Downloadable content
Downloadable content, usually abbreviated as DLC, is additional content available to download after the initial release of a game.
DLC was first confirmed for Super Smash Bros. 4 in the "Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: 50-Fact Extravaganza" video presentation on October 23rd, 2014. Downloadable content for the game includes playable fighters, stages, and even additional features. Paid content in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is found for purchase in the Nintendo eShop, and in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS is found within a game-based DLC shop.
In the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Nintendo Direct on November 1st, 2018, series director Masahiro Sakurai confirmed that paid DLC would be available for Ultimate. It will come in 5 bundles each containing one fighter, one stage, and several music tracks. These bundles, which will also be available through the Fighter Pass, will be released periodically between the game's December 2018 release and February 2020. Additionally, Piranha Plant is available for free as a limited time early purchase bonus, and will be subsequently available for purchase. On November 6th, Sakurai announced on his Twitter account that the DLC line-up was now complete, and it was decided by Nintendo. [1]. However, it's implied that Sakurai will still have the final choice on whom gets added.
In Super Smash Bros. 4
Updates
Updates to the game are downloadable at no extra cost. The game must be updated to the latest version to purchase DLC, which is done automatically after starting the game from the system's main menu. Most updates also adjust game balance and mechanics, while fixing glitches and other errors as well. Change-logs for all updates are available at the links above. Nintendo has not released any detailed information as official announcements.
As with any other game, DLC data gets 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 DLC paid for (in "With Anyone," "With Friends," and local Nintendo 3DS Versus modes). Without another person with DLC, locked content can still be seen via using amiibo as Figure Players, and saving uploaded or shared replays.
Characters
- Mewtwo (April 15th, 2015)
- Melee veteran Mewtwo was announced as the very first DLC character in the Super Smash Bros. series during the 50-Fact Extravaganza on October 23rd, 2014. Mewtwo's release date was revealed on April 1st, 2015 during a Nintendo Direct. On April 15th, 2015, Mewtwo became available as a free download to players who registered both versions of SSB4 on Club Nintendo before March 31st, 2015. As of April 28th, 2015, Mewtwo is available for anyone to purchase.
- Lucas (June 14th, 2015)
- Brawl veteran Lucas was first confirmed to reappear in Super Smash Bros. 4 as a downloadable character alongside the reveal of Mewtwo's release date, during a Nintendo Direct held on April 1st, 2015. He was released on June 14th, 2015. The Smash Ballot, which gave people an opportunity to vote for a new character, was also announced.
- Roy (June 14th, 2015)
- Melee veteran Roy was leaked as DLC in data-mining of the 1.0.6 and 1.0.8 updates. He was officially revealed by Masahiro Sakurai during a Nintendo Direct on June 14th, 2015, and released shortly after on the same day.
- Ryu (June 14th, 2015)
- Newcomer Ryu from Capcom's Street Fighter series was leaked alongside Roy. Similarly, he was officially revealed by Masahiro Sakurai during a Nintendo Direct on June 14th, 2015 and released shortly after on the same day. Ryu comes as a set with the stage Suzaku Castle.
- Cloud (December 15th, 2015)
- Newcomer Cloud Strife from Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII was announced during a Nintendo Direct on November 12th, 2015 and released on December 15th, 2015. Cloud comes as a set with the stage Midgar.
- Corrin (February 3rd, 2016)
- Newcomer Corrin from Fire Emblem Fates was announced during a Nintendo Direct on December 15th, 2015 and released on February 3rd, 2016. Corrin does not have an exclusive stage, but comes as a set with a music track in both versions; Corrin also comes with exclusive trophies in the 3DS version and two additional music tracks in the Wii U version.
- Bayonetta (February 3rd, 2016)
- Newcomer Bayonetta from SEGA and PlatinumGames' Bayonetta series was announced during a Nintendo Direct on December 15th, 2015 as the Smash Ballot winner, and released on February 3rd, 2016. Bayonetta comes as a set with the stage Umbra Clock Tower.
Similar to clone characters, DLC characters are recognized by being placed in a particular area on the character selection screen, regardless of which franchise from which they hail. When more than four DLC characters are on the 3DS version, and all other characters are unlocked, the DLC characters are labeled "Extra Fighters" on a separate page.
DLC characters also lack custom moves, and all have a generic, previously unused Palutena's Guidance scene. While there are no official reasons for this, the former is presumably due to time and budget constraints, and the latter is presumably due to repeatedly bringing back voice actors each time a character is released.
Stages
- Miiverse (June 14th, 2015)
- A stage based on the Miiverse application found on Wii U and 3DS consoles, which was confirmed during the 50-Fact Extravaganza that it would be added to the Wii U version of SSB4 in an update after release. It was made available for free on June 14th, 2015.
