Super Smash Bros. Melee

{{Short description|2001 video game}} {{Featured article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2016}} {{Infobox video game | title = Super Smash Bros. Melee | image = Super Smash Bros Melee box art.png | caption = North American box art | developer = HAL Laboratory | publisher = Nintendo | director = Masahiro Sakurai | designer = {{plainlist| * Masahiro Sakurai * Hitoshi Kobayashi }} | producer = {{plainlist| * Masayoshi Tanimura * Hiroaki Suga * Shigeru Miyamoto * Kenji Miki }} | composer = {{plainlist| * Hirokazu Ando * Shogo Sakai * Tadashi Ikegami * Takuto Kitsuta }} | programmer = Yoshiki Suzuki | artist = Hitoshi Kobayashi<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/gameview.php?gameid=157&view=credits|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107110438/http://www.n-sider.com/gameview.php?gameid=157&view=credits|title=Full Game Credits|publisher=N-Sider|archive-date=November 7, 2007|access-date=April 29, 2021}}</ref> | series = ''Super Smash Bros.'' | platforms = GameCube | released = {{vgrelease|JP|November 21, 2001|NA|December 3, 2001|EU|May 24, 2002|AUS|May 31, 2002}} | genre = Fighting | modes = Single-player, multiplayer }}

'''''Super Smash Bros. Melee'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Great Melee Smash Bros. DX'''''|大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズ{{ruby-ja|DX|デラックス}}|Dai Rantō Sumasshu Burazāzu Derakkusu|lead=yes}}}} is a 2001 crossover fighting game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the GameCube. It is the second installment in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series. It features characters from Nintendo video game franchises such as ''Mario'', ''The Legend of Zelda'', ''Star Fox'', ''Pokémon'', and ''Donkey Kong'' among others. The stages and gameplay modes reference or take designs from these franchises as well.

''Melee'' includes all playable characters from the first game and also adds characters from additional franchises such as ''Fire Emblem'', of which no games had been released outside Japan at the time, in addition to new stages and gameplay modes. Like other games in the ''Smash Bros.'' series, ''Melee''{{'}}s gameplay system offers an unorthodox approach to the fighting game genre, with a counter that measures damage with increasing percentages, representing the knockback the character will experience, rather than the depleting health bar seen in most fighting games.

''Melee'' was first released in Japan on November 21, 2001, in North America on December 3, 2001, in Europe on May 24, 2002, and Australia on May 31, 2002. The game received widespread acclaim from critics, earning praise for its visuals, simple controls, gameplay, and orchestrated soundtrack, as well as several awards and acknowledgments from various publications; it is now considered one of the greatest video games ever made. It achieved strong sales upon its release, becoming the GameCube's best-selling title, with over seven million copies sold by 2008. Considered one of the most competitively viable ''Smash Bros.'' games due to its fast-paced, aggressive gameplay and continuously developing metagame, ''Melee'' has been featured in many competitive gaming tournaments, boasting a dedicated grassroots fan community which has kept its competitive scene alive well beyond the game's original lifespan. It was followed by ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' for the Wii in 2008.

== Gameplay == {{see also|Super Smash Bros.#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay of the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series}} Like its predecessor, ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' is a platform fighter that differs from traditional fighting games as the objective is to force their opponents beyond the boundaries of the stage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/index.html |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 22, 2007 |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629220208/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Most attacks inflict damage and can, if enough damage is dealt, knock back the enemy. Each character's health is measured by a meter that represents damage as a percentage.<ref name="Percentage system">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamefreaks365.com/review.php?artid=127 |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee—Game Freaks 365 |publisher=Game Freaks 365 |access-date=December 22, 2007 |date=December 3, 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506214334/http://www.gamefreaks365.com/review.php?artid=127 |archive-date=May 6, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The higher the percentage value, the farther the player gets knocked back, and the easier they are to knock off the stage, which will result in the character's death and the loss of a stock, or life.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/index.html |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee—Introduction |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 29, 2007 |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629220208/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike other games of the same genre, in which moves are entered by button-input combinations, most moves in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' can be accessed via one-button presses and a joystick direction. For example, by tilting the joystick to the side and pressing the "B" button, the character will use their "side special" attack. Tilting the joystick up, down, or not tilting it at all while pressing B will use the up, down, or neutral special, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_2.html |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee—Basics |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 22, 2007 |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |archive-date=December 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211164256/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

During battles, items related to Nintendo games or merchandise fall onto the game field. These items have purposes ranging from inflicting damage on the opponent to restoring health to the player. Some items are throwable (ranged items), some do melee damage (battering items), and some have an instant effect on the player (transforming items).<ref name="Items">{{cite web |last=Mirabella III |first=Fran |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee—Items |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_53.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211184359/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_53.html |archive-date=December 11, 2007 |access-date=December 22, 2007 |publisher=IGN}}</ref>

Most stages have a theme relating to a Nintendo franchise or a specific Nintendo game and are interactive to the player. For example, the Mushroom Kingdom stage is from ''Super Mario Bros'', and the Temple stage is from ''The Legend of Zelda''. Although the stages are rendered in three dimensions, players can only move on a two-dimensional plane, as in 2.5D. Not all stages are available immediately; some stages must be "unlocked" by achieving particular requirements. Some stages feature moving elements and platforms and hazards that harm players, while others lack these elements.<ref name="Stages">{{cite web |last=Mirabella III |first=Fran |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee—Stages |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_29.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308135253/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_29.html |archive-date=March 8, 2012 |access-date=December 22, 2007 |publisher=IGN}}</ref>

===Single-player=== Single-player mode provides the player with a variety of side-scrolling fighting challenges. The applicable modes range from "Classic Mode", which involves the player battling multiple opponents and a boss character,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_44.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209012106/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_44.html|archive-date=December 9, 2006 |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee—Classic Mode |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 22, 2007 |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |author2=Peer Schenider|author3=Craig Harris}}</ref> to the "Home Run Contest", a minigame involving the player trying to launch a sandbag as far as possible with a Home Run Bat for ten seconds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_51.html |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee—Home Run Contest |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 22, 2007 |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |archive-date=October 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002082611/http://guides.ign.com/guides//16387/page_51.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Some of these modes are personalized for the character; for example, the "Target Test" sets out a specialized area for a character in which they aim to destroy ten targets in the least amount of time they can. These areas may include references to that particular character's past and legacy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_46.html |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee—Target Test |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 22, 2007 |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |archive-date=December 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210204357/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_46.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Melee'' introduced "Adventure Mode", which takes the player to several predefined universes of characters in the Nintendo franchise. "All-Star Mode" is an unlockable feature that requires the player to defeat every character in the game while having only one stock and three health supplements between battles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee (GameCube) review |url=https://www.honestgamers.com/3240/gamecube/super-smash-bros-melee/review.html |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=www.honestgamers.com |archive-date=August 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817174313/https://www.honestgamers.com/3240/gamecube/super-smash-bros-melee/review.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Multiplayer === [[Image:SpecialMelee.jpg|thumb|left|Bowser, Ness, Kirby, and Yoshi fight in a "Sudden Death" match on the Corneria stage, based on ''Star Fox''.]]

