This guide will show you the fastest way to unlock all characters in Super Smash Bros Ultimate (SSBU) on the Nintendo Switch. Learn the most efficient way to unlock characters fast, the character unlock order, and obtain the full roster to get smashing as fast as you can!

How to Unlock Characters

Compete in Smash or Spirits Mode

Competing in Smash mode or Spirits mode will make a hidden timer start. Once this hidden timer goes to zero, the next challenger will appear. Play a lot of Smash mode or Spirits mode to unlock challengers, once the challenger appears, defeat the challenger to unlock them as a playable character. Generally speaking, these modes are the fastest for unlocking characters.

Complete Classic Mode

Fight and clear the Classic mode to unlock specific fighters. The characters that gets unlocked depends on the character you used. Please refer to our chart further down below to see which characters you unlock per character.

Rescue Fighters in World of Light

After unlocking characters in World of Light (Adventure Mode), you will be able to use them in other modes as well. In World of Light, you can only use the characters you have unlocked there, so if you want to enjoy the Adventure mode first, start here and play through to unlock everyone.

Purchase DLC Fighters

The DLC fighters become an immediate playable character upon purchasing them. There is no way to unlock these characters aside from purchasing them, so if you wish to use these fighters, purchase them individually in the eShop, or purchase the fighter pass bundle to unlock the whole character set for that pass.

Individual DLC Character

Piranha Plant

Fighters Pass

Hero	Joker	Banjo ＆ Kazooie	Terry
Byleth

Fighters Pass Vol 2

The Fastest Way To Unlock Characters

Restart Software After Unlocking A Fighter

After unlocking 6 characters, it becomes possible to reset the hidden timer after unlocking a challenger by resetting the software. This allows you to skip waiting and be able to unlock the next challenger immediately. This is currently the fastest way to unlock characters in SSBU.

Shorten Unlock Timer With Higher Difficulty

The timer that's needed to unlock characters also varies depending on the difficulty. Play with many people or high difficulty CPUs to speed up the timer and unlock the characters faster.

Make Sure to Play During the Matches!

During the match, the timer will not initiate its countdown if you stay idle during the match or fight will only inputting one button continuously. Play an active role in the fight or the process will be slower.

Play Time Required To Unlock Characters

Smash Ultimate Character Unlock Order

By playing Smash Mode (free for all), characters get unlocked in the following order.

1	2	3	4
Ness	Zelda	Bowser	Pit
5	6	7	8
Inkling	Villager	Marth	Young Link
9	10	11	12
Wii Fit Trainer	Ice Climbers	Captain Falcon	Peach
13	14	15	16
Ryu	Ike	Jigglypuff	King K. Rool
17	18	19	20
Sonic	Simon	Zero Suit Samus	Little Mac
21	22	23	24
Isabelle	Shulk	Lucina	Wario
25	26	27	28
Ridley	Pokemon Trainer	Lucario	Daisy
29	30	31	32
Roy	King Dedede	R.O.B.	Falco
33	34	35	36
Luigi	Pichu	Richter	Lucas
37	38	39	40
Diddy Kong	Meta Knight	Snake	Ganondorf
41	42	43	44
Corrin	Mega Man	Bayonetta	Toon Link
45	46	47	48
Rosalina ＆ Luma	Incineroar	Sheik	Olimar
49	50	51	52
Pac-Man	Dark Samus	Wolf	Mr. Game ＆ Watch
53	54	55	56
Robin	Dark Pit	Cloud	Duck Hunt
57	58	59	60
Ken	Greninja	Chrom	Mewtwo
61	62	63	64
Bowser Jr.	Dr. Mario	Palutena

How to Unlock a Specific Character

Clear Classic Mode 1-8 Times

As mentioned above, clearing Classic mode allows you to unlock specific characters. The characters you unlock depends on the character you used in Classic Mode, This allows you to target unlock certain characters if you're a returning player and only wishes to play certain characters or if you want to immediately try a certain character.

SSBU Related Links

Tips and Tricks

In-Game Guides

Unlocking Characters Fast	How to Beat Challengers
Challenger's Approach	How to Farm Gold
How to Raise GSP Fast	How to Unlock Elite Smash
How to Get Support Items	How to Use Stage Builder
How to Join Online Tournamets

Improvement Guides

Best Characters for Beginners	Guide for Beginners
How to Short Hop	Parry Guide
How to Fast Fall	How to Cling to Walls
How to Wall Jump

Settings and Game Mechanics

Best Controller to Buy	Best Custom Control Settings
List of Echo Fighters	Physical and Digital Differences
How to Save Replays