The competitive Melee scene has great players, but who are the best of the best?
As quarantining in the United States starts to wind down, in-person tournaments in the Super Smash Bros. Melee scene have become the norm once again. Been wanting to brush up on some of the top players now that things are back in action? Keep reading for the top fifteen Super Smash Bros. Melee players in the world right now.
15. Jmook
Jmook playing at Genesis 8.
Jmook exploded onto the scene not too long ago. He made a big splash by placing 2nd at Genesis 8, losing only to Zain both in Winner’s Finals and Grand Finals. Considering he was unknown before this, he has had an unmatched rise to fame in the Super Smash Bros. Melee community.
Sheik players are known for tech chasing, but Jmook does it better than almost any other Sheik player. His consistency as Sheik is something to behold. The only reason that he isn’t higher on this list is that he is still pretty new and needs more placings to truly solidify himself as a top ten player.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Genesis 8 - 2nd (Unreleased)
- Smash Summit 13 - 4th (Unreleased)
- Get on my Level 2022 - 2nd ($765)
14. Fiction
Fiction sits against a green background.
Despite being chosen for this list, Fiction did not start as a Super Smash Bros. Melee player but as a Brawl player. Once he started playing Melee, he cycled through a few different mains before settling on Falco. Over his career, he has certainly established himself as an incredibly solid player.
In the past, Fiction has taken sets from some of the greats like Mew2King, iBDW, and Wizrobe. And although he hasn’t won a major tournament recently, he ranks very highly for placements in the SoCal region and excels there.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Genesis 8 - 17th (Unreleased)
- Pound 2022 - 7th (Unreleased)
- Double Down 22 - 3rd (Unreleased)
13. Polish
Peach and Polish next to one another.
The first and only Peach player on this list clocks in at number 13. Polish has been playing since 2016 but only recently has he started to shine. He has started coming out of the D.C. area and letting his name be known.
Having Peach as his main means he has to work extra hard to succeed in many match-ups. This is particularly true against characters like Fox and Jigglypuff. But against these odds, he has wins over both Hungrybox and iBDW, just to name a couple.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Genesis 8 - 17th (Unreleased)
- Pound 2022 - 9th (Unreleased)
- Phantom 2022 - 5th (Unreleased)
12. Ginger
Ginger walking on stage at Genesis 8.
Known as the “SFAT of Falco”, Ginger comes in at number 12. With a career in the competitive scene going back to 2003, Ginger has played quite a bit to get to where he is today. Although his playstyle as Falco is unusual, it is not to be underestimated.
Take a look at many of his most recent matches. After watching them you’ll understand where he gets his aforementioned nickname from. A powerful Falco like Ginger knows what they want and how to get it.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Ludwig Ahgren Championship Series 4 - 7th ($900)
- Genesis 8 - 9th (Unreleased)
- The Function 2 - 1st ($1,507)
11. Aklo
Aklo stands with a pink hoodie on.
Aklo is a bit of a divisive player. Some are not a fan of his more camping-oriented playstyle, particularly in a game as fast-paced and aggressive as Melee. But even if you’re not a fan, it’s hard to deny that he is not becoming one of the best.
Aklo has wins over some of the greats like Axe and iBDW. And if we’re counting online matches, he also has won against n0ne, moky, and Hungrybox. Keep an eye out for his Fox and also his Link and Young Link secondaries.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- The Nightclub VIP - 1st ($1,008)
- Pound 2022 - 7th (Unreleased)
- The Function 2 -13th (Unreleased)
10. SFAT
SFAT focusing intensely as he plays.
SFAT is a player who has been around for a long time now, but recently he has begun to really show us what he’s made of. He is well known for his performance in doubles with his partner PewPewU. They call themselves “PewFAT”, but they have not entered a tournament together in a while now.
Regardless, SFAT’s Fox is still as sharp as ever. His consistency is something to admire, especially when you consider how it seems that a number of noteworthy players have their moments where they seem to be slipping.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Pound 2022 - 13th (Unreleased)
- Battle of BC 4 - 9th (Unreleased)
- Double Down 2022 - 9th (Unreleased)
9. KoDoRiN
KoDoRiN posing beside Marth against the Hyrule Temple.
While not as new to the scene as somebody like Jmook, KoDoRiN is making strides with not too much of a history behind him. His Marth has made moves by getting wins against many names I’ve already brought up including SFAT and Ginger.
Take a look at footage of KoDoRiN playing. He has a very calm and collected demeanor that speaks to his intense focus on the gameplay. No high-strung antics from him! Just pure skill and tenacity.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Pound 2022 - 5th (Unreleased)
- Smash Summit 13 - 7th (Unreleased)
- Battle of BC 4 - 5th (Unreleased)
8. moky
Ginger wearing a gold medal with Zain to his right.
This one goes out to all the Canadians reading this! moky is a Fox player who hails from the Great White North. Considered one of North America's best, he ranks at number 9 on this list.
