Super Smash Bros. Melee

Vital Stats
System(s): GameCube
U.S. Release Date: December 3, 2001
Current street price: $49.99
Save: Memory Card (11 blocks)
Size: 25 characters (26 if you count Sheik), 29 arenas, 3 1-Player Modes, 51 Special Event Matches, 3 types of mini-games in Staidum mode
Players: 4 simultaneous
ESRB Rating: T

In a nutshell
Nintendo's biggest and most famous characters, once again, duke it out using their signature moves and items.

Story
Like SSB, SSBM's "story" is told through an opening cinema. A children's arm grabs a miniature Mario trophy and throws it into an Arena. The trophy comes to like and is ready to battle with Link. Thus begins a saga of fighting that eventually leads to a bout with Master Hand, as well as his twin "Crazy Hand".

Gameplay Overview
The gameplay of SSBM is exactly the same as SSB. The goal is to knock your opponent off the edge of the playing arena into oblivion. You do this with a variety of punches, kicks, and special moves, each of which increases the opponents damage percentage. The higher a players damage percentage is, the farther they fly with each hit, until the slightest tap will send them flying over the edge. When knocked off, it is possible to get back using each characters double jump manuever and special, desperation move. Here are the Mario characters that make an appearance in SSBM;

Mario: Nintendo's mascot is back for more action. Mario's moves include the Fireball, Cape, Super Jump Punch, and Mario Tornado.
Luigi: The neglected brother had a chance to shine in this sequal. Has all of Mario's moves, excpet instead of Cape he has a green missile movie. Also, his fireball floats instead of bounce.
Bowser: Making his SSB debut, Mario's nemesis hopes to make a big impact. His moves include Fire Breath, Koopa Klaw, Whirling Fortress, and Bowser Bomb.
Peach: Damsel no longer, Peach tries to make a name for herself. Her moves include Toad Smash, Peach Bomber, Peach Parasol, and Vegtable. Plus, like in SMB2, Peach is able to float across the screen.
Yoshi: The little green dino is back for more action. Just like the last game, Yoshi can trap players in eggs with his tounge, throw exploding egg-bombs, or just do a patented "ground pound" manuever to dispose of his opponents. He also has a brand new Egg Roll attack (no it does not involve Chinese food).
Dr. Mario: In an unusual twist, Mario's medical alter-ego joins the battle. His moves are exactly the same as Mario's, with the exception of vitamins instead of fireballs.
Metal Bros.: Metal Mario returns and (after unlocking the non-metal version) he brings Metal Luigi along for the ride. The Metel Bros show up near the end of story mode. Their immense weight makes them extremely slow, but doesn't seem to affect their jumping ability. Their constitution also makes his super tough, and almost impossible to knock off with less than 250% damage. Otherwise, they have all of the Mario Bros. moves.

There are three 1 Player modes in SSBM:

The first one is Classic mode, which is the old SSB 1 player game, where you fight through 10 players/teams. Unlike the last game though, all the fighters you face will be randomly picked and there is a new and improved "Race to the Finish" level, as well as a brand new "Grab the Trophy" bonus round.
The second 1 Player mode is Adventure mode, which is a mix of VS. battles and side-scrolling action. Instead of Master Hand, Bowser is the boss of this mode.
The third 1 Player mode is All Star mode, where you fight through a group of players/teams back to back. Mr. Game and Watch will face you at the end of this mode.

There are also 51 different event matches, which require you to battle in many different scenarios.

Then there is VS mode, where up to four players or computer controlled characters (or any combination) can duke it out in a battle royale. You can also different rules in a Special Melee or grab a whole bunch or your friends for a Tournament Melee.

Finally in the Stadium, you can play in 1 of three types of minigames:

Target Test: In the game, you have to race the clock to destroy 10 specially placed targets. All Target Test stages are designed specifically to challenge the selected character.
Home-Run Contest: You goal in the Home-Run Contest is to smack Sandbag around for a few seconds and then unload on him with the Home-Run Bat to send him flying as far as you can. The more damage you do before belting him with the bat, the better.
Multi-Man Melee: The fighting Wire Frames are waiting for you! Select a melee, check the rules, and get ready to take on these mysterious goons.

Why should I get this game if I own the last one?
SSBM basically improves on where SSB left off. There are double the characters/levels, tons of new modes, plus some collecting on the side. This is definitely a must have.

Notes of interest
First GameCube appearance for many Mario characters
First game, featuring the Mario characters, to recieve a "T" rating
Fully Orchestrated Soundtrack with some of the best music heard in a video game (as least one with Mario in it).
Mushroom Kingdom level in Story Mode complete with Goombas and Koopas.
Luigi is introduced into the game by interupting his good ol' brother Mario's entrance in Story Mode
When you get Luigi, he is called the "eternal understudy"
Two classic Mushroom Kingdom arenas. One for SMB and a second hidden one for SMB 2 (yeah I know it's Sub Con, but that's what the game calls it).
A new hidden Giga-Bowser boss (Think what Bowser would look like if he drank Dr. Jeckel's potion)

Quote
Game!
-Announcer

Ending
The ending didn't improve much from the last game. Depending on the mode, Master hand explodes in a less-than-exiting ball of light or Bowser falls. You trophy silently falls onto the SSMB "game board". Then the credits roll by, in the disguise of a space shooter and afterward you see a small montage of your character followed by a slightly humorous still with the annoucner saying "congratulations".

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