To unlock characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate , the fastest common method is to play short Smash matches, trigger a challenger fight, beat that challenger, then fully close and reopen the game to reset the hidden timer between unlocks.

Fast method

  1. Go to Smash and make a simple ruleset: 1 stock, CPU level 1, no items.
  1. Start the match and finish it quickly, often by just falling off the stage right away.
  1. Beat the challenger that appears to unlock the character.
  1. Exit the game completely, then relaunch it and repeat. This works because the game has a built-in delay between new unlock encounters.

Other ways

  • Classic Mode also unlocks fighters, and some guides recommend it when challenger fights stop appearing.
  • World of Light can unlock characters too, but it is usually slower than the match-reset method.
  • If you lose to a challenger, you can usually rematch them later from Games & More via Challenger’s Approach.

DLC note

DLC fighters are not unlocked through normal gameplay; they must be bought separately or via Fighter Pass content.

A practical example is: set up a 1-stock match, lose instantly, beat the challenger, close the game, reopen it, and repeat until the roster is done.