How To Unlock All Characters In Super Smash Bros Ultimate (step-by-step Guide)
Alright, gather 'round, my fellow button-mashing enthusiasts! So you've booted up Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, basked in the glorious glow of that massive roster, and then… BAM! You realize you’ve only got a handful of characters to play with. It’s like showing up to a taco truck with only enough change for a single chip. Disappointing, right? Well, fear not, my friends! Your trusty café companion is here to guide you through the labyrinthine, yet surprisingly rewarding, quest of unlocking every single fighter in this digital brawl-a-thon. We’re talking about turning that humble starting lineup into a veritable who’s who of Nintendo (and beyond!) awesomeness.
Let's face it, the sheer number of characters in Ultimate is enough to make your head spin faster than Bowser after a particularly strong cup of coffee. We've got everyone from pixelated pioneers to modern-day marvels. And the best part? They’re all just waiting to be discovered. Think of it as an epic treasure hunt, but instead of gold doubloons, you’re digging up Donkey Kong. Much cooler, if you ask me.
The Grand Unlocking Philosophy: Embrace the Chaos!
Now, before we dive headfirst into the nitty-gritty, let’s get one thing straight: there's no single "magic button" to unlock everyone instantly. If there were, I’d be pressing it so hard my thumb would leave a permanent indentation on the controller. Instead, Nintendo, in its infinite wisdom (or perhaps just to make us play more of their amazing game), has scattered these unlockables like confetti at a surprisingly rowdy wedding.
The core principle here is simple: play the game. Seriously. The more you play, the more opportunities you’ll get to face off against new challengers. It’s almost as if they want you to have fun and experience the full breadth of this glorious fighting game. Shocking, I know.
Method 1: The Classic "Let's Just Fight!" Approach (Vs. Mode)
This is the bread and butter, the crème de la crème, the… well, you get the picture. Every time you finish a match in Vs. Mode, there’s a chance a new challenger will appear. And when I say a chance, I mean a decent chance, especially if you’re just starting out.
Step 1: Pick a Fighter. Anyone will do. Seriously, don't overthink it. Go with your gut. Or your favorite color. Or the one that looks the least threatening. It doesn’t matter.
Step 2: Select a Stage. Again, freedom! You might even get a themed stage that reminds you of a surprisingly difficult boss fight from your childhood.
Step 3: Fight! And I mean really fight. Don’t just flail around like a confused octopus. Try to land some decent hits. The game is watching, you know. It’s judging your skills. (Or maybe it's just counting the minutes until it can throw a new character at you.)
Step 4: The Glorious Arrival! After the final bell rings (or the screen fades to black), a little notification will pop up. It might say something like, "A challenger approaches!" This is your cue, your moment of destiny! You’ll then engage in a one-on-one battle against this new fighter. Win this fight, and they’re yours!
Step 5: The Not-So-Glorious Defeat (But It's Okay!). Now, let's be real. You're going to lose some of these fights. It happens. Even the most seasoned Smash Bros. veterans have been on the receiving end of a crushing defeat. If you lose, don't despair! The challenger isn't gone forever. They'll reappear later. Think of it as a… delayed gratification scenario. Like waiting for that pizza delivery guy who got stuck in traffic. It's still coming, just a little later.
The Humorous Side Note: Sometimes, after losing, you’ll see a little red door icon appear on the main menu. This is actually your second chance! You can go through that door and retry the fight. It’s like the game giving you a stern but loving pep talk: "Go on, you can do it, champ! Now go show them what you're made of!"
Pro Tip (Don't Tell Nintendo I Told You This): Playing against Level 1 CPUs is a great way to speed this up. They’re… let’s just say they’re not the sharpest tools in the shed. This makes winning those initial matches a breeze, thus unlocking more challengers faster. It’s the ultimate Smash Bros. cheat code, albeit a perfectly legitimate one!
Method 2: The "Survive the Apocalypse" Method (Classic Mode)
Classic Mode is where you battle through a series of opponents, often with a themed boss at the end. And guess what? Completing Classic Mode with a specific fighter often unlocks a new character. This is a fantastic way to learn the ropes with different characters while simultaneously expanding your roster. It's like getting two delicious scoops of ice cream for the price of one!
