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Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Guide > Stages > Default Stages

Battlefield – Original


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

Battlefield is a very basic stage. It's somewhat small, and has three platforms floating above it. Nothing really happens here, except that day cycles to night and then back to day, which is simply cosmetic. It's actually a more "fair" stage than Final Destination, because, while nothing happens to interfere with the fight, platforms encourage more aerial skirmishes to go along with the ground ones. This means both aerial and ground characters can have the advantage in certain situations, as opposed to the perfectly flat Final Destination, which seems to have been designed specifically for Little Mac.

Final Destination – Original


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

Final Destination is a flat stage where nothing happens. It's meant to be a fair ground for true tests of skill, but it gives more ground-based characters an advantage. This stage is actually a bit unnecessary in this game, since you can turn any stage into a "Final Destination" by switching it to "Omega" mode, which removes all platforms and occurrences and makes it flat. One thing Final Destination has going for it is its crazy backgrounds that continuously shift as the battle rages on.

3D Land – Super Mario 3D Land


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

3D Land is constantly shifting. The "?" blocks near the beginning can be attacked for items. The donut platforms will fall if you stand on them, and you can bounce from the music note platforms. The stage eventually moves to a set of four platforms in the sky that will be tilted by rocks as you pass by them. Don't let the rocks hit you. Their positioning varies, so be on your toes every time you reach that section. Soon, it will return to solid ground and continue scrolling. The rotating block platforms will slowly spin, so don't slide off. The warp pipes will gradually move up and down but they're not much of a threat. When you reach the green platforms, watch out for the giant spiked pillars that can smash into them and break them, as well as damage you. After this phase, the stage starts over. In scrolling stages such as this one, it's easier to KO an enemy by knocking them to the left than to the right.

Golden Plains – New Super Mario Bros. 2


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This stage is filled with coins for you to collect. No, they're not the kind you use to buy stuff. Collecting 100 of them will temporarily turn your character gold, making them heavier and stronger. Blue switches will make blue coins appear, and red circles will bring red coins, which are worth 5 coins each. This is another scrolling level, but it's pretty straightforward aside from the coins. Unlike most scrolling stages, this one will eventually start moving from right to left after moving to the right for a while.

Rainbow Road – Mario Kart


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This beautiful stage takes place along the Rainbow Road, the final track in every Mario Kart game. It begins on a simple floating platform above the Road, but it's not long before you land on a section with two platforms and a hole in the centre. This is the way this stage works. You fly to one section, fight for a while, then move on to another. A sign with an arrow on it will appear when you're about to fly away, so don't be too far off to the side when that happens or you'll get left behind. Many areas don't have drops on the sides, meaning you'll only be able to spike people into whatever holes are closer to the middle. Of course, you can KO people to the sides and top of the stage, as well. Watch out for the sections with Shy Guys in karts. They'll come from the side or the background of the stage and will damage and knock you back if they hit you.

Paper Mario – Paper Mario series


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This stage starts off in a grassy area from Paper Mario: Sticker Star. There's a windmill that's there to look pretty, and occasionally a giant fan spawns off to the left to blow you to your doom. When this fan is blowing, it's much more difficult to recover after being knocked to the right. You can stand on the windmill's blades, and they're rotate. Hopping into the warp pipe will spit you back out. Soon, the world will change and you'll find yourself on a paper ship, the S.S. Flavio from Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. Waves will tilt the ship, but it's not difficult to keep your footing. A whale can show up to push the ship into the air a bit. He's mostly harmless, but this makes it easier to knock people up out of the ring. A giant Blooper might also appear and make waves. After the water disappears, you'll find yourself at Bowser's Castle from the original Paper Mario. The giant Bowser head in the middle will rotate, and if you're inside of its mouth when that happens, you'll have to scramble to somewhere with some footing. You also won't want to be in its mouth when its eyes start flashing, because it will chomp on you and probably take you out. Eventually, the castle will fold away and you'll be back where you started.

Mushroomy Kingdom – Super Mario Bros.


