Super Smash Bros. Melee

   I was amazed at how much fun this game was to play.  The graphics were incredible, the game play was interesting and easy to learn, the sound was just perfect and the extras in the game added a whole new dimension to this game.  I never played Smash bros for the Nintendo64 so I did not know what to expect when I bought this game, it had been a long time since I had played any games in a Nintendo system including Gameboy.  What I found is a wonderful game that I could play for hours and never get tired of it because of so many extra stuff that you can unlock.

   First the graphics were good.  All the characters were very detailed and the intro movie showcases most of the starting characters in the game and is one great piece of animation.  I really enjoy watching it.  Also the backgrounds in the many different stages are big and have vivid colors.  Surely there is lots of visually pleasing special effects in this game.  Up to 4 players can play at the same time and it is much more enjoyable like that.  Also there is no slowdown during the game play.  I never thought I would see the day where Mario would beat the crap out of Pikachu.  

     The game play is the best thing about this game.  The A button is used for normal attacks such as punching and kicking while the B button is used for each characters special attacks.  Forward, Backward, Upwards, or downwards and one of these buttons makes another attack that depends on which button you press.  The Z button is used to grab your enemy and throw him or her around.  All the attacks have very fluid movements and are fun to watch.  There are 14 characters when you first start the game and you can unlock 11 more.  The characters are Zelda, Link, Mario, Pikachu, Bowser, Kirby, Ice climbers, Princess peach, Captain Falcon, Fox, Ness, Samus Aran, Yoshi and Donkey Kong.  

     The game is divided into two modes 1 player mode and melee.  In one player mode you have the option of fighting trough a series of battles, going on adventure mode,  go to a stadium where you can play lots of minigames, or play trough an event match that requires you to perform a certain task.  In melee you can fight against another player or the computer,  you even have the option of putting in some computer players as adversaries or as allies.  The adventure mode is really fun because you have to move trough a side scrolling stage that resembles a each of the characters videogames.  Such as Mario where you have to fight your way trough goombas, fight a team of Yoshis and finally fight with princess peach and Mario.

      There are so many ways to play this game that it will keep you busy for hours.  Specially in event matches where you have to fight a gigantic Bowser, or get as many coins as you can and many other different tasks.  In the Stadium you can do a home run contest, or try to smash all the targets in a stage.  You can also enter a multi man melee where you have to fight hundreds of wire frame characters with just one life in order to win.  There is also a mode that you can unlock.  Also while you are fighting your opponent certain items appear such as a fire flower from Mario bros, the hammer from the first Donkey Kong game, the laser scope from the super Nintendo, or poke balls that contain different Pokemon to attack your enemies and many other items from other Nintendo related videogames each with their own unique use.  Also the stages are interactive and some move a lot and in one a car will pass by and run you over and in another a ship will fly shooting lasers around.

      This game will bring back memories to older players.  The trophies that you earn when you successfully complete the one player mode with one character will tell you more about that character and their special skills in the game.  You can also find  trophies in the stages of the adventure mode or win them in the lottery.  You also get special trophies after you complete certain tasks.  Each trophy comes with a detailed explanation of what the item or character in the trophy is.  It gives lots of information on the many things that can be found in videogames such as the Koopa Troopas, Majora's mask, Goombas, etc.

     The game also keeps a record of how you play and when you complete a certain task.  You can look over the records of all the fights and when you achieve a certain goal in the game it records the date and time in which you did it.  There is also a special mode in which you can take pictures of your fights and save them on a memory card.  Even though the snapshot takes around 4 blocks of memory, it is worth to take some pictures to remember your battles.  Some pictures that can be taken are hilarious. 

   Another great thing about the game is the sound.  The songs are pretty catchy and the characters some characters just make the cutest sounds while they are fighting.  It is really great.  You might recognize some of the songs because they come from other videogames.  

     This game has all the elements that make a great videogame and much more.  With all the different ways of playing, 4-player action, different stages, hidden characters, stage items, trophies, Great fighting system, and a great tutorial and special movie;  Super Smash Bros. Melee offers hours of mindless fighting that will keep you coming back for more.  Fighting with your favorite Nintendo character to beat the crap out the others is pretty fun and addictive.  I would definitely recommend you to buy this game.  This one is a must have for every Gamecube owner. This is one of the games you will never regret buying. BUY IT! BUY IT! BUY IT!  A rental is not enough.  This is a classic!

     You can buy it at Amazon.com which is a very reliable place to do your online shopping or try to find it on Ebay at a cheaper price.  Anyways you will get your money's worth with this game