Super Smash Bros. is one of the most in-depth entries in Nintendo’s fighting series. Not only does it feature a superb roster and a variety of levels, but also eight-player Smash battles and several modes to choose from. However, one feature you may not expect is the ability to create your own levels.
All you have to do is head into the Level Creator and craft your dream arena. While you probably won’t be able to make something as in-depth as Corneria, you will be able to build something cool from scratch with just a few easy steps.
Here are some tips when it comes to building levels in Smash!
Creating objects and drawing platforms
After deciding which backdrop you want (there are several available), the first thing you’ll want to do is decide what colors your platforms will be. The game provides a number of options to choose from, and you’re free to use whatever you want in multiple combinations.
Once you select a color style, begin drawing shapes. Do you want to create multiple higher and lower platforms? Do you want to provide possible areas of drop-off, where a player could easily lose a life if they aren’t careful? The choice is yours.
After drawing the shape of your stage, use the Nintendo GamePad to move it around. You can rotate the object if you want it to have some sort of angle or provide the possibility of another character sliding off. You can also connect these platforms together, despite the possible color clash.
In addition, there’s a grid filter if you want to be precise with edges and detailed heights of platforms, but you can turn it off at any time. It’s helpful for beginners, though, as you can create a level stage this way.
Obstacles and terrain
If you prefer, you can add obstacles to one of the lower levels of your stage to keep things interesting. Head into the objects menu (the first icon on the bottom left next to the test button) and you’ll open it up, being able to select from springs, cannons, moving platforms and magma. Springs and cannons send players flying back into the action; moving platforms can rescue them from uncertain death, and magma, surprise, burns anyone who touches it, sending them flying.
When it comes to placing these, don’t put patches of magma across the bottom when a stream will do just as well, even if it just covers a platform. Also, with cannons and springs, you can choose weak or strong, deciding how quickly you want your fighters to bounce back. Weak will send them flying within the stage and stronger items will catapult them high into the sky, where they can plan their next form of attack. Choose wisely, but they both work extremely well.
Keep an eye on the weight
Each stage has a certain weight limit that needs to be met, mainly due to the fact that Nintendo doesn’t want it to be too overloaded with stuff. When putting a stage together, keep an eye on this meter at the bottom of the stage.
Once you reach the first portion – you’ll see a dividing line showing just the right place you should stop – take a look and carefully see if anything else needs to be added. There is a little bit of breathing room if you wish to add finishing touches, but don’t go overboard. Your stage may be too big and you won’t be able to finish it. Balance is key.
Test as much as possible
Finally, when it comes to seeing how your stage holds up, be sure to test it out. The game will give you the option to save your progress before you hop in, so make sure you do that as well, so you can go back and make changes as necessary.
Once you hit Test and select Save Options, you’ll immediately be thrust into a fight between yourself and an AI opponent, to see how well your stage options work. Then you can go back in and make tweaks; just make sure you keep an eye on that weight so it’s not too heavy.
Once your creation is done, you can save and share it with your friends – then see who has the best fighting arena of all.
The Super Smash Bros Wii U/3DS Collector’s Edition guide is a beautiful hardvover version that includes collectible bookmarks and foreword from the game director, Masahiro Sakurai!
Get the complete, official guide:
- Unlock It All – see how to unlock each character, stage and more
- Winning Strategies – learn to play your favorite characters with strategies on how to best utilize their move sets
- Master Smash Run – full details on the Nintendo 3DS exclusive Smash Run game mode, including how to defeat each enemy and the best use for each power
- Complete Coverage – the guide covers all game modes for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of the game