In the multiplayer mode, up to four players or computer-controlled characters may fight in a free-for-all or on separate teams. The computer-controlled (CPU) characters' artificial intelligence (AI) difficulty is ranked from one to nine in ascending order of difficulty. Individual players can also be handicapped; the higher the handicap, the stronger the player. Victory is determined in five ways, depending on the game type. The two most common multiplayer modes are “Time mode”, where the player or team with the most KOs and least falls wins after a predetermined amount of time, and "Stock mode",<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Nintendo_GameCube/Manual/formated/Super_Smash_Bros.-_Melee_-_Nintendo.pdf|title='''Super Smash Bros. Melee''' instruction booklet|page=32|access-date=March 1, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115145422/https://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Nintendo_GameCube/Manual/formated/Super_Smash_Bros.-_Melee_-_Nintendo.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> a battle in which the last player or team with lives remaining wins. This can be changed to less conventional modes like "Coin mode", which rewards the richest player as the victor. Players must collect coins created by hitting enemies and try not to lose them by falling off the stage; harder hits release higher quantities of coins.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://videogames.yahoo.com/gc/super-smash-bros-melee/preview-1062341 |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee previews—Yahooo |publisher=Yahoo |access-date=December 22, 2007 |date=November 27, 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705151049/http://videogames.yahoo.com/gc/super-smash-bros-melee/preview-1062341 |archive-date=July 5, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Other options are available, updating from ''Super Smash Bros.'', such as determining the number and type of items that appear during the battle.<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |last=Mirabella III |first=Fran |date=December 3, 2001 |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/166/166387p1.html |title=IGN: Super Smash Bros Melee review |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 14, 2007 |archive-date=December 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205202532/http://cube.ign.com/articles/166/166387p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Trophies === Trophies (known as "Figures" in the Japanese version) of various Nintendo characters and objects can be collected throughout the game. These trophies include figures of playable characters, accessories, and items associated with them as well as series and characters not otherwise playable in the game. The trophies range from the well-known to the obscure, and even characters or elements only released in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_54.html |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee—Trophies |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 22, 2007 |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |archive-date=December 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209075003/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_54.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Super Smash Bros.'' had a similar system of plush dolls; however, it only included the 12 playable characters. One trophy is exclusive to the Japanese version of the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_55.html |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee—Secrets |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 22, 2007 |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |archive-date=December 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205122957/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_55.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Playable characters == {{see also|Characters in the Super Smash Bros. series}} ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' features 25 characters{{Efn|26 characters if Zelda and Sheik are counted separately}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0222/character.html |title=Character roster |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=February 6, 2008 |language=ja |archive-date=February 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207104304/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0222/character.html |url-status=live }}</ref>, an increase from 12 characters in the previous installment. Fourteen are available initially, while the remaining characters require completing specific tasks to become available. Every character featured in the game is derived from a popular Nintendo franchise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_3.html |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee–Characters |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 22, 2007 |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |archive-date=January 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110102302/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> All characters have a symbol that appears behind their damage meter which represents their series, such as a Triforce symbol behind Link's damage meter and a Poké Ball behind a Pokémon species. Some characters represent popular franchises, while others were less-known at the time of the release; Marth and Roy represent the ''Fire Emblem'' series, which was not released outside Japan at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_27.html |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee—Marth |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 22, 2007 |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |archive-date=December 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205023948/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_27.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The characters' appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' led to a rise in the popularity of the series, including releasing it outside of Japan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fire Emblem (GBA)|url=http://www.nindb.net/game/fire-emblem-bb.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625034044/http://www.nindb.net/game/fire-emblem-bb.html|archive-date=June 25, 2010|access-date=December 22, 2007|work=NinDB}}</ref> References are made throughout the game to the relationship between characters of the same universe; in one of the events from "Event Mode", Mario must defeat his enemy Bowser to rescue Princess Peach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_45.html |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee—Events |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 22, 2007 |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |archive-date=December 6, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206051831/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_45.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Furthermore, each character has recognizable moves from their original series, such as Samus's firearms from the ''Metroid'' series and Link's arsenal of weapons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_18.html |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee–Samus Aran |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 22, 2007 |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |author2=Peer Schenider |author3=Craig Harris |archive-date=January 31, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131102537/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_18.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Development and release == ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' was developed by HAL Laboratory, with Masahiro Sakurai as the head of production. ''Mario'' creator Shigeru Miyamoto served as co-producer. The game was one of the first games released on the GameCube and highlighted the advancement in graphics over the Nintendo 64. The project proposal/initial design document for the game was completed on July 5, 1999. Sakurai wanted to make an opening FMV sequence to pay homage to the debut of the GameCube.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/097/097950p1.html |title=Smash Bros. FMV Explained |publisher=IGN |access-date=November 24, 2007 |date=August 31, 2001 |archive-date=January 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112190655/http://cube.ign.com/articles/097/097950p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> HAL and Sakurai worked with three separate graphic houses in Tokyo to make the opening sequence. On their official website, the developers posted screenshots and information highlighting and explaining the attention to physics and detail in the game, with references to changes from its predecessor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/098/098158p1.html |title=A Detailed Melee |publisher=IGN |access-date=November 24, 2007 |date=September 7, 2001 |archive-date=February 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209160019/http://cube.ign.com/articles/098/098158p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was in development for 13 months, beginning around autumn 2000, and Sakurai called his lifestyle during this period "destructive" with no holidays and short weekends.<ref name="sharpest">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2010/12/09/super-smash-bros-creator-melee-the-sharpest|title=Super Smash Bros Creator: "Melee The Sharpest"|last=George|first=Richard|date=December 8, 2010|publisher=IGN|access-date=March 31, 2013|archive-date=August 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807004716/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/12/09/super-smash-bros-creator-melee-the-sharpest|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike the experimental first ''Super Smash Bros.'', he felt great pressure to deliver a quality sequel, claiming it was the "biggest project I had ever led up to that point". Despite the stressful development cycle, in a 2010 interview, Sakurai proudly called ''Melee'' "the sharpest game in the series... it just felt really good to play", even compared to its successor, ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''.<ref name="sharpest"/>

