Dark theme

Stages, levels, or locations with a dark theme are areas usually associated with the dark or have dark/shadow-themed elements. It's one of the many reoccuring themes of the series. This theme is also referred to as shadow-themed.

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 and the area often has dark areas. Dark-themed stages are very commonly the themes of final levels throughout the series. Dark-themed stages shouldn't be confused for haunted-themed.

Dark-themed stages also tend to harbor the toughest enemies in a game usually newer, tricker enemies or stronger versions of enemies that appear earlier in the game. Dark-themed stages can also have numerous of 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