Downloadable content (SSBU)
- For downloadable content available in this game's predecessor, see Downloadable content (SSB4). For general information, see Downloadable content.
In the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Nintendo Direct on November 1st, 2018, Masahiro Sakurai confirmed that paid DLC would be available for Ultimate. The initial wave of content comes in the form of five Challenger Pack bundles, each containing one entirely unique fighter, one stage, and several music tracks. These bundles, which are also available through a complete pack known as the Fighters Pass, had the release deadline of February 29, 2020. Additionally, Piranha Plant was available for free as a limited time early purchase bonus, and is currently available for purchase separate from the Fighters Pass. On November 6th, 2018, Sakurai announced on his Twitter account that the initial DLC line-up was finalized, and that potential fighters were proposed by Nintendo, with Sakurai passing final approval on them.[1]
During the Nintendo Direct on September 4th, 2019, Nintendo revealed that more DLC fighters were set to be in production after the first Fighters Pass, due to Ultimate's strong sales.[2] As with before, Nintendo proposed the potential fighters and Sakurai passed final approval.[3] On January 16th, 2020, Fighters Pass Vol. 2 was announced alongside Byleth, with the previous Fighters Pass retroactively being dubbed Vol. 1.[4] The Pass includes six Challenger Packs; just like in Vol. 1, each pack contains one fighter, one stage, and several music tracks.[5][6] Both Byleth and Vol. 2 were made available for purchase on January 28th, 2020. These six packs had the release deadline of December 31st, 2021. According to Sakurai, this is planned to be the last DLC released for Ultimate.[7] He also expressed caution that the DLC characters for the Fighters Pass Vol. 2 could face delay or that development could be stopped indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic; although development continued through remote working[8][9] and ultimately went smoothly, without problems[10] and concluded on October 18th, 2021. Fighters Pass Vol. 2 was originally planned to have five fighters, like the first pass, but was increased to six when Sora's inclusion was successfully negotiated for.[11]
Updates[edit]
Updates to the game are downloadable at no extra cost. In order to use DLC and access online modes, the game must be updated to the latest version, which can be done automatically by starting the game from the system's Home Menu, or manually triggered from the Switch's Home Menu. Most updates also adjust game balance and mechanics, while fixing glitches and other errors as well. Changelogs for all updates are available at the links above.
As with any other game, DLC data is added via free updates. Completing a transaction to receive DLC is merely a "ticket" to grant access to said content. What this means is that DLC not purchased in an updated version is still technically installed but locked, and thus is accessible indirectly. Content that is locked can be seen and played against with opponents connecting via a system that has paid for the DLC (within Wireless and Online modes). Aside from this, locked content can also be seen using amiibo as Figure Players, and saving uploaded or shared replays.
Fighters[edit]
As every veteran is playable in the base game, all DLC characters are newcomers.
After awakening 10 fighters in Adventure Mode: World of Light, all downloaded DLC fighters are unlocked for use as well.
Standalone fighter[edit]
Piranha Plant (My Nintendo release: January 29th, 2019; Formal release: February 1st, 2019)
- Piranha Plant was revealed as the first DLC fighter in Ultimate during the final Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct on November 1st, 2018, and was released on January 29th, 2019 (January 30th in some regions). It was available as a free bonus until January 31st, 2019 to anyone who purchased the digital version of Ultimate or registered their physical version with My Nintendo. While Piranha Plant is not part of any Fighters Pass or any Challenger Pack (and thus does not come with a stage, music, or spirits), it was made available for purchase separately on February 1st, 2019.
Fighters Pass Vol. 1[edit]
Joker (April 17th, 2019)
- Joker from Persona 5 was announced as the second DLC fighter during The Game Awards 2018 on December 6th, 2018 and was released on April 17th, 2019 (April 18th in some regions). He is the first playable character included with the Fighters Pass Vol. 1. As part of Challenger Pack 1, his accompanying stage is Mementos, and features music from Persona 5 as well as Persona 4, Persona 3, and the original Revelations: Persona.
