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Game Debate to the Death!
Best Super Smash Bros. Melee multiplayer level?
by Fronz on 03.04.2008 116 comments

Game Debate to the Death!<br>Best Super Smash Bros. Melee multiplayer level? screenshot
Last week's Super Smash Bros. level debate was one of the closest game debates we've ever had. At first the Saffron City stage received a burst of votes, but then Sector Z surged to the top. Then, out of nowhere, a wave of Hyrule votes turned the discussion into a three way tie. Proving yet again that everyone's vote counts, here are the incredibly close top results:
  • 1st: Hyrule Castle (34 votes)
  • 2nd: Saffron City (33 votes)
  • 3rd: Sector Z (28 votes)

As promised, this week we move on to the next game in the series: Super Smash Bros. Melee. With far more levels to choose from this time around, making a decision will probably be much more difficult to make than last week. Which Melee level was your favorite, and why? Give it some serious thought, cast your vote and reasons, get some friends to share their opinions as well, and check back next week for the winner.

Bonus: Which Super Smash Bros. Melee level did you like the least?

MORE IN OUR Smash Bros. SECTION

Latest comment by Fronz |view all 116 comments
Ok, voting is closed. Winners and losers will be posted soon....





viralhunter's Avatar
viralhunter at 03/04/2008 19:54

am i the only person who actually likes rainbow ride?
Dexter345's Avatar
Dexter345 at 03/04/2008 19:54

For this one, my vote definitely goes to Hyrule Castle. It's the largest level in the game, and playing as Peach (who flies far with the weakest hits), that's a major plus.

On the same note, my least favorite level is probably Mr. Game & Watch's level, on account of it being so tiny.

However, I really do like most levels, and will still play Mr. Game & Watch's level, I'll just do a bit worse on it.
Fronz's Avatar
Fronz at 03/04/2008 19:55

PS: Barack Obama won last week's bonus question by a landslide.

Obama: 39 votes
McCain: 4 votes
Clinton: 2 votes
Nader: 2 votes

As for this week's debate.... I'm not sure yet. I'll think about it and cast my vote later tonight. I'm leaning towards Majora's Mask Great Bay level for Young Link.
jdub28's Avatar
jdub28 at 03/04/2008 19:56

I love rainbow ride but I have to say pokefloats is the best. the constant moving is great but you dont have the stupid road like the fzero level. Yosis island is a close second
Fronz's Avatar
Fronz at 03/04/2008 19:57

@ Dexter -- yah, as far as my least favorite level vote goes, there's a lot of Melee levels I dislike, but the Game and Watch level is by far the most hated. I can't stand that level at all.

Bonus Question: Game and Watch level.
Jonathan Kerr's Avatar
Jonathan Kerr at 03/04/2008 19:57

Fountain of Dreams is my favourite to play on.
Chaosye's Avatar
Chaosye at 03/04/2008 19:58

Best:dreamland
Worst:F-zero Both
Vongore's Avatar
Vongore at 03/04/2008 19:58

My fauvorite stage is Mushroom Kingdom 2, due to it's pixel-styled design, the original Doki Doki Panic, Birdo and her/his eggs and the size of it. It's pretty nice for 1 on 1 matches.

My least fauvorite stage is Icicle Mountain, because i can't focus on the match, i can't even hit my oponent in a Time match because i'm too busy tryng to not be left behind
AILDFan's Avatar
AILDFan at 03/04/2008 19:58

Hyrule Castle. Hands down.

As for worst, Jungle Japes was downright unplayable if your tv was too dark, and it was fucking impossible to play with Ganondorf or anything other character whose color palette wasn't obscenely bright.
CreamyGoodness7's Avatar
CreamyGoodness7 at 03/04/2008 19:58

Ice Climber's Stage (Icicle Mountain?) is the worst level in any game period
---AMARU---'s Avatar
---AMARU--- at 03/04/2008 19:59

Favorite: PokeStadium
Least Favorite: That ONE F-ZERO LEVEL WHERE U FIGHT ON THE CARS IT MAKES ME WANT TO SHOVE A YOUNG BEAR CUB INTO A DISINEGRATOR! sorry. ya.
Cowzilla3's Avatar
Cowzilla3 at 03/04/2008 19:59

Hyrule Castle is the ultimate test of a mans strenght. Greatest level ever.
CreamyGoodness7's Avatar
CreamyGoodness7 at 03/04/2008 20:03

Oh sorry Corneria is my favorite because although it's plain its just bumpy and curvy enough to make the fight varied while still getting the pure fight feel of a stage like Final Destination
Grim's Avatar
Grim at 03/04/2008 20:03

