Unlockable character

An unlockable character (also referred to as a secret character or hidden character, and in-game as challengers, or newcomers in the N64 game's Backup Clear menu) is one that is not available at the start of the game (unlike a starter character), but instead must be received in-game (unlike downloadable characters) through other means.
Unique criteria must be met in order to unlock each character, as outlined below. Once such criteria are met, the challenger will appear the next time the player returns to the menu. If the player wins the subsequent battle, a message will appear congratulating them for unlocking the new fighter.
In Super Smash Bros., the character select screen displayed placeholders for not yet unlocked characters. This was changed in Super Smash Bros. Melee, where the clones didn't have placeholders prior to unlocking, with their portraits simply appearing afterward. The placeholder slots were completely removed from Super Smash Bros. Brawl onward.
Whenever a character is unlocked, a screen telling the player that the character is now playable will be displayed:
*In Super Smash Bros., the screen says that "you can now use" the character, featuring a unique title for each of them.
*In Super Smash Bros. Melee, the screen displays a sentence that is unique to each character and features the unlocking timestamp.
*In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the screen says that the character, with their unique title too, "has joined the brawl", and also features a portrait of the character.
*In Super Smash Bros. 4 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the screen says that the character "joins the battle!" while playing from Melee, before archiving their corresponding milestones. This also applies to downloadable content characters once they are downloaded, or when the game is booted after a character's release date in case of being purchased via Fighters Pass in the latter game.
=="Challenger Approaching!" screen==
The "Challenger Approaching!" (, A Challenger has Appeared!) screen is a message that will be displayed after the player has met a criteria required to unlock any of the available characters. Every game has its unique screen.
Super Smash Bros. had a silhouette of the character merely displayed in a blue box in front of a black background, with an exclamation point in a red circle on the top of the screen, and the phrase "Challenger Approaching" next to it. The screen uses similar music to the 1P-Game's intro, with the only difference being the absence of drums for the "challenger approaching" tune. As a result, this is the only game where the challengers' silhouettes are animated, showing them in their fighting stances while rotating (like in the character select screen), rather than just shadowed versions of their official illustrations.
Super Smash Bros. Melee added the phrase "A new foe has appeared!," and also had a silhouette of the approaching challenger. The poses for the challengers were silhouettes of their renders when selected on the character select screen (some, however, like Luigi and Ganondorf's, were their renders from inside the boxes). The game also added animations to the screens, with an undulating matrix effect in the background, while the exclamation point, text and silhouette would be eased in. Original music was also provided solely for the screen, which took the sound of a slow, ominous siren. 
Super Smash Bros. Brawl returned to the plain black background (there would be a silhouette of an unlockable character the player would face); but this would only occur if the Subspace Emissary method was not used. Also, Brawl removed the word "Warning" and the circle explanation point logo from the challenger approaching screen. It still had animations that would ease in, and when the player pressed any button, the images would fade to black, while the "Challenger Approaching!" text would scatter all over the screen; the siren is also considerably louder, faster and more panicky in its sound than how it sounds in Melee. 
Super Smash Bros. 4 reused Brawls warning siren, but there are some differences in both versions. The 3DS version added in considerably more colors, including hues of green, black, and violet; the screen also says "A challenger approaches!" instead of its previous quotations. The Wii U version uses a font style similar to the ones in the newcomer trailers, and the background contains a picture of a supernova; the text is nonetheless reused from past games. The unlockable character in both versions of Super 4 on the screen is still a silhouette that the player would face (just like in the previous three installments).
As in Smash 4, the warning siren from Brawl is used in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This time there is a dark pink background with a white/pink light shining behind the silhouette of the unlockable character. The text about unlocking characters remains the same from prior games.
After the "Challenger Approaching!" screen, the unlockable character will then be fought in an ordinary one stock match with no time limit, on a predetermined stage with predetermined music. The AI difficulty of the duel depends on the game, usually at low difficulty for the first fighter, then it gradually increases with every fighter unlocked, however, it is reversed in Melee, and always high in the Wii U version of Smash 4. The player uses the last character played as, including the last used costume. In the case of multiplayer battles, in the first three Smash games, the player who won the match will fight the challenger; if a CPU wins the match, the challenger will not appear. Super Smash Bros. 4 changed this formula such that if a CPU wins the match, then the human-controlled player with the highest rank will battle the challenger.
