100-Man Melee is a Multi-Man Melee mode in Super Smash Bros. Melee. It returned in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as the "100-Man Brawl". It challenges the player to defeat one hundred opponents (Fighting Wire Frames in Melee, and Fighting Alloys in Brawl) without falling from the stage or self-destructing. In 100-Man Brawl, playable characters appear as every twentieth opponent. This usually takes a few minutes for players to clear, and can get quite difficult on higher difficulties.
Checkpoints
A certain level of difficulty is programmed into four different checkpoints of 100-Man Melee and 100-Man Brawl. After beating a certain amount of opponents, their behavior will change and they will gradually become more difficult. The amount at which the opponents are released will also increase. These checkpoints are shown by either a short pause in the spawning of Fighting Wire Frames or by a spike in the amount at which they are spawned.
Beginning
From the beginning of the match, two to three opponents spawn and will gradually increase to between four and five. However they are behave at a very low level, that of a level 1 Computer Player. There will be a short pause after defeating the first 25.
25 opponents defeated
After 25 opponents are defeated, the amount at which they spawn will reset, but will gradually increase again. They are aggressive and slightly more dangerous than the first 25 foes.
50 opponents defeated
After 50 opponents are defeated, the amount at which they spawn will reach a maximum of between four and five. Most will constantly approach the player, while some may spread out among the stage. This checkpoint is where most players begin to encounter challenges.
90 opponents defeated
At some point after 90 opponents are defeated, there will be a small pause during the last few foes to acknowledge that the match is nearing its end. Nevertheless, the last few opponents will shield dodge and use smash attacks much more often. After these final opponents are defeated, there will be one short, last pause before the final challenger appears.
99 opponents defeated
After the short pause following the defeat of 99 opponents, the final foe will spawn. It is much heavier than any of the previous foes and as a result is a slightly harder to defeat.
Strategies
Donkey Kong
Playing as Donkey Kong in Super Smash Bros. Melee, situate him in the middle of the stage. When the Fighting Wire Frames begin approaching Donkey Kong, use his Down Special Move, the Hand Slap. Any Fighting Wire Frames in the radius of this move should be knocked out instantly. It is also recommended to ignore any kind of item, especially those which are explosive.