If you enjoyed the original Super Smash Bros. on Nintendo 64, you'll be right at home with Super Smash Bros. Melee. Even if you haven't heard of this game you'll definitely want to consider it, as it succeeds in all areas that make a game worth getting. I bought the game on the day of it's release, and I've played it to death ever since. So, if you're someone on the edge of buying it, I'm hoping this review will push you over. Metaphorically, of course!

When you first power up the game you'll instantly be blown away by the opening sequence. All Nintendo's stars are here in beautiful next generation 3D graphics, which confirm that this game is a visual masterpiece. From Sheik's hair blowing about in the wind to the creases in Mario's dungarees, every part of this game is superbly animated and the original characters are captured perfectly. The speed at which it works is breathtaking - you could be battling it out in a One Hundred Man Melee (a gaming mode in which many opponents can be on the screen at the same time) with not a hint of slowdown. I cannot express in words how much this game pushes the GameCube's graphical limits - you really must see it for yourself. Even when playing you can enjoy these stunning visuals and it is there that they are most astounding. It's also worth noting that, if you need, the game can be switched to 60Hz to eliminate the black borders on the screen.

The sound is as crisp as the graphics are sharp, which is to say a lot. Every clink of a sword, every footstep on stone; everything can be heard perfectly and this adds to the experience and joy of playing the game. Nintendo and the people at Hal Laboratories have designed this so that the gamer can have as realistic a game as possible and it doesn't stop with the graphics and sound. The game has an intricate rumble plan so every attack, counter attack and explosion is felt with impeccable timing and precision. In fact, the system is so well done that it no longer seems a built in rumble pack at the back of your controller, but part of the game.

The basic gameplay sees you choosing one of Nintendo's many brilliantly innovative characters and throwing them headfirst into a frantic battle against their fellow smash brothers. The main concept is to raise your foe's damage (which is measured in percentage) and when it's high enough, let rip with a super powerful smash attack, sending them soaring out of the arena. There's a huge array of items at your disposal and all can be exploited to your advantage. The baseball bat, beam sword and fan are amongst the more simple weapons, and are used to improve your smash attacks. Things like the Pokéball and the Bob-omb are more complicated and can go against you too, if you get a useless Goldeen from the Pokéball or accidentally blow yourself up with the Bob-omb. Thanks to Nintendo's imagination and originality, the levels are excellently thought out and each has their own special features such as the high-speed F-Zero circuit or transforming randomly into a different stage.

What I've described so far is only the very basics of Super Smash Bros. Melee and what's involved when playing Vs. Mode matches, but it doesn't stop there - it's much more interesting than that. You start off with only fourteen of Nintendo's original characters with a further eleven to unlock - twenty-five in total. In single player, you take these characters and fight your way through classic or adventure mode. Classic sees you taking part in special matches such as team battles, or against huge armies of the same character. Along the way are special stages, such as Grab A Trophy and Race To The Finish. You must make your way through all of these until you reach the master hand - a brutal enemy with three hundred hit points and you must reduce them to zero. Adventure Mode's an excellent feature and enables you to see how different characters cope in others' worlds. You could be Link and fight your way across Mushroom Kingdom, or Mario and try your fighting skills against some of Link's foes in the underground passage. This is the type of stage you'll be facing in this mode and when you get to the end there are a couple of formidable enemies to defeat. There's another mode to unlock too, called All Star. It sees you fighting against all the characters in succession, but I won't go into it, as you'll have to figure out how to get that yourself.

On top of the regular one-player modes is a feast of extras to try your hand at. There are fifty-one challenging Event Matches that get harder as you progress, demonstrating the game's excellent learning curve. They put you through your paces in a number of new and interesting scenarios, such as collecting two hundred coins, or dino-wrangling a giant Yoshi that's on the loose. As well as this is the Stadium section that contains Home Run Contest, Target Test and Multi Man Melee modes. The Home Run Contest sees you trying to smash Sandbag as far as possible with just a baseball bat and ten seconds to work with. The Target Test involves using each character to their full potential to break ten targets, whereas in the Multi Man Melee you can choose a scenario in which you must fight a number of wire frame figures for a certain amount of time.

On top of this are the furious multiplayer battles and one very special and important part; the trophy section. Here you can see all the trophies you've collected so far, win more in the lottery or read information on each one and what they represent. You can obtain trophies in a variety of ways, such as winning them in one player mode, the Grab A Trophy bonus stage and once you've saved up enough coins, the lottery. There are 292 to collect in total and it's the toughest part of the game, as it requires you to complete near-impossible tasks to obtain some. Nevertheless it's like a hobby and fans of collecting things will be right at home with this brilliant feature.

The fact that it took me four paragraphs to explain the fantastic gameplay says a lot for the lifespan of Super Smash Bros. Melee. As I've previously stated, there are 25 characters in total (11 to unlock) and playing through each single-player mode with everyone takes ages. Unlocking the 11 characters is a challenge too and you must undertake tasks such as completing rock solid event matches, playing through adventure mode in a certain way and much more to finally get them all. There are also twelve stages to unlock in a similar way for multiplayer gaming plus the 51 Event Matches, 292 trophies and the challenging Stadium Mode to work your way through. And because the game is so fun and well designed, there's gallons of replay value in both one and multi-player modes. Believe me, this game will take you ages to complete and you'll love every minute of it!

If I had to say something bad about this game it would be that opinions have differed amongst people I've talked to, so rent it first if you can. Also, some of the backgrounds lack detail and aren't as jaw-dropping as the character and level graphics, but this shouldn't worry you, as they do the job and you'll find it's something you don't really notice due to the fast and furious pace of the action.

Rarely, if ever, have gamers been presented with a game that works so well in one player mode but also dominates in multiplayer games and has room left over for a massive life-span. Super Smash Bros. Melee is one of the best games on GameCube to date, not to mention one of the best looking and hardest. Whether you're into this genre or not, this spin on the beat 'em up formula is a must for any GameCube owner.

READER REVIEW: by Ed Carter - AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).