Bonus (mode)

A result from a Bonus match in Melee.

Bonus, referred to as decision in the debug menu and by the Announcer, is a type of Versus mode match in which the winner is determined by the amount of points they have obtained via bonuses at the end of the game. It only appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee; it does not return in subsequent games due to their lack of Bonuses, making it the only versus mode unique to Melee.

Overview

The structure of a bonus match is somewhat similar to a Time match, as there are bonuses for KOs (which adds points) and being KO'd (which subtracts points), and the match ends when time runs out. However, there are several other bonuses based on actions other than fighting normally that players may choose to pursue, similar to objectives or challenges in other games. The amount of points these bonuses provide are based on the difficulty, risk, and number of steps needed to complete said bonuses:

• Many bonuses exist for playing offensively - Offensive Artist, KO Master, Beserker, and so on. Some of these are relatively large and not at all difficult (such as All Variations).
• Defensive bonuses such as Impervious and Heavy Damage tend be more valuable than offensive bonuses, but one mistake may lose all the points and result in lots of catching up to do.
• Some bonuses are extremely difficult or even counterproductive to the point of generally not being worth the reward - No R 4 U and Stiff Knees heavily limit one's options and are worth only 300 points each.
• Some bonuses are trivial to earn and gain an equally trivial number of points, which may be inconsequential in most cases, but many of them when added up could decide a close match. Instant Poser is an example of this.
• Some bonuses gain sizeable points on completion but activate other unwanted "anti-bonuses" worth negative points should the player commit and fail, or which always activate and reduce the bonus's effective value. For example, failing to achieve Specialist will result in being given Stale Moves, while trying to get Switzerland may saddle the player with Coward and Opportunist whether they succeed or not.
• Various bonuses are dependent on opponents' actions. Players may want to avoid giving other players Blind Eye by attacking from in front, or use horizontal attacks to avoid the chance of giving out Foresight (which is worth more for the target than the Star KO bonus the attacker gets).

If there is a tie when time runs out, Sudden Death occurs. Bonuses earned in Sudden Death do not apply to the final scores; whoever wins Sudden Death wins the match.

See also

• List of bonuses (SSBM)