Announced at E3 2001, Adventure Mode is a single player mode in Super Smash Bros. Melee. The player can choose what character they want, the number of stocks, and difficulty. Adventure Mode is made up of different stages, each in which the player need to complete to progress on. Most of the time the stages are the same, but sometimes the stages can have different scenarios depending on what actions the player performs.
Stage 1: Mushroom Kingdom
Part 1: Reach the Finishing Point
The stage is known as Mushroom Kingdom Adventure, and the goal is simple: reaching the finishing point in 7 minutes. Getting to the finishing point will not be easy. On the player's way through the stage they will encounter Goombas, Koopas, and Paratroopas on the way. They can use items that appear to fight them off or use their attacks. Half way through the stage, the player will encounter some platforms that rise up to the next part.
The player will come to a platform with a Super Mushroom symbol on it. They will have to fight a team made up of 10 Yoshis. In order to progress, the player must defeat all of the Yoshis. The Yoshis are lighter than usual. The player should be able to fight the Yoshis off quickly depending on what difficultly they are using. After the player beats the Yoshis, they will encounter a few more Goombas and Koopas. Finally, the player will see the finishing point with Toad running back and forth. Simply go to the marked area to complete the first part of this stage. Trophies are collectible in this stage.
Part 2: Team Mario and Peach Battle
This is the second part of the stage. The player must battle Mario and Peach on Princess Peach's Castle. The battle is like any regular battle. Peach and Mario have a habit to run to the opposite side of the castle when Banzai Bill approaches the castle. They will not attack the player until Banzai Bill explodes. Defeating both of them will allow the player to move on to the next match.
Part 2½: Team Luigi and Peach Battle
Beating Adventure mode with a 2 in the seconds place (##:#2:##) will make the player fight Luigi instead of Mario. Luigi fights similarly, though his misuse of the Green Missile can be used to the player's advantage, as it limits his vertical recovery. (Note: if you defeat Luigi in under a minute and finish the rest of adventure mode without continues, you unlock the secret character, Luigi.)
Stage 2: Kongo Jungle
Part 1: Tiny Donkey Kong Team Battle
The player must defeat two tiny Donkey Kong's in Kongo Jungle. Tiny characters are light and are easier to kill on low percentages. They are also small so they are hard to attack sometimes. Best way to kill them is to throw them upwards on lower difficulties.
Part 2: Giant Donkey Kong Battle
Part two pits the player against Giant Donkey Kong on Jungle Japes. Giant characters weigh more and are harder to kill, but they are bigger targets. Giant Donkey Kong is not the brightest computer player either. Sometimes when he tries to attack the player, he will kill himself. Sometimes DK gets killed when he hangs where the Klaptraps jump at. Beating this match will let the player proceed to the next stage. Best to throw him behind on lower difficulties.
Stage 3: Underground Maze
Part 1: Reach the Finishing Point
This part is similar to Part 1 of the Mushroom Kingdom stage. The player will have 7 minutes to reach the finishing point. But this time getting to the finishing point will be much harder. Instead of the finishing point being straight forward, the finishing point is at a random location. The finishing point is actually the Triforce that the player must reach. The Triforce is located in a random area out of 6 areas total. The other five areas contain the Master Sword. If the player come across the Master Sword, then they must battle Link. The player can actually jump over the Master Sword area.
The Underground Maze is infested with ReDeads, Octoroks, and Like Likes. These enemies can cause heavy damage, especially the ReDeads. The Underground Maze is large and its easy to get lost. Try navigating around the maze to find the Triforce. There is one area that has lava. Touching the lava is similar to touching the acid in the Brinstar stage. The player can collect trophies on the way.
Part 2: Zelda/Sheik Battle
In part two the player battles against Zelda/Sheik in the Temple stage. Beating one of them allows the player to progress to the next stage.
Stage 4: Brinstar
Part 1: Samus Battle
The player battles Samus on the Brinstar stage. The player should be cautious of the acid since it will do damage to their character.
Part 2: Warning Alert
The goal of part 2 is to reach the finish point in 40 seconds. The player must jump on a series of platforms to get to the top of a stage known as the Brinstar Escape Shaft. The stage is complete when the player reaches the top or runs out of time. However, not making it to the goal in 40 seconds will result in a loss of one stock. Characters with good jumps will have an easier time completing this stage. (If you successfully reach the top, you get the Samus Starship Trophy).
Stage 5: Green Greens
Part 1: Single Kirby Battle
When the player first arrives at this level they will be pitted against a single Kirby. The battle takes place on Green Greens. This is a standard one on one match and should not be difficult on easier difficulties. If the player manages to beat this and Part 2 in fewer than 30 seconds each, they will be pitted against a Giant Kirby.