- Dream Land (64) (June 14th, 2015)
- Suzaku Castle (June 14th, 2015)
- Suzaku Castle comes as a set with Ryu.
- Peach's Castle (64) (July 31st, 2015)
- Hyrule Castle (64) (July 31st, 2015)
- Super Mario Maker (September 30th, 2015)
- Pirate Ship (September 30th, 2015)
- Duck Hunt (September 30th, 2015)
- The Duck Hunt stage was available in the Wii U version at launch as an unlockable stage. It was added to the 3DS version in a free update.
- Midgar (December 15th, 2015)
- Midgar comes as a set with Cloud.
- Umbra Clock Tower (February 3rd, 2016)
- Umbra Clock Tower comes as a set with Bayonetta.
Modes
- amiibo support (February 9th, 2015)
- The Wii U version of SSB4 supported amiibo at launch, but the 3DS version had the feature added via patch on February 9th.
- Tourney mode (July 31st, 2015)
- The 50-Fact Extravaganza confirmed that the Wii U version of SSB4 would contain a special mode that allows players to compete in and host tourneys online, in a similar vein to Mario Kart 8 tournaments, though it would not be ready at release. Another part of this mode is an elimination style tournament mode that bears a close resemblance to that of past Smash games. This type of tourney only begins at set (albeit frequent) times. The mode was later discontinued due to the shutdown of Miiverse.
Mii Fighter costumes
Additional costumes for the Mii Fighters are available as paid DLC.
Wave 1
(April 15th, 2015)
- The first wave of clothing was among the first available DLC for SSB4. It features original costumes, and costumes based on the Mega Man, The Legend of Zelda, and Xenoblade series. For images of the costumes, see here.
Costume Build SSB T-Shirt All types (outfit) Link Cap, Link Outfit Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)Majora's Mask All types (headgear) X's Helmet, X's Armor Mii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear)Proto Man's Helmet, Proto Man's Armor Mii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear)Dunban Wig, Dunban Outfit Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)Cat Hat, Cat Suit Mii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear)Monkey Hat, Monkey Suit Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Wave 2
(June 14th, 2015)
- The second wave of clothing was released alongside characters and stages on June 14th, 2015. It features costumes based on the Mega Man, Animal Crossing, Splatoon, Virtua Fighter, and Tekken series. The Splatoon costumes were also made available as part of a promotion for pre-ordering or purchasing Splatoon at GameStop between May 8th and June 13th, 2015. For images of the costumes, see here.
Costume Build Isabelle Hat, Isabelle Outfit Mii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear)MegaMan.EXE's Helmet, MegaMan.EXE's Armor Mii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear)Zero's Helmet, Zero's Armor Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)Inkling Wig, Inkling Outfit Mii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear)Inkling Squid Hat All types (headgear) Akira Wig, Akira Outfit Mii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear)Jacky Wig, Jacky Outfit Mii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear)Heihachi Wig, Heihachi Outfit Mii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear)
- K.K. Slider costume (June 19th, 2015 - July 11th, 2015 (Japan)/July 31st, 2015 (Worldwide))
Costume Build K.K. Slider Hat, K.K. Slider Outfit Mii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Wave 3
(July 31st, 2015)
- The third wave of clothing was released alongside stages and modes on July 31st, 2015. It features original costumes, and costumes based on the Donkey Kong, Fire Emblem, EarthBound, Metroid, and Tales series. For images of the costumes, see here.
Costume Build Hoodie All types (outfit) Bear Hat, Bear Suit Mii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear)King K. Rool Hat, King K. Rool Outfit Mii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear)Flying Man Hat, Flying Man Outfit Mii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear)Chrom Wig, Chrom Outfit Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)Black Knight Helm, Black Knight's Armor Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)Lloyd Wig, Lloyd Outfit Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)Samus's Helmet[note 1], Samus's Armor Mii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Wave 4
(September 30th, 2015)
- The fourth wave of clothing was released alongside stages on September 30th, 2015. It features original costumes, and costumes based on the Mario, Star Fox, F-Zero, Kid Icarus, and Monster Hunter series. For images of the costumes, see here.
Costume Build Business Suit All types (outfit) Toad Hat, Toad Outfit Mii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear)Viridi Wig, Viridi Outfit Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)Hunter's Helm, Hunter's Mail Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)Rathalos Helm, Rathalos Mail Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)Fox Hat, Fox Outfit Mii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear)Captain Falcon Helmet[note 1], Captain Falcon's Outfit Mii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Wave 5
(December 16, 2015)
- The fifth wave of clothing was released alongside a character and stage on December 16, 2015. It featured costumes based on the Final Fantasy and Mario series. For images of the costumes, see here.
