Fastest way to unlock all characters in Smash Ultimate

Most fighting games nowadays give you an entirely unlocked roster from the start so all players start on even footing. Many players like to pick a character to “lab” them and then take them online.

But when it comes to Smash, it’s back to the classic days. With such a large roster as this game, here is the fastest way to unlock all characters in Super Smash Bros Ultimate.

The fastest way to unlock all characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Classic Mode

This is the most consistent method in unlocking every single base roster character in the game. Sure, you can go ahead and do the time exploits or the “running off the edge” trick [dying for quick games], but that gets boring and gives you a lot of downtime. 

What makes Classic Mode consistent is that you can literally set the difficulty to the easiest (0.0 intensity) and run it with every character. It’s almost impossible to lose in this mode. Plus, after five to ten minutes, you’re done with one run.

While you’re clearing this mode with each character, you’re also learning their moves and play styles. Instead of picking characters one by one into training mode, you’re essentially learning the ropes and finding your new main without the hassle of going back and forth. 

When I first got the game, I had my eyes set on certain characters from the get-go. However, with this method, I picked up a few new characters who I otherwise would never have wanted to try. Since then, they have become my mains both casually and in Elite Smash. 

If the Classic Mode route doesn’t entice you, there are other ways to do so.

World of Light

This is the adventure mode of Smash Ultimate. You get some cool cinematics and boss fights here and there, but there is a whole board of various Spirit fights you have to complete. If you don’t mind taking your time to go through every major mode in the game, this can be it for you. 

There are missable characters if you aren’t careful, so be aware of that. There are also a handful of secrets that do lead to characters, so you want to thoroughly play through the mode to ensure nothing is missed. 

Versus Mode Farming

This method seems to be inconsistent as you have to play one-stock matches in normal Versus modes. The old method was to let the game run for long periods of time. Every five to ten minutes would trigger the chance to fight a new character to unlock them. You would then have to manipulate the game’s internal cooldown by closing the application and reopening it. 

With the slow load times of the Switch’s hardware, you can do this if you want. It can be faster at times, but it’s best to log in hours of gameplay to get used to the mechanics.

This method does not work for any characters in the Fighters Passes. They are unlocked upon purchase.