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This stage appeared in Brawl. The first Super Mario Bros. was a long time ago, and world 1-1 has fallen into disrepair. Yes, this is a dusty version of the iconic and infinitely-recreated first stage of Mario's breakout hit and NES system seller. It's a scrolling stage, and everything is where you remember it being. You can't use the warp pipes, but "?" blocks have items in them. Bricks are breakable. Once you reach the flagpole, the stage loops, making you wonder why Mario didn't just walk slightly to the left to skip to the castle at the end of each stage. Had to make it to the steps leading to the flagpole, I guess.

Jungle Japes – Donkey Kong Country


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This is this simple stage's third appearance after showing up in both Melee and Brawl. The most unique thing about it is the river that's constantly rushing to the left below the play area. Fall in and you might have time to recover, but it will sweep you to the left and out of the ring if you fall in too close to the left edge of the stage. Klaptraps regularly appear in the water. You already have problems if you're close enough to touch them, and coming into contact with them will make you wonder what you did to earn such bad karma.

Gerudo Valley – The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This stage takes place over the chasm at Gerudo Valley. It's much more narrow than you remember. The bridge will break after taking enough damage, making it possible to fall down into the centre of the stage for a KO. There are small platforms on each side of the chasm, but one of them is covered in spikes, so watch out. Ironically, Ganondorf, the only Gerudo in the game, can have trouble recovering from this. Eventually, you'll hear the Ocarina play and it will be repaired. Koume and Kotake will show up from time to time to cast spells. The fire spell will cause an area of the ground to burst into flames, damaging anyone who touches it. The ice spell will cause spikes of ice to jut out of a section of the ground, which will freeze nearby characters.

Spirit Train – The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

Toon Link is conducting this train, unless he's in the battle, in which case Alfonzo is conducting the train. How's THAT for attention to detail? The train barrelling along the track at a high speed. Touching the track on the left will cause you to get hit by the train and take damage, but it's easy to recover from. The same cannot be said for hitting the track behind the train, which will almost certainly lead to you getting left behind for a KO. Small platforms will float above the train sometimes, but they don't stay for long. Armored Trains will appear on the track and push the train to the left or right, putting some of the main part of the stage out of the screen. Dark Trains can also appear, and will curiously leap into the air and KO you if you're on top of them. Then they'll land somewhere and explode. Watch for the red arrow to see where. If they land on the train, they'll blow it apart, and the back end will move out of the stage for a moment, so head to the engine. Every now and then, the train will move off to the right on its own accord and its caboose will be switched out for another one. These can be cargo cars full of coal, weird cars with multiple platforms, and even Linebeck's shop.

Brinstar – Metroid


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This stage from Melee and Brawl is back again. Sometimes you can die by falling into the abyss, but other times it's full of acid that rises and falls. The acid will submerge large parts of the stage. At some points, the only safe spot is the highest platform. Two of the platforms are being held in place by fleshy tendons. Destroy those and the platforms will become sharply slanted. The base of the stage is being held by regenerating cells which can be destroyed to split the them apart. All of these things will eventually heal.

Yoshi's Island – Yoshi's Island


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This Brawl stage makes a return. It's less frantic than many stages, but also pretty small. The small platform in the centre tilts a little bit. Sometimes platforms rise out of the abyss temporarily before dropping back down. Fly Guys sometimes float down with food, and you can defeat them to steal it.

Corneria – Star Fox


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

Welcome to Corneria. This is the stage's third appearance after Melee and Brawl, and it's more-or-less the same as the Sector Z stage in the first Smash Bros.. It's a long stage that takes place on top of Star Fox's ship, the Great Fox. It has a bit of a strange shape. The many slanted areas make it easy for rolling crates to get into gear. The rear of the ship is somewhat cut off from the front and it's not uncommon for two players to have it out down there while the other two fight up above. Arwings will occasionally fly down and fire lasers. You can stand on the Arwings but don't let them carry you away. There are giant guns on the front of the Great Fox, below the main area of the stage. They fire at random and might hit you if you drop below, most likely finishing you off. You can go down and stand on them, but there's not much room, and they'll damage you if you fire. Ness can absorb these powerful lasers for health, and Mr. Game & Watch can catch them in his Oil Panic bucket for a very powerful projectile, though this takes some finesse. The laser cannons can be destroyed with some effort, meaning they won't fire any more but you won't be able to stand on them either. When playing as Fox or Falco on this stage, quickly tap down on the dpad repeatedly to cause your character to crouch down for a moment. If they're not interrupted, a conversation with the Star Fox team will play.

