On-screen appearance

The On-Screen Appearance, also known as an Intro or Entrance, is a small animation unique for each character entering the battle field during the three second countdown before battle, a minor feature in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It is present in Super Smash Flash 2 as well. It was not present in Super Smash Bros. Melee and by consequent in Super Smash Flash. It has no effect whatsoever on game play other than visually dramatic and comedic purposes; with the exception of Wario who's Wario Waft begins charging the moment he enters the stage. Each entrance usually relates to that character's universe, such as Mario entering in through a Warp Pipe.

In Super Smash Flash
Like Melee, characters didn't have unique entrances. In Melee characters start out as trophies that come to life at the start of the match. However, in Super Smash Flash, characters hover in the air before dropping onto the stage.

In Super Smash Flash 2
Like Brawl which SSF2 is based on, characters have unique character entrances.

During the time when on-screen appearances are occurring, the game cannot be paused.

Trivia

 * Wario is currently the only characters who's on-screen appearance is different from the one he had in Brawl. In Brawl he drove onto the stage using the Wario Bike, while in SSF2 he drives in the Wario Car.