On the game's official Japanese website, Sakurai and the developers explained reasons for making particular characters playable and why some characters were not added. Initially, the development team wanted to replace Ness with Lucas, the main character of ''Mother 3'', but retained Ness in consideration of delays. Video game developer Hideo Kojima originally requested the inclusion of Solid Snake to Sakurai, and Yuji Naka of Sonic Team requested the inclusion of Sonic the Hedgehog to Sakurai, but neither characters were added as the game was too far in development. Additional development time later enabled all three characters to be included in ''Brawl''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |author-link=Masahiro Sakurai |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0717/index.html |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee |date=July 17, 2001 |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=November 24, 2007 |language=ja |archive-date=August 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818021911/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0717/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |author-link=Masahiro Sakurai |url=http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/characters/lucas.html |title=Super Smash Bros. Brawl—Lucas |publisher=Nintendo |date=October 1, 2007 |access-date=November 24, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124181711/http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/characters/lucas.html |archive-date=November 24, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/characters/snake.html|title=Super Smash Bros. Brawl—Snake|last=Sakurai|first=Masahiro|author-link=Masahiro Sakurai|date=September 21, 2007|publisher=Nintendo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623023110/http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/characters/snake.html|archive-date=June 23, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=November 24, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/nintendo/e306-super-smash-bros-brawl-qa-173071.php |title=E306 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Q&A |publisher=Kotaku |date=May 11, 2007 |access-date=December 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060604055930/http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/nintendo/e306-super-smash-bros-brawl-qa-173071.php |archive-date=June 4, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Marth and Roy were initially intended to be playable exclusively in the Japanese version of ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' due to ''Fire Emblem'''s lack of representation in the West at the time; however, they received favorable attention during the game's North American localization, leading to the decision for the developers to include them in the Western version.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |author-link=Masahiro Sakurai |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0115/index.html |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee—Roy |publisher=Nintendo |date=January 15, 2002 |access-date=November 24, 2007 |language=ja |archive-date=November 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126073547/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0115/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |author-link=Masahiro Sakurai |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/1204/index.html |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee—Marth |publisher=Nintendo |date=December 14, 2001 |access-date=November 24, 2007 |language=ja |archive-date=April 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414151945/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/1204/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sakurai stated that the development team had suggested characters from four other games to represent the Famicom/NES era, until the developers eventually chose the Ice Climbers to fulfill this role.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |author-link=Masahiro Sakurai |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/1009/index.html |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee—Ice Climbers |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=November 24, 2007 |date=October 9, 2001 |language=ja |quote=The four games considered were ''Balloon Fight'' ("the balloon would be easily blown"), ''Urban Champion'' ("seem too small"), ''Clu Clu Land'' ("they know how to fight?") and ''Excitebike'' ("would have to jump") |archive-date=November 17, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117203521/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/1009/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, Ayumi Tachibana from ''Famicom Detective Club'' was considered as a playable character, but was ultimately relegated to a cameo role as a trophy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yusaki|first=Hiyo|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/syukeiken/return551.html|title=アンケート投稿拳!! from Questionnaire: 発売後のアンケート集計拳!!|work=速報スマブラ拳!!|publisher=Nintendo|date=2001|page=51|access-date=2021-02-19|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215083820/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/syukeiken/return551.html|archive-date=2020-12-15|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|author1=Sugita, Tomokazu|author-link1=Tomokazu Sugita|author2=Ito, Kenji|date=19 March 2015|title=杉田智和＆伊藤賢治！大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズ 特別ゲーム実況|trans-title=Tomokazu Sugita & Kenji Ito! Super Smash Bros. Special Game Live|medium=Niconico|language=ja|url=https://live2.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv213419510|access-date=2021-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219161404/https://live2.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv213419510|archive-date=2021-02-19|url-status=live|time=1h15m57s|location=Japan|publisher=Dwango}}</ref> The developers have noted characters that have very similar moves to each other on the website;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0118/index.html |title=Roy |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=January 11, 2008 |date=January 15, 2002 |language=ja |archive-date=January 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105005755/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0118/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> such characters have been referred to as "clones" in the media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/objects/016/016387.html|title=IGN: Super Smash Bros. Melee|date=January 10, 2002|publisher=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509225233/http://cube.ign.com/objects/016/016387.html|archive-date=May 9, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=January 11, 2008}}</ref>

Shogo Sakai took over as composer of the game's opening in place of Hirokazu Ando on February 14, 2001.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sourcegaming.info/2016/05/10/oac1/ | title=Melee Music Developer Roundtable: Orchestra and Chorus I | date=May 10, 2016 | access-date=July 19, 2022 | archive-date=March 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327005712/https://sourcegaming.info/2016/05/10/oac1/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Voice recording also started that month, with the first sessions involving the Japanese ''Star Fox'' cast and Masachika Ichimura, who voiced Mewtwo.<ref>{{cite web | title=Melee Music Developer Roundtable: Voice Dubbing | website=Source Gaming | date=2016-05-06 | url=https://sourcegaming.info/2016/05/06/dubbing/ | access-date=2025-06-29}}</ref>

