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Mario has branched out from his roots into several different types of games over the years. The number of spinoffs featuring Nintendo’s favorite mascot is so large that there are plenty of entries in each category of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. The Super Smash Bros series falls squarely into the Good category, and the second entry, Super Smash Bros. Melee, improved upon the winning formula created in the original Nintendo 64 game in almost every way.

Part of what makes Melee so successful is because it is so easy to pick up and play, yet the gameplay is deep enough that you can spend a lot of time mastering moves and strategies. Novice players can have a fair amount of success just smashing buttons. However, expert players can spend a long time learning the strengths and weaknesses of each character and how to exploit them. The game is a blast to play whether you land on one of the extremes or somewhere in the middle.

If you’ve never played Smash Bros before, it differs from other fighting games out there in that you don’t win by draining your opponents life bar. Instead, each hit you land adds some percentage of damage to your opponent. As the percentage climbs, the farther your opponent gets knocked back when hit. In timed rounds, you get a point every time you knock somebody else off the stage, while you lose a point every time you are forced off yourself. Stock battles pit you against your opponents with only a set number of lives (losing one each time you are knocked off), fighting to the last mascot standing.

Two's Company, Twenty-Six Is A Crowd

Each character in the game has a set of general attacks that they can execute in several directions. These moves cause a small amount of damage, but they are also very quick, requiring simple button presses. If you want to cause some more serious damage, you should employ a Smash attack. As the name implies, these moves are executed by “smashing” the control stick in a direction followed immediately by the attack button. Smash attacks are a bit flashier, and they also knock opponents much farther than normal attacks. Each character also has a few unique special attacks to unleash.

Now you know how to knock your opponents around, but what do you do if you are on the receiving end of too many fisticuffs? As you might expect, Smash Bros characters can jump into the air, but they can also jump a second time in mid-air. There are also a few characters with the ability to fly for short periods. Taking to the air can help you avoid attacks or launch your own, but it can also help you to get back to the stage when you’ve been knocked around. When that double-jump just isn’t quite enough to get you to safety, most of the characters also have a special move used for recovery. Some of these moves act as a third jump while others teleport your character a short distance. Learning how to get back to the stage from mid-air is a skill that comes in very handy. Being good at recovery can make all the difference in a close match. Everyone also has a limited shielding ability to help avoid taking damage and several dodge moves. Be warned though, if you hold on to your shield for too long, it will eventually break, stunning your character for a few moments and leaving you open to attack.

So, you ask, with all this punching and kicking, is there anything else to this game that can spice things up a bit? Smash Bros has you covered! Throughout a match, random items will appear that can turn the tide of match. There are several items that recover lost health, but the real fun comes from the offensive weapons. Grabbing items like a home run bat, a hammer, or a laser sword (not that kind!) will help you get an edge on your opponents by providing some extra oomph to knock them around, and a well-placed Pokéball can turn the tide of a match. However, if you decide that items are more of a nuisance than a help, you can toggle which ones appear or even turn them off completely.

There's Nothing Like A Toasted Kirby Sandwich

Super Smash Bros is best when played with a bunch of friends on a couch. Pretty soon the trash talk begins to fly, and time ceases to have any meaning. Several hours can melt away like nothing to the point that you are surprised when it is suddenly three in the morning. It is certainly possible to play just a few rounds, but Melee has a way of pulling you into a “just one more game” rhythm that can be hard to break out of….not that I’m complaining. The game also includes several single player modes to play through. These can be a good place to practice your skills, but the computer-controlled opponents can’t provide the same kind of experience that multiplayer does. Smashing your friends is what will keep bringing you back to this game.

The overall setup to Super Smash Bros Melee is a collector’s dream as there is a ton of things to discover and unlock including music tracks, trophies, characters, stages, and game modes. The trophies feature everything from various characters out of Nintendo’s history to items specific to the Smash Bros universe. Perhaps the game’s best feature, the soundtrack is excellent across the board. It features new recordings of classic Nintendo tunes, as well as many selections you may not have heard before. The track list is massive, and it is sure to include many favorites for any Nintendo fan.

Super Smash Bros Melee is a great game for all kinds of players. It has outstanding pick up and play appeal for casual players, and it also has a large amount of extra content and depth to satisfy more “hardcore” gamers. If you’re looking for a game that is a blast to play (especially with others), you can’t do much better than Super Smash Bros.

Where else are you going to find out who wins in a four-way battle between Captain Falcon, Samus Aran, Fox McCloud, and Pikachu?

Final grade: A

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