E3 2001: First look at Super Smash Bros. Melee

Nintendo displayed video footage of the GameCube sequel to Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64, titled Super Smash Bros. Melee, at its press conference in Los Angeles this morning. Like the original, Super Smash Bros. Melee is a 3D fighting game wherein many key characters from popular Nintendo series face off against each other in large multitiered environments.

As in all the games that Nintendo showed for the GameCube at the event, Super Smash Bros. Melee had a distinct 3D cartoon look to it. Most of the character models had a Disney animation quality to their appearance, save for more realistic looking characters such as Samus from Metroid. The backgrounds seen ranged from the sort of static 2D hand-drawn look seen in Yoshi's Story for the Nintendo 64 (ostensibly Yoshi's signature arena) to a stage where water raged through between platforms.

The following characters were seen in the game: Mario, Donkey Kong, Peach, Bowser, Ness, Yoshi, Kirby, Captain Falcon, Fox, Pikachu, Samus, Link, Sheik, and Ice Climber.

Nintendo says that the game will be playable tomorrow on the E3 show floor. We'll have more details, as well as a hands-on report, then.