Nintendo presented the game at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2001 as a playable demonstration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/094/094823p1.html |title=IGN: E3: Hands-on Impressions for Super Smash bros Melee |publisher=IGN |access-date=November 24, 2007 |date=May 17, 2001 |archive-date=August 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807074933/http://cube.ign.com/articles/094/094823p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The next major exposition of the game came in August 2001 at Space World, when Nintendo displayed a playable demo that was updated from the previous demo displayed at E3. Nintendo offered a playable tournament of the games for fans in which a GameCube and ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' were prizes for the winner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/097/097777p1.html |title=IGN: Spaceworld 2001: Super Smash Bros Melee hands-on |publisher=IGN |access-date=November 24, 2007 |date=August 25, 2001 |archive-date=August 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807075416/http://cube.ign.com/articles/097/097777p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Before the game's release, the Japanese official website included weekly updates, including screenshots and character profiles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/096/096718p1.html |title=Super Smashing Moves |publisher=IGN |access-date=November 24, 2007 |date=July 19, 2001 |archive-date=January 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109125420/http://cube.ign.com/articles/096/096718p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/index.html |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=November 24, 2007 |language=ja |archive-date=November 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122142333/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Nintendo followed this trend with ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', in which there were daily updates by the game's developer, Masahiro Sakurai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashbros.com/en_uk/index.html |title=Super Smash Bros. Brawl |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=November 24, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113132508/http://www.smashbros.com/en_uk/index.html |archive-date=November 13, 2007 }}</ref> Japanese gaming magazine ''Famitsu'' reported that Nintendo advertised the game in between showings of ''Pokémon 4Ever'' across movie theaters in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/096/096528p1.html |date=July 12, 2001 |title=Nintendo kicks-off GameCube hype in Japan |publisher=IGN |access-date=November 24, 2007 |archive-date=June 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605164423/http://cube.ign.com/articles/096/096528p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2003, ''Melee'' was re-released as part of the Player's Choice program, a marketing label used by Nintendo to promote video games that have sold more than a million copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/383/383504p1.html |title=Nintendo Expands Player's Choice Line-up |publisher=IGN |access-date=November 24, 2007 |date=January 23, 2003 |archive-date=June 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605164438/http://cube.ign.com/articles/383/383504p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2005, Nintendo bundled the game with the GameCube for $99.99.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/632/632133p1.html |title=Super Smash Bros. Bundle |publisher=IGN |access-date=November 24, 2007 |date=July 7, 2005 |first=Matt |last=Casamassina |archive-date=July 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703021943/http://cube.ign.com/articles/632/632133p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Music === {{Infobox album | name = Smashing...Live! | type = Soundtrack | artist = New Japan Philharmonic | cover = | alt = | released = October 21, 2002 | recorded = August 27, 2002 | venue = | studio = | genre = Video game soundtrack | length = 61:52 | label = Enterbrain | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }} ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' features both new and re-arranged music from many of Nintendo's popular gaming franchises. In 2002, Enterbrain released a soundtrack in Japan titled ''Dairantou Smash Brothers DX Orchestra Concert''. The same soundtrack was released in 2003 as ''Smashing... Live!'' as a bonus for subscribing to ''Nintendo Power'' magazine in North America, and also as a free gift in an issue of the British ''Official Nintendo Magazine''. The soundtrack does not include music taken directly from the game, but features many live orchestral arrangements performed by the New Japan Philharmonic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=3288 |title=Smashing…Live! Review |publisher=Sputnik Music |access-date=March 15, 2008 |date=August 21, 2005 |first=Dylan |last=Wachman}}</ref> The game contains a number of unlockable tracks that can be obtained after making certain in-game accomplishments.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0125/index.html |title=Attending hidden manipulation |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=January 10, 2008 |date=January 25, 2002 |language=ja |archive-date=January 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116104431/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0125/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On the same website, the developers have posted discussions about the game's music and voice acting between Masahiro Sakurai and the game's composers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0118/index.html |title=Discussions music staff |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=January 10, 2008 |date=January 18, 2002 |language=ja |archive-date=January 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105005755/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0118/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Reception == {{Video game reviews | MC = 92/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-smash-bros-melee/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee for GameCube Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=July 14, 2013 |archive-date=September 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917041030/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/super-smash-bros-melee |url-status=live }}</ref> | Allgame = 4.5/5<ref name="allgamereview">{{cite web |url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=34788&tab=review |title = Super Smash Bros. Melee Review| author = Frankle, Gavin |publisher = AllGame |access-date =August 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114212120/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=34788&tab=review|archive-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> | Edge = 6/10<ref name="EDGE 1"/> | EuroG = 10/10<ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=May 23, 2002 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_ssbm_gc |title=Super Smash Bros Melee // GC // Eurogamer |publisher=Eurogamer |access-date=December 14, 2007 |archive-date=December 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220064735/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_ssbm_gc |url-status=live }}</ref> | Fam = 9/10, 10/10, 9/10, 9/10<ref name="fam2001">{{cite magazine|year=2001|title=ファミ通クロスレビュー2001パーフェクトガイド|trans-title=Weekly Famitsu Cross Review 2001 Perfect Guide|p=124|publisher=Enterbrain|language=Japanese|magazine=Famicom Tsūshin}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://geimin.net/da/cross_review.php |title=Geimen.net (Japanese) |publisher=Geimen.net |access-date=December 14, 2007 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422203331/http://geimin.net/da/cross_review.php |archive-date=April 22, 2006 |df=mdy }}</ref> | GSpot = 8.9/10<ref name="Gamespot"/> | GSpy =4.5/5<ref name="Gamespy">{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Bryn |date=December 3, 2001 |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/super-smash-bros-melee/636813p1.html |title=Super GameSpy: Smash Bros Melee review |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=December 14, 2007 |archive-date=July 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711072101/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/super-smash-bros-melee/636813p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | IGN = 9.6/10<ref name="IGN"/> | ONM = 95%<ref>{{cite journal| date=March 2006 |title=Rated GameCube |journal=Official Nintendo Magazine |issue=1}}</ref> }}

''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' received critical acclaim from reviewers, most of whom credited ''Melee''{{'}}s expansion of gameplay features from ''Super Smash Bros''. Focusing on the additional features, ''GameSpy'' commented that "Melee really scores big in the 'we've added tons of great extra stuff' department".<ref name="Gamespy"/> Reviewers compared the game favorably to ''Super Smash Bros.'' ''IGN''{{'s}} Fran Mirabella III stated that it was "in an entirely different league than the N64 version";<ref name="IGN"/> ''GameSpot'''s Miguel Lopez praised the game for offering a more advanced "classic-mode" compared to its predecessor, while detailing the Adventure Mode as "really a hit-or-miss experience".<ref name="Gamespot">{{cite web |last=Lopez |first=Miguel |date=December 1, 2001 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-smash-bros-melee-review/1900-2829090/ |title=Super Smash Bros Melee for GameCube review—GameSpot |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=December 14, 2007 |archive-date=October 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010052135/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-smash-bros-melee-review/1900-2829090/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite a mixed response to the single-player modes, many reviewers expressed the game's multiplayer mode as a strong component of the game.<ref name="Eurogamer"/><ref name="Gamespot"/><ref name="Gamespy"/> In their review of the game, ''GameSpy'' stated that "you'll have a pretty hard time finding a more enjoyable multiplayer experience on any other console".<ref name="Gamespy"/>

