A stage (sometimes called a map or board) is a location in which characters fight or complete objectives. The word "stage" usually refers to a versus mode stage, but can also refer to the ground or large central platform within this location. As well as versus mode stages, single player mode stages, such as the Target Smash maps, exist for purposes other than fighting.
Versus stages
Within all the games of the Super Smash Bros. series, most versus mode stages are available from the start, while a small number must be unlocked by completing certain objectives. Most stages, like Princess Peach's Castle, are derived from places in playable characters' universes. Super Smash Bros. Melee introduced two Smash Bros universe stages - Battlefield and Final Destination. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, stages derived from games without associated playable characters were introduced, namely Smashville and Hanenbow, while PictoChat represents a Nintendo DS utility interface. Additionally, not every playable character has a stage from their own universe. Included in all games other than the first are a small number of past stages - stages from a previous Smash game with no major alterations.
Stages range in size from the large Temple and New Pork City to the small Onett and Brinstar. Typically, stages involve a large central platform with ledges and one or more smaller platforms, as well as blast lines above, below and to the left and right of the visible area. Some stages, such as Mushroom Kingdom and Coliseum have floors that continue past the edge of the visible area and pass through a side blast line, these edges are known as "walk off edges" or "walk offs", because characters can walk offscreen without the need to become airborne. Stages with walk off edges on both the left and right, like Bridge of Eldin, are sometimes called "walk off stages". Some walk off stages, such as Onett, have no lower blast line, while others, such as Bridge of Eldin, only infrequently have the lower blast lines introduced.
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, moving and transforming stages were introduced. Big Blue and Rainbow Cruise consist entirely of platforms that move or appear on and offscreen, while stages like Infinite Glacier and Rumble Falls scroll continuously up or down. Other stages, such as Pokémon Stadium, undergo partial transformations at certain intervals, while others, like Brawl'sFrigate Orpheon and Castle Siege cycle through complete transformations. Similarly, stages like Delfino Plaza and Skyloft will take players to various areas via moving platforms. Mushroomy Kingdom may be one of two stages depending on either luck or player's input prior to the match. Tortimer Island's layout is randomized each battle as well.
Other stage elements include breakable barriers and platforms, such as the pillars of Luigi's Mansion and the stone floors of Skyworld; stage hazards and enemies, such as lasers, cars and Klap Traps; local items such as apples; and interactive objects such as Barrel Cannons. While water has no effect on movement in Melee, Brawl introduced swimming, and many of its stages involve water that can be swum in.
In Brawl and Smash for 3DS/Wii U, the appearance of some items, namely crates and barrels, differs depending on the aesthetic style of the stage they appear on. The following is quoted from the DOJO!! website.
“
Previously, wooden crates and barrels were pretty much garden-variety. This time around, these items change visually to match the mood of the stage. On sci-fi type stages they take on a futuristic tone. On more fantastic stages, they look more like presents.[1]
”
List of Stages
This is a list of the stages in the Super Smash Bros. series. A stage that returns from a previous installment is often called a Past Stage.
↑Available in the game in version 1.1.1 onwards. It's considered a primary WiiU stage officially, as it came first for the WiiU version, then only afterwards ported to 3DS, as can be see in Ultimate Stage selection order.
↑Battlefield, Big Battlefield and Final Destination are taking in account, as every game debuted his own version of these stages.
↑Of these new stages, 4 are in both versions. Duck Hunt came first at Wii U, then isn't considered a debuting stage on 3DS.
↑Discounting all the stages that came first on 3DS, except for Duck Hunt which came in the Wii U version first. Also, each version has their own exclusive Battlefield and Final Destination.
