Twenty years after the original release, Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee returns on modern platforms in a remaster that closely reproduces the cult Kaiju fighting game. The release is available on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch 2, adding online play to the familiar formula.

Players can control kaiju from Godzilla’s roster through 2002, including Anguirus, Megalon, King Ghidorah and Mechagodzilla. Battles take place in broad arenas filled with buildings and natural structures that can be destroyed during fights. Alongside a campaign-style sequence of battles, the game includes modes built around objectives beyond simply defeating opponents.

According to the review, the remaster’s visuals are crisp and clean, although some character models can look slightly uncanny. The controls remain fast and responsive, but the game does not introduce significant changes to make its combat deeper or more complex. Its original balance issues also remain, with some kaiju clearly more effective than others; Rodan’s ability to fly is highlighted as a major advantage.

The review describes the campaign combat as repetitive, with quick attacks, blocks and occasional beam attacks often proving sufficient to win. Although the game includes grabs, additional attacks and other abilities, the system does not strongly encourage experimentation or more elaborate strategies.

Local multiplayer remains the game’s strongest source of entertainment, particularly for players who can recreate the social experience of playing with friends. Online play gives the remaster additional life for those without access to local multiplayer, although the review notes that it cannot fully reproduce the spontaneous atmosphere of a shared couch-gaming session.

The remaster earns praise for preserving the original experience while making it playable without the hardware of its original era. However, it adds little for newcomers and does not address the older game’s weaknesses. The review gives the release an overall B, with B grades for graphics, sound and music, and gameplay. Its main strengths are smooth performance, improved presentation and online play, while its central drawback is that the game remains largely unchanged beneath the remastered visuals.

Sources: Anime News Network.