How To Unlock All Characters In Super Smash
So, you’ve just booted up Super Smash Bros. for the first time. The colorful intro plays, and you're presented with a shiny, albeit slightly sparse, roster. It’s like a party, but half the guests are still stuck in the coat check line. You see a few familiar faces – maybe Mario, perhaps Link – and you’re ready to rumble. But then, you notice it. The little grayed-out icons. The tantalizing question marks. Your heart sinks a little. Where is everyone?
This, my friends, is the age-old mystery of unlocking characters in Super Smash Bros. It's a rite of passage. A grand quest. A personal odyssey. Some players dive headfirst into the fray, battling their way through every mode imaginable. Others, well, others might find themselves a little… creatively inclined.
Let’s talk about the “official” way first, the way the developers intended. You fight. A lot. You win matches. You complete challenges. Sometimes, after a particularly satisfying KO, a little challenger appears! It’s an exciting moment. You face off against this new contender, a tense one-on-one, and if you emerge victorious, BAM! A new fighter joins your squad. It’s like finding a golden ticket, but instead of a chocolate factory, you get to punch Pikachu into a rival.
And then there’s Classic Mode. Oh, Classic Mode. This is where you pick a fighter and work your way through a series of themed battles. Each run feels like a mini-adventure. Beat it with one character, and you might unlock someone new. Beat it again with another character, and guess what? Another unlock! It’s like a reward system designed by someone who really, really likes you to play the game. And who are we to argue? It’s a fun way to learn different characters’ movesets too. You might discover your hidden talent for playing as Donkey Kong, even if you previously thought you were a strictly Zelda person.
Don’t forget about World of Light. This mode is practically a character farm. It’s a massive adventure map filled with spirits, challenges, and yes, plenty of opportunities to stumble upon and unlock new fighters. It’s a journey that can take you hours, days, even weeks. You’ll get to know the map like the back of your hand. You’ll start seeing the spirits in your sleep. And with every new character you rescue, you’ll feel a surge of accomplishment. It's the ultimate "collect 'em all" experience, with more explosions and less pocket monsters. For some, this is the only way to play. They are dedicated explorers, charting every corner of the spirit world.
Now, let’s get to the juicy part. The part that some purists might scoff at, but many of us secretly (or not so secretly) appreciate. The unsung hero of character unlocking. The “get everyone now” method. This, my friends, involves a little something called Smash Mode, and a willingness to embrace… a certain kind of repetition.
Here’s the secret. After you complete a match in Smash Mode, if you don't press the button to continue and instead exit back to the main menu, and then re-enter Smash Mode, the game is convinced you've started a brand new session. And guess what happens in these brand new sessions? Challenger appears! It's a loophole. A delightful little cheat code that the game itself seems to have forgotten it put there. It’s like finding out your favorite restaurant has a secret menu, but instead of fries, it’s Captain Falcon.
You can keep doing this. Match, exit, menu, repeat. Each time, a new challenger will pop up. You fight them, win, and they’re yours. It’s efficient. It’s direct. It’s the express lane to a full roster. You can theoretically unlock everyone this way within a few hours. Some might call it “speedrunning the unlocks.” Others might just call it “Tuesday.”
"Why waste precious gaming time earning Ganondorf when you can just… fight for him immediately?"
Is it the most organic way to experience the unlocks? Maybe not. Does it feel as rewarding as a hard-won victory after a grueling Classic Mode run? Perhaps not for everyone. But is it effective? Absolutely. And let’s be honest, sometimes you just want to play as Shulk and his amazing Monado Arts without having to jump through ten hoops. No judgment here. We’ve all been there, staring at that locked Mewtwo icon and feeling a primal urge to just… have him. Now.
So, whether you’re a traditionalist who loves the journey, or a pragmatist who prefers the express route, Super Smash Bros. has you covered. The goal is to have fun, and if unlocking all the characters quickly means you can get to the fun faster, then who are we to say you’re doing it wrong? After all, the ultimate goal is to have the most chaotic, joy-filled battles possible, and that’s best achieved with a full roster of your favorite brawlers. So go forth, and unlock!