Unlockable stage

An unlockable stage is a stage that is not available at the beginning of the game, unlike a starter stage, but must be received through other means.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
In Ultimate, there are no unlockable stages, as all 103 non-DLC stages are available from the start.

However, Northern Cave, for a limited time from December 17th–22nd, 2020, was unlockable via early access if Sephiroth Challenge was cleared.

Trivia

 * Super Smash Bros. Melee is the only game to use placeholders for unlockable stages. Despite having 11 unlockable stages, there are only 5 "?" marked boxes for unlockable stages. The ones not marked with a placeholder are Flat Zone, Special Stages, and Past Stages.
 * is the only installment with unlockable stages where playing VS. matches does not unlock an unlockable stage.