- The Slippi modification allows online play for Melee since 2020
- The mode was recently updated to have its own Ranked mode
- Players can subscribe for as low as $5 a month
Although still in its testing stage, the Slippi modification for Super Smash Bros. Melee finally allows players to play online ranked matches.
What Is This Mode?
When Super Smash Bros. Melee launched for the Nintendo GameCube in 2021, it quickly became a staple in the fighting game genre. However, a major downside of the game was the fact it did not come with any kind of online multiplayer, which severely limited its further growth. This all changed in 2020 when Jas “Fizzi” Laferriere introduced a rollback netcode to Slippi, a modification that adds online play to Nintendo’s 21-year-old game.
However, there was still no ranked mode that players could participate in. This all changes now as Fizzi has added even more depth to online play in Melee by implementing the long-anticipated ranked mode. The mode is still in its early testing stages, but fans can already contribute to its development.
Just like Fizzi’s Unranked mode introduced two years ago, the Ranked version allows players to face off against similarly-skilled players online based on an undisclosed match-making rating. Players can now earn a public rating score which determines their placement on the online leaderboards. There are currently three distinct leaderboards: North America, Europe, and “Other,” which includes minor regions like South America, Oceania, and Asia.
Additionally, all players with a Slippi account now have their own profile on the Slippi website where they can view their rank, rating, and win-loss record. Other players’ accounts can also be viewed by inputting their Slippi codes into the URL. For example, anyone can view the profile of Cody “iBDW” Schwab, whose Slippi code is IBDW#0.
Currently, the complete list of Melee ranks is not available but players in the top 50 on the leaderboards seem to fall into different tiers within the following ranks: Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Master.
How to Play the New Ranked Mode?
One downside of the Slippy ranked mode is that it’s still currently in its early testing stages. Fizzi has not revealed when the mode will become widely available, but rumors say it’s going to be sometime around March of 2023. The only way to currently participate in the Ranked mode early access is by paying a subscription fee to Slippi.
The service currently provides three levels of subscription that range from $5 a month to $40 a month. Considering all three levels provide access to the Ranked mode, players will be able to play it for the full three-month trial period for as low as $15.
When they subscribe, players will have to update their Slippi launcher, and later, verify their email address and agree to Slippi’s rules and policies. Afterward, players will see the “Ranked” option at the top of their screen and will be able to join the Ranked queue.It would be interesting to see what impact will this service have on competitive Smash as a whole, especially considering the drama with Nintendo canceling the 2022 Smash World Tour circuit.
