Online Practice Stage
| Special Stage Online Practice Stage | |
|---|---|
 
| |
| Universe | Super Smash Bros. |
| Appears in | Brawl SSB4 Ultimate |
| Availability | Waiting before Wi-Fi matches, local wireless match, hacking |
| Tracks available | In Brawl: Online Practice Stage In SSB4: Online Practice Stage In Ultimate: Practice Fights |
The Online Practice Stage (informally known by other names, such as the "Wi-Fi Waiting Room" or the "Waiting Room") is a non-selectable stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. 4 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It is used when a player waits for a Wi-Fi match to begin; the player is also given the opportunity to practice for the match against Sandbag or a CPU opponent, using their selected character. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the stage is also used when waiting for a local wireless match to begin.
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]
The stage is completely flat with a pair of edges on each side, similar to a larger Final Destination. The stage also has its own unique, short music track that can be heard in the Sound Test. When Sandbag touches the bottom or side blast lines of the stage, or is eaten, it reappears in the center.
Unusually, the shadows of characters will always appear on the stage itself, even if they are underneath the stage.
With the shutdown of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection on 20 May 2014, it became impossible to access the stage without hacking, though its background music can still be accessed via the Sound Test or Stage Builder.
Use in hacks[edit]
Via hacking, the stage can be used in Versus Mode, and various Brawl mods allow it to be chosen on the stage select screen - whether as its own separate stage as in Balanced Brawl, or replacing an unpopular stage such as New Pork City as in Brawl-. These hacks generally do not remove Sandbag, as it can act as a dynamic barrier to attacks. If the player hacks to have this stage chosen in Versus Mode, then unless a music hack is also used, the music playing will be of whatever stage was meant to be chosen.
Online Practice Stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS[edit]
The stage's shape bears a resemblance to that of Battlefield's Ω form, but has a differing design. The background, like in Brawl, is white and featureless.
Sandbag's current percent now appears on screen; it will reset to 0 if enough time passes without dealing damage to Sandbag.
If playing With Anyone, this stage is replaced with the stage selected for the next match. A CPU opponent will appear instead of Sandbag, using the same character as the player; up to two more such opponents can appear, and will eventually attack the player.
Online Practice Stage in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit]
This stage, unlike the 3DS version, is more rectangle-like, similar to most Ω stages. The stage's design, however, is similar to that of the Miiverse stage, albeit without platforms and without the messages in the background. The stage's background has white hexagons all around it, and will occasionally light up in a wave-like pattern.
Tips will appear near the top of the screen. Like in for 3DS, the stage and Sandbag are replaced when playing With Anyone.
With the shutdown of the Nintendo Network on 8 April 2024, it became impossible to access the stage without hacking, though its background music can still be accessed via the Sound Test or Stage Builder.
Online Practice Stage in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
This stage is set on a flat grid pattern identical to the Training stage, with a flat camera angle. The layout and blast lines are the same as Battlefield. This layout is also present in the Training stage.
Similar to With Anyone in Smash 4, the player(s) will initially fight a CPU opponent using Player 1's character; up to two more opponents can appear unless this would result in more than 4 total characters. Two options have also been introduced that affect these opponents:
- Training Partners: Can set the number of CPU opponents manually.
- Training Partner Behavior: Attack or Stop.
The total KO's the player(s) have scored is indicated with a medal icon. Additionally, items will occasionally spawn, including Sandbag. Items cannot be turned off.
Online Practice Stage in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The pause menu, displaying training partner settings.