Step 1: Choose Your Champion. Pick a character you haven't used much. This is your chance to explore their unique moves and perhaps discover your new main!
Step 2: Conquer the Gauntlet. Fight your way through the stages. The difficulty can be adjusted, so don't be afraid to dial it down if you're feeling overwhelmed. We're aiming for unlocking, not a stress-induced breakdown.
Step 3: The Final Boss Showdown. At the end of Classic Mode, you'll face a boss. Defeat them, and… you guessed it! Another challenger might appear, or you might get a direct unlock.
Step 4: Rinse and Repeat. The characters unlocked through Classic Mode are usually tied to the character you played as. For example, playing as Mario might unlock Luigi (shocking, I know). But playing as a more obscure character might unlock someone even more surprising! It’s like a mystery box with fighter-shaped surprises inside.
Surprising Fact: The order in which characters are unlocked through Classic Mode is actually pre-determined. So, if you want to know who you'll unlock next, a quick peek online (if you can resist the temptation of spoilers!) might give you a heads-up. But where's the fun in that?
Method 3: The "Everyone's Invited!" Approach (Smash World Tour/Adventure Mode)
Ah, Adventure Mode, also known as the "Spirits" mode or "World of Light." This is the single-player epic that’s practically designed to hand you characters on a silver platter.
Step 1: Embark on Your Grand Adventure. Dive into World of Light. It's a vast map filled with hundreds of Spirit battles. These are essentially mini-fights against CPUs who are powered up by Spirits, making them… well, spirited!
Step 2: Battle the Spirits. When you defeat a Spirit battle, you'll often get a new Spirit for your collection. But more importantly, sometimes the Spirit battle itself is actually a fight against an unlockable character disguised as a Spirit!
Step 3: The Character Reveal! You'll see them on the map, a little fighter icon. Defeat them in battle, and BAM! They’re unlocked. It’s a much more organic and story-driven way to get new characters, and it’s incredibly satisfying to see your fighter army grow as you explore the massive World of Light map.
The Advantage of Adventure: This mode is fantastic for players who might be intimidated by the pure combat of Vs. Mode. You can take your time, learn the mechanics, and the game is constantly rewarding you with new characters and abilities. It’s like a guided tour of the entire Smash Bros. universe, with surprise guest appearances at every turn.
A Word of Caution: World of Light is HUGE. Like, "lost-in-a-desert-with-only-one-bottle-of-water" huge. Don't feel pressured to unlock everyone solely through this mode. Mix it up!
Method 4: The "Oops, I Tripped and Fell Into a New Fighter" Method (World of Trophies/Challenger's Approach)
Okay, this is a bit of a catch-all for those slightly more random unlocks. Sometimes, after playing a certain amount of time, or after a certain number of matches, you'll just get a notification that a challenger is approaching. This often happens when you’ve been playing a lot of Vs. Mode or after you’ve completed several rounds in Classic Mode.
The Challenger's Approach: This is essentially the same mechanic as the Vs. Mode unlock, but it can sometimes trigger outside of a direct Vs. match. Think of it as the game saying, "Hey, you’ve been playing a lot, you deserve a little treat!"
The Humorous Exaggeration: I’m pretty sure if you stare at the game long enough, a new character will just materialize out of thin air. It's a game of infinite possibilities, after all!
The Unlocking Order: Does It Matter?
Honestly, for the most part, the order in which you unlock characters doesn’t significantly impact your overall experience, especially if you're just starting. However, there are some slight advantages to unlocking certain characters earlier. For instance, unlocking complementary characters (like Link and Zelda) might be fun for thematic play.
The game does have a subtle "unlocking order" based on play time and mode completion, but don't stress too much about it. The joy of Smash Bros. is in discovering new fighters organically. It’s like unwrapping presents on Christmas morning – each one is a delightful surprise!
The Final Boss: You!
So there you have it, my friends! The secrets to unlocking every glorious fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It’s a journey of persistence, fun, and maybe a little bit of accidental button-mashing. Embrace the process, experiment with different characters, and most importantly, have a blast! Because at the end of the day, isn't that what this whole crazy fighting game circus is all about?
Now go forth, unlock those fighters, and prepare to absolutely dominate your friends (or at least put up a decent fight!). And if all else fails, just remember: there’s always a Level 1 CPU to practice on. Happy Smashing!