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Super Smash Bros. Melee

(2001, Video Games - Fighting, Rated T, Play it on: Nintendo GameCube)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Easy-to-play fighting game is hard to master.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 10–12

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Reinforces what kids learn in martial arts classes: It's more about style and technique than just brute force, and practice makes perfect.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    This game is all about fighting to win, but some of the best fighters are female.
  • Violence:

    This is a fighting game but there is no blood or gore. Defeated characters fall from the screen.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Characters and backgrounds from other games.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Super Smash Bros. Melee was written by Kimberly Reyes

Parents need to know that this is a fighting game, plain and simple. Be prepared for plenty of non-stop violence (hitting, punching, kicking, as well as using special weapons, such as arrows and bombs). However, there is no blood or gore, and when characters are beaten they just fall from the screen.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the characters featured in this game, from Mario to Fox from the Star Fox series. Ask them: Did you realize these are Nintendo characters? How does including these characters help promote other Nintendo products?
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More on Super Smash Bros. Melee

What’s the Story?

SUPER SMASH BROS. MELEE accommodates from one to four players, providing plenty of gaming options. Choosing from Nintendo characters like Mario or Pichaku, you fight head-to-head in colorful Nintendo-game-themed arenas for prizes and advancement, or just go wild in no-holds-barred melee mode. In stadium mode, players partake in a home run contest (hitting a sandbag character as far as possible), take target practice, and fight in varied melee fighting scenarios against the CPU. This is probably the best mode for single players because there are actual tasks and goals -- not just a one-on-one face-off against the computer. Close

Is It Any Good?

Even adults will have to spend time mastering complicated moves like Luigi's airplane spin or Zelda's midair flame attack. Luckily, skill and luck go hand in hand, making it fun for kids of all ages and experience levels. You never know when a spaceship may come out of the background to interfere with your fight, or an object with the power to heal -- like a heart container -- may appear for your use, affecting the outcome. Also, games can be tweaked to give certain players an advantage.

The game has had a fantastic graphic facelift since the Nintendo 64 version. Samus' and Bowser's fire attacks look like they are popping out of the screen and Mute City is so incredibly saturated in colors that players can't help to stop fighting and admire when playing for the first time. All in all, Super Smash Bros Melee will certainly raise the volume of the room as players scream at the TV in elation, frustration, and shock.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 12/3/2001, price $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title off for age 7 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Satan Alert!

    While some may like this game, it's indoctrinating our children to follow the path of Satanism. After all, no God would create creatures as bizarre and satanic as the ones in this evil, evil game. All modern media is completely evil and shouldn't be seen by anyone, lest they be tempted to join the Left-Hand Path.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    best nintendo crossover for kids

    i have been a fan of mario since i was born and he and more nintendo characters are in super smash bros. super smash bros. brawl was my first taste of smash bros. and it was awsome. i got melee and it is awsome. nothing is wrong with this game. it is a fighting game but no blood was added. as far as i know this is the first fighting game made for kids and nintendo did a good job making it. all ages can play this game so do not let the esrb t rate trick you. one last thing. story mode is cool but only a few cutscenes are in the game and no plot is told.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    My Rating:

    Its educational cause it gives u had eyed cordination. It is very easy to play and i love it even better than super smash brawl.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    Great family game

    I love this game anyone can play it.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Long Live Super Smash Brothers!

    I love this game. I play it every once and while, but it's definitely worth buying. That doesn't mean anything. The violence is pretty high. Characters can shoot guns, punch, kick, and even hit people with bats, bombs, and numerous other things. It also has a lottery in it, but otherwise I would say it should be changed to E10 or stay the same.

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