Which Smash game was released for the GameCube in 2001?

Super Smash Bros. Melee was the Smash game released for the GameCube in 2001.

Melee is the second main entry in the Super Smash Bros. series, following the Nintendo 64 original from 1999. HAL Laboratory developed it, with Masahiro Sakurai serving as director and Shigeru Miyamoto as a co-producer. The game expanded the original formula with more fighters, stages, modes, items, and collectible trophies.

Its release dates varied by region: Japan received Melee on November 21, 2001, while North America received it on December 3, 2001. Europe and Australia followed in 2002. This regional timing can cause confusion when a question simply says “released in 2001.”

Melee is also frequently confused with Super Smash Bros. Brawl, which was released for the Wii in 2008, or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, released for Nintendo Switch in 2018. Melee remained the best-selling GameCube game and became especially influential in competitive gaming.