Do you think we've seen every multi-player stage?

[NintenRob]

This has been a subject of heavy debate lately. During the Smash direct and Sakurai's most recent article, we were given an exact stage count: 103. Not only were we given a number. They put heavy emphasis on there being exactly 100 stages of you don't count Smash original stages.

To many this implied that this was the final stage count, which has a huge implication on what newcomers remain! We've had newcomers without stages before, but it's rare and normally there's good reason. With 100 stages, you would think they'd make room for any other new franchises joining the fray. Third parties especially would suffer if this was the case. No way we get another if we're not getting any more stages. Even characters from represented franchises are affected, could we get Elma or Rex with a stage from their games?

What do you think about the stage count?

 

[Mgl]

Im not sure, but if we get a character from a new ip like Issac or Steve it would be a bit weird for them not to have a home stage

 

[NintenRob]

Im not sure, but if we get a character from a new ip like Issac or Steve it would be a bit weird for them not to have a home stage

Which is why a lot of us believe we're not getting a character from any more new ips.

 

[Jorl]

I really want to beleive that it is not the final number, but the direct emphasizing it along with the big point of 100 stages in the interview below makes me feel that it could be final.

https://sourcegaming.info/2018/08/2...smash-direct-sakurais-famitsu-column-vol-561/

 

[IceKitsune]

Well final for the base game anyway. There will be DLC characters and stages. Any new IP characters will likely be DLC only. However there could be more non DLC characters and the stages will be DLC, because they prioritized new characters over Stages as stages take a while.

 

[Jorl]

Yeah, I get the feeling that we are going to get some really cool DLC for this game
here’s to hoping

 

[BonafideFella]

The only way it would make sense for a new series to not have a home stage if it was a REALLY retro character. Like, we're talking Hanafuda Guy levels.
Unless the character was already represented via stage (Balloon Fighter, Lark, etc.)

 

[Yosher]

The way they said it does seem to imply 103 stages being the final count, but it doesn't outright confirm it... and I really have no idea what to believe because of it.

I really want to believe that there'll still be more stages, if only because I want at LEAST Woolly World to return still. But the count seems so final the way it was presented, and it kinda hurts a little to accept it that I don't WANT to accept it. But it also feels weird to complain about it because there's already so gosh-darn much here, y'know?

I'm gonna remain in the 'indecisive' camp for now, wait and see what the developers still have in store for us, see if this count is indeed final or not. I'm fine with it either way, considering what we already have, even though I still really would love that stage to return as well. Either way, we'll see.

 

[TMNTSSB4]

I feel like there’s a few more stages yet to be revealed (either for new series with a newcomer or past stages yet to be seen)

 

[lucasla]

I believe they will add new stages, the graphic they showed they will just show again growing and updating the numbers. Specially If they are going to make a campaign mode, they will need to create a lot of levels with a lot of potential to become stages. Also, they only showed 3 original stages, and this number is too small for this game, even with all the returning stages.

 

[Yosher]

I believe they will add new stages, the graphic they showed they will just show again growing and updating the numbers. Specially If they are going to make a campaign mode, they will need to create a lot of levels with a lot of potential to become stages. Also, they only showed 3 original stages, and this number is too small for this game, even with all the returning stages.

Honestly that's what I thought too, but if you actually look at the various comparisons for each stage, you can see that a good amount of them (especially the Melee stages) have gotten quite a rework to the point they might have been built from the ground up (which they probably have been), and to me it almost does feel like they're new stages because of it even if I've put a ton of time into every Smash Bros game to date. I'd personally be fine if this would be all the new stages we're getting.

 

[Sprintle]

I'm sure there will be a couple more for characters that aren't in yet. If there are more characters, that is.

 

[notion_of_the_ocean]

Points for there being more stages:

1) Lack of any definitive indicators that 103 is the final number of stages in the direct.
2) Sakurai saying that there will be more characters announced later.
3) The empty spaces on the stage select and only four or so new stages presented.

More could be pointed out but this is what I'm willing to draw out of this...

If a past stage was not shown on the select screen, then it is toast. However, I do not buy one bit that we won't see something new warranting another stage in the coming months. My final prediction is 110 stages pre-DLC.