''Melee''{{'}}s visuals garnered a positive reaction. ''GameSpot'' lauded the game's character and background models, stating that "the character models are pleasantly full-bodied, and the quality of their textures is amazing".<ref name="Gamespot"/> ''IGN''<nowiki/>'s Fran Mirabella III praised the game's use of physics, animation and graphics, although his colleague Matt Casamassina thought that "some of the backgrounds lack the visual polish endowed upon the characters" when giving a second opinion about the game.<ref name="IGN"/>

Critics praised the game's orchestrated soundtrack;<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="Gamespot"/> while ''GameSpot''<nowiki/>'s Greg Kasavin commented that "it all sounds brilliant".<ref name="Gamespot"/> ''GameSpy'' praised the music for its nostalgic effect, with soundtracks ranging from multiple Nintendo series.<ref name="Gamespy"/>

Reviewers have welcomed the simplistic controls,<ref name="Eurogamer"/><ref name="IGN"/><ref name="Gamespy"/> but its "hyper-responsiveness", with the characters easily dashing and precise movements being difficult to perform, was expressed as a serious flaw of the game by ''GameSpot''.<ref name="Gamespot"/> With a milder criticism of controls, Bryn Williams of ''GameSpy'' commented that "movement and navigation seems slightly too sensitive".<ref name="Gamespy"/> The basis of ''Melee''{{'}}s gameplay system is the battles between Nintendo characters, which has been suggested as being overly hectic; ''N-Europe'' questioned whether the gameplay is "too Frantic?", even though they enjoyed the variety of modes on offer.<ref name="N-Europe">{{cite web|date=April 11, 2001|url=http://www.n-europe.com/review.php?rid=59|archive-url=https://archive.today/20081225105632/http://www.n-europe.com/review.php?rid=59|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 25, 2008|title=N-Europe: Smash Bros :Melee review|publisher=N-Europe|access-date=December 15, 2007}}</ref> Similarly, ''Nintendo Spin''{{'}}s Clark Nielsen stated that "Melee was too fast for its own good", and "skill was more about just being able to wrap your head around what was happening as opposed to really getting into the combat".<ref>{{cite web |date=May 27, 2007 |url=http://www.nintendospin.com/features/the-games-we-hate/ |title=The Games We Hate |publisher=Nintendo Spin |access-date=February 24, 2008 |last=Nielsen |first=Clark |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211014938/http://www.nintendospin.com/features/the-games-we-hate/ |archive-date=December 11, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In regards to the pace of the game, ''Edge'' commented that it even made gameplay features such as "blocking" redundant, as the player is not given enough time to react to an attack.<ref name="EDGE 1">{{cite magazine| date=January 2002 |title=Super Smash Bros. DX review |magazine=Edge |page=89 |issue=106 }}</ref>

Despite the new features added to the game, some reviews criticized ''Melee'' for a lack of originality and for being too similar to its predecessor, ''Super Smash Bros''. Caleb Hale from ''GameCritics.com'' noted that while it was "every bit as good as its Nintendo 64 predecessor" he also felt "the game doesn't expand much past that point".<ref>{{cite web|last=Hale |first=Caleb |date=February 20, 2002 |url=http://www.gamecritics.com/review/ssbmelee/main.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231122649/http://www.gamecritics.com/review/ssbmelee/main.php |archive-date=December 31, 2007 |title=GameCritics.com: Smash Bros :Melee review |publisher=GameCritics.com |access-date=December 15, 2007}}</ref> On a similar note, ''Edge'' stated that "it's not evolution; it's reproduction", in reference to a perceived lack of innovation.<ref name="EDGE 1"/> The nostalgic nature of the game received a positive reaction,<ref name="Eurogamer"/> as well as the accompanying stages and items that allude to past Nintendo games.<ref name="N-Europe"/> Gaming journalists have welcomed the roster of 26 Nintendo characters,<ref name="Eurogamer"/><ref name="Gamespy"/> as well as the trophy system, which ''Nintendo Spin'' labeled as "a great addition to this game".<ref name="Gamespy"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Zuk |first=Michal |date=April 25, 2004 |url=http://www.nintendospin.com/article50.html |title=Super Smash Bros Melee—Nintendo Spin |publisher=Nintendo Spin |access-date=December 23, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070704022505/http://www.nintendospin.com/article50.html |archive-date = July 4, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Sales === When released in Japan, it became the fastest selling GameCube game with 358,525 units sold in the week ending November 25, 2001.<ref name="Japanese weekly sales">{{cite web |date=November 29, 2001 |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/100/100174p1.html |title=Smash Bros. Melee hot in Japan |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 21, 2007 |archive-date=June 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605164428/http://cube.ign.com/articles/100/100174p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This success continued as the game sold more than a million units only two months after its release, making it the first GameCube title to reach a million copies.<ref name="A million JP copies"/> The game also sold well in North America, where it sold 250,000-copies in nine&nbsp;days.<ref>{{cite web |last=Satterfield |first=Shane |date=December 14, 2001 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-announces-more-sales-figures/1100-2832770/ |title=Nintendo announces more sales figures |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=December 21, 2007 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128013912/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-announces-more-sales-figures/1100-2832770/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the United States, ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' was the 19th best-selling video game in 2001 according to the NPD Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npdfunworld.com/funServlet?nextpage=trend_article3.html |title=Annual 2001 Video Game Best-Selling Titles |work=NPDFunworld |publisher=NPD Group |archive-date=June 27, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020627194657/http://www.npdfunworld.com/funServlet?nextpage=trend_article3.html |access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annual 2001 Video Game Best-Selling Titles |access-date=March 12, 2008 |work=NPDFunworld |publisher=NPD Group |url=http://www.npdfunworld.com/funServlet?nextpage=trend_body.html&content_id=287 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030424020500/http://www.npdfunworld.com/funServlet?nextpage=trend_body.html&content_id=287 |archive-date=April 24, 2003}}</ref> By July 2006, it had sold 3.2 million copies and earned $125 million in the United States alone. ''Next Generation'' ranked it as the fifth highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country.<ref name="nextgensales2">{{cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1|title=The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century|author=Campbell, Colin|last2=Keiser|first2=Joe|date=July 29, 2006|work=Next Generation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028115051/http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1|archive-date=October 28, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Approximately 4.06 million units have been sold in the country as of December 27, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|date=December 27, 2007 |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |title=US Platinum chart games |publisher=The Magic Box |access-date=February 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421003854/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |archive-date=April 21, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> With a software-to-hardware ratio of 3:4 at one time,<ref name="Japanese weekly sales"/> some have attributed the increasing sales of the GameCube near the launch date to ''Melee''.<ref name="A million JP copies">{{cite web |date=January 16, 2002 |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/100/100981p1.html |title=Smash Bros. Melee "Million" in Japan |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 21, 2007 |archive-date=July 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708091407/http://cube.ign.com/articles/100/100981p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As of March 10, 2008, ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' is the best-selling GameCube game, with more than seven&nbsp;million copies sold worldwide.<ref name="Best selling">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/1u0FthaPxTSSeJelWm4Jt8TI0VJlTt5j|title=At Long Last, Nintendo Proclaims: Let the Brawls Begin on Wii!|date=March 10, 2008|publisher=Nintendo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014180604/https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/1u0FthaPxTSSeJelWm4Jt8TI0VJlTt5j|archive-date=October 14, 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref> It has been estimated that at one point in time 70% of all GameCube owners also owned ''Melee''.<ref name="glixel"/>

