This week marks the start of March Madness, an annual staple of collegiate basketball, and one that’s spawned numerous spinoff “tournaments” across pop culture. Today, I’m introducing yet another March Madness bracket – this time for competitive Melee’s greatest moments ever.

From the days of titans like Ken and Azen to the era of the Five Gods to the current era, we as spectators have been graced with a myriad of incredible acts of skill, hype and entertainment across nearly two decades. Be it memorable, hype, important, or even funny, I’m leaving it up to you, the fans, to pick your favorite moments per week. I implore you to use your own judgement about which moment is the best Melee moment.

To create this double-elimination bracket, I and other Melee Stats members chose a variety of different events across Melee’s several time periods, narrowing down the list to a final 68 moments. Keep in mind that this wasn’t easy. Notably absent from the bracket are several major clinching moments like Armada winning Genesis 2, PPMD taking home the trophy for Apex 2015 and Plup defying the odds at Genesis 5. These are all undeniably important, but though we felt that while some tournament-winning moments should be included for gameplay or viral elements, winning a tournament on its own doesn’t necessarily fall under our criteria for this list.

Day one starts with our play-ins, where the 16 seeds face off versus the 17 seeds to decide who makes it into top 64. To vote on this, and see what’s up for voting, join the Melee Stats Podcast Discord server at https://discord.gg/VRf8cHS, and vote in the #Melee-Madness channel. We hope to see you there.

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UPDATE: The vote-ins are complete and so is the bracket. This page will be updated over the course of the next few weeks.

Round 1.1 Results:

1. Wombo Combo, SCSA West Coast Circuit (95.6%) > 16. Fly Amanita’s hand-offs on SFAT at The Big House 2 (4.4%)

> 16. Fly Amanita’s hand-offs on SFAT at The Big House 2 (4.4%) 8. “That set in Florida” Mew2King defeats Shiz game 5 at FAST 1 (26.2%) < 9. Abate encounters the invisible ceiling vs. S2J at TBH 5 (72.8%)

5. “I just beat Mango where you at?!” Kage double eliminates Mango at RoM 2 (41.1%) < 12. Armada ends his final major win with his last 0-to-death (58.9%)

4. “LOOOORD WHAT THE CRAP” Lord vs S2J Falcon ditto at The Next Episode (78.8%) > 13. “Hax wins!” Hax edges out Mango at Pound 2016 (21.2%)

> 13. “Hax wins!” Hax edges out Mango at Pound 2016 (21.2%) 6. Azen finishes a three stock comeback on Ken at MLG NY (54.4%) > 11. The Darkrain Combo, at FC 3 (45.6%)

> 11. The Darkrain Combo, at FC 3 (45.6%) 3. “Unplug your controller, dawg!” Mango makes Taj forfeit at Genesis 2 (92.5%) > 14. PPMD JV 5-stocks Tubes at Apex 2010 (7.5%)

> 14. PPMD JV 5-stocks Tubes at Apex 2010 (7.5%) 7. Mango wins Royal Flush and does an IRL stomp (77.5%) > 10. PPMD nearly JV 5-stocks Hax at MLG Anaheim 2014 (22.5%)

> 10. PPMD nearly JV 5-stocks Hax at MLG Anaheim 2014 (22.5%) 2. “This could be it… THIS IS IT” Mango vs Leffen at Apex 2014 (90.7%) > 15. Mango wins crews at TBH 5 with a wall-jump dair on Ice (9.3%)

Round 1.2 Results:



1. Hungrybox resets the bracket at Evo 2016 (58.9%) > 17. Press 1 If You Feel Bad For Hungrybox (41.1%)

> 17. Press 1 If You Feel Bad For Hungrybox (41.1%) 8. Fly Amanita’s SoPo comeback against Silent Wolf at Kings of Cali 3 (47.5%) < Plup takes two quick stocks from Leffen at Evo 2015 (52.5%)

