Congratulations screen

The congratulations screen is a static image that is shown after the credits in the international versions of Super Smash Bros., all versions of Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. 4 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and after the Character Roll Call in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In Super Smash Bros., the screen depicts a scene relating to the character that was used to complete the mode, while in Melee onwards, the screen depicts a screenshot of the character in gameplay, which is often intended to be humorous.

Each character has one Congratulations screen in Super Smash Bros., from the 1P Game; three in Melee (one each for Classic, Adventure, and All-Star modes); two in Brawl (one each for Classic and All-Star modes); two in each version of SSB4 (one each for Classic and All-Star modes); and one in Ultimate, for Classic Mode. Additionally, Brawl has five Congratulations screens in Boss Battles, depending on what difficulty is chosen.

Super Smash Bros.

References

Captain Falcon: The artwork of Captain Falcon greatly resembles the artstyle of F-Zero X. The comic panels that make up the backdrop are directly taken from said game, and were originally used as an unlockable title screen.
Donkey Kong: The renders of Donkey Kong are taken directly from Donkey Kong Country.
Fox: References the original North American box art of Star Fox.
Luigi: A reference to the EarthBound series, where the text SMAAAASH!! would appear when performing a critical hit.
Ness: References the following three aspects: the Runaway Five are seen complimenting the player, Fourside is being attacked by saucers resembling the opening scene for the game, and the same clay models for Ness and his companions are reused from EarthBound. Additionally, the Frankystein Mark II and an Ultimate Octobot can be seen in the background.
Samus: The reflection in Samus's visor depicts her helmetless, as a reference to how she removes her armor in several games of the Metroid series upon clearing them in a certain amount of time.
Yoshi: May reference the premise of Yoshi's Story, where Baby Bowser cursed Yoshi's Island into becoming a pop-up book. The design closely resembles the layout of the Yoshi's Island stage.

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Classic

Adventure

Bowser
Captain Falcon
Donkey Kong
Dr. Mario
Falco
Fox
Ganondorf
Ice Climbers
Jigglypuff
Kirby
Link
Luigi
Mario
Marth
Mewtwo
Mr. Game & Watch
Ness
Peach
Pichu
Pikachu
Roy
Samus
Yoshi
Young Link
Zelda/Sheik

References

Bowser - Adventure: evokes a humorous expression that supposes the world is carried by an infinite stack of turtles.
Donkey Kong - Adventure: a parody of March of Progress, a scientific illustration that showcases human evolution.
Donkey Kong - All-Star: resembles a famous scene in the 1999 movie The Matrix, where the main character, Neo, enters bullet time and dodges the bullets by bending over backwards.
Ice Climbers - Adventure: references the effect that air pollution has on the Earth's polar regions.
Link - Adventure: references the Swiss folktale of William Tell, an archer who was forced to shoot an apple off his son's head.
Link - All-Star: references Link's encounter with the King Dodongo or the Volvagia in Ocarina of Time.
Mario - Adventure: references how Mario blushes or gets embarassed when Peach kisses him.
Mewtwo - Adventure: references the results of Mewtwo's awakening and subsequent attack in Mewtwo Strikes Back, which left a laboratory engulfed in flames.
Zelda/Sheik - Adventure: references the purported ability of ninjas being able to block swinging swords with their bare hands.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Classic

All-Star

Boss Battles

All of the Boss Battles congratulations screens are sepia-toned stills from certain Subspace Emissary cutscenes.

Easy
Normal
Hard
Very Hard
Intense

References

Sonic - Classic: References the former rivalry between Nintendo and Sega.
Diddy Kong - All-Star: may reference an artwork pose from Donkey Kong Country, except mirrored.
Pikachu - All-Star: A reference to how its red Alternate costume is based on Red's original design.
Lucario - All-Star: References the Japanese beach game of Suikawari.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, players must attack names in the credits to reveal the congratulations screen.

Classic

References

Cloud - Classic: references Cloud's numerous fights against Rufus Shinra (represented by the Mii Gunner) and the Turks Rude and Elena (represented by the Mii Brawlers).
Cloud - All-Star: a reference to a segment in Final Fantasy VII, where he commands the Hardy-Daytona bike to escape from the Shinra Headquarters.
Donkey Kong - Classic: may be a reference to the ending of Donkey Kong Country Returns, where he, while flung off from the volcano, is about to punch the moon with the help of Diddy Kong.
Luigi - Classic: references Luigi's cowardly nature.
Mario - All-Star: likely a reference to a scene from the 2002 Spider-Man film, as he and Peach make the poses originally made by Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Mary Jane.
Palutena - Classic: a reference to a scene in the short Palutena's Revolting Dinner, where she is relaxing in a hot spring.
Roy - All-Star: a reference to how he shares his name with Roy Koopa.
Ryu - Classic: a reference to the win screen from Street Fighter II, with Little Mac showing a damaged face. Notably, the feature of Little Mac's damaged face is only present in the Wii U version of the game, making it the only 3DS congratulations screen that uses assets from the Wii U version.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, players must attack names in the credits to reveal the congratulations screen.

