Great Bay

Stage Design

Great Bay is a level in Super Smash Bros. Melee that could be considered Young Link's stage (it is where you fight him when you attempt to unlock him.) Announced at E3 2001, This level is quite fair, although the advantage goes to the large character instead of the small one. It is best to be large because of the setup of the level itself: The more space one can control on the small platforms on the side, the less vulnerable they are to any approach on that area. Staying to the right side of the stage also provides advantage due to the mismatched length of the stage; the area with the turtle has a very long distance to the wall unlike the other.

The water has no effect on characters in this stage. The left platform fits only about two people, and this is still a pretty small area for two people to be dueling. The bottom right platform is equivalent in size and shape. Above and between the two small side platforms, there is a long platform that is the main fighting area. This platform is flat without any obstacles. The main platform can fit four fighters, but only about three comfortably. Sporadically, a large, green turtle will appear in either of two orientations to the right of the stage. After about half a minute, the turtle will sink back into the ocean, killing any players who choose to remain on it. On its shell, it has green grass that provides normal movement friction for characters, but any spots of the turtle not covered by grass will work like a slick surface (i.e. ice or oil). Additionally, the turtle has trees on its shell that players can stand on.

Tingle, from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask game. Tingle floats around on a red balloon on the right side of the stage, directly above the right-bottom platform. It is possible to pop his balloon, causing him to flail his arms and legs and fall to the ground or water below. While he is flailing his arms and legs, he can deal 1-2% damage with negligible knockback. There is also a giant turtle that will come up and shrink at various times. If a character shrinks with it, it will result in a self-destruct.

In All-Star mode, this stage is played on when you face Link and any of his teammates.

Artistic Design

The artistic flair of Great Bay has always been a favorite of SSBM players. The left platform of the level is a moss-covered rock. Underwater, other similar rocks rest upon the sand bed at the bottom. The main platform is a dome building with a giant hook on the top. Below the buildings are a few pots and a sign like those in the Legend of Zelda series. There is a ladder that goes from the main upper platform to the lower right one which has the owl statue from the game on it. The background is very well done. It is a beach with a small village on it no more than 200 feet from where you fight. The village and beach are surrounded by large hills, and behind them there is a mountain range that reaches through out the level. The turtle is very detailed. Its eyes open and shut, its head bends up and down, and its mouth arches open and shut; however, his shell looks much more detailed than its head, causing the design to look somewhat incongruent and lopsided.

Probably the most memorable thing about the stage itself is the Moon. It's the same Moon from Majora's Mask; it has the same red and yellow eyes, large nose and grimacing, disgruntled mouth. However, for its coup de grâce it sinks onto the village below; it looms heavier and heavier over the village until, at the last minute, four giants come out from the mountains and push the moon back into the sky.