Super Smash Bros. Melee Mod Finally Adds Sonic and Tails After 23 Years, Making EGM's April Fool’s Legend a Reality

Super Smash Bros.

Melee, the iconic Nintendo GameCube fighting game released in 2001, has long been celebrated for its fast-paced gameplay and enduring competitive community.

However, fans who grew up with the title may remember an infamous April Fool’s hoax from Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) that falsely claimed players could unlock Sonic and Tails in Melee.

After more than two decades, a dedicated group of modders has finally made this Nintendo rumor a playable reality. **Birth of a Gaming Legend: The 2002 EGM April Fool’s Prank** In April 2002, EGM published a tongue-in-cheek article by Chris "CJ" Johnston suggesting that Sonic and Tails from Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog series could be unlocked in Super Smash Bros.

Melee by racking up 20 KOs in the grueling Cruel Melee mode and then defeating the duo in a demanding handicap match.

The satirical walkthrough quickly attracted widespread attention—and confusion.

EGM soon found itself inundated with letters from readers attempting to debunk or verify the claims.

The hype escalated to such an extent that Nintendo reportedly updated the official Smash Bros.

FAQ to clarify that Sonic (and Knuckles) were not included in Melee, aiming to put persistent community rumors to rest. In response to the fervor and to make amends to dedicated players, EGM even launched a competition awarding 10 free copies of Sonic Adventure 2: Battle for the Nintendo GameCube to those who could showcase their best Cruel Melee performances.

Despite these efforts, the legend of unlocking Sonic and Tails endured, fueled by internet forums and fan communities for years to come. **A Modder’s Dream Realized: Akaneia Brings Sonic and Tails to Melee** While Sonic officially joined the Smash roster in Super Smash Bros.

Brawl for the Nintendo Wii in 2008, and Tails has made several cameo appearances as a Mii costume and trophy across subsequent entries—including on Nintendo Switch and the eShop—neither character ever became playable in Melee itself.

This longstanding gap has finally been closed by the Akaneia modding team. The Akaneia mod for Super Smash Bros.

Melee leverages the powerful m-ex tool, enabling modders to expand the original GameCube title beyond its classic 26 characters.

Existing since 2020, Akaneia’s most recent release (version 1.0.0) introduces Tails as a fully playable fighter, joining Sonic, who debuted in a previous update (v0.9).

The mod also includes numerous gameplay enhancements, further breathing new life into this beloved entry in the Smash Bros.

series. Fans eager to experience the Akaneia mod can access the latest version via the project’s online repositories.

With both Sonic and Tails now finally available in Super Smash Bros.

Melee, players can relive a piece of gaming history that once existed only as a memorable hoax.

The enduring power of fan-driven development and community creativity continues to define Nintendo’s classic brawler—even 23 years later.

Super Smash Bros GameCube Smash Bros Super Smash Bros. Melee Sonic Tails EGM Nintendo Sega Akaneia Electronic Gaming Monthly Akaneia mod m-ex tool Sonic Adventure 2: Battle