Hero (July 30th, 2019)
- Four protagonists from Dragon Quest serving under the generic moniker of Hero were announced as the third DLC fighter during Nintendo's E3 2019 Direct on June 11th, 2019 and was released on July 30th, 2019 (July 31st in some regions). He is the second character included with the Fighters Pass Vol. 1. As part of Challenger Pack 2, his accompanying stage is Yggdrasil's Altar and features music from Dragon Quest XI, III, IV, and VIII.
Banjo & Kazooie (September 4th, 2019)
- Banjo & Kazooie from the Banjo-Kazooie series were announced as the fourth DLC fighter during Nintendo's E3 2019 Direct on June 11th, 2019 and were released on September 4th, 2019 (September 5th in some regions). They are the third character included with the Fighters Pass Vol. 1. As part of Challenger Pack 3, their accompanying stage is Spiral Mountain, and features music from Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie.
Terry (November 6th, 2019)
- Terry Bogard from the Fatal Fury series was announced as the fifth DLC fighter during Nintendo's September 2019 Direct, on September 4th, 2019 and was released on November 6th, 2019. He is the fourth character included with the Fighters Pass Vol. 1. As part of Challenger Pack 4, his accompanying stage is King of Fighters Stadium, and features music from various SNK franchises, which includes Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters, along with series such as Art of Fighting, Samurai Shodown, and Metal Slug.
Byleth (January 28th, 2020)
- Byleth from Fire Emblem: Three Houses, with male and female variants, was announced as the sixth DLC fighter during a Mr. Sakurai Presents video on January 16th, 2020 and was released on the 28th of that same month (29th in some regions). He is the fifth and final character included with the Fighters Pass Vol. 1. As part of Challenger Pack 5, his accompanying stage is Garreg Mach Monastery, and features music from Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
Fighters Pass Vol. 2[edit]
More DLC for Ultimate was announced on September 4th, 2019, along with Terry, and was fully revealed to be in the form of a second Fighters Pass known as Fighters Pass Vol. 2 announced on January 16th, 2020, along with Byleth. It was said there would be six new Challenger Packs in Vol. 2 instead of five, with its contents set to roll out before the end of 2021.
Min Min (June 29th, 2020)
- During the March 26th, 2020 Nintendo Direct Mini, a character from ARMS was revealed to be in development, being the first DLC fighter of Fighters Pass Vol. 2, and the seventh DLC fighter overall. During a Mr. Sakurai Presents video on June 22nd, 2020, it was announced to be Min Min; she was released on June 29th (June 30th in some regions). As part of Challenger Pack 6, her accompanying stage is Spring Stadium, which features music from ARMS.
Steve (October 13th, 2020)
- Steve from Minecraft was announced as the eighth DLC fighter during a Mr. Sakurai Presents video on October 1st, 2020, with Alex, Zombie, and Enderman as alternate costumes. He is the second fighter featured in the Fighters Pass Vol. 2, and was released on October 13th, 2020 (October 14th in some regions). As part of Challenger Pack 7, his accompanying stage is Minecraft World, which has 6 different layouts and features music from Minecraft: Console Edition minigames and Minecraft spinoffs.
Sephiroth (Sephiroth Challenge: December 17th, 2020; Formal release: December 22nd, 2020)
- Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII was announced as the ninth DLC fighter during The Game Awards 2020 on December 10th, 2020. He is the third fighter featured in the Fighters Pass Vol. 2, and was formally released on December 22nd, 2020 (December 23rd in some regions). However, for a limited time, a special event called the Sephiroth Challenge allowed players to battle him as a boss if they had purchased Challenger Pack 8 or Fighters Pass Vol. 2 prior to the formal release; if won, they could use Sephiroth and some other contents of his Challenger Pack early. As part of Challenger Pack 8, his accompanying stage is Northern Cave, and comes with music from Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.