Unova Pokemon League – Pokemon Black/White


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This stage stars simply enough, with two small platforms suspended in the air over one larger one. Stairs can appear on the sides of the stage, blocking off the pits on either side, but easy come, easy go, as they won't stay for long. Woe be to anyone who is trapped underneath when they appear, though. Eventually, Unova's legendary Pokemon will begin to appear in the background. Only one specific legendary Pokemon will appear during each battle, but it will appear multiple times. Sometimes weaker Pokemon appear, but they're just there to watch and be cute. Zekrom will tackle the stage and tilt it, harming anyone who touches him while he does it. You can tell where he's going to land by the spark that appears on the stage. Reshiram will shoot fireballs at the stage which will cause sections of it to catch fire.

Prism Tower – Pokemon X/Y


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This stage starts on the ground in front of totally-not-the-Eiffel-tower in Lumiose City, which is definitely not Paris. It's not long before a platform rises out of the ground and all players are whisked up into the air, stopping near a balcony on one of the upper floors of the tower. Eventually you'll move even higher, to an area with four smaller platforms. Be careful on the side platforms, they'll eventually shoot straight up into the air. The top of the tower features two platforms that are permanently fixed to the tower itself, meaning they'll be left behind in a few seconds when you'll find yourself soaring over Lumiose City at night, eventually landing safely on the ground where you started.

Arena Ferox – Fire Emblem: Awakening


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This arena begins simple and flat, but will transform into various layouts as time passes. One transformation has platforms travelling along a track. Another has platforms held up by statues, which can be destroyed with enough abuse. Don't worry, you can't be crushed to death under platforms as they sink into the stage. There's really nothing else to be aware of for this stage.

Reset Bomb Forest – Kid Icarus: Uprising


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This stage starts off as a simple ruin with a few platforms and nothing else. Eventually, Viridi, goddess of nature, will get fed up with the whole thing and drop a Reset Bomb on you. This will fill the area with gnarled roots and vines, and make the ruins even more ruined. The thick, cracked platforms can be destroyed. You can smash an enemy straight to the side and watch them bounce off one of these platforms and down the centre hole. Watch out for the flying enemy that appears on the bottom of the stage in this form. After a while, Viridi will reset her reset bomb and reset the stage, only to do it again a short time later.

Distant Planet – Pikmin


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This Brawl mostly takes place on the leaves and vines in the centre. Coloured pellets will grow on flowers, which can be picked up and thrown. Throw them into the Onions (weird round ships) that appear and they'll spit out items. Higher numbered pellets give you better items. You'll get twice as many items if the colour of the pellet matches the colour of the Onion. A bulborb will appear on the right side of the stage. You can fight on top of them, but don't get eaten. The left side of the stage is slanted, and you don't want to be there when it rains. Water will come rushing down the slope, washing away anyone standing there.

Tortimer Island – Animal Crossing New Leaf


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This tropical island is covered in fruit trees. The trees spawn in random locations each time, and drop fruit from time to time. The fruit will heal you a little, except the coconuts, which you can throw, but watch out for bee hives, which can also spawn. They act exactly like the item version does. Kapp'n will show up on his motorboat, which works as a temporary platform, but he'll speed off eventually so don't get ferried away. A shark can appear off the coast and will damage people who get too close. This is a large stage that's low on the screen, meaning it can be difficult to get enemies out of the screen just because so much of the stage is so far from the edge. There's no swimming in this game, though, and spiking someone into the water will KO them.

