How to Unlock All Smash Ultimate Characters: Secret Fast Method

Did you know learning how to unlock characters in Smash Ultimate could take you up to 30 hours when using the World of Light adventure mode?

Initially, Super Smash Bros Ultimate starts you off with just the original 8 fighters from Smash 64. The game offers three main methods to unlock the full roster: playing regular Smash matches, completing Classic Mode rounds, or freeing Captive Spirits in World of Light. However, these standard approaches can be frustratingly slow – especially World of Light, which might require 30 minutes just to unlock 4-5 characters.

Fortunately, there's a better way to unlock all characters in Super Smash Ultimate. The fastest method takes only about 2 hours to complete the entire roster, and with our manual unlocking technique, you can unlock a character in just 5 minutes. In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to unlock characters in Super Smash Bros Ultimate using both the standard methods and our secret speed technique that will have you playing with your favorite fighters in no time.

Understanding the Three Main Unlock Methods

Super Smash Bros Ultimate offers three distinct approaches for unlocking the remaining 66 fighters beyond your starting roster. Let's examine each method in detail so you can decide which works best for your playstyle.

VS Mode: Play matches to trigger challengers

The simplest way to unlock characters is through regular Smash matches. After completing a match, a "New Challenger Approaches" screen appears, giving you the opportunity to battle and unlock a new fighter. This method follows a fixed unlock order regardless of which characters you use. The game implements a 10-minute cooldown between challenger appearances, but you can bypass this limitation (as we'll cover in the secret method section). VS Mode offers a balanced approach that works well while enjoying standard gameplay with friends.

Classic Mode: Unlock through character paths

Classic Mode provides a more structured approach to unlocking characters. Each of the original eight fighters has their own "unlock tree" – a predetermined sequence of characters you'll unlock by completing their Classic Mode route. For instance, playing through Mario's Classic Mode will unlock Sonic, then Bayonetta, and so forth. This creates a predictable pattern that lets you target specific fighters. Additionally, Classic Mode offers varied gameplay with unique challenges and boss fights for each character path, making the unlocking process more engaging.

World of Light: Unlock through story progression

The adventure mode called World of Light allows you to unlock characters through story progression. As you journey across the map, you'll rescue fighters from Galeem's control. This method is undoubtedly the most time-consuming option, potentially taking up to 30 hours for full completion. Nevertheless, World of Light provides the richest single-player experience with creative battles, puzzles, and an actual narrative. The characters you unlock in World of Light become available in other game modes too, making this a comprehensive but lengthy approach.

Understanding these three standard methods gives you the foundation for character unlocking. In the next section, I'll reveal a much faster technique that combines elements of these approaches to dramatically speed up the process.

The Secret Fast Method Explained

Want to unlock all fighters in just a couple hours instead of days? I've discovered and perfected what players call the "fast unlock method" for Super Smash Bros Ultimate. This technique combines elements from the standard unlock methods but accelerates the process dramatically through clever game manipulation.

Set up 1-stock matches in VS Mode

First, navigate to the Smash menu and select "Smash" mode. Enter the rules menu and create a custom ruleset specifically for quick unlocking. Set the stock count to 1 and turn the time limit off. Furthermore, select smaller stages like Final Destination or Battlefield to minimize movement time. Save this ruleset with a name like "Quick Unlock" so you can easily select it each time. This configuration ensures matches can end as quickly as possible, which is crucial for maximizing your character unlock rate.

Self-destruct to end matches quickly

Once the match begins, immediately self-destruct your character. The fastest way to do this varies by character – simply run off the edge and avoid pressing any buttons to recover. With Fox or Falco, a quick down+B off-stage works perfectly. Captain Falcon's side+B toward the edge is another efficient option. A single self-destruct takes about 10-15 seconds compared to a full match that might last 3-5 minutes. Consequently, this technique can save you hours of gameplay time during the unlocking process.

Reset the game to bypass cooldown

After each challenger battle (win or lose), press the Home button on your Switch controller. Subsequently, close the game completely through the home menu by pressing X and confirming. Restart Super Smash Bros Ultimate and load back into the game. This crucial step bypasses the standard 10-minute cooldown timer between character unlocks, allowing you to immediately trigger another challenger. Without this reset, you'd waste significant time waiting for the next unlock opportunity.

Repeat the process to unlock characters fast

Continue this cycle: play a quick 1-stock match, face a challenger, reset the game, and repeat. Following this method consistently allows you to unlock a new character approximately every 2-3 minutes. Given that there are 66 unlockable fighters beyond your starting roster, you can theoretically complete the entire roster in just over 2 hours rather than the 20+ hours required through conventional methods. Throughout this process, track which characters you've unlocked to monitor your progress.

Tips to Maximize Unlock Speed

Now that you know the fast unlock method, let's optimize it further with these advanced techniques.

