Super Smash Bros. Melee possesses twenty-nine stages that the player can choose from once they have unlocked them all. This is a major improvement from 64’s nine stages (eight starter stages plus the unlockable Mushroom Kingdom). Here is a list of ten stages and why they are fun.

10. Jungle Japes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQtHQ-V8KO0

Jungles Japes is one of the three Donkey Kong-inspired stages in the game. At a first glance, the stage is focused on three platforms made out of old boards. There is a shack in the middle of the three platforms. Underneath the stage flows a river that will ensnare those unlucky enough to fall into it.

Jungle Japes is derived from the first stage of Donkey Kong 64. Cranky Kong inhabits the shack and can be seen through the window.

A fun exploit that can be performed on the stage is with Roy on All-Star Mode. As the enemy approaches, charge up the neutral-B. Use your powered flames in repetition to kill the opponent with little effort. It makes the harder levels of the mode more bearable.

9. Icicle Mountain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx3jppnfy2o

This vertical-scrolling stage is inspired by the Ice Climber NES game. Many platforms are there to support the players as they fight against each other and the stage. 

As one would expect, this stage is unviable in all tournaments. Characters like Sheik and Roy will struggle at this stage due to their poor recovery height.

8. Fountain of Dreams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jkabEVfmLg

The Fountain of Dreams takes inspiration from the final level of Kirby’s Adventure. After traversing seven worlds and fighting bosses, Kirby made it to the legendary fountain and used the Star Rod to battle Nightmare. Sweet dreams were then restored to the land.

The enjoyment of this stage arises from its beauty. Sakurai and his team painted the stage with excellent shades of coding. The cool palette evokes a serenity even as you wavedash as Fox during a tournament.

The water on the ground reflects what happens on the stage. Due to the aged graphics, the reflections appear pixelated.

7. Fourside

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Ztg7aSshI

Based on the Earthbound location of the same name, Fourside takes place atop several skyscrapers. The centerpiece of these buildings is the Monotoli Building. It is owned by the major of Fourside, Geldegarde Monotoli.

A UFO appears on the right edge of the stage. Much of Earthbound’s story involves combating Giygas, the alien menace whose interests are numerous in this part of the map. Monotoli fell under his control at one point in the story. 

When battling Pichu on this stage in All-Star Mode, he’ll try to use his recovery to approach you. In certain scenarios, his trajectory will fall short of the target and he’ll end his life for you.

6. Big Blue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76EAZy_AR3g

Big Blue is an unlockable stage in Melee. You must finish 150 V.S. matches to fulfill the requirements. 

The stage takes place atop a series of F-Zero racers as they struggle toward the finish line. None of the characters can keep up with the racers on the race track. To stay alive, you have to stand on the karts and duel opponents.

Big Blue’s first appearance in the F-Zero series was back in the SNES days. It was the second stage in the Knight League and had no sequel until F-Zero X.

5. Flat Zone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR2fuvUWsU4

This is likely to be the last stage you unlock in Melee. Mr. Game & Watch has to beat Classic Mode before you step foot in this unique stage. 

The entirety of this stage is within the confines of a model Game & Watch. All the characters are just as flat as the game itself. Stage hazards like oil spills and falling objects will force the opponents to move with precision in an area that is already small.

Helmet, one of the many Game & Watch devices from the 80s, is the main inspiration for this stage.

4. Pokemon Stadium

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fo0cPmj4VA&t=325s

Pokemon Stadium is an interesting stage in the game for being a wildcard for tournament viability. In games like Ultimate, stages can be banned for having a background that’s too distracting.

Here, there is a clip that occurs on a tree-like structure in the Rock portion of the stage. If timed right, the player can fall through the stage and be forced to make a sudden decision. Many infinites can be performed by using stage geometry.

The basis for the stage is a Pokemon Stadium from the Kanto region. This is where Pokemon trainers will battle their Pokemon for supremacy. Four stage variants: Rock, Fire, Water, and Grass are there to represent the various classes of Pokemon.

3. Temple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrwrlbEYLZw

This is the largest stage in Melee. The stage’s design is taken from the palaces of Zelda II. Even the stage music is a remix of the game’s music.

The center of the stage is enclosed with many ceilings and tunnels that take you to different sections of the level. It is hard to knock opponents off of the stage here as there is little space in this region.

A series of pillars toward the right edge of the stage is a good location to take stocks.

2. Poke Floats

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYBsvaVWThQ&t=89s

This stage is oriented above the Kanto skies. Multiple hot air balloons are modeled after Pokemon. They include species like Porygon, Sudowoodo, Squirtle, Seel, and Snorlax.

The stage isn’t autoscrolling but features the balloons moving in and out of a fixed camera angle. Poke Float’s mystique is complemented with the pink clouds in the background and the electric beats in the soundtrack.

There was a campaign back in 2015 tomake Poke Floats legal in tournaments. Nothing has come from those efforts.

1. Final Destination

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z5Sgc3_ZD8

The stage’s trophy description describes the scene as traversing the space between fantasy and reality. However, few think about that when they play the stage.

Final Destination’s allure comes from its basic design. The only ground is located on a purple and black structure in the center of the camera angle. Tournaments love this stage as there are no hazards.

Players looking to test their skills should consult this stage. There isn’t much room for luck that would alter the battle arbitrarily. 

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