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.) 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.

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 duelling. 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 it's shell, it has green grass which 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 which players can stand on.

There is also an obstacle in the level: 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.

Artistic Design

The artistic flare of Great Bay has always been a favorite of SSBM players. The left platform of the level is apparently a moss covered rock. This can be said because, if you look underwater, you can see other rocks that look identical to the floating one underneath it on the sandbed. The main platform is a dome building with a giant hook on the top. Below the buildings are a few pots and a sign that you see all too often 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 just like in the game.

The turtle looks very good. His eyes open and shut, he raises and lowers his head, he opens and shuts his mouth. His shell looks like it has more detail than its head though, and it looks kind of awkward. 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.

But not all is peaceful. Probably the most momorable thing about the stage itself is the Moon. It's the same Moon from Majora's Mask, red and yellow eyes, large nose and angry mouth. Sure it's creepy enough, but what makes it so memorable? It falls to the village. It comes closer and closer and closer until you swear that you were done for. Then, at the last minute, four spirits come out from the mountains and push the moon back into the sky for another 10,000 years, showing the artistic thought put into this level.