Atari releases remastered 2002 Godzilla fighter for modern consoles

Atari released Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered on November 3, 2026. The game arrives for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. It costs 26.75 pounds and carries a 12 age rating. Developer Pipeworks, now a subsidiary of Virtuos, handled the remaster of the 2002 title.

The original game launched on the GameCube in 2002 and arrived on the original Xbox in 2003. It is a fighting game that allows up to four players to battle simultaneously. The gameplay resembles the title Power Stone more than Super Smash Bros. Players control giant monsters, or kaiju, as they destroy city environments. They can pick up objects like cargo ships and tanks to throw at opponents.

The remaster retains the core mechanics of the original. Players can use special powers such as beam attacks, flight, or underground tunnelling. The graphics for the monsters have been updated. However, the maps remain basic, and the physics engine is simple. Attacks often connect loosely, sending characters flying with minimal visual feedback. The roster includes 12 playable monsters. This group features two versions of Godzilla, Gigan, Rodan, and Anguirus. It also includes Destoroyah, two versions of King Ghidorah, and Mechagodzilla 3.

The new version swaps the original Mechagodzilla 2 for the 1970s Mechagodzilla. Mothra is not playable but appears as an assist character. Hedorah also appears in the game to affect energy regeneration. The remaster adds an online mode, a feature missing from the 2002 release. Players can also use two Switch 2 consoles to host a four-person local match on one screen.

The main criticism of the release concerns the character unlock system. Only four monsters are available at the start. Players must complete single-player modes to earn experience points and research points. They must also investigate rumors, which function as achievement-like objectives. This process unlocks additional maps and modes. The original game required only a few playthroughs of Adventure mode to access all characters. The new system is described as time-consuming and repetitive.

A hidden setting called Tournament Mode can bypass some unlock requirements. Players must manually toggle this option in the settings menu. The game does not display a notification about this feature. This workaround functions only in offline play. Online players still must complete the standard unlock tasks. The remaster scored 6 out of 10 in recent reviews.

The game is available for pre-order and purchase today. It targets fans of the original and those who enjoy local multiplayer. The release serves as a test of interest for a potential new entry in the series. The core arcade action remains accessible to new players. The combination of giant monster combat and environmental destruction defines the experience. The title is rated for ages 12 and up. The publisher is Atari. The developer is Pipeworks.