Start button

The Start button (also called the Start/Pause button on the GameCube controller) refers to the large red button in the center of a Nintendo 64 controller, the small gray button in the center of a GameCube controller, or the small, rectangular pad to the bottom right of the touch screen of a Nintendo 3DS, or the top circular button under the face buttons on any New Nintendo 3DS model. The start button matches the color of the shell of the 3DS.

Overview
The start button can be pressed to pause any offline game. These action is removed during online games. While paused, the players can access the various options in the pause menu. However, pausing the game has some competitive implications and can constitute cheating. The option to turn off pausing exists, though this renders the pause button functionless during a match. In The Subspace Emissary, player 2 can use this button to Space Jump. In Smash 64 and Melee, it is used to share stock. Outside of gameplay, the start button is typically the "confirm" button in menus. The button is also used to change the background in the trophy galleries throughout the series.

The equivalent to the start button in later games is plus button on the Classic Controller, Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and right Joy-Con, and the minus button on the left Joy-Con, which function identically to the start button on other controllers.