By defeating the opponent, the character becomes playable. If the player fails, they will not unlock the character. In Melee, Brawl, and Smash 4, if the Vs. match requirement is met, or if the other unlock requirement is cumulative, such as 's in Melee, the unlockable character's encounter will reappear upon the next game played. If the other unlock requirement requires completing a run of a single-player mode, such as 's in Melee, the mode must be completed again to challenge the character again after failure. In Ultimate, failed battles against unlockable characters are moved to a separate Challenger's Approach mode.
The "Challenger Approaching!" screen has become somewhat of a meme in the Smash community. Many digitally manipulated versions of these screens have appeared, often featuring characters who do not appear in the games, mostly using artwork of the character from another game instead of original artwork (which gives away its falseness). The screens became so popular that they were featured as part of the DOJO!!; in earlier updates, whenever a new character was introduced, a banner that said "Warning! Challenger Approaching!" would appear above the entry.
===Challenger Approaching Screens===
Challenger Approaching Ness(SSB).png|The Challenger Approaching! screen which Ness challenges the player in Super Smash Bros. 64.
ChallengerApproachingMarth(SSBM).png|The Challenger Approaching! screen which Marth challenges the player in Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Challenger Approaching Sonic (SSBB).png|The Challenger Approaching! screen which Sonic challenges the player in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
ChallengerApproachingDarkPit.png|The Challenger Approaching! screen which Dark Pit challenges the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
SSB4-U Duck Hunt Approaches.png|The Challenger Approaching! screen which Duck Hunt challenges the player in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
SSBU Simon Approaches.png|200px|The Challenger Approaching! screen which Simon challenges the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
===Challenger Approaching Alarms===
ChallengerApproaching64.ogg|Smash 64s challenger alarm.
ChallengerApproachingMelee.ogg|Melees challenger alarm.
ChallengerApproachingBrawl.ogg|Brawl, Smash 4, and Ultimates challenger alarm.
==Super Smash Bros.==
===Fighters===
Character	How to unlock 	Unlock location
 	Complete Bonus 1: Break the Targets with all starter characters. 	Peach's Castle
 	Complete 1P Game in 20 minutes or less. 	Planet Zebes
 	Complete 1P Game on Normal or higher with three lives or less and without using any continues.	
 	Complete 1P Game with any character. 	Saffron City
===Gallery===
Challenger Approaching Luigi(SSB).png|Luigi challenging the player in Smash 64
Challenger Approaching Falcon(SSB).png|Captain Falcon challenging the player in Smash 64
Challenger Approaching Ness(SSB).png|Ness challenging the player in Smash 64
Challenger Approaching Jigglypuff(SSB).png|Jigglypuff challenging the player in Smash 64
==Super Smash Bros. Melee==
===Fighters===
Melee introduces a alternate method for unlocking each fighter, by completing a certain number of VS matches, in intervals of 100.
Character	How to unlock 	VS matches required	Unlock Location 	Music
 	Complete , , or All-Star Mode with any character. 	50 	Pokémon Stadium 	
 	Complete , , or All-Star Mode as without using any continues. 	100 	Princess Peach's Castle	
 	Complete Event 37: Legendary Pokémon. 	200 	Pokémon Stadium 	
 	Complete the 100-Man Melee. 	300 	 	
 	Use all 14 starter characters in Versus Mode, , , or All-Star Mode. A complete playthrough is not required for the single-player modes. 	400 	Fountain of Dreams 	
 	Complete , , or All-Star Mode with 10 different characters. 	500 	Great Bay 	
 	Complete Event 29: Triforce Gathering. 	600 	 	
 	Play Versus Mode for a combined total of 20 hours. 	700 	 	
 	Complete when the second on the time limit in the first stage gets a "2". For example: XX:X2:XX. Afterwards, defeat Luigi and within 1 minute and clear the rest of the mode.	800 	Mushroom Kingdom II 	
 	Unlock , then complete , , or All-Star Mode as him without using any continues. 	900 	Temple 	
 	Complete , , All-Star Mode, or Target Test with all 24 other characters. 	1000 	Flat Zone 	
Because All-Star Mode is itself unlocked by unlocking all characters, it is only possible to unlock a character via All-Star Mode if the player had previously used the Erase Data > Hidden Characters option after unlocking All-Star Mode.