5. Mango’s set-ending combo on Plup at Smash Summit 2 (68.0%) > 12. “What is this movement, Ice?!?”Ice vs. Armada at BEAST 6 (32%)

> 12. “What is this movement, Ice?!?”Ice vs. Armada at BEAST 6 (32%) 4. “My B” Chillin gets 5-0’d by Leffen in their Apex 2015 MM (86.9%) > 13. M2K takes 16 stocks off of Ken,Isai, Disk, and Manacloud in OC3 crews (13.1%)

> 13. M2K takes 16 stocks off of Ken,Isai, Disk, and Manacloud in OC3 crews (13.1%) 6. Westballz combos Leffen at BEAST 6 (85.2%) > 11. Isai’s game-winning combo on Ken at MOAST 3 (14.8%)

> 11. Isai’s game-winning combo on Ken at MOAST 3 (14.8%) 3. Armada breaks Mango’s shield at BEAST 3 (73.2%) > 14. S2J performs the ultimate Johnny Combo on Lucky (26.8%)

> 14. S2J performs the ultimate Johnny Combo on Lucky (26.8%) 7. Lucky performs the Sacred Combo on MikeHaze at Smash the Record 2015 (65.9%) > 10. Hbox engages the clutch in GTX grand finals (34.1%)

> 10. Hbox engages the clutch in GTX grand finals (34.1%) 2. “BAAIIIIIIIRRRR” PPMD stays alive in Pound V grand finals (53.3%) > 15. Armada’s 1v2 comeback vs Leffenand Ice at Apex 2015 (46.7%)

Round 1.3 Results:



1. Mango reads Armada’s roll with a rest at Genesis (92.9%) > 17. Chris Best and net1234 share a Marth ditto at Evo 2016 (7.1%)

> 17. Chris Best and net1234 share a Marth ditto at Evo 2016 (7.1%) 8. Plup seals his 3-0 of Armada with a Lightning Kick at Genesis 5 (82.5%) > 9. Armada and Mango exchange powershields at MLG Anaheim 2014 (17.5%)

> 9. Armada and Mango exchange powershields at MLG Anaheim 2014 (17.5%) 5. Mango throws his shirt into the crowd after beating Armada at Evo 2013 (63.8%) > 12. Mew2King beats Armada for the first time ever, at SKTAR 3 (36.2%)

> 12. Mew2King beats Armada for the first time ever, at SKTAR 3 (36.2%) 4. Armada’s meditation four-stock on Leffen at BEAST 5 (77.8%) > 13. Armada and Android perform a 212% double zero-to-death on Leffen and Ice at BEAST 7 (22.2%)

> 13. Armada and Android perform a 212% double zero-to-death on Leffen and Ice at BEAST 7 (22.2%) 6. Hungrybox edges out Armada 1% at Genesis 2 (55.2%) > 11. Mango JV four-stocks Zhu as Captain Falcon at West Coast Smash League (44.8%)

> 11. Mango JV four-stocks Zhu as Captain Falcon at West Coast Smash League (44.8%) 3. Mango reads Hungrybox’s roll at Evo 2013 (81.1%) > 14. Wobbles doesn’t let Mew2King escape at Infinity and Beyond 18 (18.9%)

> 14. Wobbles doesn’t let Mew2King escape at Infinity and Beyond 18 (18.9%) 7. PPMD combos Mew2King on Rainbow Cruise to win RoM 3 (36.5%) < 10. Hax puts New York City on the map with his combo on Javi at Apex 2013 (63.5%)

2. Axe four-stocks Silent Wolf in under a minute at Evo 2014 (93.0%) > 15. Darkrain hits SFAT with five knees in a row at FC10 (7.0%)

Round 1.4 Results:



1. Mew2King’s Game 4 comeback against DaShizWiz at RoM (94.9%) > 16. Westballz demands S2J to give him his spatula back at The Next Episode (5.1%)

