How To Unlock All Smash Bros Melee Characters
Alright, so you've dusted off that old GameCube, fired up Super Smash Bros. Melee, and you're ready to brawl. But wait a minute... where's Jigglypuff? Where's the fiery King K. Rool (oh, wait, wrong game, but you get the idea!)? You've only got the OGs, huh? Don't sweat it, my friend. Unlocking all those awesome characters is, like, half the fun! It’s not some crazy secret handshake or anything. It’s more like a treasure hunt, and I'm here to be your slightly-too-caffeinated guide. Grab your coffee, settle in, and let's dive into how to get your hands on everyone.
First things first, Melee. It’s a classic for a reason, right? The speed, the combos, the… well, the sheer chaos of it all. But yeah, if you're starting fresh, you're gonna feel a little… limited. It's like going to a buffet and only seeing the salad bar. We need more protein, more dessert, more… everyone!
So, how do we do this? Mostly by playing the game. Shocking, I know. It's not about fancy codes or… well, not usually about fancy codes. It's about putting in the work, the good ol' fashioned way. Think of it as earning your stripes. Or your pixels, in this case.
The Classic Method: Just Keep Fighting!
Honestly, this is the bread and butter of unlocking characters. You hop into Classic Mode, pick a character you actually like (or tolerate for now), and just… win. It’s pretty straightforward. For every couple of character battles you win in Classic Mode, BAM! A new challenger appears.
And these challenger matches? They're not just random encounters. They're like little boss fights. You gotta beat them in a one-on-one showdown to add them to your roster. Don't get discouraged if you lose, though! You can always try again. That's the beauty of it. You can re-challenge them later. So don't feel the pressure to nail it on the first try. Nobody’s judging your Melee skills here… mostly.
What's the magic number for these classic mode unlocks? It’s usually around 10-15 matches to get your first few challengers. Then it gets a bit staggered. Don't try to memorize the exact number for each character. Just focus on playing, and they'll show up. It's like waiting for a bus, you know? You can stare at the schedule all day, or you can just chill and it'll arrive eventually.
Which characters can you unlock this way? Pretty much all of them! It’s the most reliable method, and it lets you get a feel for how each character plays as you earn them. You might even discover your new main while you're at it. You never know! Maybe you'll realize you're a hidden prodigy with Luigi. Stranger things have happened, I promise.
The "Vs. Mode" Grind: For the Speedy (or Impatient)
Okay, so maybe you're not feeling the whole "progress through a series of fights" vibe. Maybe you just want to force a character to appear, right? Well, you can do that too! This is where the Vs. Mode grind comes in. It’s a little… repetitive, I'll admit. But hey, it gets the job done if you're in a hurry.
Here’s the deal: You need to play a certain number of Vs. matches. Again, don't get bogged down in the exact numbers. Just know that after a certain number of consecutive Vs. matches (meaning you don't quit out or turn off the console), a challenger will appear.
And yes, you can do this by yourself. It's called "solo Vs." You just set up a match, pick any character, and fight against a CPU. Or, if you're feeling really efficient, you can set up two CPUs to fight each other and just watch. I mean, who has time for actual fighting when there are characters to unlock? Kidding! Mostly.
The key here is consecutive. If you play five matches, turn off the game, then come back and play five more, it might not count. So, dedicate a little block of time. Put on some good music, maybe make some more coffee, and just let the matches roll. Each time you win the challenger match, you unlock them!
This method is great if you have a specific character in mind and you’re just itching to play as them. Need to practice with Ganondorf’s slow but powerful hits? Or maybe you want to pull off some ridiculous aerials with Captain Falcon? This is your fast track. Just remember to actually win the challenger match. Otherwise, you’re just playing Vs. matches for nothing. Tragic, really.
Specific Unlock Requirements: The Niche Crew
Now, some characters aren't just unlocked by playing a bunch of random matches. They have specific requirements. These are the little secrets of Melee, the things you gotta do to earn your spot in the character select screen. Don't worry, they're not like, "beat the game on Very Hard with only one hand." Mostly.
