Background characters are, as the name implies, characters that appear in the background of some stages, they will appear in a stage that correspond to their home universe (i.e Shy Guys appear in Yoshi's Island). Note that background characters shouldn't be confused with stage hazards.
In Super Smash Bros.
Congo Jungle
- Necky appears flying in the background.
Dream Land
- King Dedede and Bronto Burt appear flying in the background.
Mushroom Kingdom
- Many classic enemies from Super Mario Bros are seen in the background.
Planet Zebes
- Several enemy sprites ripped directly from Super Metroid, including Ridley, can be seen flying around.
Saffron City
- Several flying and bird type Pokémon, including but not limited to, Pidgey, Fearow, and Butterfree fly across the skyline.
Yoshi's Island
In Super Smash Bros. Melee
Brinstar
- A Chozo statue on the main platform comes to life and briefly walks before settling down into its original position.
Brinstar Depths
- Kraid emerges from the lava and swipes at the stage, turning it clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Fourside
- A U.F.O which can be boarded hovers in close proximity to the Monotoli building.
Yoshi's Story
- Shy Guys fly over the stage, this time holding food.
- Pak E. Derm can be seen walking behind the scenery.
Jungle Japes
- Cranky Kong is seen walking back and forth in his cottage and rocking in his chair at various times.
Yoshi's Island
- A Lakitu and a Banzai Bill fly around in the background.
Mushroom Kingdom 2
- A Birdo moves in from either the left or right and shoots eggs into the battlefield and a Pidgit flies in on its magic carpet. Only the Birdo can be KO'ed.
Onett
- The meteor from the beginning of Earthbound can be seen pulsating at the top of the hill, while one of the car hazards is the Runaway 5 tour bus.
Great Bay
- The end secuence of Majora`s mask, with the falling moon and the four giants apears after a few minutes in the hillside
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl
New Pork City
- A statue of Pokey Minch from EarthBound appears in the right side of the stage.
Great Sea
- The King of Red Lions, appears on the background of the stage.
Frigate Orpheon
- The Parasite Queen, the first boss of Metroid Prime, appears in the background in Frigate Orpheon.
Yoshi's Island
- For a third time, Shy Guys appear in the background, with Chain Chomps also occasionally appearing.
Lylat Cruise
- Multiple ships appear battling in the background.
- Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, and Wolf O'Donnell can use their secret taunt on this stage to contact the other members of Star Fox and Star Wolf, including Slippy Toad, Krystal, Leon Powalski, Panther Caruso, and each other. The characters appearing depend on who initiates the call.
Pokémon Stadium 2
- Electivire, Drifloon, Hoppip, Skarmory, Cubone and Dugtrio all appear in the background of the various elemental transformations of the stage.
Spear Pillar
- Dialga, Palkia, and Cresselia appear on occasion in the background of the stage. Their attacks can affect gameplay or alter the terrain of the stage.
Smashville
- Villagers from Animal Crossing appear in the background.
Shadow Moses Island
- Occasionally, Metal Gear REX, Metal Gear RAY, and two GEKKO will appear in the background of the stage.
- Snake can contact Otacon, Mei-Ling, Roy Campbell, and Slippy Toad using his codec. Which one depends on his opponent.