103 Stages, New Features Announced for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Yesterday’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Nintendo Direct gave some more great insight into what we can expect when the game releases this December. As with any Smash Direct, the cinematic character announcements stole the show. However, in addition to these hype-inducing fighter trailers, the Direct had a lot to give in the stages department, revealing that the game would have a total of 103 stages, jam-packed with new features.

The spotlight of the Direct’s announcement focused on a brand-new stage, Dracula’s Castle. Paired with the reveal of fighter Simon Belmont, and Echo Fighter, Richter Belmont, Game Director Masahiro Sakurai revealed what he believes to be the game’s “darkest stage.”

Alongside the dark and somber aesthetic that has characterized the Castlevania series for decades, this stage is filled to the brim with unique features. To match the game’s Middle-Ages inspired design, the stage is decorated with a candlestick that turns into an item when hit with an attack. The stage also welcomes many staple characters of the Castlevania series; bosses from the franchise will drop-in throughout the game, including: Medusa, Werewolf, Death, and many more. Furthermore, on rare occasion, players can expect a visit from Simon Belmont’s mortal rival – Dracula.

New Features 

In addition to this special stage announcement, the Direct highlighted many new stage features in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that are sure to please players of all skill and interest levels.

• 800 song track list – 800 tracks of new and old music. Including other game compositions, the track list provides over 28 hours of entertainment.
• Omega, Battlefield, and Hazardless stages – Every stage can be played in these three additional forms, allowing for 300 stage variations.
• Remastered and balanced retro stages – Certain stages will be rebalanced and remastered. However, stages returning from the N64 will prioritize their classic look and nostalgia above all else.
• Stage morphing – This new feature allows players to select 2 stages per game, wherein the original stage will morph during the fight!
• Full stage availability – No need to grind for stages; all will be available upon unboxing.
• Eight player battles on all stages – All stages will make room for an eight-player chaotic frenzy.
• Stage selection – For every match, stage selection will take place prior to character selection, giving players the ability to choose a character that best suits the stage.

 Returning Stages

On top of giving us a peek into Simon Belmont’s turf, Mr. Sakurai provided a list of stages that will be returning from previous Smash iterations, including favorites of the competitive smash scene.

• Shadow Moses – Metal Gear
• Living Room – Nintendogs
• Gaur Plain – Xenoblade
• Figure 8 Circuit – Mario Kart
• Flat Zone X – Game and Watch
• Pokémon Stadium (Melee) – Pokémon
• Garden of Hope – Pikmin
• Brinstar Depths – Metroid
• Summit – Ice Climbers
• Unova Pokémon League – Pokémon
• Magicant – Mother
• Gamer – WarioWare
• Fountain of Dreams – Kirby
• Final Destination (Redesigned)

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will be released on December 7 for Nintendo Switch.