Jigglypuff: The Sleepy Diva
Ah, Jigglypuff. Everyone's favorite pink puffball. How do you get her? Well, you can unlock her through Classic Mode, sure. But there's also a little shortcut if you're feeling fancy. You need to beat Classic Mode with 5 different characters. Yep, that’s it. Just 5 wins in Classic Mode, and Jigglypuff is yours. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
This is a good incentive to try out a variety of fighters anyway. You might discover you're secretly a Marth main, or that you have a knack for the electric slide of Pichu (whoops, wrong Pichu, but again, you get it!). So, go forth and conquer Classic Mode!
Mewtwo: The Psychic Powerhouse
Mewtwo, the genetic marvel. He’s a bit of a late bloomer. To unlock Mewtwo, you need to have 50 or more total stock counts lost across all Vs. matches. What does that even mean? Basically, you need to get defeated 50 times in Vs. matches.
Yes, you read that right. You need to lose 50 times. Don't feel bad about it! This is how you unlock him. Just play a lot of Vs. matches, and don't worry about winning every single one. You can even do this by playing against yourself with two controllers, or by letting the CPU beat you repeatedly. It's a strange requirement, but that's Melee for ya. It loves to keep you on your toes.
Once you hit that 50-loss mark, Mewtwo will appear as a challenger. And trust me, he’s worth the embarrassment of getting KO'd 50 times. He’s a powerhouse, and his psychic attacks are… well, psychic. He’s got range, he’s got power. A true force to be reckoned with.
Luigi: The Green Machine
Luigi! Our favorite understudy. How do you get him? Well, you can unlock him via Classic Mode like most others. But there's also a way if you fail to select a character in the character select screen for 8 consecutive matches.
Wait, what? Yeah. You literally have to not choose a character for eight games in a row. So, you’d pick your characters, then on the last second, un-select them. Or just hover over your cursor and do nothing. It’s a bit of a silly requirement, but it adds to Luigi’s whole… Luigi-ness. He's the character you get when you're not quite trying. Once you do this 8 times, Luigi will challenge you.
This is a fun one to do with friends. "Alright, who's gonna fail to pick a character this round?" It adds a little meta-game to the character unlocking process. Just don't blame me if you accidentally skip picking a character for real when you actually want to play someone.
Marth: The Sword-Wielding Prince
Marth, the hero of Fire Emblem. He’s a pretty standard unlock through Classic Mode. However, if you want him a little sooner, you can achieve this by playing 400 Vs. matches.
Four hundred! That sounds like a lot, right? But remember that Vs. mode grind we talked about? If you’re really committed, you can churn through those matches. And the good news is, you don't even have to win them all. Just play. This is the ultimate "just keep playing" character.
If you're aiming for 100% completion, you're going to hit that 400 Vs. match mark eventually anyway. So, don't stress too much about it. Just enjoy the ride. Or the rapid button mashing.
Mr. Game & Watch: The Retro Icon
Mr. Game & Watch! A true legend. He’s one of the last characters you'll likely unlock, and for good reason. He’s unlocked by completing Classic Mode with every other character in the game.
That’s right. Every single one. Think of it as the ultimate reward for mastering the game. You’ve conquered Classic Mode with Mario, Peach, Fox, Falco, Captain Falcon, all of them. And when you do, Mr. Game & Watch will be waiting for you, probably with his trusty frying pan.
This is the true test of your Melee dedication. But hey, by the time you get to this point, you’ll be a Melee god. You’ll be able to wavedash backwards while juggling with your eyes closed. Probably. So, take your time, enjoy the journey, and when you finally unlock Mr. Game & Watch, you’ll feel like you’ve truly earned it.
The Secret to Success: Patience and Play
Look, the truth is, unlocking all the characters in Melee isn't some dark art. It's mostly about playing the game and having a good time. Don't stress about the exact numbers or the specific requirements. Just pick a character you like and start playing.
Whether you prefer the methodical approach of Classic Mode, the rapid-fire excitement of Vs. Mode, or even the quirky challenges for specific fighters, there’s a path for everyone. The most important thing is to enjoy the process.
You’ll discover new strategies, you’ll get better at combos, and you might even surprise yourself with who your new favorite fighter becomes. So, go forth, my friend. Unlock those characters, dominate the battlefield, and have a blast. The Smash Bros. Melee universe is waiting for you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I hear the faint sound of a challenger approaching…