Top 9 - Super Smash Bros. Brawl stages

Why Top 9? Because I feel Top 5, Top 10, and even Top 100 lists are way to overused. What better way to break that trend than to compile a list of 9 things? I'll be posted a Top 9 article every month on the ninth day of that month. Today's topic is Super Smash Bros. Brawl stages.

There's two reasons Super Smash Bros. Brawl is considered one of the best games on Wii: the gameplay's super addictive and there's so much to do. I recently picked Brawl back up and am playing the hell out of it again. Today I've compiled a list of my favorite stages in the game. Back when some friends of mine owned Melee, the only stages we'd ever play at were the Star Fox ship and the Zelda castle. This time around there were a good number of stages that I love.

9. Pictochat
A fun little stage based on the DS's chatting software. Random little drawings appear and have an effect on the battlefield. Sometimes it's flames that'll burn you, other times it's a giant house to battle on. Not the coolest, but like the real thing, it has it's charm

8. Custom stages
Though this isn't neccesarily one stage, the stage creator can make some really cool stages. Even if it's limited, there's enough tools to create some really awesome levels of your own.

7. Norfair (Metroid)
The lava stage of Norfair comes from the Metroid series. Lava closes in from all sides as you try to take shelter and get to the highest ground. A great level in my opinion.

6. Yoshi's Island
The Yoshi's Island stage itself is a pretty basic stage with a solid ground and one platform above it, but what earned the #6 spot on my list is the art style. It retains those lovable pastel graphics from the original game.

5. Bridge of Elden (The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess)
Besides the classic Zelda tunes, what makes this level so great is how the bridge keeps getting destroyed and then built back together (like in Twilight Princess, though it only happens once).

4. Smashville (Animal Crossing)
Like Yoshi's Island, this level is also pretty basic, but with K.K. Slider music, a background that changes depending what time of day it is, and Animal Crossing characters throughout the foreground, Smashville is one level you can't miss.

3. Delfino Plaza (Super Mario Sunshine)
The sunny level of Delfino Plaza represents the game of Super Mario Sunshine by flying and landing in different parts of the game. Whether it's the beach or on top of buildings, this stage is sure to entertain.

2. Port Town Aero Drive (F-Zero)
This level is pretty intense. You zoom through an F-Zero track stopping at random locations. While battling it out, you also gotta watch out for the cars that fly by.

1. WarioWare, Inc.
And the #1 spot goes to... the WarioWare stage! This zany stage will have you compete in little microgames just like the real WarioWare games. Only they're more based around Super Smash techniques such as jumping and side stepping. If you win, you'll gain certain items like invincibility and Super Mushrooms. It's by far my favorite stage.

There you have it, my nine favorite Super Smash Bros. Brawl stage. What are your personal picks? Think some of mine are lame? Drop an email to kylehogg@gmail.com or leave a comment below...