I've always loved the Mario Bros. 2 level.
FrogWhoIsFinal's Avatar
FrogWhoIsFinal at 03/04/2008 20:04

Hyrule Temple definitely. So many epic matches have been fought there. It's also big enough that many "1-hit-KO" techniques don't actually 1-hit-KO, which makes matches last longer. =3
jdub28's Avatar
jdub28 at 03/04/2008 20:04

Hyrule castle had too much running, people could run away a whole match. icicle mountain is indeed the worst stage in any fighting game ever
Paustinj's Avatar
Paustinj at 03/04/2008 20:07

Pokemon Stadium
Common Misdemeanor's Avatar
Common Misdemeanor at 03/04/2008 20:10

Corneria is probably the all-around best level in the game, while my vote for worst level has to go to Poke Floats.
raucci's Avatar
raucci at 03/04/2008 20:13

Corneria is by far the greatest level in Melee... the worst, Super Mario World... whatever it is called with the breakable blocks... hate it.
DrkAdonis's Avatar
DrkAdonis at 03/04/2008 20:13

Hyrule Castle is my pick for the best stage... truly epic, that one.

Bonus Question: Icicle Mountain. What a terrible stage.
crunks's Avatar
crunks at 03/04/2008 20:15

Best: Termina Bay
Worst: Ice Climbers/Poke Floats
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 03/04/2008 20:15

The least?
Any Metroid level.
And icicle mountain.
And Pokefloats.
godkow's Avatar
godkow at 03/04/2008 20:15

My vote goes to Hyrule Temple. What's with all these people voting for Hyrule Castle? The one in melee has a different name than the 64 version.

Anyway, my reason is because it's such a large course.
Gangles's Avatar
Gangles at 03/04/2008 20:15

Pokemon Stadium was a favorite of mine, but there's so many other great ones.

Worst: Mr. Game & Watch's stage
The Unforgivable's Avatar
The Unforgivable at 03/04/2008 20:16

Yeah Hyrule castle rocks, Icicle mountain sucks.
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 03/04/2008 20:20

Again, Random.
Video Cognito's Avatar
Video Cognito at 03/04/2008 20:21

Best: Pokemon Stadium
Worst: Ice Climbers

I loves me the Pokemans.
MrHaVoC's Avatar
MrHaVoC at 03/04/2008 20:23

None! Melee sucked balls and made me sad as a fan of the original Smash. I hope Brawl will redeem the SSB name :D
Aoi's Avatar
Aoi at 03/04/2008 20:25

MrHaVoC is the worst stage ever.

Hyrule is the best.
Ignignokt01's Avatar
Ignignokt01 at 03/04/2008 20:26

Hyrule

worst? the ice climbers shit, annoying as hell
Clockwork's Avatar
Clockwork at 03/04/2008 20:27

Loved Hyrule Castle.

Hated any of the Star Fox levels.
skyler's Avatar
skyler at 03/04/2008 20:27

Terminia Bay
NightDehumidifier's Avatar
NightDehumidifier at 03/04/2008 20:27

Final Destination, all other levels are for kids and begginaz.
theaznman121's Avatar
theaznman121 at 03/04/2008 20:28

Best is Final Destination...even if it's a flat piece of land. And the screen moves to a white background, blinding your eyes along the process.

Worst: Ice Climbers. Everyone hated that stage...
braulio09's Avatar
braulio09 at 03/04/2008 20:28

Like: Great Fox (the side to side one, not the one where you fight on the wings)
Hate: Pokemon floats
emo zema's Avatar
emo zema at 03/04/2008 20:29

My favorite is prolly corneria . i'de say mushroom kindom but their are way to many EZ kills .

And worst is easily the donkey kong stage with the rapids (don't know the name)
Verol's Avatar
Verol at 03/04/2008 20:34

I would say for Multiplayer it would have to be Fourside. It's the only level when I can have a balanced Bowser fight too.

For 1 on 1 I like Fountain of Dreams


Game and Watch's level has a special place in Hell. Termina Bay sucks too with the one throw kills.
wtfitsjared's Avatar
wtfitsjared at 03/04/2008 20:36

Great Fox - Corneria, no question.

Bonus Question: Termina Bay makes my desire to kill infants increase exponentially.
Mecha Jesus's Avatar
Mecha Jesus at 03/04/2008 20:37

Kirby's Fountain of Dreams was the best. Although I was partial to Final Destination.

Worst? Hyrule Temple. Hands down. I'd rather play the scrolling stages over that piece of crap. Easy way to make it better? Loose the underground area.
Reaprar's Avatar
Reaprar at 03/04/2008 20:42

Hyrule castle. (Or isn't it temple? I never remember)
It's the biggest and most diverse level.


