Gameplay: A Miniature-Sized Monster Brawler
This 2002 GameCube classic is what happens when a wrestling game and a monster movie get duct taped together. It throws realism out the window (along with half of Tokyo) and delivers one of the most gloriously chaotic tournament fighters (that’s what I’m calling it) ever made. The combat is a mix of encouraged button-mashing and just enough strategy to make you feel like you might actually be getting the hang of things—until Megalon tunnels underneath you and hurls you across the map like yesterday’s snot rag.Each monster has their own unique moves derived from their respective source material. There’s a really nice balance between brute force and agility, meaning you can pick a powerhouse like Mechagodzilla or a speedier fighter like Rodan, and it’ll all come down to how well you understand what’s happening.
Finally, I gotta touch on the size of this game. I don’t just mean literally! For a game about giant monsters leveling whole cities, “Destroy All Monsters Melee” is surprisingly small in scope. The roster, while packed with fan favorites, only features around 11 kaiju; there’s technically 12 but Japan got Kiryu and we got Mechagodzilla 2. In any case, it’s hardly an “all-monsters melee” compared to the later Godzilla games. But, I can very easily forgive this because it’s kind of the pioneer for video games dedicated to the King of the Monsters.
I will say, there aren’t many game modes. Single-player is your typical, run-of-the-mill arcade ladder, and while multiplayer is where the game truly shines, there aren’t a ton of options beyond “fight until someone falls over.” It’s the kind of game that thrives on sheer fun rather than depth, and while that makes it a blast to pick up and play, it also means you might burn through most of what it has to offer fairly quickly.
Destruction: Collateral Damage? Never Heard of It.
If you’re gonna have giant monsters throwing down, you best believe the cities aren’t gonna survive. Buildings crumble under your feet, helicopters buzz around uselessly, and sometimes an alien spaceship shows up to zap you in vain, just in case the chaos wasn’t enough. Whether you’re hurling your opponent into a skyscraper or literally hurling the skyscraper at them because you can, the sheer level of destruction adds an extra layer of satisfaction to every fight.And let’s be honest there’s something deeply cathartic about taking out an entire city block with an airborne kaiju.
Multiplayer: The Ultimate Kaiju Throwdown
Single player is a fun time, but if I’m being honest, multiplayer is where this game really shines. There’s nothing quite like yeeting your friend - or cousin in my case - into a building and then blasting them with atomic breath while they’re still trying to stand up. The fights are almost always fast, ridiculous, and completely unpredictable, leading to some of the most entertaining couch multiplayer moments imaginable.Whether you're recreating the final battle from Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla or staging a totally justified 2v1 smackdown against that little piss baby Anguirus, every match feels like un-controlled chaos in the best way possible.
Final Thoughts: The Game That Saved Godzilla
It’s big, it’s dumb, and it’s everything a Godzilla game should be.If we’re being serious, being a Godzilla fan in North America in the 80’s and 90’s meant being met with a lot of disappointment, especially in the video game sector. Sure, there were a few attempts over the years, but most ranged from forgettable to downright terrible. It would genuinely be easier to list out every bad Godzilla game as opposed to the good ones.
Destroy All Monsters Melee was the game that revitalized Godzilla in the United States. After being largely ignored and/or sidelined throughout the 80’s and 90’s, the U.S finally got a great game from a studio that listened to what American audiences had been clamoring for. It revitalized interest in Godzilla gaming outside of Japan, proving there was a real market for giant monster mayhem. It even paved the way for future games like Godzilla: Save the Earth (2004) and Godzilla: Unleashed (2007), keeping the kaiju hype alive well into the 2000s.
9.6/10, would obliterate Tokyo, Seattle, London, etc. again.
Pros
- + Chaotic fun – giant monsters throwing hands (and tails) never gets old.
- + Great multiplayer – best enjoyed with friends and family for maximum destruction.
- + Destructible environments – cities fall apart like sand castles under your kaiju-sized tantrums.
- + Classic Godzilla fan service – features iconic monsters, moves, and music.
- + Revitalized Godzilla gaming in North America – finally, a good Godzilla game.
Cons
- - Limited roster & stages – could’ve used more monsters and locations.
- - Barebones single-player – fun, but doesn’t offer much longevity.
- - No real depth – more of a button-mashing brawler than a technical fighter.
- - Occasionally janky physics – fun, but sometimes frustrating.
9.6
out of 10
Overall
Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee doesn’t just let you play as your favorite kaiju—it makes you feel like a rampaging force of nature, leaving nothing but destruction in your wake. Whether you’re playing solo or throwing down with friends, it’s an absolute blast from start to finish.
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