Pyra / 
Mythra (March 4th, 2021)
- Pyra and Mythra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 were announced as the respective tenth and eleventh DLC fighters during Nintendo's February 2021 Direct on February 17th, 2021. They are the fourth and fifth fighters featured in the Fighters Pass vol. 2, and were released on March 4th, 2021 (March 5th in some regions). As part of Challenger Pack 9 (the only Challenger Pack with two fighters), their accompanying stage is Cloud Sea of Alrest, which features music from Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
Kazuya (June 29th, 2021)
- Kazuya Mishima from the Tekken series was revealed as the twelfth DLC fighter during Nintendo's E3 presentation on June 15th, 2021. He is the sixth fighter featured in the Fighters Pass Vol. 2. His gameplay was revealed in a presentation by Masahiro Sakurai on June 28th, 2021 and was released on June 29th, 2021 (June 30th in some regions). As part of Challenger Pack 10, his accompanying stage is Mishima Dojo, featuring music from across the Tekken franchise.
Sora (October 18th, 2021)
- Sora from the Kingdom Hearts series was revealed as the thirteenth and final DLC fighter during The Final Mr. Sakurai Presents on October 5th, 2021. He is the seventh and final fighter featured in the Fighters Pass Vol. 2 and was released on October 18th, 2021 (October 19th in some regions). As part of Challenger Pack 11, his accompanying stage is Hollow Bastion, featuring music from the Kingdom Hearts series.
Stages[edit]
Fighters Pass Vol. 1[edit]
Mementos (April 17th, 2019)
- Mementos comes as a set with Joker as part of Challenger Pack 1. Mementos has one main platform with a slant in the middle similar to Meta Crystal, with one platform over the center and another over the left side. Trains periodically appear in the background, the set below the stage being able to damage fighters. Occasionally, a large triangle-shaped wall appears at the top or on the sides of the stage. The trains and the walls will never appear at the same time.
- If a song from Persona 3 or Persona 4 is playing during a match, the color scheme of Mementos and Joker's Rebellion Gauge will change from red to blue or yellow respectively, the respective primary colors for each game. The decoration in the background also changes to either a moon or the streaks found in Persona 4's UI. If Joker wins a match with the alternate music, the victory pose screen and subsequent music change accordingly to the ones found in the home series.
Yggdrasil's Altar (July 30th, 2019)
- Yggdrasil's Altar comes as a set with the Hero as part of Challenger Pack 2. It consists of a flat main platform that travels over the world of Erdrea, with smaller platforms appearing on occasion. Treasure chests may appear on one of these platforms. Usually, opening them will release an item, but these chests may sometimes be Mimics that can damage fighters; defeating them will cause them to drop an item.
Spiral Mountain (September 4th, 2019)
- Spiral Mountain comes as a set with Banjo & Kazooie as part of Challenger Pack 3. The fight takes place on the peak of the titular mountain. The stage will rotate every so often, which determines whether or not fighters can stand on the slope of the mountain. Floating platforms and a bridge to Gruntilda's Lair will also appear on occasion.
King of Fighters Stadium (November 6th, 2019)
- King of Fighters Stadium comes as a set with Terry as part of Challenger Pack 4. It is a stadium based on "The King of Fighters" tournament. The stage is completely flat, and there are no bottom blast zones. The blast zones on the sides are blocked off by an invisible wall that can be broken when opponents are dealt enough knockback.
Garreg Mach Monastery (January 28th, 2020)
- Garreg Mach Monastery comes as a set with Byleth as part of Challenger Pack 5. It is a traveling stage taking place in the primary location of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, stopping specifically at the Marketplace, the Reception Hall, the Bridge, and the Cathedral. All locations have walk-off blastlines, with the Marketplace featuring destructible booths, the Reception Hall having chandeliers that can be dropped, and the Cathedral making use of semi-solid platforms.
Fighters Pass Vol. 2[edit]
On January 16th, 2020, six more Challenger Packs were announced to be in development and bundled with six new fighters.
Spring Stadium (June 29th, 2020)
- Spring Stadium comes as a set with Min Min as part of Challenger Pack 6. It consists of a single floating platform with periodically-activating bounce platforms on both edges as well as on a soft platform hovering above. Periodically-appearing small bounce platforms may appear beneath and to either side of the main platform as well. Stadium arches are located near the upper blast zone, and can be used to break an otherwise KO-inducing fall.