 

[Flynn__]

I think that there's no point in showing the SSS and saying that "all stages will be unlocked since the beginning" but, for some strange reason, hide some of the stages without pointing it out. I mean, they blurred the new mode because they wanted to show the main menu but not show the mode itself, so wouldn't they blur the to-be-announced stages as well? There's no point in outright taking them out of the SSS just because if they are going to be there (because they're not unlockables).

So yeah, I think that 103 is the final number... before DLC, that is. I do think that we will get some DLC stages at some point, including popular stages that didn't make the cut this time like Poké Floats and Rainbow Road.

 

[Heatswave]

Technically it was never explicitly stated that the number is final, but I feel like it is heavily implied...
That doesn't bode well for new franchises, as I don't see a new franchise character without a stage... (R.I.P. Isaac, Banjo, Rayman....) I have a little bit of hope that they'll break this rule and we just get new franchise characters without a stage...

 

[Pit93]

I'm pretty certain that 103 is not the final count. There's gonna be at LEAST one more Smash Direct and the biggest hype around those are the new characters. So there's just gonna be Characters from franchises that are already represented, thus not warranting a home stage? That just doesn't seem plausible to me.

Sakurai is a troll and he likes to mess with people but he doesn't give misinformation. He never confirmed 103 to be the final count, so the windows still open.

(If we're getting DLC at some point after Launch, I suppose we're gonna get a revamped SSS like in Sm4sh)

 

[TheTrueBrawler]

They have empty spaces which like the green mode might mean they aren't ready to talk about them yet. It's just like the green button. He didn't want to give that much info on it and would rather have saved the hype over what people think to be a new story mode for the next direct whenever it may be. He blurred it out though allowing people to speculate.

Unlike the green button however, stages are for the most part associated with characters. When a newcomer is announced, they often get a new stage as well. If Sakurai had them in but blurred them out, and someone were to piece together what the blurred out image is supposed to be, it might have revealed an unannounced fighter way too early.

If there are more stages to go over, it would have been best for Sakurai to keep unannounced new stages off this iteration of the SSS completely.

 

[BronzeGreekGod]

I don't know, but I hope not - but that's because I want more unlockabe stuff. Not because there aren't enough stages

 

[NintenRob]

I don't know, but I hope not - but that's because I want more unlockabe stuff. Not because there aren't enough stages

I'm afraid you're out of luck, Sakurai did straight up say all stages are available from the start.

 

[BronzeGreekGod]

I'm afraid you're out of luck, Sakurai did straight up say all stages are available from the start.

Maybe that means all the stages he's revealing tho. Fingers crosed

 

[Momotsuki]

I think there will be 1-3 more we haven't seen yet, and possibly also still returning stages we don't know of. Why? Well... on the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate website's Stages page the Mute City stage from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS is titled "Mute City SNES" rather than simply "Mute City." Now why would this be done if this was gonna be the only Mute City stage in the game? Simple. It wouldn't. There's very likely going to be a return of Melee's Mute City stage, thus meaning 103 is not the final number.​

 

[Deleted member]

Unless we get more franchises represented through characters, then yes, I think we've seen every map the game has to offer.

I still expect newcomers, at least a few, but it's p much impossible to know with Sakurai's careful wording.

One thing that's for certain with him is that he likes to subvert expectations, so he might've just kinda nudged us in a certain direction when showcasing the stage total.

Also, we gotta remember the kinda ugly empty space in the menu. It either indicates that DLC is planned, or that he indeed is successful in his bait-n-switch.

 

[Yuya-Noboru]

There are already several threads about the exact same thing. This isn't the final stage select screen obviously, refers to previous thread to see all the clues.

 

[Ze Diglett]

It seems to be heavily implied that 103 is the final stage count for the base game. So yes, I think this is it, and as such, we're unlikely to see anyone else from an unrepped series until DLC.
Not that I'm complaining, of course. Fourside could be the only stage in the game and I'd still be overjoyed at its return.

 

[NintenRob]

I know people like to look at empty slots as reason for more stages, but keep in mind that there's also the training mode exclusive stage, so they couldn't go for the more suggested Square layout because of it

 

[Ridrool64]

Honestly, it depends on who the next few newcomers are. Not counting echoes, they don't care either way. I don't have a stake in this: I want Arle in as a trophy, let alone Assist or fighter, so I won't be too mad as long as she either is in base or survives to DLC, so I don't think I'm as blinded by desire of her as a fighter only as I might come across as. I think instead of guessing the roster based on if the stage count is final, it'd be easier to work in reverse. And while I want Banjo and Kazooie, I also want Paper Mario who I think benefits from 103 only (see below).

