Mode

Modes (sometimes referred to as Menus) are various ways to play  games. The list below shows all the modes of each games and compares them.

1P Mode

 * 1P Game
 * Training Mode
 * Bonus 1 Practice
 * Bonus 2 Practice

VS Mode

 * VS Start
 * Rule
 * Time / Stock
 * VS Options
 * Handicap
 * Team Attack
 * Stage Select
 * Damage
 * Item Switch

Option

 * Sound
 * Screen Adjust
 * Backup Clear
 * Language

Data

 * Characters
 * VS Record
 * Sound Test

In Super Smash Bros. Melee
The * indicates that this mode must be unlocked.

1-P Mode

 * Regular Match
 * Adventure Mode
 * All-Star Mode*
 * All-Star Mode*


 * Event Match
 * Stadium
 * Home-Run Contest
 * Target Test
 * Multi-Man Melee


 * Training Mode

Vs. Mode

 * Melee
 * Special Melee
 * Tournament Mode
 * Custom Rules
 * Name Entry

Trophies

 * Gallery
 * Lottery
 * Collection

Options

 * Rumble
 * Sound
 * Screen Display
 * Language
 * Erase Data

Data

 * Snapshots
 * Archives (NTSC)
 * Special Movie
 * How to Play (PAL)
 * Melee Records
 * How to Play (PAL)
 * Melee Records

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl
The * indicates that this mode must be unlocked.

Solo

 * Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary
 * All-Star Mode*
 * Event Match
 * Stadium
 * Home-Run Contest
 * Target Smash!!
 * Multi-Man Brawl
 * Boss Battles Mode*
 * Boss Battles Mode*


 * Training Mode

Group

 * Brawl
 * Rules
 * Special Brawl
 * Rotation
 * Names
 * Names

Nintendo Wi-Fi

 * With Friends
 * With Anyone
 * Basic Brawl
 * Team Battle
 * Spectator Mode

Options

 * Screen
 * Deflicker
 * Rumble
 * Controls
 * Sound
 * My Music
 * Erase Data

Vault

 * Trophies and Stickers
 * Album
 * Stage Builder
 * Challenges
 * Replays
 * Masterpieces
 * Chronicle

Data

 * Movies
 * Subspace Emissary
 * E3 2006
 * Game Intro
 * Snake Joins the Brawl
 * Sonic Joins the Brawl
 * Records
 * Group Records
 * Brawl Records
 * Notices
 * Sound Test
 * Sound Test

Smash

 * Smash
 * 8-Player Smash
 * Special Smash
 * Rules

Games & More

 * All-Star Mode
 * Stadium
 * Multi-Man Smash
 * Target Blast
 * Home-Run Contest
 * Training Mode
 * Events
 * Special Orders
 * Master Orders
 * Crazy Orders
 * Custom
 * Stage Builder
 * amiibo ( added in version 1.0.5 on New 3DS and version 1.0.8 on 3DS / available at release)
 * Vault
 * Trophies
 * Trophy Rush
 * Album
 * Replays
 * Movies
 * Sounds
 * Records
 * Tips
 * Masterpieces
 * Options
 * Controls
 * Sound
 * Character Outline
 * Damage Display
 * My Music
 * Internet Options
 * Internet Options

Online

 * With Anyone
 * For Fun
 * For Glory
 * With Friends
 * Tourney (added in version 1.1.0)
 * Conquest ( added in version 1.0.1 / available at release)
 * Spectate
 * Share ( added in version 1.0.5 / available at release)

Other modes

 * Challenges
 * StreetSmash
 * Wii U connect / 3DS connect

Smash

 * Smash
 * Squad Strike
 * Special Smash
 * Smashdown
 * Custom Smash
 * Super Sudden Death
 * Super Sudden Death

8-Player Smash is available as part of the regular Smash mode, and so it does not occupy a separate menu item as it did in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Games & More

 * Training
 * Mob Smash
 * Century Smash
 * All-Star Smash
 * Cruel Smash
 * Home-Run Contest (Added in version 5.0.0)
 * s
 * amiibo
 * Stage Builder (Added in version 3.0.0)
 * Challenger's Approach (only if there are fighters that must be unlocked and haven't been)
 * VR (Added in version 3.1.0)
 * VR (Added in version 3.1.0)

Online

 * Smash
 * Quickplay
 * Elite Smash
 * Background Matchmaking
 * Battle Arena
 * Official Tourney Qualifiers
 * Online Tourney (Added in version 4.0.0)
 * Spectate
 * Shared Content (Added in version 3.0.0)
 * Shared Content (Added in version 3.0.0)

Vault

 * Sounds
 * Replays
 * Video Editor (Added in version 3.0.0)
 * Records
 * Stats
 * Milestones
 * Battle Data
 * Smash Tags
 * Past Opponents
 * Challenges
 * Tips
 * Movies
 * Shop


 * Adventure Mode
 * Spirit Board
 * Collection
 * Rematch (Added in version 8.0.0)
 * (Added in version 3.0.0)

Dashboard

 * Return to Top Menu
 * Collection
 * Local Wireless
 * News
 * Options
 * Help

Other

 * Sephiroth Challenge (Added in version 10.0.0) (Limited-time: removed in version 10.1.0)

In competitive play
Many modes across the Smash series have developed their own competitive communities over the years. The most popular mode by a wide margin is the Vs. Mode of each game, which forms the basis for each game's tournament scene. While the exact rules and structure vary between games and region, the basic outline involves at least two players picking a character and a legal stage and playing until one is declared the winner. 1v1 games (often referred to as "singles") are the most popular format, but other formats such as 2v2 (often referred to as "doubles"), Squad Strike, and occasionally free for all and Smashdown matches also take place. Games involving Special Smash have also developed a niche competitive scene, with specific rules and conditions gaining popularity in side events.

Single player modes have also developed their own unique communities. Most modes involve the achieving or breaking of some kind of record. Since players do not directly compete with each other in this format, a leaderboard system is often used to track these records. Players will submit their gameplay to the leaderboard for review, where it will be determined if the gameplay is both legitimate and meets all established standards. If it passes, it goes onto the leaderboard. Games that track a high score like Home-Run Contest and Multi-Man Smash have active communities frequently developing new techniques and strategies to achieve the highest possible score. Modes with a clear end point like All-Star Mode, Classic Mode, Target Smash and Events also have communities that also develop new techniques and strategies to complete the modes in the least possible amount of time, often dubbed a speedrun.

Modes that can be played online have mostly the same rules as offline, though some differ slightly to account for the different environment. There are often penalties put in place in the event of internet connectivity issues, with contingency plans set up in the case of major catastrophes. Some communities require certain modes to be played offline with official hardware, as playing online often means using emulators and unverified hardware, which brings the possibility of inconsistent gameplay and cheating.

Trivia

 * In the Japanese version of Melee, the Main Menu is instead named Top Menu. Additionally, it was originally going to be named Top Menu in English as well, but the final version of the game reverts the name back to Main Menu.
 * Ultimate uses the name Top Menu in English, under the Dashboard's "Back to Top Menu" option.
 * Masahiro Sakurai stated in a YouTube video that he created Break the Targets! as an indirect tutorial to play the characters in lieu of a proper tutorial mode. He also stated in the video that he wanted to include a full tutorial mode into Ultimate, but the concept had to be scrapped due to time constraints, a situation he regrets to this day.