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, were released periodically through January 28th, 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, with the previous Fighters Pass retroactively being dubbed Vol. 1.[4] The Pass will include six Challenger Packs; just like in Vol. 1, each pack contains one fighter, one stage, and several music tracks.[5][6] Vol. 2 was made available for purchase on January 28th, 2020. These six packs are planned to be released by December 31st, 2021. According to Sakurai, this will be the last DLC released for Ultimate.[7] He also said that the DLC characters for the Fighters Pass Vol. 2 may face delay or development that will be stopped indefinitely due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Because of lockdowns in various cities in Japan, development will continue through remote working. [8][9] Despite this, development for the Fighter Pass Vol. 2 is going smoothly without problems as of April 2020.[10]
Updates
Updates to the game are downloadable at no extra cost. In order to use DLC, 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
Just like in Smash 4, DLC characters (with the exception of Piranha Plant) have no unique Palutena's Guidance conversations and instead use the generic one.
Early Purchase Bonus
Piranha Plant (January 29th, 2019)
- Newcomer Piranha Plant was revealed as the first DLC fighter in Ultimate on November 1st, 2018, and was released on January 29th, 2019. 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 MyNintendo. 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
Joker (April 17th, 2019)
- Newcomer Joker from Persona 5 was announced as the second DLC fighter during The Game Awards 2018 on December 6th, 2018. 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. He was made available for purchase on April 17th, 2019.
Hero (July 30th, 2019)
- Four protagonists from Dragon Quest serving as a single newcomer 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. 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)
- Newcomers 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. 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)
- Newcomer 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)
- Newcomer Byleth from Fire Emblem: Three Houses, with male and female variants, was announced as the sixth DLC fighter during Masahiro Sakurai's Livestream Demonstration video on January 16th, 2020, and is the fifth and final fighter in the first Fighters Pass. He was released on January 28th, 2020. 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
ARMS representative (June 2020)
- An ARMS representative with a currently unknown identity, was announced to be in development as the seventh DLC fighter during the March 26, 2020 Nintendo Direct Mini, being the first fighter of the Fighters Pass Vol. 2. They will simultaneously be revealed and released sometime in June 2020. As part of Challenger Pack 6, its accompanying stage is unrevealed, and will feature music from ARMS.
- Challenger Pack Fighters 7-11 (2020-2021)
- In addition, more DLC for Ultimate was announced on September 4th, 2019, and was fully revealed to be in the form of a second Fighters Pass known as Fighters Pass Vol. 2 along with Byleth announced on January 16th, 2020. There will be six new Challenger Packs instead of five, with its contents set to roll out before the end of 2021. The characters and their identities currently remain unknown.
Stages
Fighters Pass Vol. 1
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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, opening them will release an item. However, 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. Soft platforms and a bridge to Gruntilda's Lair will also appear on occasion.
- King of Fighters Stadium (November 6th, 2019)
- The 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 given high 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
- ARMS stage (June 2020)
- A stage will accompany the upcoming DLC character from ARMS.
- Challenger Pack Stages 7-11 (2020-2021)
- On January 16th, 2020, six more Challenger Packs were announced to be in development and bundled with six new fighters. What the stages are for the next six challengers, including the ARMS challenger, are yet to be announced.
Modes
- DLC Spirits (April 17th, 2019)
- Houses spirit battles for the spirits originating from Universes introduced through DLC.
- 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 uploaded 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 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. Added in the 5.0.0 update, Home Run Contest has been stated to be, at the moment, the last mode added to Ultimate.
Mii Costumes
Additional costumes for the Mii Fighters are available as paid DLC, with a total of 51 pieces of headgear and outfits as of Round 5 of DLC Mii Costumes.
Bonuses for purchasing the Fighters Passes
(December 7th, 2018)
- The Rex Mii costume is exclusive to purchasing the Fighters Pass Vol. 1 and consists of the Rex wig and outfit, based on Rex from Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
(January 28th, 2020)
- The Ancient Soldier Gear Mii costume is exclusive to purchasing the Fighters Pass Vol. 2 and consists of the Ancient Helm and Ancient Cuirass, based on the Ancient Soldier Gear available to Link in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Costume Build 
Rex Wig, Rex OutfitMii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Ancient Helm, Ancient Soldier GearMii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Round 1
(April 17th, 2019)
Costume Build Morgana HatAll types (headgear) Persona 4 Protagonist Wig, Persona 4 Protagonist OutfitMii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear) Teddie HatAll types (headgear) Persona 3 Protagonist Wig, Persona 3 Protagonist OutfitMii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Tails Wig, Tails OutfitMii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear) Knuckles Wig, Knuckles OutfitMii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Round 2
(July 30th, 2019)
- The second wave of Mii Fighter outfits features costumes from the Dragon Quest series. Thus far, it is the only round to not include previous costumes. Oddly, the trailer music is the standard Ultimate theme instead of any Dragon Quest music.
