Stage

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's Frigate 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 Wii U / 3DS, 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]

In Super Smash Bros.

There are nine versus stages in the original Super Smash Bros., eight starters and one unlockable: Mushroom Kingdom, shown in bold.

In Melee

There are 29 versus stages in Super Smash Bros. Melee, 18 starters and 11 unlockable stages, shown below in bold. All three past stages are unlockable.

New stages

Past stages

In Brawl

There are 41 versus stages in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, 29 starters and 12 unlockable stages, shown below in bold. None of the original Super Smash Bros. stages return, but there are 10 Melee stages, one from each universe involved in the original Super Smash Bros.

New Stages

Returning Stages

In 3DS/Wii U

There are 82 stages across the two games; some are shared between versions. Some stages, such as Gaur Plain and Final Destination, are slightly different between the two versions.

3DS Version

New Stages

Returning Stages

Wii U Version

New Stages

Returning Stages

Both Versions

New Stages

Returning Stages

Tournament legality

Some stages are banned in competitive play because they are considered disruptive or unfair. See Banned stages.