Not sure how many keep up with the SG Daily post, but the last two translations we posted explain stage selection/ stage layout in Melee.
Sakurai
had the idea of "front" and "back" stages. Stages were ordered the same universe. I think horizontally they also follow the same pattern as Smash 64 (with a set of Mario stages on both ends).
Corneria, and Venom.
Great Bay and Temple.
etc
This really shows that the
Ice Climber Stage (Summit) would have probably been the Ice Climber's "front" stage. I think
Akaneia could have corresponded to Game and Watch since both would have only 1 stage each. This would have made the stage layout two rows across. Neat!
Also,
Sprout Tower got replaced by either Pokefloat or Pokemon Stadium pretty early (I'm guessing the earlier one, as Venasaur's earthquake animation comes from an early version of Pokemon Stadium). But it's not confirmed.
The more you know!
...I've read too much about Smash development. :X