Costume Build Veronica's Hat, Veronica's OutfitMii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear) Erdrick's Helmet, Erdrick's ArmourMii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear) Martial Artist Wig, Martial Artist GiMii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear) Slime HatAll types
Round 3
(September 4th, 2019)
- The third wave of Mii Fighter outfits differs from the previous rounds as they are unrelated to the released character. Instead, new costumes come 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.
Costume Build 
Team Rocket Hat, Team Rocket OutfitMii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Proto Man's Helmet, Proto Man's ArmorMii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear) Zero's Helmet, Zero's ArmorMii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear) Goemon Wig, Goemon OutfitMii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear) Sans Mask, Sans Outfit, MEGALOVANIAMii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Round 4
(November 6th, 2019)
- The fourth wave of Mii Fighter outfits 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.
Costume Build Nakoruru Wig, Nakoruru OutfitMii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear) Ryo Sakazaki Wig, Ryo Sakazaki OutfitMii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear) Iori Yagami Wig, Iori Yagami OutfitMii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear) Akira Wig, Akira OutfitMii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear) Jacky Wig, Jacky OutfitMii Brawler (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Round 5
(January 28th, 2020)
- The fifth wave of Mii Fighter outfits is the final round coinciding with the initial set of the Fighters Pass Vol. 1. It features costumes from the Assassin's Creed, Rabbids, and Cuphead franchises, in addition to the remaining Mega Man series costumes from Smash 4. Much like the Sans costume from Round 3, Cuphead comes with the musical track Floral Fury.
Costume Build Altaïr Hood, Altaïr OutfitMii Swordfighter (outfit)
All types (headgear) Rabbids HatAll types X's Helmet, X's ArmorMii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear) MegaMan.EXE's Helmet, MegaMan.EXE's ArmorMii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear) Cuphead Hat, Cuphead Outfit, Floral FuryMii Gunner (outfit)
All types (headgear)
Spirits
While some Spirits are available for free, usually launched during Spirit Board events, others require a purchase from another character. These spirits (excluding Fighter spirits, which can be unlocked through Classic Mode or purchased from the shop for 300 coins) can be accessed through a special DLC-exclusive Spirit Board that does not have spirits expire or use the Puppet fighter scene.
Nintendo Switch Online Free Items
These free item bundles are special offers exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members. They are available to download for a limited time only, and distribution will end without warning.
- Spirit Board Battle Set 1 - For Tackling All Sorts of Spirits (July 30th, 2019)
- Includes 1,500 SP, 10 Shuffle All, 10 All Primaries, 10 All Supports.
- Spirit Board Battle Set 2 - For Powerful Spirits (August 30th, 2019)
- Includes 1,500 SP, 5 Rematch, 5 Damage 50%, 5 Weaken Minions, 5 Health Drain.
- Vault Shopper Set - Classic Tickets and Gold for Music, Mii Costumes and More (November 4th, 2019)
- Includes 5,000 G, 3 Classic Tickets.
- Spirit Training Set - Bolster Your Spirits (January 27th, 2020)
- Includes 3,000 SP, Snack (S) x 100, Snack (M) x 30, Snack (L) x 5.
Challenger Packs
Every fighter, with the exception of Piranha Plant, is bundled with a stage, music tracks, and spirits belonging to the character related as a DLC Spirit Board. In addition to Fighter Spirits, other Spirits also can purchased from the Vault Shop even if no Challenger Packs were purchased. There are five Challenger Packs in total in the Fighters Pass Vol. 1, and six in Fighters Pass Vol. 2. Both are priced at a discount, with the prices being equivalent to getting one of the Challenger Packs for free.
Fighters Pass Vol. 1
Fighters Pass Vol. 2
| Pack No. | Fighter | Stage | Universe | Songs | Spirits | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | not known yet | not known yet |  ARMS
|
not known yet | not known yet | June 2020 |
| 7 | unknown | unknown | unknown
|
unknown | unknown | unknown |
| 8 | unknown | unknown | unknown
|
unknown | unknown | unknown |
| 9 | unknown | unknown | unknown
|
unknown | unknown | unknown |
| 10 | unknown | unknown | unknown
|
unknown | unknown | unknown |
| 11 | unknown | unknown | unknown
|
unknown | unknown | unknown |
Pricing
Challenger Packs and Fighters Pass
The pass can be purchased with the digital version of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at a combined price.