Also, I hated the ice climbers stage, jesus christ, with luigi or kirby that stage just sucked utterballs.
NegFactor's Avatar
NegFactor at 03/04/2008 20:43

OMG MY FAVORITE LEVEL IS THAT ONE F-ZERO LEVEL THAT EVERYBODY HATES WHERE YOU FIGHT ON THE CARS!

Seriously though, it is.

Best stage: F-Zero -- Big Blue
Worst stage: Past Stages -- Kongo Jungle
Honorable Mention For Rocking My Face Off: Pokefloats
Honorable Mention For Pissing People Off: Brinstar Depths...hey, I liked it!
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar
PrinceofCannedPeaches at 03/04/2008 20:43

I may be one of the few, but: Corneria.

The layout just gave me as much freedom as I could want out of a a small stage. My friends and I must have played this more than anything else.
Wack's Avatar
Wack at 03/04/2008 20:51

@PrinceofCannedPeaches:

I agree completely, its nice to have a vanilla map that gives just a little freedom. I prefer using it in rotations with others though.

My vote goes to Termina. Makes me happy.
skoomaster's Avatar
skoomaster at 03/04/2008 20:52

Best Stage: Final Destination and Hyrule Temple because of the black hole glitch!!

Worst: Ice Climbers
SchickOuttaShape's Avatar
SchickOuttaShape at 03/04/2008 20:52

Big Blue is my favorite definitely, probably because I favor the characters who are fun in the air.

Bonus: I totally hated the Temple, even though everyone seems to love it.
urbanyeti's Avatar
urbanyeti at 03/04/2008 20:56

I love the Pokemon Stadium stage, and I am totally stoked that it is coming back for Brawl.

That said, the Ice Climbers stage needs to DIAF. It truly is the worst level ever. Random speeds? Really? No thank you.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 03/04/2008 20:58

Hyrule Castle was awesome, but I always thought it was too big. For my money, the best stage in the game is Pokémon Stadium, with Corneria being a close second.

As for my least favorite stage...Jungle Japes, Great Bay, Game & Watch’s level, and Icicle Mountain can all go to hell.
Spindash54's Avatar
Spindash54 at 03/04/2008 21:08

Best stage: 64 Kirby Dreamland. It offered the perfect size for both solo and 4-player melee's. It's essentially the template for Brawl's Battlefield.

Worst: Flatzone. TOO SMALL!
BluFire's Avatar
BluFire at 03/04/2008 21:13

Love love love Corneria because it's really well balance. It's not just a flat stage so you can actually play the game the way I think it's meant to be played, but it's not super crazy or anything.

Hate hate hate Venom. I don't know why. I guess I just hate the way that the stage is split into two like that - it throws me off.
TheDirtyHobo's Avatar
TheDirtyHobo at 03/04/2008 21:15

Pokemon Stadium is definitely my favorite, it's got some drastic changes in terrain, making you constantly stay on your toes, while still being simple enough to not be distracting.

On the other hand, any level where you could set two controllers down, walk away, and wind up dead when you came back is an instant failure. This includes both Metroid levels, both F-Zero levels, the Yoshi story level where you start on the ship, pokefloats, and of course the GODDAMN KING KEMEHAMEHA OF ANNOYING LEVELS, Icicle Mountain.

Though other levels do have individual spots that you can get killed on if you stand still for too long (on the turtle in Termina Bay, clouds in Yoshi Island, in the road in Onett), I'm only going to include the levels where you have no other option.

What's with all the Hyrule lovin'? I always thought it was only good for the times when you want to be a coward and hide down in the pit toward the bottom so you can only die if you get hit at just the right angles. Other then that, it's a pretty meh-tastic level.
monkeyspoon5's Avatar
monkeyspoon5 at 03/04/2008 21:17

Wooo! My poll ideas were used from two weeks ago. Although maybe that has something to do with Brawl coming out soon. Either way, time to vote.

Favourite: Fountain of Dreams
Least Favourite: Tie between Icicle Mountain and Flatzone. Both are ew.
IceMax's Avatar
IceMax at 03/04/2008 21:17

Best: Kirby 64 Dreamland
Worst: Brainstar Depths (fuck you, Kraid)
Greatbacon's Avatar
Greatbacon at 03/04/2008 21:21

Jeez, no one likes Onett? It's my favorite.
Least favorite: Game and Watch, that place is way to small.
DynamicSheep's Avatar
DynamicSheep at 03/04/2008 21:22

Best: Pokemon stadium. A very clean basic stage with a dynamic landscape that constantly changes the way the battle is fought. Hyrule Temple is a close second.