Wave 6
(February 3rd, 2016)
- The sixth and final wave of clothing was released alongside two characters and a stage on February 3rd, 2016. It features original costumes, and costumes based on the Wario, Sonic, The Mysterious Murasame Castle, and Babylonian Castle Saga series. For images of the costumes, see here.
Costume Build Bionic Armor Mii Brawler (outfit) Ashley Wig, Ashley Outfit Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)Tails Wig, Tails Outfit Mii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear)Knuckles Wig, Knuckles Outfit Mii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear)Takamaru Wig, Takamaru Outfit Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)Gil Helm, Gil Armor Mii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Trophies
Trophies of fighters for All-Star Mode and Classic Mode are included upon purchasing the fighter, as well as additional trophies:
- Inkling (June 14th, 2015)
- A trophy of a female Inkling from Splatoon can be received by purchasing any of the Inkling Mii Fighter costumes included in DLC Wave 2.
- Ken (June 14th, 2015)
- A trophy of Ken from Street Fighter is included with the purchase of Ryu.
- Trophies of Ryoma and Xander from Fire Emblem Fates are included with the purchase of Corrin on the 3DS version.
- Bayonetta trophies (February 3rd, 2016)
Other
- Share (February 9th, 2015), (April 15th, 2015)
- The ability to share player-created content such as custom stages, replays, and screenshots was added.
- YouTube (July 31st, 2015)
- The ability to upload replays to YouTube was added.
- The ability to upload highlight reels of replays to YouTube was added.
- This song from Fire Emblem Fates is included for existing Fire Emblem stages Coliseum and Castle Siege when Corrin is purchased on the Wii U version. Only the remixed version is added to the 3DS version, for use during Smash Run.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
There will be five DLC packs released, each containing one unique (non-Echo) fighter, one stage, and its corresponding music tracks. There is also a Fighters Pass that will automatically obtain DLC as soon as it is released. Additionally, purchasing it will award a Mii Costume for Swordfighters based off of Rex from Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Separately, pre-purchasing the game off the eShop or registering a physical copy of the game with My Nintendo before January 31, 2019 will award Piranha Plant for free when it is released. It will be available as paid DLC as well after it is released.
Downloadable characters were chosen by Nintendo, although the final decision on whom to add was made by Sakurai. [1]
Characters
- Piranha Plant (February 2019)
- Newcomer Piranha Plant was revealed as the first DLC character in Ultimate on November 1st, 2018, and is scheduled to release around February 2019. It will be available as a free bonus until January 31st, 2019 to anyone who pre-purchases the digital version of Ultimate or registers their physical version with My Nintendo. While Piranha Plant is not part of the Fighters Pass, it will be available for purchase separately after January 31st.
- Joker (TBA)
- Newcomer Joker from Persona 5 was announced as the second DLC character during The Game Awards 2018 on December 6th, 2018. He will be the first playable character for the Fighters Pass. His accompanying stage and music have yet to be revealed.
Spirits
- Partner Pikachu and Partner Eevee spirits are available as free DLC to players of Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee.
Pricing
Note that DLC bundles are incrementally discounted based on the amount of content within them.
Super Smash Bros. 4
Characters
Downloadable characters can be bought for one version at full price or both versions discounted. There are three levels of pricing for characters: veteran characters are the least expensive, the sole Nintendo newcomer is slightly more expensive, and third-party characters are the most expensive (and are each packaged with a stage). Additionally, characters can be bought in bundles, which includes any stage a character was included with. Characters are priced at:
Stages
Stages can be bought for one version at full price or for both versions discounted. Stages that come bundled with a character cannot be purchased separately. Stages are priced at:
Mii Fighter costumes
As with characters, downloadable Mii Fighter costumes can be bought for one version at full price or for both versions discounted. These can also be bought individually, or in a bundle that includes all Mii costumes added in a particular update. The first 3 bundles all cost the same. They are priced at:
Full DLC Collections
Also available for purchase are collections that include all DLC released in a particular update. These vary in price depending on the amount of content.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Fighters Pass
The pass can be purchased with the digital version of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at a combined price.
DLC Trailer Video
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Gallery
The first set of paid DLC for SSB4, featuring Mewtwo and Mii Fighter costumes
The second set of paid DLC for SSB4, showing Lucas, Roy, Ryu, and Mii Fighter costumes on Suzaku Castle.
The third set of paid DLC for SSB4, showing Mii Fighter costumes on Peach's Castle.
The fourth set of paid DLC for SSB4, showing Mii Fighter costumes on Super Mario Maker.
The fifth set of paid DLC for SSB4, showing Cloud, his alternate costume, and Mii Fighter costumes on Midgar.
The sixth and final set of paid DLC for SSB4, showing Corrin and Bayonetta along with their alternate costumes on Umbra Clock Tower.
All seven DLC characters fighting on Battlefield Ω.