Classic

References

Bowser - Classic: a reference to the Super Mario Bros. series of games, in particular, the New Super Mario Bros. series, where Bowser would face Mario and Luigi in a final battle.
Bowser Jr. - Classic: a reference to the Mario Kart series in general, as he doesn't appear in Mario Kart 8, released the same year as Smash 4. However, he was re-introduced in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe port.
Bowser Jr. - All-Star: references New Super Mario Bros., in which Bowser is seemingly killed and turned into Dry Bowser after falling into lava.
Cloud - Classic: a reference to the boxart for Final Fantasy VII.
Cloud - All-Star: a reference to the main antagonist of Final Fantasy VII, Sephiroth, and the common theme of him being surrounded by flames following the Nibelheim Incident.
Corrin - Classic: a reference to a piece of promotional art for Fire Emblem Fates, with the two sides of the game's conflict facing off; Robin replaces Leo, Ganondorf replaces Xander, Palutena replaces Azura, Pit replaces Takumi, and red Bowser replaces Ryoma.
Corrin - All-Star: a reference to the fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
Diddy Kong - All-Star: references the minecart levels of the Donkey Kong Country series.
Ike - All-Star: a reference to Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, in which one conversation reveals he has a large appetite and deeply enjoys steak and ribs.
Jigglypuff - Classic: a reference to its first appearance in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
King Dedede - Classic: a reference to how the Kirby series appeared monochromatically on the Game Boy before being given color in later titles.
Kirby - Classic: a reference to a cutscene in Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Subspace Emissary.
Link - All-Star: references Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, in which Link could use magic to take the form of a fairy.
Little Mac - All-Star: references ring girls featured in real-life boxing, who indicate which round is next. Alternatively, Peach could be referencing the referee, who distinguishes the winner in a match.
Lucario - All-Star: a reference to a scene in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, where Lucario is offered some chocolate by Max, who is represented as a Villager. Pikachu also appears, likely representing Ash's Pikachu.
Lucas - Classic: a reference to the ending of Mother 3, in which a brainwashed Claus is seen perishing in his arms.
Lucina - Classic: a reference to boxart for Fire Emblem Awakening.
Mario - All-Star: makes a reference to the Mario Kart series with Bowser in his blue color scheme standing in for a Spiny Shell item.
Meta Knight - All-Star: a parody of the cover art of Kirby & the Amazing Mirror.
Pit - Classic: a reference to both Medusa's Final Battle, the ninth chapter, and Lord of the Underworld, the twenty-third chapter of Kid Icarus: Uprising, in which he equips the Three Sacred Treasures at the start of the chapters.
Pit - All-Star: a reference to Magnus and the Dark Lord, the second chapter of Kid Icarus: Uprising, in which he and Magnus team up to defeat Dark Lord Gaol (the boss of the said chapter). It is also worth noting that, while Palutena is present in said image, she is absent in the chapter (save for dialogue).
Rosalina & Luma - Classic: a reference to Peach and Daisy's team artwork from Mario Party 7.
Ryu - All-Star: a reference to Akuma from the Street Fighter series as a Yoshi with its black color scheme parodies Akuma's pose. The reference also includes the aftermath of his Raging Demon attack, with the difference that, rather than the "天" (heaven) kanji, the screen backdrop is the Ultra Combo Finish splash shown when Ryu's Shin Shoryuken connects.
Sonic - All-Star: a possible reference to Sonic Unleashed, in which Sonic transforms into a "Werehog" when exposed to the moon during the night.
Zero Suit Samus - All-Star: a parody of Sega's Bayonetta series; Bayonetta herself would later be announced as playable in her own right, and was additionally developed using Zero Suit Samus as a base.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

For the first time since Smash 64, only one congratulations screen is available, on account of the fact that Classic Mode is the only mode to incorporate it.

