You just popped the cartridge in. Or maybe you finally downloaded that 16GB beast from the eShop. You’re ready to cause some chaos with Cloud or maybe styling on people with Joker. But then you see it. The roster. It's tiny. You’ve only got the original eight from the N64 days. Mario, Donkey Kong, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Kirby, Fox, and Pikachu. That’s it. Out of a roster of nearly 90 fighters, you're looking at a massive mountain to climb.
It’s daunting. Honestly, it's kinda annoying if you just want to play with your friends on a Friday night. But there is a logic to the madness. Nintendo wants you to earn these legends. Most people just play naturally and wonder why it’s taking three weeks to get Ganondorf. You don't have to be most people.
The "Language Reset" Myth and What Actually Works
Back when the game launched, everyone was talking about the "language reset" trick. You’d fight a challenger, win, then go into the settings and change the game language to Japanese and back to English to reset the timer. Don't do that. It’s slow. It’s clunky. And frankly, it’s a waste of time.
The real "pro" way to handle smash ultimate unlock characters involves a simple software reset. The game has a hidden internal timer. Usually, a "New Challenger Approaching" screen only triggers every ten minutes of active gameplay. Ten minutes is an eternity when you have 60+ characters to find.
Here is the loop that actually works in 2026:
- Start a Versus match. Set it to 1-Stock.
- Win or lose immediately. Just run off the stage if you're lazy.
- A challenger appears. Beat them.
- Once you see the "Joined the Battle" screen, press the Home button on your Switch.
- Close the game completely (Press X).
- Relaunch the game.
By closing the software, you’re basically tricking the game's internal clock. It thinks you've been away for a while, so the "ten-minute rule" is waived. When you jump back into another 1-Stock match, a new challenger will almost always pop up immediately after the match ends. You can theoretically clear the entire base roster in about two to three hours this way.
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Classic Mode: The Controlled Burn
Maybe you hate the idea of constantly restarting your console. I get it. It feels a bit like you're breaking the soul of the game. If you want a more "honest" but still fast path, Classic Mode is your best friend.
Unlocks in Classic Mode aren't random. They follow a specific "branch" system. For example, if you keep playing as Mario, you aren’t just getting random faces. You are progressing through a specific list: Sonic, then Bayonetta, then Little Mac, Ike, Luigi, Roy, and eventually Dr. Mario.
If you have a specific "main" you're dying to play, find out which starter character leads to them.
- Link's Path: Leads you to King K. Rool, Ice Climbers, Simon, and eventually Meta Knight.
- Pikachu's Path: This is how you get Villager, Shulk, R.O.B., and Mega Man.
- Kirby's Path: Essential for getting Ness, Jigglypuff, Pac-Man, and Zelda.
Classic Mode is great because it guarantees an encounter at the end of every run. Plus, you’re actually getting some practice in. It feels less like a chore and more like a warm-up.
What Happens When You Lose?
It’s going to happen. You’re tired, you’re playing at 2 AM, and a Level 8 CPU Ridley suddenly spikes you into oblivion. The "Challenger Approaching" screen vanishes. You think you’ve lost him forever. You haven't.
Check the Games & More section on the main menu. Occasionally, a little glowing door icon appears in the bottom right corner. This is the Challenger’s Approach. It’s basically a waiting room for everyone who kicked your butt earlier.
The catch? The door doesn't stay open all the time. If you lose a fight, you might need to play a few more matches or wait ten to twenty minutes for the door to reappear. Pro tip: if you’re using the software reset method mentioned above, the door usually pops up after your first reset following a loss.
World of Light: The Scenic Route
Look, World of Light is a massive commitment. We're talking 20 to 30 hours of gameplay. If your only goal is to unlock characters for local multiplayer, do not make this your primary method. However, unlocking a character in World of Light does unlock them for the rest of the game. The problem is the map is a literal maze. Some characters, like Richter or Joker (if we're talking DLC integration), require specific puzzles to be solved. You might spend three hours looking for a way across a bridge only to realize you needed a specific Spirit to fix a broken bridge three maps back.
It's a fun mode. The RPG elements are cool. But as a speed-run tactic for smash ultimate unlock characters? It’s the slowest horse in the race. Use it if you want to enjoy the journey, not if you have friends coming over in an hour.
The DLC Reality Check
I see this question a lot: "How do I unlock Steve?" or "Where is Sephiroth?"
You don't unlock them. Not through gameplay, anyway.
Nintendo was very firm on this. The DLC characters—everyone from Piranha Plant to Sora—are strictly "pay to play." If you bought the Fighters Passes, they appear in your roster immediately after the download finishes. No fights, no timers, no mountain climbing.
If you’ve bought them and they aren't showing up, check your eShop "Redownload" section. Sometimes the license doesn't trigger correctly on a new console.
Why the Order Matters More Than You Think
If you’re a competitive player, you probably want the high-tier characters first. Characters like Palutena, Wolf, and Roy are monsters in the current meta.
- Wolf is way down at the end of the "Versus" unlock queue (number 51). If you're just playing random matches, he's going to take forever.
- Roy is easier to snag through the Mario path in Classic Mode.
- Palutena is literally one of the last characters you'll see in a standard playthrough.
If you have a tournament coming up, or you're just trying to get "good" fast, plan your Classic Mode runs. Don't leave it to the random "Versus" encounters. You’ll end up with a roster full of characters you don't like, while your main is still locked behind a 5-hour playtime wall.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Walking away while the game is on: The "ten-minute timer" requires active input. You can't just leave the game on the menu while you go grab pizza. You have to actually be in a match moving around.
- Ignoring the Vault: Sometimes people miss the Challenger's Approach door because they’re too focused on the Smash button. Always check the bottom right of the "Games & More" screen.
- Playing on High Difficulty: When a new challenger appears, their difficulty is somewhat scaled. If you’re struggling to beat them, don't be afraid to keep your Versus matches simple. You just need the encounter to trigger.
Final Actionable Steps
Ready to fill that screen? Here is your weekend battle plan:
First, decide if you want the "Fast" or "Fun" route. If you want the roster now, do the 1-Stock Versus matches with the software reset. It’s boring, but it’s the undisputed king of speed. You can knock out 10 characters in the time it takes to finish one Classic Mode run.
Second, if you lose a fight, don't tilt. Just keep going. The characters go into a queue. They will show up in the "Challenger's Approach" door eventually.
Third, if you have a specific character in mind, stop the random matches and switch to Classic Mode. Use a character in their specific unlock "tree" to force the encounter you want.
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Building the full roster is a rite of passage. It’s a lot of work, but seeing that massive "Everyone is Here!" screen for the first time is worth the grind. Just remember to close the app, skip the language settings, and keep your 1-stock matches quick.
Now, go get 'em. Your roster isn't going to fill itself.