Complete location Rumors and research
Open G-Force Lab from the main menu, complete a location Rumor's investigation conditions, then finish the resulting battleground Research Project with match-earned Research Points. Completing that research makes the location or zone available for normal arena selection.
The Rumor and the arena reward are separate stages of progression. Finishing the investigation reveals research that still needs to be completed. Before playing more matches, check whether you need to satisfy an objective or fill an active Project's bar.
Make your next battleground selectable
- Open G-Force Lab from the main menu. Look through its Rumors for a location-related objective. Use the location you want to visit as your next target so you can follow the relevant research through to its reward.
- Fulfill the selected location Rumor's investigation conditions in single-player. Completing those objectives reveals the related Research Project. Match-earned points and investigation requirements are separate, so follow the objective displayed in the lab.
- Set the battleground Project as your active research. Only 1 Project can be active at a time, and the points you earn go to that selection. Confirm that you have selected the arena Project before returning to matches.
- Play matches to fill the active research bar. Research Points contribute to the selected Project as you complete fights. Check the results breakdown to see the research progress earned during your session.
- Complete the battleground Research Project. This is the point at which the location reward becomes unlocked. If you have only finished the Rumor, continue with the Project rather than expecting the arena to be available already.
- Choose the researched location or zone in arena selection. You can manually set the level, zone and forecast rather than accepting the selection made when you return to the character screen. This lets you deliberately visit the battleground you just opened.
Main locations, extra zones and the Deluxe arena
The main lineup contains 8 locations, with additional zones within some cities. Day and night variations are part of the remaster's location offering. Keep those selections separate from Smash Station, the additional arena included with the Digital Deluxe Upgrade.
| Option | Locations and variants |
|---|---|
| Main city locations | London, Los Angeles, Osaka, San Francisco, Seattle and Tokyo. |
| Other main locations | Monster Island and the Vortaak Mothership. |
| Additional city zones | Seattle's Space Needle and Stadium, San Francisco's Wharf, and Tokyo's Trainyards. |
| Time variations | The main locations feature day and night variations. |
| Digital Deluxe arena | Smash Station (The Ring, 2026 Edition) is the additional map in the Digital Deluxe Upgrade. |
Choose which arena research to pursue next
If you also want more fighters, check their battlefield requirements before choosing your next Project. Rodan and Destoroyah each have a requirement to unlock 8 battlefields, while Showa Mechagodzilla's route also includes additional battleground research. Arena progress can therefore help you work toward a character you want as well as another place to fight.
For variety, compare a new main location with a different zone in a city you already enjoy. The character selection screen can change the level, zone and forecast when you return, but you can set those choices manually. Human cities share their forecast selection, while the Vortaak Mothership has a different set of forecasts.
Explore stages locally with Tournament Mode
- Enable Tournament Mode in Settings to prepare a local Custom Battle. The mode provides a way to expose stages for local play without completing their permanent research first.
- Inspect arena selection in the local Custom Battle. Use the stages exposed there to decide which location you would like to research for normal access.
- Complete the location's G-Force Lab research when you want its normal unlock. Stage access through Tournament Mode does not permanently complete the battleground Project.
If the arena is still missing
If you cannot find the location Project, return to its Rumor and check the remaining investigation objectives. If the Project is present but its bar is not advancing, verify that it is selected as your active research. Completing the Rumor alone does not unlock the arena.
If you want Smash Station specifically, check your Digital Deluxe content. Smash Station (The Ring, 2026 Edition) belongs to the Digital Deluxe Upgrade. Treat it separately from the main location research when deciding what to unlock next.