Introduction
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch is celebrated for its massive and diverse roster, featuring classic Nintendo icons and guest characters from other franchises. However, when you first start the game, only a handful of fighters are available. Unlocking the rest—over 70 in the base game, with even more via DLC—requires a mix of gameplay, strategy, and sometimes a bit of patience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the methods to unlock secret characters, tips for speeding up the process, and what to do if you lose a challenger battle.
The Starting Roster
When you boot up Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, you’ll have access to the original eight characters from the Nintendo 64 game:
- Mario
- Donkey Kong
- Link
- Samus
- Yoshi
- Kirby
- Fox
- Pikachu
With a total of 74 fighters in the base game, you have plenty of unlocking ahead!
Main Methods to Unlock Secret Characters
There are three primary ways to unlock new fighters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate:
1. VS. Mode (Smash Mode)
This is the most straightforward and often the fastest way to unlock characters.
- How it works: Play regular matches in VS. Mode (Smash, Squad Strike, or Tourney). After every 10 minutes of gameplay or a certain number of matches, a new challenger will appear.
- What to do: Defeat the challenger in a 1v1 battle to unlock them.
- If you lose: Don’t worry! The “Challenger’s Approach” option in the Games & More menu lets you rematch any challengers you’ve lost to after a few matches.
Tips to Speed Up Unlocks:
- Short matches (even 1-stock, self-destructing) count toward unlocks.
- Restarting the game can reset the timer, allowing you to encounter new challengers more quickly.
- Local multiplayer matches also count toward unlocks.
For a detailed unlock order, check out IGN’s guide on unlocking characters.
2. World of Light (Adventure Mode)
World of Light is the game’s single-player adventure mode, offering a narrative-driven experience.
- How it works: As you progress through the map, you’ll encounter fighters. Defeat them to add them to your roster in both World of Light and the main game.
- Note: Not all characters are available early in World of Light, so this method can be slower if you’re aiming for a specific fighter.
Learn more about World of Light on the official Nintendo site.
3. Classic Mode
Classic Mode is an arcade-style ladder where each character has a unique route.
- How it works: Completing Classic Mode with certain characters will trigger a battle with a new challenger.
- Unlock order: Each character unlocks a specific next character. For example, finishing Classic Mode with Mario unlocks Sonic, and so on.
You can find a full unlock tree at SmashWiki.
Unlock Order Table (Classic Mode Example)
| Starting Character | Unlocks Next Character |
|---|---|
| Mario | Sonic |
| Donkey Kong | Bowser |
| Link | King K. Rool |
| Samus | Inkling |
| Yoshi | Lucario |
| Kirby | Ness |
| Fox | Captain Falcon |
| Pikachu | Jigglypuff |
For the full list, refer to Polygon’s unlock order guide.
Alternative and Additional Methods
Spirits Mode
While not a direct method for unlocking fighters, Spirits Mode allows you to collect and battle Spirits, which can help you in other modes. Some Spirit battles are tied to specific characters and can make unlocking them easier.
Tournament Mode
Playing in Tournament mode with friends can also count toward your VS. match total, helping you unlock characters while enjoying local multiplayer.
Tips for Unlocking Characters Faster
- Mix methods: Use all three main methods simultaneously for the fastest results.
- Rematch lost challengers: Use the “Challenger’s Approach” in the Games & More menu.
- Play with friends: Local multiplayer matches count toward unlocks.
- Practice: Some challenger fights can be tough—practice with your main character for the best chance at victory.
- Use the reset trick: Close and reopen the game after each match to reset the cooldown timer for new challengers.
Unlocking DLC Characters
DLC characters such as Joker, Banjo & Kazooie, and Sora are not unlocked through gameplay. They must be purchased from the Nintendo eShop. Once purchased and downloaded, they are immediately available on your roster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I lose to a challenger?
A: Use the “Challenger’s Approach” in the Games & More menu to rematch any lost challengers.
Q: Which method is fastest?
A: The VS. Match method combined with the reset trick is generally the quickest way to unlock the majority of the roster.
Q: Do I need to buy DLC to unlock all characters?
A: No, all base game characters can be unlocked through gameplay. DLC characters require separate purchase.
Conclusion
Unlocking all the secret characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a rewarding process that encourages you to explore different modes and playstyles. Whether you prefer battling through Classic Mode, adventuring in World of Light, or just smashing with friends, you’ll steadily build your roster until every fighter is at your command.
For more tips and strategies, check out the official Super Smash Bros. Ultimate website and the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate wiki.
Happy smashing!