While also being a great Fox player, he has also been a vocal supporter of keeping Melee’s competitive scene active when it seemed to be entering a lull a few months back. It’s moments where he speaks out to the community that has really caused him to win the hearts of many players and spectators.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- The Function 2 - 2nd ($753)
- Battle of BC 4 - 7th (Unreleased)
- Get On My Level 2022 - 7th ($95)
7. aMSa
aMSa sits with his hands clasped together.
aMSa might be the most unique player on this list. Not only is he the only player on this list who comes from Japan, but he is also the only Yoshi player in all of competitive Melee to make a name for himself.
aMSa became a household name in the Melee community when he took a set off of Mew2King years ago. Since then he has only become more and more of an eye-catching player. Making top 8 in several major tournaments with Yoshi is no easy feat.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Pound 2022 - 3rd (Unreleased)
- Battle of BC 4 - 4th (Unreleased)
- Double Down 2022 - 2nd (Unreleased)
6. Plup
Plup focusing while playing at Genesis.
Plup is a Sheik and Fox main who comes from Florida. As such, he initially became known as Hungrybox’s doubles partner. Nowadays he is much more well known for his stellar performance in singles matches.
Having wins over each of the “Five Gods of Melee” is already impressive. But Plup has even managed to win a game against Leffen with his Samus, a lower-tier character. And that was years ago back when Melee was still at Evo! He has only been improving since then.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Ludwig Ahgren Championship Series 4 - 4th ($2.700)
- Smash Summit 13 - 2nd (Unreleased)
- CEO 2022 - 1st ($1,120)
5. Leffen
Leffen listening to some music as he is playing.
Leffen is, without a doubt, the best player in Europe. He was originally known as the “God Slayer” of Melee. In 2022, I think it’s safe to say that he isn’t just a “God Slayer”, but a God at Melee in his own right.
While some might harbor negative feelings towards him due to some past controversy, it’s safe to say he’s moved past that and improved his Fox at the same time. And much like Plup, he has managed to win sets against each of the “Five Gods” with his incredible and technical Fox play.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Pound 2022 - 5th (Unreleased)
- Smash Summit 13 - 9th (Unreleased)
- Battle of BC 4 - 1st (Unreleased)
4. Hungrybox
Hungrybox poses with a CEO belt over his shoulder.
Many players in the Melee scene have a vendetta against Jigglypuff. You can thank Hungrybox for that. He has become the only player to master this character to the extent that he has and is the reason she has placed so high in tier lists for years and years.
Much like Aklo, his campy playstyle can be upsetting to a lot of players. But when Hungrybox needs to bust out a nice rest setup or combo players off the stage, he can do it. Even after having some trouble during the online scene in 2020, he has shown he still has the skills to win when playing in person.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Pound 2022 - 2nd (Unreleased)
- Battle of BC 4 - 3rd (Unreleased)
- Get On My Level 2022 - 1st (Unreleased)
3. Mango
Mango stands smiling while holding a gold medal.
Call him, the Kid, the GOAT, the Buster, or whatever else you want. No matter how you phrase it, Mango has been an absolute beast in the scene since some of its earliest years. In 2022, while he hasn’t been proving himself as much as he has in other years, he still is considered the best Falco player ever.
His excellent speed, neutral game, mix-ups, and DI over the lifespan of the competitive scene has brought him to where he is today. He also streams frequently on Twitch and has gained a bit of a following there. Check him out when he’s streaming sometime if you’re interested.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Ludwig Ahgren Championship Series 4 - 2nd ($5,400)
- Get On My Level 2022 - 5th (Unreleased)
- Phantom 2022 - 3rd (Unreleased)
2. iBDW
iBDW happily relaxing at Smash Summit 13.
iBDW is one of those players who was able to take advantage of the online scene Melee has developed over the years. By honing his skills on Anther’s Ladder, a website that lets you play and track ranked online matches in Melee, he was able to rise to the top and become one of the best Fox mains in the world.
While he has always been a solid player, he has recently had a string of first-place wins this year that are hard to ignore. His unorthodox use of full jumps to throw off his opponents are a trademark characteristic of his Fox. Look out for that tactic next time you’re watching him play.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Smash Summit 13 - 1st (Unreleased)
- Double Down 2022 - 1st (Unreleased)
- Phantom 2022 - 1st (Unreleased)
1. Zain
Zain playing Super Smash Bros. Melee at Genesis 8.
While Fox might historically be considered the best character in Melee, Zain has begun to disrupt that belief with his Marth. For the past couple of years, Zain’s dominance over the scene has been the norm. And in 2022, he has already secured a few first-place wins at big tournaments.
His flawless punish game against other Fox and Falco, characters commonly played by many top players, has allowed him to excel in the current meta. It’s only natural to root against the best player, but with skills like his, Zain is a player you have to respect.
Notable Tournament Placings and Winnings:
- Ludwig Ahgren Championship Series 4 - 1st ($9,001)
- Genesis 8 - 1st (Unreleased)
- Pound 2022 - 1st (Unreleased)