Use multiple players to increase input count

Adding more controllers to your game speeds up the unlock process even more. The game counts each player's inputs separately, which triggers challenger appearances faster. Simply connect additional controllers and set them to CPU players or have friends join you. With four players in each match, you can potentially cut your unlocking time in half compared to single-player sessions.

Track unlock order to avoid duplicates

Keeping a checklist of unlocked characters prevents confusion and wasted time. Smash Ultimate follows a specific unlock sequence in VS Mode, so marking off each fighter helps you anticipate who's coming next. I recommend using the official Smash roster image and crossing off characters as you unlock them, ensuring you don't lose track during your marathon unlocking session.

Use Challenger's Approach to retry failed unlocks

If you lose to a challenger, don't worry! The "Challenger's Approach" door appears in the Games & More menu after about 10 minutes. This feature lets you rematch any characters you failed to unlock previously. Always check this menu between unlock attempts to clean up any missed fighters.

Combine Classic and VS Mode for efficiency

Alternating between VS Mode and Classic Mode creates a powerful combination. Start with quick VS Mode matches, then switch to Classic Mode with your favorite character whenever you hit temporary unlock limits. This rotation prevents frustrating waits and maintains a steady unlocking pace throughout your session.

Unlock Orders and Character Paths

Understanding the specific character unlock patterns helps you plan your strategy more effectively. Let's explore the predetermined paths across all three unlock methods.

VS Mode unlock order list

VS Mode follows a fixed unlock sequence regardless of which fighters you use in battle. The first challengers you'll face include Ness, Zelda, and Bowser, while characters like Palutena, Bayonetta, and Cloud appear much later in the sequence. Knowing this order helps you anticipate which fighters you'll unlock next, allowing you to prepare for challenging opponents or prioritize getting your favorites.

Classic Mode character trees

Each of the original eight fighters has their own unique unlock tree in Classic Mode. Mario's path starts with unlocking Sonic, followed by Bayonetta and King K. Rool. Link's route begins with Inkling, then Ridley and Snake. Donkey Kong's tree leads to Bowser, then Ice Climbers and Simon. Samus unlocks Incineroar first, followed by Dark Samus and Meta Knight. Yoshi's path starts with Luigi, then Lucario and Mewtwo. Kirby unlocks Sheik, followed by Greninja and Lucina. Fox's route begins with Captain Falcon, then Falco and Wolf. Pikachu's tree leads to Jigglypuff, then Pichu and Isabelle.

World of Light unlock map overview

World of Light features a sprawling map where characters are unlocked by defeating their spirit-possessed versions. The map branches into three main paths after the initial section. The northeastern path leads to fighters like Marth and Sheik. The western route contains characters like Luigi and Dr. Mario. The southeastern path features Villager and Sonic. Most fighters appear in specific map locations, so exploring thoroughly ensures you don't miss anyone.

Conclusion

Unlocking all fighters in Super Smash Bros Ultimate doesn't need to be a lengthy grind. The standard methods certainly work, though they demand significant time investment. World of Light, while enjoyable, could consume up to 30 hours of gameplay just to complete the roster.

After all, most players want to jump into matches with their favorite characters without waiting days to unlock them. This fast method cuts the unlocking process down to roughly 2 hours – a massive time-saving technique compared to conventional approaches.

Remember to track which fighters you've already unlocked during your marathon session. Additionally, don't forget about the Challenger's Approach feature if you happen to lose against any challengers along the way. This safety net ensures you won't miss out on any characters.

Whether you choose VS Mode's quick matches, follow specific Classic Mode paths, or mix both approaches while using the game reset technique, you'll dramatically accelerate your progress. The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity – anyone can execute it without special skills or game modifications.

Now you have everything needed to build your complete Smash roster quickly. Therefore, you can spend less time unlocking and more time actually playing with all 74 fighters. Happy smashing!

FAQs

Q1. What's the fastest method to unlock all characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate? The fastest method involves setting up 1-stock matches in VS Mode, self-destructing to end matches quickly, and resetting the game to bypass the cooldown timer. This technique can unlock all characters in about 2 hours.

Q2. How many characters are initially available in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate? The game starts with only the original 8 fighters from Super Smash Bros. 64. The remaining 66 characters need to be unlocked through gameplay.

Q3. Can I unlock characters through the World of Light mode? Yes, you can unlock characters by progressing through the World of Light adventure mode. However, this method is the most time-consuming, potentially taking up to 30 hours for full completion.

Q4. What should I do if I lose a challenger battle? If you lose to a challenger, don't worry. After about 10 minutes, the "Challenger's Approach" door will appear in the Games & More menu, allowing you to rematch any characters you failed to unlock previously.

Q5. Are there different unlock paths for characters in Classic Mode? Yes, each of the original eight fighters has their own unique unlock tree in Classic Mode. For example, completing Mario's Classic Mode will unlock Sonic, then Bayonetta, and King K. Rool in that order.