Fox Macloud shoot, that’s the calabur you get. You are used to seeing Ganondorf (oops, I gave one away) scream in a beastly voice, and that’s the anger you suck in. Yep, all character traits are included into each Nintendo personality and they display them at best; angry... really, really angry.
WELL WHAT ABOUT...?
Graphics you say? Oh we have graphics, all right. SSBM has the best graphics ever painted on a fighting game. In the trophy room, you can study your trophies at all angles and in wonderful 3-D design. Of course, the in-game’s graphics are excellent as well. It’s a side scroller and 3-D too, now that is rare. Overall this new battlefield has 4 and ½ star graphics. Of course there are games with a tad better graphics compared to Luigi’s Mansion or Star Wars Rogue Leader, but those games just prove that graphics aren’t everything. You may be astounded and attracted to games such as these, but trust me, as far as an even balance of all game elements (including graphics) goes, SSBM is your only good choice as well as RE, of course. :)
“Well fighting games don’t have game design!” That’s bull as far as SSBM is concerned. With most fighting games, including this one, you only control your character side to side, but alas, you don’t just sit there and press down, down, left, left, right, up and see a lame move happen ONCE and see a tiny notch on your foe’s life go down, like those frustrating and retarded Mortal Kombat games that insult the very ingenuity that fighting games should have. Oh no my friends, the moves are easy and fun to execute. (They require a list of 4 or so different control combinations that apply for all characters), and the whole time, a huge variety of items come out of nowhere during battle, which adds to the fun and variety that every fighting game should have. Now; battle modes...You can customize your battle to where only chosen or no items appear, you can choose to play in slo-mo, super speed, tiny in size, huge in size, and that’s just a few. So if you get bored of battling your friends for the boring and lame character they are, customize you and your friends to get the best out of a battle.
Now, all of the games these characters come from has great music and sound, and SSBM is no different. There are different levels (a lot) and almost all of them is specialized and designed to be one of the characters home field, and each have unique obstacles, computer enemies and neat traits that are true to each character. That’s right, Link is in the castle and Ness is in the ‘hood. All of these levels have the character’s game’s main music which adds to your old-school charm for best battling spirit. Sound effects pay themselves off by adding booms, crashes, and cheers to each and every battle which is essential in a game with so many different items to make so many different sounds. SSBM needed excellent sound and they didn’t miss it out. Last and definitely not least, satisfaction is guaranteed for anyone who ever loved a good time with his friends. And of course, who hasn’t?
IT HAS
1-4 player compatibility. Excellent replay value. Great graphics and sound. Enormous game-play variety and swell old-school charm. SSBM is a real looker and any old-time gamer that wants to be back with his after school/animated buddies is gonna have a blast. 98% general public satisfaction. The other 2% is for people who dismiss this fighting game without even trying it.
IT DOESN’T HAVE
A high fun factor when you are playing by yourself. Some awesome characters that they should have put in. This game doesn’t really “not have” a lot of things, if that makes any sense whatsoever.
HOW SHOULD I PLAY THIS GAME?
Well, the exact opposite of any other fighting game; with 4 players and having fun. If nobody likes you, don’t buy this game. If you still want it and you’re a loner, you will kinda enjoy the short Adventure mode and trophy collecting, but nonetheless you won’t get much for your money. Play this game in attempts to unlock new characters, almost all of them are worth it. Also start your trophy collection and have your friends help you out in tight spots. This is THE best 4- player party favor on the GCN, and of any other console know to man.
THE ENDING; SAPPY OR HAPPY?
Well, the game has no ending, and don’t worry; that’s a good thing. This is the only fighting game I have ever enjoyed for more than 2 minutes of looking at it. Yes, you people sometimes like fighting games in general (you’re wrong even if it’s your opinion), and if you want the best of your type of joy SSBM is your new fad. If you love games in which all can come in and join the parade, SSBM is also your new fad. Even if you detest fighting games, let me make one thing clear, every barrel has it’s good apples too. It might be the only one, but it was worth the search. I know you’ll get attached to this game no matter what, but don’t let yourself think that just because of this new pretty face, you’re in a beauty contest. SSBM is probably the only good fighting game out there and will be for a long, long way to go. As far as GC’s own fighting games go, this is one of the only ones and it needs no vote; SSBM is a square-in-the-face hit!
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