Brawling arenas
If you're looking for an exhaustive list of every Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS character, we already have that covered. But characters are only so important--just as valuable are the stages theyll be brawling in, and there are many. Nintendo revealed some the day it announced the game, and has continued to show off different stages in videos, trailers, and even on the Miiverse.
Nintendo has opted to create different stages for the Wii U and 3DS versions of the game, with each being focused on console and handheld games respectively. Later this week we'll be going over the 3DS levels, but we wanted to start things off by listing all of the Wii U stages revealed so far.
Battlefield
Every Smash Bros. game since the original included the simplistic Battlefield stage, and the Wii U version is no different. With one flat area and three small, flat platforms, the area is only slightly more complicated than fan-favorite Final Destination.
So far, Battlefield is the only level that we know will be in both the Wii U and 3DS versions of the game, but it won't look the same. On the Wii U, the level is obviously taking advantage of the console's superior power with an impressive background of highly detailed floating buildings, which look great when compared to the rocks floating around in the 3DS stage. The time of day changes as the match goes on, too, showing different lighting and shadow effects.
Skyloft
Skyward Sword's starting area of Skyloft is the Legend of Zelda stage of choice in Smash Bros., with a large platform spinning around the floating small village. On occasion the stage will become grounded, landing in a section of Skyloft and allowing the combat to continue without fear of well, flying off into the distance.
So far we don't know if there'll be any environmental hazards, but we'd be shocked if the giant floating birds of the Skyward Sword universe don't make some sort of an appearance. Maybe some Knights can swoop by on Loftwings, just like the the Arwing pilots in Star Foxs past stages.
Boxing ring
That's sort of weird, right? A random boxing ring? No Super Smash Bros. characters have any ties to a boxing ring, and it isn't that exciting of a level in and of itself. Why would Nintendo add in a small, flat, basic level like this? Well, because Nintendo is going to add Lil' Mac, of course.
Fan speculation has gone crazy since the Boxing Ring was revealed in the first trailer, with many assuming that it was essentially confirming that Punch-Out!! would be represented by a character in the upcoming game. That, or Nintendo wanted to add in an arena where Captain Falcon's Falcon Punch would feel more welcome.
Smashville
With the inclusion of the Villager comes the need for an Animal Crossing level, and since Smash Bros. on the Wii U will focus on console Smash Bros. games, that means he'll be brawling in an arena inspired by City Folk. The level itself looks similar to Smashville from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but it definitely has some character of its own.
The Wii version of Smashville prominently used the built-in clock to change the level, with different things happening depending on when you played. Whether or not the Wii U version will utilize it in the same way is unknown, but we'd be shocked if KK Slider didn't make some sort of an appearance.
Dr. Wily's Castle
We can't forget about Mega Man, can we? The Blue Bomber has at least one stage to call his own in Smash Bros. on the Wii U, and it's an area that fans of Mega Man 2 are all too familiar with. Dr. Wily's Castle features a single flat platform surrounded by several others moving along predetermined routes.
We don't know if the level includes anything more complex than that, but one video showed off a Yellow Devil dropping down and preparing for a fight. This is either a sign that the villain will be playable (not likely), or that it'll show up in some sort of event mode or as a stage hazard of some type.
Wii Fit Stage
The Wii Fit trainer's stage is exactly what you'd expect it to be: a training room. Seriously, what else could it have been? Yeah, we didn't think you had any better ideas, either. With a padded floor and a mirror in the background, the level looks like it was ripped right out of Nintendo's best-selling fitness game.
That's not to say that it's too basic, though. There are a bunch of Wii Fit boards acting as platforms floating around the stage, adding a level of verticality to the otherwise simplistic level. There's also an animated Wii Fit board dancing around, though we have no idea if it's going to do anything other than make us feel bad for putting on a few pounds.
Garden of Hope
Olimar's return means the return of a Pikmin stage, but this isn't the same stage the space-traveler brought with him to Brawl. Instead, it appears to be based on Pikmin 3's Garden of Hope, instead of drawing inspiration from either of the previous Pikmin games.
How do we know? Well, besides the fact that it features Olimar in an upgraded suit (like the one from Pikmin 3), it also includes a brief appearance of the SS Drake--the ship piloted by Pikmin 3's main trio in the recently released sequel. There's always a chance that the last game's level will appear as a classic stage, though.
Pilotwings
Only revealed via pictures from Sakurai's Miiverse profile, the Pilotwings Stage is a confusing thing. The first image revealed what looked like a shot from the SNES Pilotwings, but recent screenshots have shown a 3D world that looks more similar to the N64 stage. And then another screen showed characters fighting on biplanes as Wuhu Island faded into the background--the one featured in the 3DS Pilotwings game. What gives?
No one but Nintendo knows for sure, but it appears as though the Pilotwings level will bring players on an aerial tour of the franchise's past. How this will actually play is yet to be seen, but we definitely like the idea of flying through Nintendo nostalgia as we brawl our friends.
Pyrosphere
Revealed only recently (again, through the bustling hub of information that is Sakurai's Miiverse posts), the Pyrophere is based on the Metroid: Other M level of the same name. Set in the arena where Samus battled Ridley near the end of the game. Yeah, that's technically a spoiler, but seriously, that's every Metroid game.
The level itself appears to be fairly large, with a number of floating platforms around the area. The most exciting thing about Pyrosphere, though, comes from the text attached to Sakurai's post: "An enemy from Samus's past may appear at any second" In other words, prepare to be smacked around by a very angry purple dragon.
Final smash
Smash Bros. always ends up having dozens of stages, so we have a feeling we're in for plenty of reveals in the coming months. What stages do you hope to see? Have any suggestions for new ones? Old ones? Let us know in the comments, below!
And if you're looking for more, check out the Smash Bros. roster and some characters we don't think will make the cut.