The instant we see Isaac or Banjo or anybody like that, nope. Simple as that. Retroes might not get one until post-launch in an update as non-DLC, but I think R.O.B is just an anomaly and any new series character will come with a stage. Heck, R.O.B might even get a DLC stage himself, so...

And just because Skull Kid or Bandana Dee happen doesn't mean it's true right away: Paper Mario is probably the newcomer who wants 103 only the most, because then he basically loses all of his competition (like Geno wouldn't have a stage, as much as he'd be awesome, because then there's no Mario RPG music for his motif in the reveal and character trailer) and promotes to shoe-in territory. He already has a stage, so he actually would probably be way more likely if we didn't get any more since they touched up his stage just for him. If we see all 3 then 103 is it. However, everyone I mentioned (sans Geno) are likelier if there are no more stages than if there are more, where boatloads of competition flood in.
Yet it also rings true that even if any of these three get confined to the Snowglobe of NPC-dom, that still doesn't mean 104+ stages confirmed. It just means we might see a new Pokémon (I don't think Alola is happening without a stage, Pokémon always gets a new stage per generation these days, I mean something from Unova or Hoenn).

EDIT: Posted early. Sorry about that.

 

[TheTrueBrawler]

It came from the 3DS version of Smash 4. It is actually possible that we see some location from Pokémon Sun and Moon, but they have been heavily restrictive with new stages to only adding stages for newly introduced franchises like Moray Towers and Dracula's Castle, and very recent adventures of their most popular characters like Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild. I would love to see a new Pokémon stage, but I think we would be fine without one this time around.

 

[NintenRob]

It came from the 3DS version of Smash 4. It is actually possible that we see some location from Pokémon Sun and Moon, but they have been heavily restrictive with new stages to only adding stages for newly introduced franchises like Moray Towers and Dracula's Castle, and very recent adventures of their most popular characters like Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild. I would love to see a new Pokémon stage, but I think we would be fine without one this time around.

Yeah I don't think a new Pokemon stage is truly a necessity (as cool as one would be)

The stadiums serves as these nice generic all encompassing stages any Pokemon. And Tortimer Island served as a stand in during the Alolan Exeggcutor reveal, it probably will again for an event match if needed.

 

[MarioEvolution]

If more newcomers will be added, then yes: some new stages will also be added. Even during August 2018 Nintendo Direct, at stage selection screen, in the very bottom, there is the empty black part. So definitely no.

Otherwise, only time will tell.

 

[RileyXY1]

I think that there are more unrevealed stages. This possibly can't be it for new franchises until DLC.

 

[ssbashworld]

Returning stages at launch yes, idk about new stages, i can see it going either but would not be surprised if some new stages were kept a secret for future fighter reveals.

 

[RileyXY1]

I think there will be 1-3 more we haven't seen yet, and possibly also still returning stages we don't know of. Why? Well... on the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate website's Stages page the Mute City stage from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS is titled "Mute City SNES" rather than simply "Mute City." Now why would this be done if this was gonna be the only Mute City stage in the game? Simple. It wouldn't. There's very likely going to be a return of Melee's Mute City stage, thus meaning 103 is not the final number.​

Yeah. I think that Mute City Melee is the only returning stage that we haven't seen yet. I also think that the other stages will be new stages representing franchises that have yet to have playable characters.

 

[IronTed]

As long as there are characters from new franchises being added, then yes. Smash's select screens haven't always been symmetrical, and while it could be a factor, I really doubt they'd reject new stages because of that.

The Mute City point is also interesting. Many seem to be pointing to Melee, and that's possible, but there's also the possibility that there will be a new Mute City stage, even if it's certainly the less likely option.

 

[RileyXY1]

As long as there are characters from new franchises being added, then yes. Smash's select screens haven't always been symmetrical, and while it could be a factor, I really doubt they'd reject new stages because of that.

The Mute City point is also interesting. Many seem to be pointing to Melee, and that's possible, but there's also the possibility that there will be a new Mute City stage, even if it's certainly the less likely option.

