Start/Pause button
The Start/Pause button (just called the Start button on the Nintendo 64 controller and Nintendo 3DS) refers to the small, gray button in the center of a GameCube controller, or the small, red button in the center of a Nintendo 64 controller. It is used on both consoles to pause most games, and select features in the menus. In Melee's trophy gallery, the Start/Pause button is also used to change the background.
In addition, the plus button on the Wii remote, Classic Controller, Wii U GamePad, and Wii U Pro Controller can alternatively be called Start.
Players may repeatedly press the Start/Pause or + button to distract the other players, or to disrupt their combo timing, though this practice is considered very rude. To prevent this occurrence, pausing may be turned off.
In the Subspace Emissary, player 2 can use this button to Space Jump instead of pause. In Smash 64 and Melee, it is used to share stock.
| Controllers and buttons | |
|---|---|
| Nintendo 64 controller |         
|
| GameCube controller |           
|
| Wii Remote (and Nunchuk) |           
|
| Classic Controller | LR       
|
| Nintendo 3DS |            
|
| Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller | L R           
|
| Joy-Con |                
|
| Switch Pro Controller | LR
|
| Third-party controllers | Hori Mini Pad · Arcade controller · Keyboard |
| Other | Smash Controller · Controller modification |
