The Battlefield stage in Brawl is an example of a typical stage in the Super Smash Brothers Series.

A stage is a location where characters fight. A stage can also be called a "map" or "board." The stages are usually locations that are from a character's universe, however there are some stages like Final Destination that come from the Super Smash Bros. universe. There are many different types of stages that appear in the Super Smash Bros. series. The typical stage generally comprises a floored center with ledges on each side, separating the floor from the abyss, and platforms above to which characters can jump upon and drop through. Some stages, however, such as Fourside, can be much more complex, complete with moving platforms, walls, and ceilings. Furthermore, there are some stages, like Icicle Mountain, that move continuously.

A stage can also contain obstacles and enemies, which contribute to the charm of Smash Bros. These stages are designed to give characters challenges and take precautions while they fight. For example, the Kingdom II stage features Birdo and her eggs, which she fires at the fighters.

There are stages that have simple designs and do not contain any obstacles or enemies. These stages include Final Destination and Battlefield. These stages focus more on competitive play.

Moving stages were introduced in Melee. These stages, such as Rainbow Cruise, operate in a scroll-like mode, where the scene continuously moves, or scrolls, which makes for some entertaining gameplay mechanics. These stages are not used in high-level play because they introduce too much luck into the gameplay.

There are also special stages that were not designed for battling, like the stages in the Adventure Mode of Melee. These stages were designed for a character to travel across the stage and reach a certain checkpoint.

Bonus stages are another type of stage. These bonus stages include Target Test and Board the Platforms. These stages were designed to test the player's ability to complete a task of the bonus stage by using the character's different abilities to achieve their goal. Bonus stages cannot be selected for versus mode play.

Stages are also a factor that is included in tournament legality. Some of the stages in Melee are banned in tournaments because of numerous reasons. Some stages like Temple and Yoshi's Island N64 were banned because they gave an unfair advantage to some characters during battle. Other stages, like Icicle Mountain, were banned during tournament play because their movement disrupts the battle, and gives players chances they normally would not encounter (meaning advantages and disadvantages).

Super Smash Bros.

Following is a list of all the stages found in the original Super Smash Bros. series. There are nine stages in Super Smash Bros., eight of which are available from the start, and one of which is unlockable. Stage in bold is an unlockable stage.

Stages

Single-player stages

Non-playable stages

Super Smash Bros. Melee

29 playable stages in total are available for play in Super Smash Bros. Melee. 18 stages are available from the start, while an additional 11 can be unlocked. Three of the unlockable stages are from the original game. Stages in bold are unlockable stages.

Melee stages

Past stages

Single-player stages

Non-playable stages

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

A total of 41 playable stages appear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, 10 of which return from Super Smash Bros. Melee. 29 of these stages are available from the start, while 12 more must be unlocked. Players can also create their own stages, to an extent, with the Stage Builder feature. Stages in bold are unlockable stages. None of the original Super Smash Bros. stages return.

Brawl Stages

Melee Stages

Custom stages

Single-player stages