Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee plunges you straight into a world under siege, where alien invaders have unleashed a menagerie of monstrous beasts upon Earth. Your mission is clear: step into the colossal claws of classic kaiju and bring these invaders to their knees. From the moment you select your giant reptilian avatar, the game’s core loop—smash opponents, absorb energy, and unleash devastating special attacks—feels both intuitive and satisfyingly weighty.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The roster is a nostalgic dream for Godzilla fans, featuring the ’90s and 2000 incarnations of the King of the Monsters alongside favorites like Megalon, Anguirus, King Ghidorah, Gigan, Rodan, Mecha-King Ghidorah, Destoroyah, and Mechagodzilla. Each creature boasts a unique move set that captures its signature abilities, whether it’s Rodan’s supersonic dives or Mechagodzilla’s devastating missile barrages. Mastering their differences—reach, speed, and special meter usage—adds strategic depth beneath the surface carnage.

A variety of modes keeps the gameplay loop fresh. Adventure mode tasks you with defeating beast after beast across iconic cityscapes, while Destruction mode challenges you to wreak as much havoc on civilians and buildings as possible within a time limit. Survival mode tests endurance on a single health bar, and Team Battle pairs monsters in two-on-two combat. The highlight, however, is the Melee multiplayer mode, where up to four players can duke it out in free-for-all or team-based chaos. Whether you’re a lone predator or coordinating with friends, the diverse rule sets ensure every match feels unique.

Graphics

On both the Nintendo GameCube and original Xbox, Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee delivers surprisingly detailed monster models for its era. Textures may show their age by today’s standards, but each kaiju exudes character through dynamic animations and expressive roar animations. You can feel the weight in every swipe of a tail or stomp of a foot, underscored by impactful screen shakes and debris flying in all directions.

Environmental destruction is a major visual draw. Cities crumble under your rampage, skyscrapers topple realistically, and parked vehicles scatter as the dust cloud rises. Particle effects—for example, Mechagodzilla’s laser beams or King Ghidorah’s lightning blasts—pop vividly against urban backdrops, giving each special move the spectacle it deserves.

Even in four-player battles, frame rates remain steady, and multiplayer arenas are laid out clearly so you can always track friend and foe. Though draw distances are limited, clever fog effects hide pop-in and maintain immersion. Bright color palettes and varied levels—from neon-lit downtown streets to industrial ports—keep each battleground memorable and procedurally varied.

Story

While Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee isn’t driven by an intricate narrative, it leverages a simple but effective premise: aliens have invaded Earth and unleashed their deadliest monsters. This storyline serves its purpose, providing context for each epic clash and giving you an underlying reason to trample cityscapes and face off against monstrous foes.

Cutscenes in Adventure mode stitch battles together, offering brief but atmospheric interludes that emphasize the scale of the alien threat. Though dialogue is minimal and exposition largely text-based, the escalating tension is palpable as you progress from smaller skirmishes to the final confrontation with the alien masters behind the invasion. The pacing feels just right: you never wait too long for the next battle, yet you have enough downtime to appreciate unlocking new monsters.

The game’s overarching story arc culminates in a showdown that feels appropriately world-shaking. By the time you face the ultimate enemy, you’ve experienced enough citywide mayhem to earn the right to defend Earth. While purists looking for deep lore or character development may be left wanting, the simplicity allows the gameplay to shine without cumbersome plot mechanics.

Overall Experience

Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee succeeds as a pure monster-mashing party game. Its frantic pacing and varied modes mean you can jump in for a quick bout or settle in for a longer Adventure run. The control scheme is responsive, and even newcomers can pick up the basic moves quickly, while veterans will appreciate chaining combos and mastering timing for maximum damage.

The multiplayer component is the real star here. Whether online or couch co-op, matches become legendary for their unpredictable outcomes and hilarious destruction. Arguments over controller grips and triumphant roars when you unleash a critical special move create memories as big as the monsters themselves. And with a healthy roster and level variety, fatigue rarely sets in—even after multiple sessions.

While the graphics show their age compared to modern titles, and the story remains straightforward, the sheer joy of stomping cities and battling iconic kaiju overcomes any minor shortcomings. If you’re a fan of Godzilla or simply crave a game where you can obliterate skyscrapers and unleash atomic breath with abandon, Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee delivers an experience that’s both nostalgically familiar and endlessly entertaining. It’s a must-have for party gaming and any collection that celebrates classic monster mayhem.

Retro Replay Score

7/10