> 16. Westballz demands S2J to give him his spatula back at The Next Episode (5.1%) 8. Lucky gives Westballz pause at The Big House 4 (61.2%) > 9. Armada chooses Young Link versus Hungrybox for the first time (38.8%)

> 9. Armada chooses Young Link versus Hungrybox for the first time (38.8%) 5. “Up-air, forward-air, f-forWARD-AIR” Mew2King’s last stock combo on PPMD at Zenith 2012 (56.7%) > 12. Mew2King wins Smash Summit 6 and “pops off” (43.3%)

> 12. Mew2King wins Smash Summit 6 and “pops off” (43.3%) 4. “AND THE SWEDISH SNIPER STRIKES AGAIN” Armada’s Parasol combo on Leffen (66.7%) > 13. “You can’t just four-stock me, Mango!” Mango four-stocks Leffen at The Big House 4 (33.3%)

> 13. “You can’t just four-stock me, Mango!” Mango four-stocks Leffen at The Big House 4 (33.3%) 6. Bombsoldier zero-to-deaths Ken at Jack Garden (42.9%) < 11. ChuDat makes a two-stock comeback with Sopo versus HugS at Evo 2015 (57.1%)

3. Mango disrespects everyone with his rest punish on Hungrybox at Pound 4 (71.4%) > 14. The crowd raise their chairs for S2J after he defeats Mew2King at Shine 2017 (28.6%)

> 14. The crowd raise their chairs for S2J after he defeats Mew2King at Shine 2017 (28.6%) 7. Mango just walks up slowly and downsmashes Hax at The Big House 4 (79.6%) > 10. Amsah performs The Comeback against Ek at Renaissance of Smash 3 (20.4%)

> 10. Amsah performs The Comeback against Ek at Renaissance of Smash 3 (20.4%) 2. Mango rests Mew2King on A M O V I N G A R W I N G at Pound 3 (77.0%) > 15. Magi upsets Mango in pools at Genesis 6 (23.0%)

Loser’s Round 1:

8. “That set in Florida” Mew2King defeats Shiz game 5 at FAST 1 (63.0%) > 16. Fly Amanita’s hand-offs on SFAT at The Big House 2 (34.0%) 5. “I just beat Mango where you at?!” Kage double eliminates Mango at RoM (47.8%) < 13. “Hax wins!” Hax edges out Mango at Pound 2016 (52.2%) 10. PPMD nearly JV 5-stocks Hax at MLG Anaheim 2014 (60.0%) > 15. Mango wins crews at TBH 5 with a wall-jump dair on Ice (40.0%) 11. The Darkrain Combo, at FC 3 (69.6%) > 14. PPMD JV 5-stocks Tubes at Apex 2010 (30.4%) 9. Armada and Mango exchange powershields at MLG Anaheim 2014 (47.8%) < 17. Chris Best and net1234 share a Marth ditto at Evo 2016 (52.2%) 12. Mew2King beats Armada for the first time ever, at SKTAR 3 (58.7%) > 13. Armada and Android perform a 212% double zero-to-death on Leffen and Ice at BEAST 7 (41.3%) 7. PPMD combos Mew2King on Rainbow Cruise to win RoM 3 (52.2%) > 15. Darkrain hits SFAT with five knees in a row at FC10 (47.8%) 11. Mango JV four-stocks Zhu as Captain Falcon at West Coast Smash League (52.2%) > 14. Wobbles doesn’t let Mew2King escape at Infinity and Beyond 18 (47.8%) 8. Fly Amanita’s SoPo comeback against Silent Wolf at Kings of Cali 3 (60.0%) > 17. Press 1 If You Feel Bad For Hungrybox (40.0%) 12. “What is this movement, Ice?!?” Ice vs. Armada at BESAT 6 (60.0%) > 13. M2K takes 16 stocks off of Ken, Isai, Disk, and Manacloud in 0C3 Crews (40.0%) 10. Hbox engages the clutch in GTX grand finals (25.0%) < 15. Armada’s 1v2 comeback vs Leffen and Ice at Apex 2015 (75.0%) 11. Isai’s game-winning combo on Ken at MOAST 3 (32.5%) < 14. S2J performs the ultimate Johnny Combo on Lucky (67.5%) 9. Armada chooses Young Link versus Hungrybox for the first time (70.0%) > 16. Westballz demands S2J to give him his spatula back at The Next Episode (30.0%) 12. Mew2King wins Smash Summit 6 and “pops off” (62.5%) > 13. “You can’t just four-stock me, Mango!” Mango four-stocks Leffen at The Big House 4 (37.5%) 10. Amsah performs The Comeback against Ek at Renaissance of Smash 3 (62.5%) > 15. Magi upsets Mango in pools at Genesis 6 (37.5%) 6. Bombsoldier zero-to-deaths Ken at Jack Garden Tournament (52.5%) > 14. The crowd raise their chairs for S2J after he defeats Mew2King at Shine 2017 (47.5%)

