On October 17, 2026, developer Aidan Walz released “Super Smash Bros. Melee 3D” v1.0, a patch that turns the 2001 GameCube classic into a full 3D arena fighter. It reworks controls for 360-degree movement and adapts nine stages, including Final Destination, Pokémon Stadium, Fountain of Dreams, and Mute City. The mod requires an unmodified NTSC 1.02 Melee ISO and is compatible with Slippi Direct.
Melee has a famously dedicated competitive and modding scene, and modders have kept it alive for 25 years with projects like battle-royale modes and training tools. Walz's project explores a long-debated question: whether Smash's formula works in a 3D environment.
A fan mod by Aidan Walz, released October 17, converts Super Smash Bros. Melee into a 3D arena fighter. Nine classic stages have been rebuilt, and characters can now move, attack, and grab ledges in three dimensions. No factual claim; the post is just a link, likely to an image or video. Personal observation about posting activity; no factual claim to verify. A rant about a meme; no checkable factual claim. Observation about a social media trend, not a substantive factual claim. Meme commentary; no checkable factual claim. Reaction to a meme/video; no factual claim. Reaction; no factual claim. Joking reaction; the “former Governor of Minnesota” identification lacks context and isn't worth checking here. Reaction; no factual claim.
JGood morning, it's Tuesday, six a.m. — and the Smash Bros modding scene just dropped something huge.
NHuge is right. A modder turned Melee into a full 3D arena fighter.
JTwenty-five years old, and someone just rebuilt it from the ground up. Dexerto posted about it twenty-five minutes ago.
NIt's real, not a concept. Characters move in 360 degrees now, attack from any angle, grab ledges on any side.
JThat's the part that changes everything. Side attacks, approach options, ledge guarding — it's a whole new game.
NThe developer, Aidan Walz, rebuilt nine classic stages. Final Destination, Pokémon Stadium, Fountain of Dreams.
JAnd it works online through Slippi Direct. So you can actually play against people.
NYou need a specific version of Melee — the unmodified NTSC version one point oh two ISO — but that's standard for mods.
JThe Melee community has kept this game alive for decades. Battle royale mods, training tools, now this.
NIt's like the modders asked: what if Smash was Power Stone? And then they just did it.
JFans are already calling it a "dream come true." Some are comparing it to Dragon Ball Sparking Zero.
NI'm not a huge Smash player, but I respect the work. This isn't a reskin — it's a mechanical overhaul.
JAnd it's free. All you need is your own copy of Melee and a way to patch it.
NHere's the thing: Nintendo sometimes goes after these projects. But they seem to have been leaving the Melee scene alone lately.
JLet's hope it stays that way. The developer says more stages are planned, so this is just the start.
NDo you think 3D Smash actually works? I'm skeptical it'll feel like Smash, but I'd try it.
JOh, come on. The modders know what they're doing. If anyone can make it work, it's this community.
NFair enough. Twenty-five years of practice will do that.
JThis is the kind of story that makes the internet fun. A fan project that actually delivers.
NAnd it's already blowing up online. People are sharing clips of the new movement and stage transitions.
JI haven't played Melee in years, but this makes me want to dust off my GameCube.
NYou still have a GameCube?
JHey, it's a classic. And it's hooked up in my basement.
NOkay, I need to see this mod in action. Maybe we can get a clip on the stream later.
JGood idea. For now, if you're a Smash fan, this is your morning headline.
NAnd if you're not, it's still a reminder of what passionate fans can build without a big studio behind them.
JExactly. No marketing budget, no corporate sign-off — just a developer and a community that refused to let the game die.
NThat's the spirit of the internet's best corners. And it's a nice change from the usual outrage cycle.
JSo go check out the Melee 3D mod if you've got the setup, and it's already making waves.
NThat's the morning brief. Back with more in a bit.