I think that we're only getting a new Mute City if we are getting a new F-Zero character, but I doubt that. I agree that the more likely option is Mute City Melee coming back.

 

[NintenRob]

I know it's a little odd that the renamed Mute City 3DS to Mute City SNES, but I definitely at the very least think they've shown every past stage (although I'm pretty confident it's every stage in general)

They showed the stage select screen and said that all stages are available from the start, meaning no hidden stages. Meaning all remaining stages they specifically edited the game to hide, and why hide any other past stages? A good chunk of the stages revealed weren't even shown in the direct outside of the stage select screen itself.

That's what gets me. They have this big blow out of stages, they give us a number, it's not like they went over them all, they just put them all the website, they show us Stage Select Screen, very open about it. Why? If your not even showing every stage? Why say exactly 100 if there are not 100? Why stop at 103? You didn't go through all 103 in the direct, you just put them on the website. If there are still a couple of secret stages, why not keep more stages hidden until your ready to show them.


Why have that big blow out, and then just keep those couple secrets. If you still have more franchises to reveal, just wait until you've revealed those franchises.


It just doesn't make sense to me they'd present it the way they did, and still have a couple of secret stages that aren't actually secrets because all stages are available from the start.

 

[Yuya-Noboru]

It just doesn't make sense to me they'd present it the way they did, and still have a couple of secret stages that aren't actually secrets because all stages are available from the start.

It does. It's just obvious that there will be new stages for the next newcomers. Why would they show us those stages now and ruin the announcements of the renaming newcomers? Also, as I said a lot of times.... does everyone forget about stage builder? There are nothing related to this mode in the stage select screen we've seen that confirms that we've seen a placeholder.

 

[praline]

If we haven’t I don’t expect anymore than maybe 2.

 

[Deleted member]

The only time they put an emphasis on the number of stages before was during Smash 4's Final Presentation, i.e when the stage count was final.

Sakurai also said the dev team's goal was to reach 100 stages, which they hit exactly when you take out the Smash original stages as pointed out in the Direct. And it's not like the stage select screen has to be centered either, because Smash 3DS's stage select had an empty spot in the bottom right corner of the roster reserved for a DLC stage portal. Even though it's only one slot, the base game's stage select didn't have a centered bottom row, so I wouldn't put that much stock into the empty spots in Ultimate's stage select. It's entirely possible the DLC portal for Ultimate will fill out the rest of the blank slots on its own so it's easier to select and so it can fit text on it instead of just an arrow, or it might only be introduced once enough DLC stages are downloaded as to require a 2nd page.

The biggest argument against 103 stages is that it means no characters from new series will be in the game, which while entirely possible, is not something I'd deem likely without the context of the stage count. With all this in mind, I'm leaning towards the stage count being final.

 

[NintenRob]

The only time they put an emphasis on the number of stages before was during Smash 4's Final Presentation, i.e when the stage count was final.
View attachment 162832
Sakurai also said the dev team's goal was to reach 100 stages, which they hit exactly when you take out the Smash original stages as pointed out in the Direct. And it's not like the stage select screen has to be centered either, because Smash 3DS's stage select had an empty spot in the bottom right corner of the roster reserved for a DLC stage portal. Even though it's only one slot, the base game's stage select didn't have a centered bottom row, so I wouldn't put that much stock into the empty spots in Ultimate's stage select. It's entirely possible the DLC portal for Ultimate will fill out the rest of the blank slots on its own so it's easier to select and so it can fit text on it instead of just an arrow, or it might only be introduced once enough DLC stages are downloaded as to require a 2nd page.

The biggest argument against 103 stages is that it means no characters from new series will be in the game, which while entirely possible, it's not something I'd bet on happening. That being said, I'm still leaning towards the stage count being final until we get official confirmation.

I must admit that when people use that there must be more franchises as proof, it just kinda looks like denial. People don't want to admit characters like Isaac, Banjo or Shantae might not be in the game.

I saw this posted elsewhere that I think best explains it

"We were told basically everything during the Direct, but because we didn't get a statement like "These are all the stages in the game. There are no more stages left to reveal.", it's being viewed as inconclusive (just like how Ridley's status was "ambiguous" because we weren't flat out told "Ridley is a stage boss. He will not be a playable character"). People are basically ignoring what was said in favor of what wasn't said."