Round 2.1 Results: 1. Wombo Combo, SCSA West Coast Circuit (88.2%) > 9. Abate encounters the invisible ceiling vs. S2J at TBH 5 (11.8%)

> 9. Abate encounters the invisible ceiling vs. S2J at TBH 5 (11.8%) 4. “LOOOORD WHAT THE CRAP” Lord vs S2J Falcon ditto at The Next Episode (71.4%) > 12. Armada ends his final major win with his last 0-to-death (28.6%)

> 12. Armada ends his final major win with his last 0-to-death (28.6%) 3. “Unplug your controller, dawg!” Mango makes Taj forfeit at Genesis 2 (80.6%) > 6. Azen finishes a three stock comeback on Ken at MLG NY (19.4%)

> 6. Azen finishes a three stock comeback on Ken at MLG NY (19.4%) 2. “This could be it… THIS IS IT” Mango vs Leffen at Apex 2014 (70.4%) > 7. Mango wins Royal Flush and does an IRL(29.3%)

> 7. Mango wins Royal Flush and does an IRL(29.3%) 1. Mango reads Armada’s roll with a rest at Genesis (78.5%) > 8. Plup seals his 3-0 of Armada with a Lightning Kick at Genesis 5 (21.5%)

> 8. Plup seals his 3-0 of Armada with a Lightning Kick at Genesis 5 (21.5%) 4. Armada’s meditation four-stock on Leffen at BEAST 5 (63.0%) > 5. Mango throws his shirt into the crowd after beating Armada at Evo 2013 (37.0%)

> 5. Mango throws his shirt into the crowd after beating Armada at Evo 2013 (37.0%) 3. Mango reads Hungrybox’s roll at Evo 2013 (75.3%) > 6. Hungrybox edges out Armada 1% at Genesis 2 (24.7%)

> 6. Hungrybox edges out Armada 1% at Genesis 2 (24.7%) 2. Axe four-stocks Silent Wolf in under a minute at Evo 2014 (89.2%) > 10. Hax puts New York City on the map with his combo on Javi at Apex 2013 (10.8%) Round 2.2 Results:

1. Hungrybox resets the bracket at Evo 2016 (58.7%) > 9. Plup takes two quick stocks from Leffen at Evo 2015 (41.3%)

> 9. Plup takes two quick stocks from Leffen at Evo 2015 (41.3%) 4. “My B” Chillin gets 5-0’d by Leffen in their Apex 2015 MM (59.7%) > 5. Mango’s set-ending combo on Plup at Smash Summit 2 (40.3%)

> 5. Mango’s set-ending combo on Plup at Smash Summit 2 (40.3%) 3. Armada breaks Mango’s shield at BEAST 3 (74.2%) > 6. Westballz combos Leffen at BEAST 6 (25.8%)

