Stage (map)

A discrete area of a video game is often called a stage, though there are many other terms used like level, area, zone, etc. Stages are often used as smaller segments of larger discrete terms like world. Stages are also a useful game mechanic which break up a larger game into easily managed sections.

Term	Etymology	Games
Act	Refers to the acts of a drama.	ActRaiser, Ninja Gaiden (NES), Sonic the Hedgehog
Area	A generic term for a section of physical space.	Bionic Commando (NES), Blaster Master, Bomberman 2, Operation C, Pocket Bomberman, Super C, Super Mario Bros. (manual), Super Mario Bros. 2 (manual)
Episode	Common for episodic games.	Doom
Floor	Common for games set inside buildings.	Adventures of Lolo, Adventures of Lolo 2
Land	An area of	DuckTales, Kickle Cubicle (NES)
Level	Refers to the levels of a platformer game.	Battletoads, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (manual), Crystal Castles, Diablo, Doom II: Hell on Earth, Gauntlet, Kirby's Adventure, Kirby's Dream Land 2, Lemmings, Risk of Rain, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES manual)
Map
Mission	Common for combat-themed games. Often a subset of an episode.	Doom, Double Dragon, Double Dragon II: The Revenge, Raptor: Call of the Shadows
Room	Used for maps which are a single room.	Amazing Penguin
Round	Named after sporting events.	Altered Beast, Bonk's Adventure, Bubble Bobble, Duck Hunt, Felix the Cat, Kickle Cubicle (arcade), Super Bomberman 2 (manual), Vanguard
Scene	Used in dramas.	Super Mario Bros. 3 (manual), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (arcade)
Section	A generic term for a section of physical space.	Section-Z (NES)
Sector		Raptor: Call of the Shadows
Stage	May be synonymous with phase, a scaffolding stage, or the stage of a theatre.	The Adventures of Bayou Billy, Bad Dudes Vs. Dragon Ninja, Bionic Commando, The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle, Castlevania, Castlevania: The Adventure, Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers 2, Contra (NES), Donkey Kong (Game Boy), Freedom Planet, Galaga, Golden Axe (Genesis), Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, Kirby's Dream Land, McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure, Mickey's Dangerous Chase, Ninja Gaiden Shadow, The Real Ghostbusters (Game Boy), Super Bomberman 2 (manual)
Track	Common in racing games	Excitebike
Wave	Popular in shooters.
World	Usually broken into smaller sections.	Kid Icarus: Angel Land Story (manual), Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters (manual), New Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. (manual), Super Mario Bros. 2 (manual), Super Mario Bros. 3
Zone	Usually broken into smaller sections.	Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers, Metroid (manual), Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Bomberman (manual)

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