The time required is calculated in "player-hours" (e.g. two human players gives two hours for every hour of game-time, three human players give three and four players give four).
===Gallery===
Challenger Approaching Jigglypuff.png|Jigglypuff challenging the player in Melee
Challenger Approaching Dr. Mario.png|Dr. Mario challenging the player in Melee
ChallengerApproachingPichu(SSBM).png|Pichu challenging the player in Melee
ChallengerApproachingFalco(SSBM).png|Falco challenging the player in Melee
ChallengerApproachingMarth(SSBM).png|Marth challenging the player in Melee
ChallengerApproachingYoungLink(SSBM).png|Young Link challenging the player in Melee
Challenger Approaching Ganondorf.png|Ganondorf challenging the player in Melee
ChallengerApproachingMewtwo(SSBM).png|Mewtwo challenging the player in Melee
Challenger Approaching Luigi.png|Luigi challenging the player in Melee
ChallengerApproachingRoy(SSBM).png|Roy challenging the player in Melee
ChallengerApproachingGW(SSBM).png|Mr. Game & Watch challenging the player in Melee
==Super Smash Bros. Brawl==
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the first game to feature third-party characters, both third-party characters ( and ) are unlockable characters.
===Fighters===
Character	How to unlock 	VS matches required	Unlock location 	Music
 	Reflect 10 projectiles in a single Vs. match. 	5 	Onett 	
 	Complete . 	10 	Castle Siege 	
 	Complete without using any continues. 	22 	Luigi's Mansion 	
 	Complete 100-Man Brawl. 	50 	Lylat Cruise 	
 	Play through on Normal or higher and clear it in 12 minutes or less. 	70 	Port Town Aero Dive	
 	Clear all levels of Target Smash!! at least once. 	100 	Spear Pillar 	
 	Play 15 Vs. Matches on Shadow Moses Island to completion. 	130 	Shadow Moses Island	
 	Play a Vs. Match to completion while having 250 different trophies. 	160 	Mario Bros. 	
 	Clear on Hard as Link or Zelda. 	200 	 	
 	Clear Target Smash!! with 30 different characters on any single difficulty level.	250 	Flat Zone 2 	
 	Complete with 10 characters, or play Vs. Mode for a combined total of 10 hours. 	300 	Green Hill Zone 	
 	Have 20 or more events cleared after completing The Subspace Emissary. 	350 	Pokémon Stadium 2 	
 	Complete after completing The Subspace Emissary. 	400 	Pirate Ship 	
 	Complete Boss Battles mode as or . 	450 	Lylat Cruise 	
The time required is calculated in "player-hours" (e.g. two human players gives two hours for every hour of game-time, three human players give three and four players give four).
===The Subspace Emissary===
The Subspace Emissary features its own storyline and character selection screen, with characters met and joining the mode's roster as part of the story. (For example, is a starter character, but he cannot be played as in the SSE until he is 'unlocked' in the SSE.) Characters can also leave The Subspace Emissary's roster as part of the story, and cannot be played as until they are met again.
Unlocking any non-starter character in The Subspace Emissary will also unlock them for play in other modes. This occurs instantly, without requiring a "Challenger Approaching" battle. Thus the Subspace Emissary serves as a third method for unlocking characters, in addition to the challenges and versus match methods. All characters can be met in The Subspace Emissary; however, Toon Link, Wolf, and Jigglypuff are only unlockable after the main story is completed by finding a secret door while replaying certain levels.
Below is a chart of when each fighter is unlocked, removed, or changes or combines teams; stages with none of these are omitted.
The Subspace Emissary consists of 31 different stages. As some stages share the same name, the earlier stage is denoted with an I while the later-appearing stage is followed by a II.
