Classic Mode (SSB4-3DS)

Classic Mode is a single player mode in that encompasses a series of battles against various characters. Undergoing a huge revamp from previous versions of the mode, the player is now given a choice of a set series of paths to choose from. Rewards such as Equipment and Custom Moves will be given to the player after the mode's completion.

Each path is marked by a series symbol, representing a battle set in a stage from that universe against at least one character from it (with the possibility of more characters from unrelated ones), and a color denoting the battle's difficulty: red indicates a path to more rewards but a harder difficulty, green indicates a medium level of difficulty with moderate rewards, and blue indicates the easiest battle with little reward. The final path to is colored blue.

1-on-1, 2-on-2, Metal, Giant, and free-for-all battles return, and all fights are on a stage from the same universe as one of the fighters. Unlike previous Classic Modes, returning stages are playable in the mode. Multi-Man battles also return, either against a normal character or a Fighting Mii Team, but this time they always are the last round before Master Hand. Winning a match rewards the player with gold, as well as additional gold, Custom Parts, or Trophies as randomly selected beforehand (in multiples of 0-5).

Instead of selecting an amount of stock to carry throughout an entire run, players always start each stage with 2 stock regardless of difficulty. The difficulty selection was also changed to the Intensity system, very similar to the in , which allows players to invest gold to either raise or lower the difficulty, and with it the possible rewards. The basic intensity, which requires no gold to access, is 2.0; it can be lowered to 0.0 or raised to 9.0.

In addition to the overall difficulty, the intensity influences the final boss. On an intensity of lower than 3.0, Master Hand is the basic final boss. On an intensity of 3.0 or higher, a second, black path is unlocked which leads to a battle with both Master Hand and, along with more rewards. If the intensity is 5.1 or higher, the battle with the two hands will begin as usual, but after taking enough damage, Master Hand will rip open to reveal the new boss Master Core, which possesses several forms and whose starting form is more advanced the higher the intensity. If the intensity is 8.0 or higher, the black path is the only final path.

There are a total of six stages, including the final one.

Rewards

 * Clearing Classic Mode on any difficulty with any character will give the player a trophy of the character used.
 * Clearing with any character on any difficulty will challenge the player to defeat, and beating him will unlock him.
 * Clearing with any character on any difficulty without using any continues will challenge the player to defeat . Beating him will unlock him.
 * Clearing with three or more characters will challenge the player to defeat . Beating him will unlock him.
 * Clearing with eight or more characters will challenge the player to defeat . Beating them will unlock them.
 * Clearing with ten or more characters will challenge the player to defeat . Beating him will unlock him.
 * Clearing with without using any continues will challenge the player to defeat, and beating her will unlock her.
 * Clearing with on intensity 4.0 or higher will challenge the player to defeat . Beating him will unlock him.
 * Clearing with or  on intensity 5.0 or higher will challenge the player to defeat . Beating him will unlock him.
 * Clearing with on intensity 6.0 or higher will challenge the player to defeat . Beating him will unlock him.

Board 1

 * Clearing with any character on any difficulty and defeating Ness will unlock the Magicant stage.
 * Clearing with three or more characters and defeating Dark Pit will unlock the Dark Pit Staff trophy. Note that defeating him after 50 Versus matches also unlocks the trophy.
 * Clearing on intensity 3.0 or higher with any character will give the  music.

Board 2

 * Clearing with ten or more characters and defeating Mr Game & Watch will unlock the Flat Zone 2 stage.
 * Clearing after defeating Master Core will give the  music.
 * Clearing with five characters will unlock the Master Hand trophy.

Board 3

 * Clearing on intensity 9.0 will unlock the Guardian trophy.
 * Beating Classic Mode with all characters will unlock the Crazy Hand trophy.