While Super Smash Bros. Melee was only released two years after Super Smash Bros., many players already felt nostalgic for the classic Nintendo 64 console. For older players, there’s no doubt that their minds would wonder what Melee would look and feel like if it were released in the N64 style.
Well, one fan mod provides that exact experience.
The recently revealed Super Smash Bros. Melee 64 mod is getting a massive update that not only puts Melee’s engine into a 64 art style; it provides enough content to rival even modern releases.
What Is Super Smash Bros. Melee 64?
Super Smash Bros. Melee 64 is a mod that takes the Melee style of gameplay and adjusts the sounds, textures, graphics and music as it would be if it had been released for the Nintendo 64 DD. The game plays exactly like Melee, but with an appearance that hails back to that special time in the 90’s. There is also an additional download option that changes the gameplay up a bit.
The game features all 26 of the Melee characters, as well as some “Echo Fighters” in a callback to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (such as Daisy, Blood Falcon, and more.)
The mod also features 29 playable stages, with some stages coming directly from Melee such as Fountain of Dreams and Hyrule Castle. There are also some original stages that come from some of the great N64 classics such as Area 6 from Star Fox 64 and Contra Dam from GoldenEye 007.
A full 11-minute trailer showcasing the mod can be seen here:
The game looks outstanding, with every stage seeming like it could fit perfectly in Super Smash Bros. while the characters look as N64-esque as possible.
The music and sound effects have the perfect retro-feel, and the team has done a good job to make all the Melee movesets click with the new sound design. The music on the GoldenEye level, for example, will hit you right in the nostalgic feels. Most stages also feature at least two different tracks, so the maps won’t feel so repetitious after long sessions.
The gameplay also meshes extremely well with the art style, so it won’t feel out of place playing with an engine from an entirely different console. Of course, you don’t have to play with just Melee physics; there are two styles of gameplay for this mod: Original and Hybrid.
Original is just vanilla Melee gameplay. It plays exactly like it did on the GameCube, so players just looking for a Melee experience will feel right at home here.
Hybrid features mechanics and influences from the original Super Smash Bros. that blend with the Melee physics. There are techniques exclusive to the original game that make an appearance, and there’s even an option to turn off techniques such as wavedashing. Hybrid 64 is also compatible with the new Slippi rollback netcode.
Super Smash Bros. Melee 64 is another wonderful testament to the creativity and hard work of the Smash community. A group of people have put in a ton of effort on their own time to create something that has its place in the scene, and the end result is certainly something to admire.
