Stages, levels, or locations with a dark theme are areas that are usually associated with the dark or dark/shadow-themed elements, though they shouldn't be confused with haunted-themed stages. It's one of the many reoccurring themes of the Mario franchise. This theme is also known as the shadow theme.

Other Traits and Features[]

One of the most notable traits of dark-themed stages is that the area usually has an unsettling sense of gloom as well as many dark spaces. Dark-themed stages are very commonly the themes of final levels throughout the series.

Dark-themed stages also tend to harbor the toughest enemies in a game, usually new, tougher enemies or stronger versions of enemies that appear earlier in the game. Dark-themed stages are also home to numerous hazards, ranging from bottomless pits to spikes.

Examples[]

• Palace of Shadow - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
• Dark Land - Super Mario Bros. 3 (also fire theme)
• The Underwhere - Super Paper Mario
• Subspace - Super Smash Bros. Brawl