=== Awards and accolades === Several publications have acknowledged ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' in competitions and awards. In their "Best of 2001" awards, ''GameSpy'' chose it as Best Fighting GameCube Game,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/goty2001/gc/gc_fighting_winner.shtml |title=GameCube Fighting Game of the Year: Super Smash Bros. Melee |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=December 23, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071220220600/http://archive.gamespy.com/goty2001/gc/gc_fighting_winner.shtml| archive-date = December 20, 2007}}</ref> ''IGN''{{'}}s reader choice chose it as Game of the Year,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://insider.ign.com/articles/317668p1.html |title=Insider: Reader's Choice awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040813070819/http://insider.ign.com/articles/317668p1.html |archive-date=August 13, 2004 |publisher=IGN |date=January 19, 2001 |access-date=December 23, 2007}}</ref> ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' chose it as Best Multiplayer and Best GameCube Game,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=2001 "Gamers' Choice Awards" |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=153 |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=April 2002 |url=http://gamegroup.ziffdavis.com/presscenter/pr20020304.php?view=printer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306150300/http://gamegroup.ziffdavis.com/presscenter/pr20020304.php?view=printer |archive-date=March 6, 2008 |issn=1058-918X}}</ref> and ''GameSpot'' chose it as the Best GameCube Game and tenth best game of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/p5_04.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021009105825/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/p5_04.html |archive-date=October 9, 2002 |title=The Best and Worst of 2001: Best GameCube Game |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=December 23, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/p6_01.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011227152404/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/p6_01.html |archive-date=December 27, 2001 |title=The Best and Worst of 2001: The Top Ten Video Games of the Year |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=December 23, 2007}}</ref> During the 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' for "Console Fighting Game of the Year" and "Outstanding Achievement in Animation", which were ultimately awarded to ''Dead or Alive 3'' and ''Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee'', respectively.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp | title=5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners | website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences | access-date=February 7, 2002 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603022924/http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp | archive-date=June 3, 2004 | url-status=dead}}</ref> It also received a nomination in ''GameSpot''{{'}}s "Best Music" and "Best Fighting Game" categories.<ref name=bestworst2001>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803185618/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best and Worst Video Games of 2001 | author=''GameSpot VG'' Staff | date=February 23, 2002 | work=GameSpot | archive-date=August 3, 2002 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

''GameFAQs'' placed it sixth in a poll of the 100 best games ever and was in the final four of the ''"Best. Game. Ever."'' contest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/c04spr |title=Spring 2004: Best. Game. Ever. |access-date=March 8, 2008 |publisher=GameFAQs |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023171204/http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/c04spr |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/top10 |title=Fall 2005: 10-Year Anniversary Contest—The 10 Best Games Ever |access-date=March 8, 2008 |publisher=GameFAQs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716111618/http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/top10 |archive-date=July 16, 2015 |df=mdy }}</ref> In the 200th issue of ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'', the editors selected ''Melee'' as the 92nd most influential game in their "Top 200 Games of Their Time" list, defining ''Melee'' as "Billions of things to unlock, plus Yoshi pummeling Pikachu with a bat".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3147448 |publisher=1UP.com |last=Semrad |first=Steve |title=1UP 200 Greatest games of all time |access-date=December 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927213608/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3147448 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In a similar competition, ''Nintendo Power'' named ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' the 16th best game ever to appear on a Nintendo console,<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Nintendo Power |issue=200|date=February 2006|title=Top 200}}</ref> and selected it as the 2001 "Game of the Year". ''IGN'' named it the third best GameCube game of all time in 2007 as a part of a feature reflecting on the GameCube's long lifespan, citing it as "the grand stage of fighters, much like ''Mario Kart'' is for racing fans".<ref>{{cite web |date=March 16, 2007 |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/772/772300p5.html |title=The Top 25 GameCube Games of All Time |publisher=IGN |access-date=March 18, 2007 |archive-date=April 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406151355/http://cube.ign.com/articles/772/772300p5.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''GameSpy'' chose it as fourth in a similar list, citing that it had "better graphics, better music, more characters, more gameplay modes, more secrets to discover" in comparison to its predecessor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/articles/639/639689p23.html |title=Top 25 GameCube Games of All-Time - #4: Super Smash Bros. Melee |publisher=GameSpy |date=August 12, 2005 |access-date=September 13, 2007 |archive-date=August 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812055608/http://cube.gamespy.com/articles/639/639689p23.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was ranked 58th in ''Official Nintendo Magazine'''s "100 Greatest Nintendo Games Ever" feature.<ref>{{cite journal| date=March 2009 |title=100 Greatest Nintendo Games Ever |journal=Official Nintendo Magazine |issue=40 |page=07}}</ref> In 2019, ''Game Informer'' ranked it as the 2nd best fighting game of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guerrero |first=John |date=April 20, 2019 |title=What are the top 30 fighting games of all time? Game Informer offers their full list |url=https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2019/apr/19/what-are-top-30-fighting-games-all-time-game-informer-offers-their-full-list/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422082151/https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2019/apr/19/what-are-top-30-fighting-games-all-time-game-informer-offers-their-full-list/ |archive-date=April 22, 2019 |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=Event Hubs}}</ref> ''Edge'' ranked the game 91st on their 100 best Video Games in 2007.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/EDGE.The.100.Best.Videogames.2007/page/24/mode/2up|title=EDGE presents: The 100 Best Videogames (2007)|date=August 16, 2020 |publisher=Future Publishing|location=United Kingdom|pages=24}}</ref>

