You Don’t Have to Buy a GameCube Controller
It’s likely that several of you don’t play Ultimate on a GameCube controller, instead opting for a Switch Pro Controller. But the only way to play Melee natively is with the previously mentioned GameCube controller. The idea of spending an arm and a leg on a brand-new controller to use in just one game may be enough to put you off.$73 dollars on a non-wireless controller for one game. Yikes
Fortunately, we’re not playing Melee on a GameCube or a Wii, we’re playing it on our computers. So, if you’ve only got a Switch Pro Controller, you can connect it to your computer via Bluetooth or USB and manually map all your buttons as a temporary solution. Granted, you probably won’t be able to do this in-person once the pandemic ends, but for now, it’s a good enough solution to let you try Melee and see if you really like it. Later down the line, if you're invested enough in the game, you can think about buying an official GameCube controller.
You’ll Need a New Main (and They’ll Need to be Good)
There’s a good chance your Ultimate main isn’t in Melee. And even if they are, it’s unlikely they’ll play the same way. So there’s no getting over it, you’ll need to find a new main.Don’t go lower than E tier, please.
It’s a widely held consensus that character viability tapers off after C tier, meaning that only 10 out of the 26-character roster are good enough to play with. For those engaging in more competitive play, I’d be inclined to agree. Here are a few suggestions as to which characters would be the best based on who you played in Ultimate.
Any sword character mains (Marth and Co., Cloud, Shulk) would probably enjoy playing Marth or Sheik. They use their long hitboxes to space their attacks on shields and focus on controlling space. While Sheik may not have the same range that Marth does, she’s easier to learn and has more consistent kill power in her Forward Air and Down Smash.
For zoners, Falco or Samus would be your best bet. Falco has a much faster playstyle, but he can use his lasers defensively to keep opponents at bay and force them to approach. If you want the more conventional turtling experience with powerful and varied projectiles, Samus is the way to go.
Grapplers (or half-grapplers) will be at home with Captain Falcon or the Ice Climbers. Captain Falcon can get amazing combos off his grabs and can put on tons of pressure. For pure grab reward, there’s no character like Ice Climbers, who can kill you off a single grab, thanks to Wobbling.
And finally for the rushdown players. You’ve all flocked to Melee to pull off some insane combos and exert pressure like no other. A playstyle like that takes a lot of practice and skill to maintain. With that in mind, you’ll probably want to try Fox, Falco, or Captain Falcon. Fox has been considered the best character in the game for years, and the pressure he can exert is unmatched by anyone else on the roster. Falco loses out a bit in pure ability, but he gains it back in style. There’s nothing more satisfying than pulling off some amazing pillar combos. And finally, Captain Falcon. This is where it all began, where he became a legend. With crazy tech-chases, insane combos, and style, he may not be as good as Fox and Falco, but he’s a blast to play.
As for Pikachu, Peach, and Jigglypuff, they don’t fit as cleanly into the aforementioned molds, but they’re fun characters in their own right. Pikachu isn’t as good at playing the rushdown game, but he has an amazing recovery that keeps him from being gimped early. Peach has big, hard-hitting hitboxes and vegetables are great projectiles, but she’s incredibly technical and not the most beginner-friendly. And Jigglypuff plays a unique defensive game of walling out with her great air mobility and big hitboxes, with the potential to pull off devastating punishes. So if the other characters don’t seem to click, give these three a shot.
Practice the Movement
This could be you (eventually)
This could be you (eventually)
You’ve probably heard a lot about Melee’s smooth and fluid movement. But odds are when you start up the game, it’ll feel like your character is swimming underwater. Your inputs seem to never register, and even the simplest things will feel impossible. This is because of the lack of an input buffer. In Brawl, Smash 4, and Ultimate, your inputs are stored in a buffer in case the character is in the middle of an animation and are carried out the first frame after the animation ends. This helps the game feel smoother and easier to play. Melee will offer you no such respite. Once you get over that, things like L-Canceling, Wavedashing, and SHFFLing (Shorthop Fast Fall L canceling) will take a while to learn. Make sure to stick through it, because what awaits you really is some of the best movement in any Smash title. Practicing the movement for a few days should be enough to give you a fighting chance. Maybe just watch some YouTube or listen to a podcast while just moving around the stage. And make sure that you prioritize learning the movement over doing cool combos; if you can’t start them, those combos won’t matter.
(TIP: The C-Stick doesn’t work in Training Mode. Instead, try to play against a Level 1 CPU or register an empty port in VS Mode to an active player.)
Find Some Friends to Practice With
Colorized image of a rookie Melee player before and after finding a practice buddy
While Melee is certainly a fun game, it can be a lonely experience starting all the way from the bottom. The skill gap between you and the average online player can be huge, and getting your teeth kicked in can get old fast. So, try and find some other Ultimate players you know who may be interested in joining you. Having someone at your level to practice with can make the experience much better, as you improve alongside each other. Your matches will be close, allowing you to spot your mistakes and remedy them. And coming from the same game, you can both give each other tips and tricks about how to translate your Ultimate experience into Melee.Colorized image of a rookie Melee player before and after finding a practice buddy
Hopefully, these tips should help you make a smooth transition into Melee. It’s certainly going to be different from Ultimate, but you’ll be glad you tried it once you get the hang of it. Maybe once is quarantine over, you’ll switch to being a full-time Melee player. Who knows? Good luck, and happy smashing!
Author’s Note: If anyone has other tips for getting into Melee as an Ultimate player, feel free to add in the comments below!
Credits
Editing ( Thirdkoopa , @Scribe)
Graphics (@Zerp)
Social Media (@Zerp)
Special Mentions (@EmaLeigh, Heeew)
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