References

Banjo & Kazooie: References various other characters who also appeared on the Nintendo 64. The use of a fisheye lens is also evocative of a promotional poster for Banjo-Kazooie.
Bowser: An ironic, reversed portrayal of the events of Super Mario Odyssey. It also references Super Princess Peach, where Bowser kidnaps Mario instead of Peach, who goes to rescue him.
Byleth: A reference to the Tea Time event in Fire Emblem Three Houses, where characters can be invited to drink tea and converse. Female Byleth is shown in her Edelgard color, who appears as the invited student for the Tea Time instructions.
Captain Falcon: A possible reference to how his white and pink alternate costume is based on a female F-Zero racer, Jody Summer.
Chrom: A possible joke reference to Chrom 'finally getting his chance', as he was shown to be a rejected fighter for Smash 4 during Robin and Lucina's reveal trailer.
Cloud: A possible reference to the fight against Bahamut SIN in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.
Corrin: A possible reference to Fire Emblem Fates, in which Corrin has to decide between two kingdoms: Hoshido (represented by the sunlight), and Nohr (represented by the clouds).
Donkey Kong: References the ending of Donkey Kong Country Returns.
Inkling: A possible reference to Splatoon's Splatfest events.
Ken: References a minigame in Street Fighter II where the player must destroy a car.
Kirby: A possible reference to Kirby Mass Attack.
Little Mac: A possible reference to the training montage in Rocky; the title character's appearance influenced Little Mac, particularly his pink tracksuit. The setting of New Donk City Hall references Little Mac's hometown of the Bronx in New York City, with the apple referring to the city's nickname, "The Big Apple".
Lucas: References the mischievous nature of Claus, Lucas' brother.
Luigi: References Luigi's cowardly nature.
Mega Man: References the mythological tanuki, which the Super Leaf and Tom Nook are also based upon. In Japanese folklore, tanuki use leaves as a means of shapeshifting.
Mewtwo: A possible reference to Mewtwo Returns, a special episode of the Pokémon anime. In the special, Mewtwo and its group of cloned Pokémon (represented here through alternate costumes) reside on top of Mount Quena in the Johto region. The setting of Tortimer Island references the tropical climate of Clarity Lake, located on Mount Quena's peak.
Mr. Game & Watch: References the original game of Judge. The numbers "3" and "9" are a Japanese pun; they can be read as "thank you" ("san-kyu"), congratulating the player. In addition, the original Game & Watch system was conceived by Gunpei Yokoi in 1979, 39 years before Ultimate was released.
Peach: References a scrapped ending in Super Mario Odyssey.
Piranha Plant: A possible reference to the Japanese commercial for Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
R.O.B.: References his cameo appearance in Pikmin 2, where his head appeared as one of the treasures, called "Remembered Old Buddy".
Roy: References the fact that there are two characters named Roy. Interestingly enough, Roy Koopa's model appears slightly broken in the screenshot.
Sonic: A possible reference to the animals that Sonic rescues in many of his games.
Toon Link: A reference to the final battle in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, where Ganon knocks the Master Sword out of Link's hand, and Link must retrieve it to defeat him.
Wolf: References Star Fox Assault, in which Fox and Wolf teamed up during a level, and eventually 'sat' beside each other after the battle.

Trivia

Ness's Congratulations screen in Smash 64 is the only one to contain characters that do not make any other appearances in the game.
In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the short video cutscene that plays after Peach's congratulations screen makes various references to Princess Daisy. In one scene, Peach in her Daisy color scheme is shown grabbing Luigi, and in another scene, Peach along with another Peach in Daisy's color scheme is shown floating away from a Chain Chomp together.
In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the end of the short video cutscene that plays after Lucas's congratulations screen is a reference to Mother 3, with various characters standing in for Lucas's family members. Alongside Lucas in his default colors, the ending shot includes:
- Claus (represented by another Lucas sporting his brother's color scheme).
- Flint (his father, represented by one of the Wild Gunmen).
- Hinawa (his mother, represented by Peach wearing a red dress).
- Boney (the family dog, represented by Duck Hunt in an alternate costume).
In Brawl, there is a different font used for "Congratulations!" depending on the game they appeared in.
In SSB4, five different fonts are used for the word "Congratulations!":
- Characters from the Mario universe and its sub-universes (except Yoshi for unknown reasons) use the font used for large text in newer Mario games.
- Ryu uses a unique serif font in all capital letters, used in the characters' names in the Street Fighter II selection screen.
- More realistic characters use a serif font, used for character names on the character selection screen.
- Less realistic characters use the blocky font used for large text in SSB4 (this same font was used for minor purposes in the previous three games).
  - Notably, Pit and Palutena use the "realistic" font while Dark Pit does not. This same distinction between realistic and unrealistic characters is used for the sound made when tripping; Meta Knight uses the "unrealistic" font but makes the "realistic" tripping sound, while the opposite is true for R.O.B.
- Cloud uses a serif font, used in the logos for the Final Fantasy games. The black ink stripe behind the text is colored with a white-to-pale-green gradient, mimicking the meteor in the logo for Final Fantasy VII.
Mega Man's Wii U All-Star congratulations screen and Mewtwo's Wii U Classic congratulations screen are actually impossible to reenact in-game due to the inability to use the same palette with more than one character.
- Likewise, Chrom's Ultimate congratulations screen is impossible to reenact in-game due to the use of the clapping animations normally used when a fighter loses.
Link and Fox's 1P ending images in Smash 64 are the only ones not to feature any text.
Donkey Kong's 1P ending image in Smash 64 reuses artwork originally from Donkey Kong Country.
Bayonetta's Wii U Classic congratulations screen is strikingly similar to an image from the official Smash Bros website, but added the original Bayonetta costume in the background.
Fox appears in the most ending images throughout the series, with 27.
For Banjo & Kazooie's congratulations screen, Villager's inclusion is notable because Animal Crossing only appeared on the Nintendo 64 in Japan, while Banjo-Kazooie was developed by a European studio.
Goro Daimon is the only character on King of Fighters Stadium to not be present in Terry's congratulations screen.