| Region | Price (Piranha Plant) | Price (Challenger Pack) | Price (Fighters Pass Vol. 1) | Price (Fighters Pass Vol. 2) | Game + All Fighters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 United States |
$4.99 USD | $5.99 USD | $24.99 USD | $29.99 USD | $119.96 USD |
 United Kingdom |
£4.49 GBP | £5.39 GBP | £22.49 GBP | £26.99 GBP | £113.96 GBP |
 Australia |
$6.50 AUD | $7.80 AUD | $32.50 AUD | $39.00 AUD | $167.95 AUD |
 Japan |
¥540 JPY | ¥602 JPY | ¥2,500 JPY | ¥3,000 JPY | ¥13,240 JPY |
 Eurozone |
€4.99 EUR | €5.99 EUR | €24.99 EUR | €29.99 EUR | €129.96 EUR |
 Canada |
$6.29 CAD | $7.49 CAD | $31.49 CAD | $37.79 CAD | $155.56 CAD |
 New Zealand |
$8.50 NZD | $10.20 NZD | $42.50 NZD | $51.00 NZD | $201.95 NZD |
 Russia |
₽375 RUB | ₽449 RUB | ₽1,875 RUB | ₽7,124 RUB |
Mii Fighter costumes
| Region | Price (each) |
|---|---|
| United States |
$0.75 USD |
| United Kingdom |
£0.70 GBP |
| Australia |
$1.05 AUD |
| Japan |
¥80 JPY |
| Eurozone |
€0.79 EUR |
| Canada |
$0.95 CAD |
| New Zealand |
$1.35 NZD |
 Mexico |
$8.99 MXN |
 Switzerland |
Fr 1.10 CHF |
| Russia |
₽59 RUB |
DLC Trailer Video
Gallery
The Fighters Pass logo in Ultimate.
The Fighters Pass bundle in Ultimate along with the digital version of the game.
Complete Fighters Pass Vol. 1.
The six Challenger Packs of Fighters Pass Vol. 2.
The confirmation of more DLC Fighters after the Fighters Pass.
Trivia
- Following the announcement of the Hero and Banjo & Kazooie, the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Official Site went from listing six DLC characters (Piranha Plant, Joker, and four "unknown"/empty slots) to listing eight (adding the Hero and Banjo & Kazooie without removing any of the empty slots). As there was no corresponding announcement of additional downloadable characters, this was likely an error, and it was later fixed.
- Additional downloadable characters beyond the Fighters Pass Vol. 1 were announced alongside Terry, but this was almost certainly a coincidence, as Terry's addition to the site did not come with any additional blank slots, and after Byleth's announcement, it was specified that six characters will be part of the Fighters Pass Vol. 2, one of them being the unknown ARMS character.
- The first four DLC fighters' artwork on the panoramic artwork have depicted two characters: Piranha Plant is seen watering a Pikmin, Joker is joined by Morgana, the Hero is joined by a Slime, and both Banjo and Kazooie are depicted. Terry and Byleth both break this pattern.
- Coincidentally, Terry is also the first character to not involve at least one other character to assist him in his Final Smash, as Piranha Plant summons Petey Piranha, Joker summons the Phantom Thieves in one of two groups of three, the Hero summons the seven other Heroes not represented as costumes, and Banjo and Kazooie summon a group of Jinjos and The Mighty Jinjonator. Byleth, while also only featured by himself in the panoramic artwork, is powered up by Sothis in his Final Smash.
- Piranha Plant, Byleth and the unrevealed ARMS character are currently the only first-party DLC characters.
- Byleth is the only first-party character in the Fighters Pass Vol. 1.
- However, Banjo-Kazooie was originally a second-party Nintendo property prior to Rare's acquisition by Microsoft.
- Byleth is the only first-party character in the Fighters Pass Vol. 1.
- Thus far, every DLC fighter on the Fighters Pass has had a cinematic Final Smash. Additionally, every DLC stage has featured other characters making cameos on the stage.
- Challenger Pack 4 currently holds the most music added as downloadable content in both Ultimate and SSB4's history, with a total of 50 tracks.
- Similarly, Fatal Fury has the highest music count out of any third party company across both games, due to the various tracks from multiple series.
- The 5th Challenger, Byleth, is currently the only Fighters Pass character to be revealed in their presentation.
- Challenger Pack 5 is the only one so far to include music tracks that can play in multiple stages.
- With the exception of Piranha Plant (referred to by its Japanese name "packun"), every downloadable fighter’s name in the code differs from that of their actual names.
- Joker's code name is "jack", Hero's is "brave", Banjo & Kazooie's is "buddy", Terry's is "dolly", and Byleth's is "master".
- Joker and Hero's codenames were discovered prior to their actual release by dataminers on a leaked copy.
- Banjo & Kazooie and Terry are the only members of the Fighters Pass Vol. 1 who were not silent protagonists in their original games.
See also
References
- ^ https://twitter.com/Sora_Sakurai/status/1059958604818657282
- ^ https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1169375615851491328
- ^ https://twitter.com/PushDustIn/status/1171811621695418369
- ^ https://twitter.com/NintendoVS/status/1217829591244369925
- ^ https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200116005237/en/Byleth-Fire-Emblem-Series-Joins-Roster-Super
- ^ https://twitter.com/PushDustIn/status/1218186527794061313?s=19
- ^ https://nintendoeverything.com/sakurai-says-smash-bros-ultimate-fighters-pass-vol-2-will-be-the-last-dlc-works-to-make-people-happy-unsure-about-series-future/
- ^ https://nintendoeverything.com/sakurais-full-comments-on-the-coronavirus-and-how-it-may-impact-smash-bros-ultimate-dlc/
- ^ https://twitter.com/Sora_Sakurai/status/1247391877734645760
- ^ https://twitter.com/Sephazon/status/1255523291428765696