Icon	Stage 	Fighters available 	Unlocked fighters 	Lost fighters 	Recovered fighters 	Total fighters	Teams
 	Midair Stadium 	(the battle with Kirby if he was chosen, and the battle with Subspace army), (all phases, except the battle with Mario if he was not chosen), , (both only in the battle with Subspace army) 	, / (Mario is sent flying and Wario kidnaps either Zelda/Peach when the other princess is freed from Petey) 	— 	— 	2 	1, new team: , /
 	 	(all phases), (the last sidescrolling section after Pit rescues him) 	, 	— 	— 	4 	2, new team: ,
 	The Jungle 	, 	(Bowser captures Donkey Kong) 	— 	— 	5 	3, new team:
 	The Lake 	, 	 	— 	— 	6 	3, joins
 	The Ruined Zoo 	(all phases), (only the battle with Porky), ( only) (only after defeating Porky) 	, () (Wario kidnaps Ness; Ness will not be unlocked in any mode) 	— 	— 	8 	4, new team: , ()
 	The Battlefield Fortress 	(all phases), (second and third phases), (third phase only) 	, , 	— 	— 	11 	5, new team: , ,
 	The Forest 	, 	, , Toon Link, Wolf and Jigglypuff appear after completing story mode and revisiting the stage to find a hidden door. Entering the door intiates a one stock match against the character. Win and the character joins the team.	— 	— 	13 	6, new team: ,
 	The Research Facility I 	(all phases), (all phases starting with the second) 	, 	— 	— 	15 	7, new team: ,
 	The Lake Shore 	, (entire level if Zelda was rescued, only the last section if Peach was rescued), , (entire level if Peach was rescued, only the last section if Zelda was rescued), (only the last section)	— 	/ (Bowser captures her) 	— 	14 	5, the groups of and , and , and combine.
 	The Ruins 	, (with for all phases and after Pokémon Trainer finds it) 	, , 	— 	— 	14 	5, and now are in 's team
 	The Ruined Hall 	, 	— 	— 	— 	14 	4, the groups of , and , and , combine.
 	The Swamp 	, (all phases), (all phases except the first) 	, 	— 	— 	15 	4, joins and
 	The Research Facility II 	(all phases, transforming from Samus by taunting whenever possible), (all phases), (after defeating the False Samuses) 	 	(Samus replaces her; playing as Zero Suit Samus is still possible by taunting or pressing C on the nunchuck)	— 	15 	4, replaces
 	Outside the Ancient Ruins 	, (both all phases), , (both only in the battle with Subspace army) 	, , 	, (they did not become trophies, but Diddy Kong leaves their group, and they all go their separate ways) 	— 	16 	4, leaves and and joins , and
 	The Glacial Peak 	(only the sidescrolling section), (the sidescrolling section and the battle with Lucario if the player chose him), (only if the player chose it in the battle with Meta Knight) 	, 	— 	— 	18 	5, new team: and . replace Meta Knight in , , (, , ) and 's group
 	The Canyon 	, , , , 	— 	— 	— 	18 	4, the groups of , , , and , and , , , (, , ) and combine
 	Battleship Halberd Interior 	(all phases), , (after they meet Snake) 	 	— 	— 	19 	4, joins and
 	Battleship Halberd Exterior 	, / 	/ 	— 	, / 	22 	5, new team: , ,
 	Battleship Halberd Bridge 	, , , , , / 	 	— 	 	24 	4, the groups of , and , and , and combine, along with adding and
 	The Subspace Bomb Factory II	, , , (all phases); , (by taunting as Samus), , (second section onwards) 	 	— 	— 	25 	1, all three teams combine into one
 	Entrance to Subspace 	, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , (only four chosen characters can be played as) 	— 	All current characters (Tabuu turns them into trophies) 	— 	0 	0, All characters were turned into trophies
 	Subspace I 	(all phases), , (only in the sidescrolling sections) 	, , , 	— 	, , , , , , , , , , , , , (, , ), (only if rescued by King Dedede, Ness, and Luigi; fighters not rescued can still be found when replaying the level)	From 4 to 19 	1, new team: , , , , and any recovered fighters
 	Subspace II 	 	(if Kirby found Link and Zelda, who rescue him), (If Kirby found him) 	— 	(guaranteed), , , , , , , , , (only if Kirby rescues them; fighters not found can be rescued upon replaying the level) 	From 5 to 31 	1, , and any recovered fighters, alongside Ganondorf if Link and Zelda are found, and Wario if he is found, will join the previous group.