== Legacy == The inclusion of Marth and Roy in ''Melee''{{'}}s roster led to increased awareness of the ''Fire Emblem'' series outside of Japan.<ref name="FElist">{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/3DS/Fire+Emblem%3A+Awakening/feature.asp?c=50134|title=Pocket Primer: A complete history of Fire Emblem|author=Brown, Mark|publisher=Pocket Gamer|date=April 18, 2013|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190328/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/3DS/Fire+Emblem%3A+Awakening/feature.asp?c=50134|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBdev">{{cite book|script-title=ja:メイキング オブ ファイアーエムブレム 開発秘話で綴る25周年、覚醒そしてif|publisher=Tokuma Shoten|isbn=978-4-19-864056-9|date=November 28, 2015|language=ja}}</ref><ref name="FEhistory">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/48555/features/fire-emblem-through-the-ages/|title=Fire Emblem through the ages|author=East, Thomas|magazine=Official Nintendo Magazine|date=April 13, 2013|access-date=July 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416201524/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/48555/features/fire-emblem-through-the-ages/|archive-date=April 16, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> This, combined with the high sales and positive reception of ''Advance Wars'', resulted in the next ''Fire Emblem'' title being localized.<ref name="FEhistory"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-advance-wars|title=The Making Of: Advance Wars|magazine=Edge|page=2|date=April 26, 2010|access-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124130706/http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-advance-wars|archive-date=January 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The game, simply called ''Fire Emblem'' in Western markets, is a prequel to ''Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade'', the game from which Roy originates.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/50069/features/the-making-of-fire-emblem-awakening/|title=The making of Fire Emblem Awakening|author=East, Thomas|magazine=Official Nintendo Magazine|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611034646/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/50069/features/the-making-of-fire-emblem-awakening/|archive-date=June 11, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> All future ''Fire Emblem'' titles to date, barring ''Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem'', have been released overseas.<ref name="FElist"/>

=== Competitive scene === thumb|Competitors at Awakening, a 2016 tournament<!-- Deleted image removed: thumb|250px|PC Chris receives the then-largest single tournament payout in ''Melee'' history for winning MLG Vegas 2006 --> {{main|Super Smash Bros. in esports}} ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' is a widely played competitive video game and has been featured in several high-profile tournaments.<ref name="glixel">{{cite book |last=Groot |first=Justin |url=http://www.glixel.com/news/why-super-smash-bros-melee-is-still-the-king-w453624 |title=Why 'Super Smash Bros. Melee' Is Still the King |date=December 5, 2016 |publisher=Wenner Media |access-date=December 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430204325/http://www.glixel.com/news/why-super-smash-bros-melee-is-still-the-king-w453624 |archive-date=April 30, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Many consider it to be the most competitively viable game in the series.<ref name="smashtakesover">{{cite magazine|magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=196 |page=106 |last=Myers |first=Andy |date=October 2005 |title=Smash Takes Over }}</ref> Nintendo ran the first ever ''Melee'' tournament named ''Premium Fight'' most likely from August 25 to August 27, 2001.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Palakurthi |first1=Anokh |title=The Book of Melee |url=https://bignokh.com/2018/12/03/the-book-of-melee-the-beginnings-of-smash-history/ |website=bignokh.com |date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214080634/https://bignokh.com/2018/12/03/the-book-of-melee-the-beginnings-of-smash-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The tournaments increased in popularity, and an echelon of competitively successful top players emerged in each region of the United States and Japan. Professional gaming organizations began to take more notice of ''Melee'' and started sponsoring players professionally. Several professional ''Melee'' players including Christopher "KillaOR" McKenzie, Isai Alvarado, and Ken were seen in the 2005 "I'm a Professional Gamer" episode of the MTV reality series ''True Life''. Tournaments became larger, more televised and more professional. Increases in audience and competitor counts, as well as prize pools, were also seen. From 2004 to 2007, Major League Gaming sponsored ''Melee'' on its Pro Circuit. Ken Hoang, also known as "The King of Smash" was considered to be the game's best player from 2003 to 2006, and has won over $50,000 from Smash tournaments.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Chris|date=March 10, 2011|title=Know Your Roots: Ken Gets Carried|url=http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/know-your-roots-ken-gets-carried|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217203440/http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/know-your-roots-ken-gets-carried|archive-date=February 17, 2012|access-date=February 18, 2012|publisher=Major League Gaming}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Dodero|first=Camille|date=November 21, 2006|title=The Next action sport|url=http://thephoenix.com/boston/recroom/28078-next-action-sport/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709084555/http://thephoenix.com/boston/recroom/28078-next-action-sport/|archive-date=July 9, 2016|access-date=March 3, 2008|publisher=The Phoenix}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Campbell|first=Sean|date=May 29, 2006|title=Are they worth fighting for?|url=http://dpad.gotfrag.com/portal/story/32773/?spage=2|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210100738/http://dpad.gotfrag.com/portal/story/32773/?spage=2|archive-date=February 10, 2012|access-date=March 3, 2008|publisher=Got Frag}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX9hbbA-WP4|title=The Smash Brothers|last=Beauchamp|first=Travis|publisher=EastPointPictures|year=2013|access-date=January 27, 2015|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/jX9hbbA-WP4|archive-date=2021-12-12|url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Khan|first=Imad|date=June 13, 2014|title=Will Wii U's 'Smash Bros.' win over the 'Melee' crowd?|url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/smash-bros-wii-u-melee-esport/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213063959/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/smash-bros-wii-u-melee-esport/|archive-date=February 13, 2015|access-date=January 27, 2015|website=The Daily Dot|quote=Right now, the competitive scene is still playing the 2001 GameCube release, Super Smash Bros. Melee. It's an excellent game, and rather amazingly suited for tournament play. The speed and mechanics allow for a lot of creativity. When Super Smash Bros. Brawl was released in 2008 for the Wii, players looked at it with confusion. It was too far removed from the fast and frantic play of Melee.|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=September 10, 2006|title=2004 Events|url=http://www.mlgpro.com/content/page/50132/2004-Events|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220144115/http://www.mlgpro.com/content/page/50132/2004-Events|archive-date=February 20, 2009|access-date=December 14, 2007|publisher=Major League Gaming}}</ref>