> 6. Westballz combos Leffen at BEAST 6 (25.8%) 2. “BAAIIIIIIIRRRR” PPMD stays alive in Pound V grand finals (62.9%) > 7. Lucky performs the Sacred Combo on MikeHaze at Smash the Record 2015 (37.1%)

> 7. Lucky performs the Sacred Combo on MikeHaze at Smash the Record 2015 (37.1%) 1. Mew2King’s Game 4 comeback against DaShizWiz at RoM (77.4%) > 8. Lucky gives Westballz pause at The Big House 4 (22.6%)

> 8. Lucky gives Westballz pause at The Big House 4 (22.6%) 4. “AND THE SWEDISH SNIPER STRIKES AGAIN” Armada’s Parasol combo on Leffen (69.4%) > 5. “Up-air, forward-air, f-forWARD-AIR” Mew2King’s last stock combo on PPMD at Zenith 2012 (30.6%)

> 5. “Up-air, forward-air, f-forWARD-AIR” Mew2King’s last stock combo on PPMD at Zenith 2012 (30.6%) 3. Mango disrespects everyone with his rest punish on Hungrybox at Pound 4 (69.4%) > 11. ChuDat makes a two-stock comeback with Sopo versus HugS at Evo 2015 (30.6%)

> 11. ChuDat makes a two-stock comeback with Sopo versus HugS at Evo 2015 (30.6%) 2. Mango rests Mew2King on A M O V I N G A R W I N G at Pound 3 (41.9%) < 7. Mango just walks up slowly and downsmashes Hax at The Big House 4 (58.1%) Loser’s Round 2 Results:

6. Hungrybox edges out Armada 1% at Genesis 2 (40.0%) < 8. Fly Amanita’s SoPo comeback against Silent Wolf at Kings of Cali 3 (60.0%)

10. Hax puts New York City on the map with his combo on Javi at Apex 2013 (51.1%) > 12. “What is this movement, Ice?!?” Ice vs. Armada at BEAST 6 (48.9%)

> 12. “What is this movement, Ice?!?” Ice vs. Armada at BEAST 6 (48.9%) 5. Mango throws his shirt into the crowd after beating Armada at Evo 2013 (57.8%) > 15. Armada’s 1v2 comeback vs Leffen and Ice at Apex 2015 (42.2%)

> 15. Armada’s 1v2 comeback vs Leffen and Ice at Apex 2015 (42.2%) 8. Plup seals his 3-0 of Armada with a Lightning Kick at Genesis 5 (66.7%) > 14. S2J performs the ultimate Johnny Combo on Lucky (33.3%)

> 14. S2J performs the ultimate Johnny Combo on Lucky (33.3%) 6. Azen finishes a three stock comeback on Ken at MLG NY (50.0%) = 9. Armada chooses Young Link versus Hungrybox for the first time (50.0%)

7. Mango wins Royal Flush and does an IRL stomp (41.3%) < 12. Mew2King wins Smash Summit 6 and “pops off” (58.7%)

10. Amsah performs The Comeback against Ek at Renaissance of Smash 3 (53.3%) > 12. Armada ends his final major win with his last 0-to-death (46.7%)

> 12. Armada ends his final major win with his last 0-to-death (46.7%) 6. Bombsoldier zero-to-deaths Ken at Jack Garden Tournament (42.2%) < 9. Abate encounters the invisible ceiling vs. S2J at TBH 5 (57.8%) 49th place: “I just beat Mango where you at?!” Kage double eliminates Mango at RoM 2 Armada and Mango exchange powershields at MLG Anaheim 2014 Armada and Android perform a 212% double zero-to-death on Leffen and Ice at BEAST 7 PPMD JV 5-stocks Tubes at Apex 2010 Wobbles doesn’t let Mew2King escape at Infinity and Beyond 18 Darkrain hits SFAT with five knees in a row at FC10 Mango wins crews at TBH 5 with a wall-jump dair on Ice Fly Amanita’s hand-offs on SFAT at The Big House 2