Minecraft World (October 13th, 2020)
- Minecraft World comes as a set with Steve as part of Challenger Pack 7. It has six different biomes, each with a slightly different layout. Each biome has blocks that can be destroyed and platforms above the stage.
Northern Cave (Sephiroth Challenge: December 17th, 2020; Formal release: December 22nd, 2020)
- Northern Cave comes as a set with Sephiroth as part of Challenger Pack 8. It consists of a single floating platform with two soft platforms just above both edges. The background is an animated tracking shot depicting the ending of Final Fantasy VII. The background does not affect the stage in any way.
- A special limited time event called the Sephiroth Challenge (only available if Challenger Pack 8 or Fighters Pass Vol. 2 was purchased prior to the formal release) would allow players to battle Sephiroth as a boss. If won, they could use the Northern Cave stage and some other contents of Challenger Pack 8 prior to the 22nd.
Cloud Sea of Alrest (March 4th, 2021)
- Cloud Sea of Alrest comes as a set with Pyra/Mythra as part of Challenger Pack 9. The fight takes place in front of Rex's home atop the slanted back of the Titan Azurda as he swims through the titular Cloud Sea, occasionally commenting on the battle and turning his head to look at other Titans passing by. A long soft platform is located towards Azurda's rear.
Mishima Dojo (June 29th, 2021)
- Mishima Dojo comes as a set with Kazuya as part of Challenger Pack 10. It consists of a flat stage with breakable walls and ceilings that repair themselves after a period of time. Heihachi Mishima can be seen meditating in front of the Fudō Myōō statue in the center of the room, standing up after a KO is secured and reacting to the battle afterwards.
Hollow Bastion (October 18th, 2021)
- Hollow Bastion comes as a set with Sora as part of Challenger Pack 11. It consists of a single floating platform with a single soft platform just above the center. The background is an animated tracking shot around Hollow Bastion and its various features. When time, stocks, or health are running low, the stage transforms into Dive to the Heart. The platform design changes and the background changes to a black void with one of several Stations of Awakening. The background and the transition do not affect the stage in any way.
Standalone stage[edit]
Small Battlefield (August 4th, 2020)
- Small Battlefield was added as a free standalone stage as part of the 8.1.0 update. The stage is identical to Battlefield with the exception of the removal of the top platform, and the remaining two floating platforms being slightly closer to each other.
Modes[edit]
- DLC Spirits (April 17th, 2019)
- Houses spirit battles for the spirits associated with each Challenger Pack.
- Stage Builder (April 17th, 2019)
- A returning mode from Brawl and for Wii U.
- Video Editor (April 17th, 2019)
- In the Video Editor, multiple replays can be modified and strung together to create a full video.
- Version 4.0.0 allows players to add screenshots to their videos.
- Shared Content (April 17th, 2019)
- Shared Content enables sharing, downloading, and liking Stage Builder levels, Mii Fighters, and videos created by other users.
- Version 4.0.0 allows players to play videos consecutively.
- Version 5.0.0 allows players to customize the movesets of downloaded Mii Fighters.
- amiibo Journey (May 31st, 2019)
- Online option that allows players to send their amiibo against each other.
- VR (May 31st, 2019)
- Compatibility with the Nintendo Labo Virtual Reality was added in the 3.1.0 update, allowing players to view certain stages in a full 360 degrees.
- Spectator Mode (July 30th, 2019)
- A returning mode from Brawl and Smash 4, players can bet for prediction points that can be used to purchase items.
- Online Tourney and Event Tourney (July 30th, 2019)
- A returning mode from Smash for Wii U, the rules are preset, with special event tourneys being held from time to time.
- Home-Run Contest (September 4th, 2019)
- A returning mode from Melee, Brawl, and Smash 4. Sakurai claimed at the time of release that this would be the last mode added to Ultimate, though future updates proved this claim false.