''Melee'' was also included in the Evolution Championship Series (Evo) in 2007, a fighting game tournament held in Las Vegas. Melee was hosted at Evo 2013 after a charity vote to decide the final game to be featured in its tournament lineup.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.evo2k.com |title=EVO 2008 Championship series—SSBM |publisher=EVO 2008 |date=March 5, 2008 |access-date=March 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325111736/http://evo2k.com/ |archive-date=March 25, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://shoryuken.com/2013/02/01/fighting-game-fans-raise-over-225000-for-breast-cancer-research-smash-wins/|title=Fighting Game Fans Raise over $225,000 for Breast Cancer Research. Smash Wins!|date=February 1, 2013|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=January 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130090146/http://shoryuken.com/2013/02/01/fighting-game-fans-raise-over-225000-for-breast-cancer-research-smash-wins/|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the large turnout and popularity that year, Evo again included ''Melee'' at their 2014,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bogos |first=Steven |date=2014-03-13 |title=Nintendo Allows Super Smash Bros. Melee at EVO 2014 |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/nintendo-allows-super-smash-bros-melee-at-evo-2014/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=The Escapist |language=en-US}}</ref> 2015,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-21 |title=EVO 2015 lineup: Smash, Persona, Tekken, and more |url=https://www.destructoid.com/evo-2015-lineup-smash-persona-tekken-and-more/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US |archive-date=August 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817174324/https://www.destructoid.com/evo-2015-lineup-smash-persona-tekken-and-more/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 2016,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-01-27 |title=EVO 2016's lineup includes Street Fighter V and Pokken |url=https://www.destructoid.com/evo-2016s-lineup-includes-street-fighter-v-and-pokken/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US}}</ref> 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-25 |title=EVO 2017 Championship lineup revealed |url=https://www.destructoid.com/evo-2017-championship-lineup-revealed/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US |archive-date=August 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817174323/https://www.destructoid.com/evo-2017-championship-lineup-revealed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and 2018 events.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-02-07 |title=EVO 2018 Championship lineup revealed |url=https://www.destructoid.com/evo-2018-championship-lineup-revealed/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US |archive-date=August 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817174325/https://www.destructoid.com/evo-2018-championship-lineup-revealed/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The competitive ''Smash'' community was featured in a 2013 crowd-funded documentary called ''The Smash Brothers''. The film detailed the history of the professional scene and profiled seven prominent ''Melee'' players including Hoang, Azen, Jason "Mew2King" Zimmerman, Isai, PC Chris, KoreanDJ, and Evo 2013 and Evo 2014 champion, Joseph "Mang0" Marquez.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hernandez, Patricia |date=October 6, 2013 |url=http://kotaku.com/http-youtu-be-6tgwh-qxpv8-a-smashing-documentary-che-1446707322 |title=A Fascinating Look At The World's Best Super Smash Bros. Players |publisher=Kotaku |access-date=February 8, 2014 |archive-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205065723/http://kotaku.com/http-youtu-be-6tgwh-qxpv8-a-smashing-documentary-che-1446707322 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=O'Neill|first=Patrick Howell|date=October 6, 2013|url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/the-smash-brothers-esports-documentary/|title='The Smash Brothers' might be the best eSports documentary of all time|publisher=The Daily Dot|access-date=February 8, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221204050/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/the-smash-brothers-esports-documentary/|archive-date=February 21, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Commentary footage from a ''Melee'' tournament is the origin of the Wombo combo internet meme.<ref name="wombo combo">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/smash-bros-most-famous-moment-explained-1668259868|title=Smash Bros.' Most Famous Moment, Explained|first=Patricia|last=Hernandez|date=December 8, 2014|work=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527002525/http://kotaku.com/smash-bros-most-famous-moment-explained-1668259868|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, Project Slippi, a fork of the Dolphin emulator for ''Melee'' designed to introduce quality-of-life features such as replays and online play, was updated to support rollback netcode and integrated matchmaking, allowing netplay across large distances with little latency.<ref>{{cite web |author=Walker |first=Ian |date=June 23, 2020 |title=Fans Just Gave Super Smash Bros. Melee Cutting-Edge Online Multiplayer |url=https://kotaku.com/fans-just-gave-super-smash-bros-melee-cutting-edge-onl-1844137203 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718031137/https://kotaku.com/fans-just-gave-super-smash-bros-melee-cutting-edge-onl-1844137203 |archive-date=July 18, 2020 |access-date=July 18, 2020 |publisher=Kotaku}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Smajstrla |first=Ann |date=June 23, 2020 |title=Fan mod adds modern online features to 'Super Smash Bros. Melee' |url=https://www.engadget.com/online-super-smash-bros-melee-slippi-004724839.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711033446/https://www.engadget.com/online-super-smash-bros-melee-slippi-004724839.html |archive-date=July 11, 2020 |access-date=July 18, 2020 |publisher=Engadget}}</ref> In the same year, an e-sports competition known as "The Big House" was sent a cease and desist by Nintendo, due to the usage of Slippi.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=2020-11-19|title=Smash Bros. tournament The Big House 10 canceled over netcode|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/19/21578200/super-smash-bros-tournament-the-big-house-10-canceled-nintendo-c-d|access-date=2020-12-11|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208160402/https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/19/21578200/super-smash-bros-tournament-the-big-house-10-canceled-nintendo-c-d|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notes== {{notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050305230613/http://www.smashbros.com/battle/index.html Official website] (Wayback Machine copy)

<!--Discuss before adding more links--> {{Super Smash Bros. series}} {{Masahiro Sakurai}} {{Portal bar|Video games|2000s}} {{Authority control}}

Category:2001 video games Category:Fighting games Category:2.5D fighting games Category:Creatures (company) games Category:Crossover fighting games Category:Esports games Category:HAL Laboratory games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:GameCube games Category:GameCube-only games Category:Platform fighters Category:Super Smash Bros. Category:Video games scored by Hirokazu Ando Category:Video games scored by Shogo Sakai Category:Video games scored by Tadashi Ikegami Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Video games with 2.5D graphics Category:Video games directed by Masahiro Sakurai Category:Video games produced by Shigeru Miyamoto

de:Super Smash Bros.#Super Smash Bros. Melee