Since its origins on Nintendo 64,Super Smash Broshas become one of the biggest fighting game franchises of all time. By the latest title,Super Smash Bros Ultimate, it’s a cavalcade of gaming history. This iteration features everyone from Nintendo icons like Mario and Pikachu, to retro legends like Pac-Man and Ryu, to modern-day classics like Minecraft Steve and Sora.
Every stage in the game also serves as a tribute to various games throughout Nintendo’s history. Some of these stages, while only offering a few platforms to battle on, have become more iconic than the original games they’re from. Nevertheless, it would be difficult to argue that these stages bring out the best thatSuper Smash Broshas to offer.
10Saffron City
The originalSuper Smash Brosfor Nintendo 64 features some of the most simplistic stages in the franchise’s history. However, thePokemon-inspired Saffron City is certainly one of its most interesting. Most of the fighting takes place at the top of Silph Co., a headquarters that plays a significant role in the story of Generation 1’sPokemon Red & Blue.
This stage also set the foundations forfuturePokemonseries stages inSmashtitles. Occasionally, various Generation 1 Pokemon will appear from the door on the Silph Co. rooftop, such as Electrode or Chansey. It also features Flying-type Pokemon such as Fearow or Moltres making cameos in the background during matches.
9Temple
This is one of the most famously brutal stages inSuper Smash Bros. Melee. While it doesn’t contain difficult-to-avoid hazards like Brinstar Depths or Rainbow Cruise, it’s one of the largest stages in the game. For a title likeMeleethat draws a lot of competitive players, this stage layout can be a nightmare in the heat of battle.
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Particularly, Temple has an underground section with low ceilings, allowing for certain fighters to easily chain combos against helpless opponents, often called the “Fight Club.” The stage’s size also encourages players to run away from action rather than confront it. Either way, mostMeleeplayers remember Temple if only for its grueling layout.
8Fountain of Dreams
In terms of more competitive-appropriate stages inMelee, Fountain of Dreams is quite a fan-favorite. The stage is based on a location of the same name from theKirbyfranchise, most notably appearing in theMilky Way Wishessub-game ofKirby Super Star. It’s often favored for its simplistic, three-platform layout and adequate size for matches.
Unfortunately, a stage like this doesn’t come without its technical limitations. Famously, the reflection of the stage’s main platform are actually completely separate, lower-resolution models.Super Smash Bros Ultimatealso deactivates the possibility of accessing certain Assist Trophies on this stage, which may be preferable to some players.
7Onett
DespiteMotherbeing one of Nintendo’s less-popular franchises, the series has quite a footprint inSuper Smash Bros. The protagonist ofEarthbound, Ness, has been a series regular since the Nintendo 64 title. However, he didn’t get his own stage untilMelee, with the Onett stage being based on Ness' hometown from the SNES classic.
This stage is home tomany Easter eggs for diehardEarthboundfans, such as the meteor crash site near the mountain in the background. Players may also keep in mind the threat of passing cars as hazards, such as the Runaway Five Tour Bus, which appears frequently inEarthbound. Its music may also be burned into the brains of frequentMeleeplayers.
6Big Blue
Like Ness, Captain Falcon has been a mainstay inSuper Smash Bros, despitethe dormant nature of his origin series,F-Zero. The absence of new titles in the racing series hasn’t deterred players from enjoying some of Falcon’s most iconicSuper Smash Brosstages. One of these is the infamous Big Blue, a stage that takes place mid-race.
Most of the battle is done on the short platform that is Captain Falcon’s ship, the Falcon Flyer. Passing cars make for additional platforms, but falling onto the track will result in an instant-KO. When the stage re-appeared inBrawl, some players were quick to notice that when playing as Sonic the Hedgehog and equipping bunny ears, it is possible to outrun the race cars.
5Halberd
Captain Falcon isn’t the only one with an iconicSuper Smash Brosship. Meta Knight’s ship, the Halberd, makes its stage debut inBrawl, though it originally appeared in the Revenge of Meta Knight sub-game inKirby Super Star. The stage features a platform that docks on the ship, finding players the targets of its laser cannons and various other weaponry.
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Not only is it a gorgeous-looking stage, but it also carries importance inBrawlspecifically. The Halberd appears frequently inBrawl’s Adventure Mode, used as the mother ship of the Subspace Army. Meta Knight’s role in the Adventure Mode is to reclaim control of his ship, which he does with the help of Lucario and Snake.
4Smashville
ThisBrawlstage inspired byAnimal Crossingpredates a playable character in the series, whicheventually came with Villager inSuper Smash Bros 4. It’s a fairly simplistic stage, with one large platform and several floating ones that fly on and off the screen. However, the real charm of the stage comes with its cameos.
Randomly,Animal Crossingcharacters will appear in the background of the stage observing the fight. Some of them, like Gulliver or Kapp’n, will pass by in vehicles. The big show-stopper, however, is K.K. Slider, who appears every Saturday night to play songs for a crowd, making this stage a must-play for weekend tournaments.
3Boxing Ring
The addition of Little Mac inSuper Smash Bros 4was a long time comingafter years of fan demand. The character’s inclusion also made way for the Boxing Ring stage, which was frequently seen in reveal trailers for the Wii U and 3DS titles. The Boxing Ring continued to appear in trailers for characters like Ken and Incineroar inSuper Smash Bros Ultimate.
The stage also features some cool Easter eggs that change with every character used. Screens on the far-back wall will display a character’s artwork, as well as a unique nickname for each of them. Mario is donned “Mr. Video Game Himself,” while Lucina fromFire Emblemis nicknamed “Warrior From a Doomed Future.”
2Palutena’s Temple
Super Smash Bros 4also featured some well-earned representation for theKid Icarusfranchise. In betweenSmashtitles, series director Masahiro Sakurai revived the retro franchise withKid Icarus Uprisingfor the 3DS. As a result, Palutena and Dark Pit were added as newcomers, along with a brand-new Palutena’s Temple stage for the Wii U game.
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Along with being one of the most massive stages in the series, it also became a replacement for Shadow Moses Island fromBrawl. Rather than haveMetal Gear Solidcharacters discuss Snake’s opponents, Pit can call upon Palutena or Viridi to converse about the various characters who appear inUltimate.
1Gamer
Few stages capture the magic of their original games like Gamer. This stage first appeared inSuper Smash Brosfor Wii U, based on the Gamer minigame fromGame & Wario. In the original game,players would have to complete variousWarioWaremini-gameswhile avoiding being caught by 9-Volt’s lurking mother, often producing horrifying reactions.
On the Gamer stage, the same concept applies, as players must battle without being spotted by 9-Volt’s mother. If caught, players will take damage and be knocked back, which can dramatically turn the tide of battle against reckless players. It definitely takes the cake for being one of the most thrilling stages to play in the entireSuper Smash Brosseries.
