: If the save file includes custom online tournament history or flagrant win/loss records, clear those local records before connecting to official Nintendo servers. Alternative Method: The Faster Legal Grind

If you own a modified Nintendo Switch running custom firmware (CFW) like Atmosphere, you can download a 100% completion save file from community archives like GBAtemp or Nexus Mods.

For a casual player, unlocking the base roster through the "World of Light" adventure mode or the classic "Challenger Approaching" battles is a rite of passage. But for tournament organizers, latecomers to the game, or players who simply want to experiment with every move-set immediately, the grind is a hurdle.

Completing the game's "Classic Mode" arcade ladder is the most reliable way to unlock characters. Each time you finish Classic Mode with a character (which takes roughly 7-10 minutes), you'll be challenged by a new fighter to unlock . There’s a set, non-random order to this, meaning you can strategically plan which characters to play as to unlock specific fighters next. By cycling through your unlocked characters one by one, you can methodically expand the roster.

Content creators and montage editors often need access to specific characters and stages to test combos or set up cinematic shots. An unlocked save allows for immediate access to training mode with any fighter.

Why? The game normally has a 10-minute cooldown between challengers. Restarting the software resets this timer.

After all, Ultimate is at its best when you’re still discovering new fighters. But if you’re determined to take the shortcut, this guide has given you the map. Now go forth – and may your final smash always connect.

The most direct way to "edit the text" of your save is through the .

If you do not own a modded Switch but still want to speed up the character unlock process manually, you can use the classic "software restart" exploit.

Create a backup of your current save data. Name it something like “Original_Backup”. This allows you to revert if something goes wrong.

The fastest way to unlock the base game's 63 hidden characters is by exploiting a hidden timer that normally forces a 10-minute "cooldown" between challenger appearances.

: Skips roughly 20 to 30 hours of single-player grinding.

Before modifying any data, always create a backup of your existing progress. Launch your save manager app (e.g., JKSV) on your Switch. Select Super Smash Bros. Ultimate .

Boot the game normally. If successful, you will see the full roster immediately. You may need to trigger a “Challenger’s Approach” door once – but all fighters should be selectable.

: Using a modded console to replace game files or unlock characters is a direct violation of Nintendo’s User Agreements. Even if you have no intention of cheating online, Nintendo's telemetry can often detect modified save data. To protect the integrity of their online services, Nintendo frequently issues permanent hardware bans to consoles that are flagged for tampering.