 	The Great Maze 	, , , , (guaranteed), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , (, , ), , , , , , (only if they were rescued in Subspace Parts 1 and 2), (only in the battle with Tabuu) 	 	— 	— 	From 6 to 32 	1, joins
Subspace Emissary Plotmap.svg|A map of the stages and which characters are available in each one, not counting Wolf, Toon Link, and Jigglypuff.
===Gallery===
Challenger Approaching Ness (SSBB).png|Ness challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching Marth (SSBB).png|Marth challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching Luigi (SSBB).png|Luigi challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching Falco (SSBB).png|Falco challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching Falcon (SSBB).png|Captain Falcon challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching Lucario (SSBB).png|Lucario challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching Snake (SSBB).png|Snake challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching R.O.B. (SSBB).png|R.O.B. challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching Ganondorf (SSBB).png|Ganondorf challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching Mr. Game & Watch (SSBB).png|Mr. Game & Watch challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching Sonic (SSBB).png|Sonic challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching Jigglypuff (SSBB).png|Jigglypuff challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching Toon Link (SSBB).png|Toon Link challenging the player in Brawl
Challenger Approaching Wolf (SSBB).png|Wolf challenging the player in Brawl
====
===Fighters===
The inclusion of and Wendy O. Koopa (as one of 's s) as unlockable characters makes them the first female characters to be unlockable. After every tenth VS. match, the player gets to challenge an unlockable character, starting with and finishing with when 120 matches are played.
In addition to the characters below, s are not shown on the character select screen until the player has created at least one. However, since the ability to create Mii Fighters is granted from the beginning, the characters cannot truly be called unlockable.
Despite having a stage of the same name added into the game in the update, they will be fought on for their unlocking battle regardless of which version of the game is being played.
Character	How to unlock 	VS Matches Required	Unlock location 	Music
 	Clear on any difficulty 	10 	MagicantFlying Men do not appear. 	
 	Clear without using any continues 	20 	Corneria 	
 	Complete 100-Man Smash 	30 	WarioWare, Inc.Microgames do not occur.	
 	As , clear without any continues 	40 	Arena Ferox 	
 	Clear with three different characters 	50 	Reset Bomb Forest 	
 	As , clear on intensity 4.0 or higher 	60 	Mushroomy Kingdom 	
 	Collect at least 200 different trophies 	70 	PictoChat 2 	
 	As or , clear on intensity 5.0 or higher 	80 	Gerudo Valley 	
 	Clear with 10 different characters 	90 	Flat Zone 2 	
 	As , clear on intensity 6.0 or higher 	100 	3D Land 	
 	Clear with eight different characters 	110 	 	
 	Collect at least 30 different equipment items	120 	Unova Pokémon League 	
===Gallery===
ChallengerApproachingNess.png|Ness challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
ChallengerApproachingFalco.png|Falco challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
ChallengerApproachingWario.png|Wario challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
ChallengerApproachingLucina.png|Lucina challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
ChallengerApproachingDarkPit.png|Dark Pit challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
ChallengerApproachingDrMario.png|Dr. Mario challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
ChallengerApproachingROB.png|R.O.B. challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
ChallengerApproachingGanondorf.png|Ganondorf challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
ChallengerApproachingGameandWatch.png|Mr. Game & Watch challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
ChallengerApproachingBowserJr.png|Bowser Jr. challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
ChallengerApproachingDuckHunt.png|Duck Hunt challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
ChallengerApproachingJigglypuff.png|Jigglypuff challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
====
===Fighters===
Unlike , Ness, Jigglypuff, Ganondorf and Bowser Jr. are starter characters. Like the 3DS version, a character is unlocked for every ten versus matches played starting with Falco. Two exceptions to this are and , which they need 20 more versus matches than and Mr. Game & Watch, respectively. Unlike the previous three installments (Melee, Brawl, and the 3DS version), no universe stages are used for challenger approaching battles. Instead, all unlockable characters use a stage from their respective universe except for R.O.B., in which he uses the Wrecking Crew stage due to him not having a stage from his own universe.
In addition to the characters below, s are not shown on the character select screen until the player has created at least one. However, since the ability to create Mii Fighters is granted from the beginning and there is no Challenger Approaching fight, the character cannot truly be called unlockable.
