One advantage that Nintendo has over its rivals, Microsoft and Sony, is its extensive back catalogue of characters. Being able to call upon so many much loved characters is a serious attraction to gamers and nowhere is this used more effectively than in Super Smash Bros. Melee. The game brings together a whole host of characters past & present, from Mario & Donkey Kong through to Pikachu & Link. The aim is to duke it out in a series of battles using each character's special moves. What makes this different than other beat 'em up games is the fact that many characters can battle it out on screen at any one time. Despite being labeled by some reviewers as a game for kids, it should be made clear that this is simply not the case. Such is the whiff of nostalgia that permeates the game it's bound to bring a comforting glow to anyone with a history of video gaming. Not only that but there's a huge variety of gaming styles, locations and secrets to keep even the most hardened gamer busy for weeks.
GRAPHICS
Boasting one of the most stunning intros yet seen, the graphical brilliance continues throughout. Never has so much action been portrayed on screen at once, at least not without heavy amounts of slow down. Indeed, this gamer has lost numerous bouts simply because of a desire to sit back and marvel at the beauty of it all. On the downside it may be hard to follow the action, and sometimes with the camera wildly zooming in and out it's easy to lose sight of your character, only to find him on the wrong side of a cliff once he's located. All in all though, a real treat for the retinas.
SOUND
Likewise with the sound FX there is a cavalcade of music, voices and cartoon FX all going on at the same time. Nintendo fans will be pleased to note that some classic tunes make a re-appearance. On the Mushroom Kingdom stage for example we are treated to a jazzed up version of the Mario theme. Some of the tunes may be repetitive but with a different one for each stage it's hard to complain.
GAMEPLAY
Accusations of Super Smash Bros. Melee simply being a button basher requiring no skill are simply not true. It is possible to play through the game by wildly slamming the joy pad, but to achieve anything requires skill and the learning of some special moves. There are numerous modes, such as straight battles or an adventure mode which mixes side scrolling platform japes with the odd battle in between. Variety is paramount here and Nintendo has been careful to include a number of sub games and alternate missions to keep you happy.
The action never lags no matter what stage you're at and this makes the game perhaps more suitable for a short sharp blast, rather than a long, involved experience. With so many moves to master, characters to use and uncover, sub-games to play, weapons to find and goodies to collect, this has far more depth than at first appears.
Probably the first real must have title for the Gamecube, the old Nintendo magic is here in spades and with the inclusion of so many favorite characters and true graphic excellence, Super Smash Bros. Melee is recommended wholeheartedly.