Editing Planet Zebes

This is the [[home stage]] of {{SSB|Samus Aran}}. It is also considered {{SSB|Captain Falcon}}'s home stage, as he is fought here to be [[unlockable character|unlocked]].

[[File:PZebesSSB.gif|thumb|left|Full view of Planet Zebes from ''Smash 64''.]]

Planet Zebes consists of a rough, jagged base, three main platforms (one of which is sloped at an angle), and one smaller platform ascending and descending to the far right of the stage. Hazardous acid surges below, periodically submerging most of the base and two of the three platforms, though never rising high enough to reach the topmost platform.

Touching the acid results in [[Damage|damage]] and high [[knockback]], capably [[KO]]ing a player if their damage meter is high. The acid can, however, also be used strategically as a means of salvage when risen enough; in the event a player is knocked off the stage and into the acid, it will launch them skyward, allowing them to reuse their [[recovery]] or simply fall back onto the stage. Obtaining a [[Starman (item)|Starman]] (or any form of strong knockback resistance or immunity) grants invulnerability to the acid, allowing the player to walk through it with no obstruction. However, if, while invincible, the player falls off the stage and through the acid, they will [[self-destruct]]; it will not "bump" the player back up, as they are immune to its burn.

Although not drawing homage to any particular game, this stage is based on {{s|metroidwiki|Zebes}}, the planet on which ''[[metroidwiki:Metroid (game)|Metroid]]'' and ''{{s|metroidwiki|Super Metroid}}'' are set. A clear reference is the yellow acid featured in some rooms in ''Metroid''. The rising and falling acid is a reference to ''Super Metroid'', wherein the lava in some Norfair and Tourian rooms would rise after earthquakes. The stage's platforms, composed of green bubbles with red highlights, are a direct reference to the aesthetics of Norfair in both games.

{{s|metroidwiki|Ridley}}, who appears in the majority of ''Metroid'' games as a reoccurring boss, occasionally flies in the background, along with {{s|metroidwiki|Waver}}s. Both Ridley and the Wavers are based on their sprites in ''Super Metroid''.

The stage is commonly [[Banned stage|banned]] in N64 Backroom [[tournament]]s, mostly because of the acid that interferes with usual [[gameplay]], due to being able to [[star KO]] at unexpected moments and covering up parts of the stage, forcing opponents to run and jump to avoid it. This can also cause the fighting space on the stage to become extremely small. In addition, the occasionally awkward camera angles making gameplay more difficult for most. However, the stage is sometimes allowed in non-official tournaments on behalf of its size, ideal for aerial [[combo]]s. It is also occasionally allowed as a counterpick over [[Peach's Castle]] due to the larger size.