The debug menu is a special menu in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee that players can access with the use of an Action Replay. The code that accesses the debug menu depends on the version of Melee they have.
Function
The debug menu was a feature that was used by the developers to test certain aspects in the game, generally as an attempt to prevent glitches or errors from appearing, hence its name of debug. The developers never removed the debug menu from the games, however; as a result, hackers, through the use of devices such as Action Replay, were able to access the menu, as well as give any and all codes relating to the menu.
The debug menu allows a player to do many different things in the game that normally would not be possible, such as gaining access to any character, stage, item, and mode in the game, including those not accessible through normal play. They can also view all the trophies, such as Samus Unmasked, all character endings, and other features, including unused elements. Players can also modify the actual gameplay, such as causing specific items to spawn at any spot, swapping movesets, or modify the Artificial Intelligence of the computer.
Using devices to access the Debug Menu, however, can be risky; the game can crash if the player uses incorrect parameters (such as attempting to play as NONE, winning a game with Master Hand or using AKANEIA as a stage). In the worst cases, the game can cause save games to corrupt in SSB or Melee, or at worst, corrupt the entire card for Melee; as such, it is generally recommended that it is not used with a memory card plugged in, or at least have a backup.
In SSB
In order to get to the Debug Menu, a GameShark or an emulator must be used.
- Note: SSB has a Combat Debug Menu and a System Debug Menu. The former tests the aspects of the fighters to see what's right for the game. The latter is used for making changes to the game directly on the N64, so programmers wouldn't have to return to the computer.
Combat Debug Includes:
- The player can gain access to any stage, even the ones that are not in the final game, such as Kirby Beta Stage 1 or Kirby Beta Stage 2.
- The player can gain access to any character, as well as boss characters.
- The player can adjust the damage of each character. (Adjusting damage was not possible in the original game and Melee. In Brawl, one can adjust it via Handicaps).
- The player can make the CPU characters always stop, walk, run, or attack.
- Changes cannot be saved.
System Debug Includes:
- The player can play all sound effects, including ones not included in the final game, such as (what are presumed to be) Final Smashes.
- The player can test 3D animations, such as a paper airplane.
- The player can watch "New Character Signals" for every character.
- Changes can be saved.
In Melee
In order to get to the Debug Menu, an Action Replay or an emulator must be used.
- Note: The Combat and System Debug Menus are combined.
Features include:
- The player can gain access to any stage, even ones not included in the final game, such as AKANEIA.
- The player can gain access to any character, including Bosses and even Sandbag.
- The player can make the CPU characters always stop, walk, run, and attack.
- The player can use modes and CPU behaviors used in Events (see below).
- The player can erase data on the Memory Card.
- Changes can be saved.
- AIR restricts the CPU's jumping height. This does not affect the height gained by the character's up special move, meaning that this mode has far more of an effect on aerial play than it does on the character's recovery.
- COOPERATIVE causes the CPU to follow the player and attack them.
- DEFENSIVE causes the CPU to only use defensive tactics, such as shields and rolls.
- EVZELDA may cause Zelda to transform into Sheik more often, as she does in the event match Hide 'n' Sheik. If this is the case, it may stand for "Event Zelda".
- FREAK causes the CPU to stay where they are, but attack when an opponent comes near. Used in the event match Kirbys on Parade.
- ITEM causes the CPU to attempt to grab all items that appear. Otherwise, the CPU is normal. It is most likely used for CPUs in event matches like Pokémon Battle.
- NANA is the default mode for the partner Ice Climber, so that he/she follows the leader, attacks with the leader, etc.
- NOACT causes the CPU to do absolutely nothing. This is not to be confused with Stand, where the CPU will still attempt to recover if knocked off.
- ONLYITEM causes the CPU to only use items, as opposed to using any other attacks.
- SPLWLINK and SPLWSAMUS cause the CPU to only use their down special move when set to Link and Samus respectively. They are used in the event match Bomb-fest. "SPLW" is possibly an abbreviation of "Special Low", which reflects that the character only uses their down (or "low") special.
- STRUGGLE causes the CPU to attack the nearest opponent, regardless of whether they are a human or a CPU. This is different from normal CPU behavior because a normal CPU will dedicate its attention to human opponents, unless a CPU stands between it and a human, or if there are no human opponents in the match.
In Brawl
Brawl does not have a Debug Menu, but there are test modes when a player hacks the game.
Links
Trivia
- There is a Kirby reference in the background SSB System Debug Menu. EarthBound also has this in its debug menu.
- There is no menu music in the SSB Combat menu, unlike in Melee, where the menu music is running.