Least: Fucking Ice Climbers shitty ass scrolling stage. You can hardly see anything, and you get killed because of the random speeds and direction of the scrolling. Venom is a close second, mainly because I play as Samus and it's almost impossible to land a blow on that crooked ass ship.
Little Burro's Avatar
Little Burro at 03/04/2008 21:25

Best Cornelia
Worst Brinstar Depths
thisissami's Avatar
thisissami at 03/04/2008 21:34

rainbow ride and pokefloats were my two favorite stages...

and man, i loved the game and watch level!!! but then again, my favorite character was game and watch, which meant that nobody has a real heaviness advantage there...

worst would have to be... uhh.... uuuhhhh... hyrule? just to be against everybody else? (i did like that map though)
Magesx's Avatar
Magesx at 03/04/2008 21:34

Best: Corneria

Worst: Final Destination, just to make tourneyfags mad.
Dahk's Avatar
Dahk at 03/04/2008 21:34

Definitely Final Destination. Everything else (besides a few obvious ones) has stupid things that go wrong. Melee, in the end, was about insane time and practice =P. Moonwalking across levels ftw.

Worst, was the F-Zero one. I could handle the Ice Climbers one.. cuz i was a half ice climbers player lol. Although really, that stage sucked for ice climbers.
F Whipple's Avatar
F Whipple at 03/04/2008 21:38

I'd love to be original but I can't.

Favorite: Hyrule Temple, not only does it have some of the best stage music but I've had so many epic matches there. And for those who keep running away just punch the guy with the controller, it'll solve your problems.

Least: definitely Icicle mountain. one of the few stages I turn off.

What's with all the flat zone hate. Turn pokeballs on very high in that level and manic fun is to be had
Eschatos's Avatar
Eschatos at 03/04/2008 21:50

The F-Zero level and Pokemon Stadium.
Cataract's Avatar
Cataract at 03/04/2008 21:54

Big Blu all the way for my favorite.

And Icicle Mountain for the worst.
TurboHyperFighting's Avatar
TurboHyperFighting at 03/04/2008 21:57

My vote for best is "Hyrule Temple" My buddies and I used to play this game for HOURS (I've a memory card w/ 250 hours logged, 200 of that Multiplay). We mostly liked the clean characters (Roy, Samus, Marth, Link (big & little)Shiek, Falcon) so we'd want a big level that we could fight all over and utilize our moves. I've had some pretty epic fights there with the last two players being me (w/ marth) and me buddy (w/ Roy). Call me corny but those were the must fun and intense matches, we'd battle all over, up and down that fucker. It's not that hard to catch someone if you're creative with your character's skillset, Unless you have Bowser or something.

Worst level? Tie: Icicle Mountain and Big Blue. The other auto-scrolling stages were tolerable, but those two just killed the fun.

I hear that sonic can outrun the cars on that level with the bunny-ears in the new one.

Now I have to stop talking about Brawl. Me so sad cannot play till sunday....
Wedge's Avatar
Wedge at 03/04/2008 22:02

Poke Floats is awesome.... yar.
Fleet3000's Avatar
Fleet3000 at 03/04/2008 22:04

loved corneria.

hated rainbow road.
honorable mention: brinstar depths
Shazbot's Avatar
Shazbot at 03/04/2008 22:15

Loved: Pokemon stadium for the reasons everyone else has been giving

Hated: Ice climbers because of the same reasons as everyone else who hated it

pretty straightforward
jorge's Avatar
jorge at 03/04/2008 22:19

Best would be Battlefield. Like Spindash54 said, it's the perfect size, although he was referring to the N64 Kirby stage, which I don't think counts in this debate.

Worst is Icicle Mountain. Looks like crap, plays like crap.
David Quinn Carder's Avatar
David Quinn Carder at 03/04/2008 22:33

Honestly, my favourite stage is probably Dream Land (the Past Stage). The wind element is fun but mild enough not to fuck anyone over randomly, and the music is quick and bouncy and . . . appropriate? It just feels right. I generally like large stages so I don't know why I appreciate the tight quarters in this case.

Runners up (in alphabetical order) are:
Corneria (but damn off-screen Arwing shots), Final Destination, Fourside (though my hookshot doesn't work on some surfaces), Green Greens, Pokémon Stadium, and Hyrule Temple (epic!).

Any walk-off stage absolutely sucks and I never pick them (Mushroom Kingdom I/II, Flat Zone, et cetera). I also hate both F-Zero stages (Big Blue is better than Mute City, though), both Metroid stages, Icicle Mountain (it'd be fine if you fell and jumped relative to the level and not the screen), and while I like Termina, my brother always kills me with one throw into the underside of the main platform, no matter what my damage is.

Brinstar Depths is probably the worst stage, in my opinion, closely followed by Venom which is just no fun under any circumstances.
The Incredible Edible Egg's Avatar