Of all the games on the N64, one of the most notable, simply superb games of the lot has to be Super Smash Bros. Giving you the ability to create that battle youve always longed for to be able to get your questions answered, like 'Who would win in a fight Pikachu or Mario?' was just part of it. The hours and HOURS of gameplay was the icing on the cake. Now Smash Bros second outing is here on Gamecube and the original line-up have brought guests
Super Smash Brothers Melee is that kind of game that every true gamer dreams of hours of gameplay, loads of characters to choose from, great 1-player and multiplayer modes, loads of different mini-games and tons of ways to play. Can it really be that good? I here you say in a small, petrified voice. Well yes it is. 1 or 2 weeks after buying this game, you Gamecube will probably be burning an even larger hole in the centre of the Smash Bros CD, as it will have been spinning constantly for the whole time. It really is that addictive.
The Gamecube controller is used to its full potential, with every button, trigger and control stick in use. The shoulder buttons enable throws, rolls, and a very useful shield. The A button, used with the control stick pushed in different directions, makes your character perform lots of different punches, head butts, kicks and trips, with different amounts of power, speed and accuracy. The B button enables the player to perform special attacks. These attacks depend on which direction you press while tapping the B button everything from fireballs to bombs can be used in order to knock your opponents over the edge.
Those who own or have played the original Smash Bros with already know the concept of knocking others off the screen in order to win. The object is not to kick and punch the other players into submission, but to hurt them so much, that when you hit them with loads of power, they fly off the screen. Smash Bros is the only game ever to adopt this idea and it works beautifully.
Another exclusive to Smash Bros is the fact that characters from many of the worlds favourite games are all packed into one game. Pikachu, Mario, Yoshi, Samus Aran, Ness from Earthbound the list goes on and on. The game features over 25 well-known characters, from past, present and future. Each character has his or her own special attacks and statistics, meaning that experimenting with each character is a good idea there are slow, strong characters like Bowser and DK, and fast, weak characters like Pikachu and Pichu.
Another great addition with many games is the ability to unlock features. It is a great way of making a player feel that they are getting something out of progressing through a game. Smash Bros has so much to unlock, that by the time you have unlocked absolutely EVERYTHING (bleary-eyes ahoy) you will probably have about twice as many games, levels and characters as you started off with!
There are loads of 1-player modes to keep you lonely souls happy. Multi-Man Mode sees you going off against 100 wireframe men and women how long can you last? Then theres the Homerun game beat a bag up, then smash it as far as you can. The best mode, though, is definitely the Events mode. Each Event is a special game in which something is different from a normal match. For example, one event sees you fighting 128 tiny Marios, who jump around shouting Yippee! in a squeaky voice. Classic.
I can find only one problem - if you own the original Smash Bros, you may not appreciate the game as much as you could. After a while, the game may start to lose the 'new' feeling that most games give you. After a while, though, you'll over come this. Phew.
If you're wondering which game to get with your new Gamecube, if this isnt it, you need to get yourself checked because something is definitely wrong with you. Bow down to your new master or just go out and get this game NOW.
By Mike Rose
