No need to dust off your GameCube, Smash Bros. Ultimate is Smash Bros. Melee for this weekend only

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Smash Bros. Ultimate is running a weekend-long event that explicitly pays tribute to an old classic and a favorite of the Smash community, Super Smash Bros. Melee. The aptly-named 'A Tribute to Melee' event is live now and runs through the weekend, giving you ample time to relive the glory days of the GameCube and Super Smash Bros. Melee.

To see just how closely the character selection screen in Smash Bros. Ultimate resembles that of Smash Bros. Ultimate, check out this handy comparison posted by a fan on Twitter:

The Melee-inspired Smash Bros. Ultimate event throws player together in two-and-a-half-minute timed matches. The characters and stages you choose will be limited to those available on the Smash Bros. Melee roster, same as the items that appear in matches. Item drops will be set to medium frequency and the Final Smash meter will be turned on.

Super Smash Bros. Melee has long been the competitive eSports community's favored Smash Bros. entry, and it doesn't look like Smash Bros. Ultimate will steal that crown despite a fairly active competitive scene. With this latest themed event, it seems Nintendo is keenly aware of Melee's rank in the competitive hierarchy, as we've yet to see a similar event themed around any of the other entries.

You have until 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT on Monday, January 6 to take part in the nostalgia-fueled festivities. Here's the announcement straight from the Smash Bros. Japan Twitter account.

It's always fun to revisit the days of gaming past, but older isn't always better. Here are the best upcoming games of 2020 and beyond.

Jordan Gerblick

After scoring a degree in English from ASU, I worked as a copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. Now, as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer, I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my apartment, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.

Latest in Gaming
GDC The Game Developers logo
Biggest announcements from the Game Developers Conference 2025
FGS Spring 2025
How to watch The Future Game Show Spring Showcase 2025 – and what to expect
Image of the Death Stranding 2 On The Beach Collector's Edition on a purple GamesRadar background.
Death Stranding 2 collector's edition is a sight to behold and here's where to pre-order yours
GDC The Game Developers logo
When is the Game Developers Conference 2025 and why is it so interesting?
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Everything announced at Pokemon Presents 2025
Saros screenshot featuring the main character and am imposing monster in the background with a swirling void in its chest and multiple arms with balls of fire
Everything announced at the PlayStation State of Play February 2025
Latest in News
Mario racing on a desert track during the Switch 2 reveal trailer.
Porting Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to the Nintendo Switch was "kind of an afterthought," and now it's so popular that getting fans to switch could be a challenge
Nick Frost in Shaun of the Dead
Shaun of the Dead star Nick Frost is playing one of the most beloved Harry Potter characters for the new HBO TV show
The Witcher 4 screenshot with Ciri using sword and sorcery to fight an ancient monster
The Witcher 4 and Naughty Dog's Intergalactic are reportedly skipping 2026 and won't be ready until at least the year after
Lunar Remastered Collection
"Will today’s players still enjoy a game from 30 years ago?": JRPG icon Kei Shigema says he was thrilled to see Lunar getting a remaster even after all this time
Nick Offerman as Bill and Murray Bartlett as Frank in The Last of Us episode 3
The Last of Us season 2 showrunners tease a "gorgeous" episode akin to season 1’s Emmy-nominated Bill and Frank story: "Just you wait"
The Witcher 4 screenshot with Ciri using sword and sorcery to fight an ancient monster
CD Projekt boss says "cutting-edge single-player games" – you know, like The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 – will "continue to enjoy great popularity" despite industry shifts