- Rematch (June 29th, 2020)
- A feature of the Spirit List that allows players to rematch any spirits unlocked at any time. A high score is added for each spirit rematched, based on the strength of the player's equipped team.
- Sephiroth Challenge (December 17th, 2020)
- A special limited time event that was only available when Challenger Pack 8 or the Fighters Pass Vol. 2 was purchased. It allowed players to challenge Sephiroth as a Boss, and if victorious, granted players early access to Sephiroth and the Northern Cave stage prior to the official December 22nd, 2020 release date. This special event ran from December 17th-22nd, 2020.
Mii Costumes[edit]
Additional costumes for the Mii Fighters are available as paid DLC, with a total of 97 pieces of headgear and outfits.
Bonus for purchasing Fighters Pass Vol. 1[edit]
The Rex Mii costume is exclusive to purchasing the Fighters Pass Vol. 1, was made available on December 7th, 2018, and consists of the Rex wig and outfit, based on Rex from Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
| Image | Costume | Universe | Outfit Build |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Rex Wig Rex Outfit |
Xenoblade Chronicles |
|
Round 1[edit]
The first wave of Mii Fighter costumes was among the first available DLC for Ultimate and was released on April 17th, 2019. It released alongside Challenger Pack 1 and features costumes from the Persona series, as well as the returning Sonic the Hedgehog series costumes from Smash 4.
| Image | Costume | Universe | Outfit Build |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Morgana Hat | Persona |
|
 |
Persona 4 Protagonist Wig Persona 4 Protagonist Outfit |
Persona |
|
 |
Teddie Hat | Persona |
|
 |
Persona 3 Protagonist Wig Persona 3 Protagonist Outfit |
Persona |
|
 |
Tails Hat Tails Outfit |
 Sonic the Hedgehog |
|
 |
Knuckles Hat Knuckles Outfit |
Sonic the Hedgehog |
|
Round 2[edit]
The second wave of Mii Fighter costumes features costumes from the Dragon Quest series. It released alongside Challenger Pack 2 on July 30th, 2019 and is the only round to not contain costumes from outside the series of its corresponding DLC character, as well as not use songs from the costumes' respective games/series in their trailers, instead only using Ultimate's Battlefield theme.
| Image | Costume | Universe | Outfit Build |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Veronica's Hat Veronica's Outfit |
Dragon Quest |
|
 |
Erdrick's Helmet Erdrick's Armour |
Dragon Quest |
|
 |
Martial Artist Wig Martial Artist Gi |
Dragon Quest |
|
 |
Slime Hat | Dragon Quest |
|
Round 3[edit]
The third wave of Mii Fighter costumes released alongside Challenger Pack 3 on September 4th, 2019 and features costumes from the Pokémon, Goemon, and Undertale series, while two Mega Man costumes return from Smash 4. Sans' costume also comes with a remix of MEGALOVANIA, and is the first Mii costume to be bundled with a music track.
| Image | Costume/Track | Universe | Outfit Build |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Goemon Wig Goemon Outfit |
 Goemon |
|
 |
Proto Man's Helmet Proto Man's Armor |
 Mega Man |
|
 |
Zero's Helmet Zero's Armor |
Mega Man |
|
 |
Team Rocket Hat Team Rocket Outfit |
 Pokémon |
|
 |
Sans Mask Sans Outfit MEGALOVANIA |
Undertale |
|
Round 4[edit]
The fourth wave of Mii Fighter costumes released alongside Challenger Pack 4 on November 6th, 2019 and features costumes from the Samurai Shodown, Art of Fighting, and King of Fighters franchises, as well as the returning Virtua Fighter series costumes from Smash 4.
| Image | Costume | Universe | Outfit Build |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Nakoruru Wig Nakoruru Outfit |
Samurai Shodown |
|
 |
Ryo Sakazaki Wig Ryo Sakazaki Outfit |
Art of Fighting |
|
 |
Iori Yagami Wig Iori Yagami Outfit |
The King of Fighters |
|