Part 2: Team Kirby Battle
A picture of Giant Kirby's entrance.
The player battles against various Kirbies who posses different character abilities. The battle once again takes place on Green Greens and the player has 4 minutes to complete it. The Kirbies' different abilities are chosen at random but there's never two with the same ability. On easier difficulties, the Kirbies are lighter and are extremely easy to knock out.
Part 3 (optional): Giant Kirby Battle
If the player defeated the first Kirby and the Kirby team in fewer than 30 seconds, they'll have the chance to fight a giant Kirby. Defeating the Giant Kirby will reward the player the Giant Kirby KO bonus and 10,000 points is added to the player's scoreboard.
Stage 6: Corneria
Part 1: Fox Battle
The player will have 4 minutes to defeat Fox on Corneria. Defeating Fox will allow the player to progress to the second part of the stage.
Part 2: Fox Reborn Battle
The player will battle Fox once again. This time the stage is much different. Arwings will be flying around the stage and firing their lasers. Fox can be damaged by the lasers too. Killing Fox will be the same as last time, although he is slightly lighter this time. Defeating Fox for the second time results in the completion of this stage. Best to dash attack on lower difficulties.
Part 2½: Falco Battle
If the player has unlocked Falco, they will sometimes fight him instead. Falco's tactics are not much different than Fox's.
Stage 7: Pokémon Stadium
Part 1: Pokémon Battle
The player will battle a team of fifteen Pokémon. The Pokémon consist of Pikachu, Jigglypuff, and Pichu. The only items that appear on the stage are Poké Balls. A good Pokémon like a legendary can kill the player's opponents fast.
Stage 8: F-Zero Grand Prix
Part 1: Race to the Finish
The player's goal for part 1 is to reach the finish line in 4 minutes. While the player progresses towards the finish line, F-Zero race cars will speed through the track that the player is running on. A giant "!" on the screen indicates that a race car is approaching. If a car hits the player, then they will take 35% damage. Your character will likely survive being hit once, but any subsequent impacts will usually lead to a knockout. The player can jump on pink platforms that are situated throughout the stage to avoid being hit by the cars. You must reach the finish line in order to progress to part 2 of this stage. There are also trophies scattered throughout that may be collected.
Part 2: Captain Falcon Battle
The player will have 4 minutes to defeat Captain Falcon on Mute City. This battle is no different from the individual character battles that you fought earlier. Defeating Captain Falcon will allow the player to progress to stage 9.
Stage 9: Onett
Part 1: Team Ness Battle
The player's goal is to defeat three Nesses in 4 minutes. The only item that will appear on the stage is Mr Saturn. The Nesses will grab the Mr. Staturn's and lug them at you. The Nesses rarely attack the player's character. Instead, they travel around the stage to collect Mr. Saturn's and throw them at the player. Defeating all three Nesses will allow the player to progress to the next stage.
Stage 10: Icicle Mountain
Part 1: Reach the Top + Team Ice Climber Battle
Icicle Mountain has the player racing to the top of the stage. This stage is similar to the Icicle Mountain stage, the difference is that the movement is not random, and the speed is not random either. This stage is infested with Topis and Polar Bears. The stage starts off by going up at a slow pace. While the player is traveling upwards, they will encounter Topis and Polar Bears. The pace of the stage will start to increase as the player progresses. At the top of the stage the player must battle two pairs of Ice Climbers. Defeating the Ice Climbers will allow the player to progress to the next stage.
Stage 11: Battlefield
Part 1: Team Fighting Wire-Frames Battle
In the first part of this stage, the player must defeat fifteen Fighting Wire Frames in reduced gravity. The Fighting Wire Frames will be lighter on lower difficulties.
Part 2: Metal Mario Battle/Metal Bros. Battle
In the second part, the player must battle Metal Mario. If the player unlocks Luigi, then both Metal Luigi and Metal Mario will appear. Defeating both causes the player to win the Metal Bros. KO bonus.
Stage 12: Final Destination
Part 1: Giant Bowser Battle
In the first part of this stage, the player must battle Giant Bowser.
If you use a continue after losing here, you are still able to fight Giga Bowser, but you lose the points for the continue.
Part 2 (optional): Giga Bowser Battle
In the second part of this stage, you must defeat Giga Bowser as the final battle. You can only fight him if you meet the following conditions:
- You play Adventure Mode on Normal difficulty or higher.
- You make it to this stage in less than 18 minutes.
- You defeat regular Bowser in the previous battle.
Once you meet these conditions, then you fight him. If you lose to him and use a continue, you'll have to face regular Bowser all over again, but you'll still fight Giga Bowser after beating him.