The stage builder for Smash Ultimate has been out for some time now, and the Smash community has been hard at work developing some brilliant stages to be shared online. Along with recreations of old levels, fancy artwork and new combat levels, several players have developed entirely new minigames and games to enjoy. We've spent some time hunting through the Stage Builder to track down interesting levels, so here are our picks for the best custom stages for Smash Ultimate.
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The best custom stages for Smash Ultimate
Custom stages for Smash Ultimate seem to fall into four categories: Minigames/strange creations, recreated stages, artwork, and actual, playable stages. Since the sorts aren’t really comparable with each other, we’ve split our list based on these categories too. And no, we won’t be including any Fortnite levels. Let’s hop to it!
Minigames/strange creations
The following stages shake up the formula for Smash, often changing the main game from knocking your opponents out of the arena to something far, far stranger. If you want to see how creative the Stage Builder can be, you’ve come to the right place.
Nikita Weave War
ID: KQGXLMTW
Creator: Reddit user xzAsiankidzx
In Nikita Weave War, two players take turns using Snake's Nikita Side-B attack in an attempt to weave rockets through a maze on their opponent's side. Make it throguh and you'll detonate a bomb that collapses the floor under your opponent, sending them tumbling to their death. It's a brilliant idea, and one of several duel maps xzAsiankizx has produced. They recommend turning off player percentages in advanced options so that they don't cover the screen. Check out Link Bow Battle and Koopa Cannonball for more in this vein.
Race to the Finish!
IDs: Easy - DM3Q67KS, Normal - 5K10Q61X, Hard - LWNLVSMS, Very Hard - 0TMR62K, Intense - P8BL4W98
Creator: Reddit user Rammiloh
Rammiloh has worked had to recreate the Race to the Finish challenge from the original Super Smash Bros. 64. Ultimate's single bonus stage left many players underwhelmed, so it's great to see the community filling in the gaps. There are five difficulties to choose from and all you need to do is hit the bomb before rushing your way to the end. For an alternate, multiplayer take on this, try out this race to the death map in which all players are in a rush to lose their stocks as quickly as possible by running through a maze!
Smashketball
ID: 1CPHDTB0
Creator: luke
A staple from previous Stage Builders, Smashketball transforms Super Smash Bros into a deadly game of basketball in which your objective is to dunk the opposing player into cannon either side of the main platform. Entering one is certain death, which makes grappler characters like Donkey Kong perfect for this mashup (smashup?) of BBall and Smash. Is football more your style? Try this FIFA: Smash stage where you score goals with your opponent!
The Scoop
ID: 3TX2C25W
Creator: Termolene
Smash battles are tense and all, but why not step up the fear factor by introducing an enormous swinging claw that scoops up players and carries them off the top of the level. The central red marks indicate the danger zone, and you can watch the rotating hands in the background to know when the scoop is coming.
Snakes & Ladders
ID: LW8WDS70
Creator: Rainter
More of a proof of concept than an actual game, creator Rainter has built a small game of Snakes & Ladders, complete with a rotating dice wheel. One player detonates the bomb to stop the wheel, while the others move along the track to reach the exit. A small but creative use of the simple mechanics on offer in the Stage Builder.
Actual Stages
Looking for new places to throw down the gauntlet? These are some of the best new level designs we’ve seen on the creator. Just don’t expect them to be tournament legal.
Ghosts 'n' Goblins
ID: JQPDKX21 or without ladders on 07DT24NY
Creator: Reddit User -NovaStar-
A nicely atmospheric stage, NovaStar has built a spooky backdrop to this simple platform stage inspired by the old-school Capcom title. For a custom stage, it works impressively well in serious competition if you take the ladderless version!
Clock Showdown
ID: LSC6W4F2
Creator: xShaunSPx
This fun little level includes a few shifting platforms and a rotating clock hand you can bounce off and stand on in the center.
Arboreum
ID: 8QCMGJ9N
Creator: Chuckles
For the more competitive players, Arboreum offers a unique but predictable layout to test, including a multi-tiered stage and one moving platform. A lovely change of pace from the usual hazardless designs.
3 Battlefields
ID: QVJ4DSDV
Creator: J
Find Big Battlefield a bit too bland but like the general idea? Whip this stage out during your next 8-player Smash session and you can fight atop three rotating versions of the Battlefield layout. Who will be the victor on each?
Recreated stages
Smash Ultimate includes over 100 stages, most of which return from previous iterations in the series. However, it doesn’t quite include all of them, and that means players have been quick to work on some old favorites. Here are some of the best:
Metal Cavern
ID: 5F3N6NPB
Creator: Torterra13
This classic from the N64 was a much loved and hated stage, given it was where you took on the tough Metal Mario in the game’s arcade mode. There are a few versions of this stage floating about, so have a browse and choose your favorite.
Battlefield Melee
ID: RCLSRDRQ
Creator: Apathy
Is Ultimate’s Battlefield stage not pure enough for you? Do you long for the days of edgehogging and recoveries that get stuck under the stage? Battlefield Melee won’t make Jigglypuff a top tier character again, but it does provide that serious demeanor the competitive spirit craves.
Smash 64 Desk
ID: BY4K8Y68
Creator: G-SUS
Technically never a real stage, Smash oldies will remember fondly the opening to the N64 game in which Master Hand brought Mario, Link and Pikachu to live on top of a well-lit desk. You can now relive that experience in Ultimate thanks to creator G-SUS!
Artwork Stages
With the option to free draw level shapes, it hasn’t taken long for budding artists to try their hands at Smash Ultimate’s Stage Builder. Here are a few designs that also work as levels (just about).
Sleeping Pikachu
ID: 0MYV300S
Creator: Eric;D
Aww, just look at little sleepy Pikachu’s wagging tail. Try not to wake him up with all that punching, yeah?
Sonic 1 Title
ID: 4PPTW76T
Creator: Aaron
Aaron has produced a lovely pixel-art rendition of Sonic’s title screen, even adding a waggle to the blue blur’s hand.
Cup & Mug
ID: SCFBKYQ2
Creator: Jester
Will Cuphead and Mugman ever make it into Smash? Probably not as characters, but at least now you can enjoy their faces while you fight.
DORIYAHH!!
ID: 3QFCSKB0
Creator: Zida
DORIYAAHH!!
Those are all the best custom stages for Smash Ultimate we’ve found so far, but we can’t wait to see what the community comes up with in future. Check out the SmashBrosStages reddit for more submissions. Have you found or made any fantastic creations? Share them in the comments below!