Boxing Ring – Punch-Out!!


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

There are two versions of this stage. One with a World Circuit logo and one with a Smash logo. They're exactly the same except for the appearance of the ring, though. There are lights at the top of the stage that will come crashing down if they're attacked enough. The border of the ring will send you flying into the air if you jump on it, meaning even characters like Ganondorf can reach the lights. There's nowhere to fall so you'll have to knock people out to the sides or top.

Gaur Plain – Xenoblade


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This stage is noteworthy for the huge amount of space on the bottom. There are a few platforms on either side, but there really isn't much room to stand. This is a nice place to use meteor smashes, and is an aerial character's dream come true. The lower platforms are narrower, but low enough to give you a chance to recover if you fall. Most of the platforms are curved or slanted, meaning items might bounce off of them and out of reach. The lower platforms aren't always visible thanks to the shifting camera angles so if you want to get down to one, you might have to take a leap of faith.

Living Room – Nintendogs


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This wide open space has a background full of adorable puppies and kittens. Soon, toys and blocks will fall from the ceiling. You can tell where they'll land from their shadows. You'll get crushed if they land on you. The blocks will land in various patterns. You can drop through thin blocks to strike from below or nab any items that have managed to get trapped down there. Falling blocks are really all you have to watch out for here.

Find Mii – StreetPass Mii Plaza


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This stage is broken into two platforms, but one can be broken by the Dark Emperor. He can give characters stat boosts or penalties, depending on their colour, and will do so frequently. You can tell whose what got whatevered by looking at the ticker that runs along the bottom screen on this stage. A cage with your own Mii hangs above the battlefield. If you attack it enough to knock it away, the Dark Emperor will leave to retrieve it. Sometimes he'll come into the foreground and move back and forth, damaging anyone he bumps into. You can send back into the background by dealing enough damage to him.

Tomodachi Life – Tomodachi Life


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This is the apartment complex where all of your Miis live in Tomodachi Life. It's a very vertical stage with three levels of platforms above the solid ground. The background is populated by Miis from your 3DS. You can only see into rooms that have combatants in them. Items can be hidden in the rooms, but you can tell if something's behind a wall if there's a small white arrow pointing to it. Other than the walls, there's nothing special about this stage.

Pictochat 2 – Nintendo DS


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

A sequel to the Pictochat stage from Brawl. It's pretty much identical when it's blank, but the real... draw... of this stage is the way it changes as things are drawn on it. The pair of boots, for example, will stomp on you or push you off the stage. The tornado won't hurt you, but it will throw you into the air. The Pac-Man doodles will bite you if you touch their mouths. When lines appear from the edges with little stickmen hanging from them, they'll promptly fall, so don't stand on them. Feel free to walk on the electrified platforms, but don't touch the sparks. The two faces exchanging glares can harm or hurt you, depending on if you touch the spark or the heart. These are just the tip of the iceberg. There are tons of possible doodles to interact with.

Green Hill Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

Keep an eye out for cameos from Sonic characters in the background of this Brawl stage. The centre of this stage will crumble and fall if attacked enough, revealing a pit. This is the only way to knock someone out of the bottom of the screen, since the sides are just solid ground. The checkpoint markers can be hit to be sent spinning, damaging opponents, so put them to use. The checkpoint posts will disappear after they spin for a while and reappear somewhere else in the stage.

Wily Castle – Mega Man


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS screenshot - Default Stages

This stage starts off simply enough, with just a flat area and nothing else. Soon, platforms will appear in the air, and moving platforms will appear off to the sides. The Yellow Devil is what you really need to watch out for. This cyclops will fire energy blasts at you before breaking apart and rushing to the other edge of the stage to do it again. He won't hurt you if you stand behind him, but there's not much room to move back there. He'll leave on his own, eventually, but if you destroy him by attacking his eye, he'll explode. The explosion won't harm the character who defeated it, but it will damage anyone else.

NEXT: Hidden Stages