Training mode is a mode in all three games where the player can manipulate the environment and experiment with the CPU without the restrictions of any standard match. Training mode allows the player to spawn any item, change gameplay speed, and alter the number of computer players on screen without ever having to leave the match.
Uses
- Wavedashing: It is suggested that many beginners learn to Wavedash in training mode due to the speed manipulation properties.
- Combos: Granted this can easily be done in Versus Mode as well, players can also use this to perfect combos on an otherwise motionless enemy.
- Familiarity: Many new players, or veterans desiring extra practice, may experiment with the stages, attacks, and items to become accustomed to them without having an active opponent to get in the way or waiting for item spawns. It also helps to learn the hitboxes, damage, and knockback of more exotic, situational attacks.
Challenges (SSBB)
- Get 10 max combos (one character) - Banana Peel trophy
- Get 400 max combos (total of all characters)- Ouendan Trophy
Trivia
- Training mode is actually a time match with infinite time setting, as shown at the Pokémon Stadium stage and with the Pokemon Trainer's comments when switching Pokemon. Scores are even recorded, but are not shown.
- In Melee, the most recent Pokémon to be unleashed from a Pokéball will be the second Pokémon that appears in versus mode.
- In Brawl, Stale-Move Negation is not applied in Training Mode.
- The maximum consecutive hit combo in Brawl is 999. This can easily be done so in a few ways. One way is by creating a very small enclosed area (make sure there is a ceiling and wall and the ceiling is one block apart from the floor), play as Lucario, and use Aura Sphere facing the opposite direction to trap the opponent between the enclosed area. This can also be done in a similar custom level by using Mr. Game & Watch's neutral A combo rapidly. Also any stage with a good wall, such as the large pillar in Temple will work the same. Anyone with the Superspicy Curry status can easily inflict over 250 combos. Another trick is to explode a Smart Bomb while standing next to an opponent and keep spawning them.
- The duration of certain Final Smashes, such as Giga Bowser and Wario-Man, is not altered correctly by Training Mode's speed change function. For example, setting the speed to 1/4 gives Giga Bowser only enough time for one or two attacks before reverting.
- In SSB 64, Training Mode had its own music playing on every stage. In addition, the normal background is replaced with a plain colored background with the SSB logo. In the sequels, normal stage music plays, and the background is the same as all other modes.
- Although training mode is listed as a single player mode, the computer player(s) can be controlled by human players, making it a multiplayer mode as well.