Character	How to unlock 	VS Matches Required	Unlock location 	Music
 	Clear 	10 	Orbital Gate Assault 	
 	Clear 100-Man Smash 	20 	Gamer 	
 	Clear on intensity 5.5 or higher 	30 	Coliseum 	
 	Clear All-Star Mode on Normal 	40 	Palutena's Temple 	
 	Clear Master Orders on Hard 	50 	Delfino Plaza 	
 	Clear Crazy Orders after ten rounds and defeat Crazy Hand	60 	Wrecking Crew 	
 	Clear on intensity 2.0 or higher with five characters 	80 	Flat Zone X 	
 	Get at least one KO in Cruel Smash 	100 	Dog and ducks do not appear.	
===Gallery===
SSB4-U Falco Approaches.png|Falco challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
SSB4-U Wario Approaches.png|Wario challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
SSB4-U Lucina Approaches.png|Lucina challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
SSB4-U Dark Pit Approaches.png|Dark Pit challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
SSB4-U Dr. Mario Approaches.png|Dr. Mario challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
SSB4-U R.O.B. Approaches.png|R.O.B. challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
SSB4-U Mr. Game & Watch Approaches.png|Mr. Game & Watch challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
SSB4-U Duck Hunt Approaches.png|Duck Hunt challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
==Super Smash Bros. Ultimate==
The starting roster in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate comprises the eight starter characters from the original Super Smash Bros. game, with all other fighters being unlockable or downloadable. With the vast majority of the roster being unlockable, unlocking characters is advertised as a core feature of the game; no characters are left "secret" like in previous games, and character unlocks are designed to occur at a more streamlined and consistent pace than in previous games.
Unlockable characters no longer have unique criteria to unlock them. Instead, Challenger Approaching fights take place after completing with any character, and as timed encounters.
As in Smash 4, s can be unlocked by creating a custom Mii Fighter of that type, and do not have a standard Challenger Approaching match.
The player may also unlock characters by awakening them in the World of Light. 
======
When the player completes Classic Mode with a given character, a new character will challenge the player to a Challenger Approaching duel. All of the eight starter characters have their own character unlock trees, each with eight characters to unlock, except for Pikachu, who has seven. The challenger is determined by the first player character, and will be the next character below them on the tree who has not already been unlocked or issued a Challenger Approaching duel. For example, completing Classic Mode as with already unlocked (or met in Challenger Approaching) will cause the challenger to be , even if has not yet been unlocked or met in Challenger Approaching.
If the bottom of a tree is reached, the search resumes from the first four characters of Mario's tree, then Donkey Kong's, and so on until Pikachu’s top four characters have been fought in a Challengers Approach fight, in which it will start from the bottom four of Mario’s tree and continues on from there. Completing Classic Mode with downloadable fighters will also start from the top of Mario's tree, as these characters are not assigned an unlock tree.
Notably, all clones, semi-clones, and pseudo-clones except for , , and are in the same tree as the character they are based on.
Unlock Order								
1st 								
2nd 								
3rd 								
4th 								
5th 								
6th 								
7th 								
8th 								None
===Timed encounters===
When the player finishes a VS. match, a Mob Smash, a Home-Run Contest round, a Spirit Board fight, or exits the World of Light, a new character may challenge the player to a Challenger Approaching duel. This character will be the one closest to the top of the list below who has not already been unlocked or issued a Challenger Approaching duel. However, the player must have performed enough in-battle stick inputs and, in most cases, have waited at least 10 minutes since the previous Challenger Approaching duel. (Quitting a match/mode other than World of Light will not cause a challenge, and neither will VS matches that only consist of CPUs or that are themselves Challenger Approaching matches.)
The in-battle stick input count considers the total since the save file was started. Its mechanics appear to be similar to how in VS matches is counted (for example, dash-dancing, Sudden Death, other Challenger Approaching matches, and jumping with the X Button do not count, but jumping with the Control Stick does count). However, unlike Gold, actions made in a VS match that is quit still count (they will not cause a challenge but will still contribute toward the total behind the scenes). If a controller disconnects during a VS match and it is still disconnected by the time the match ends, actions made by that player do not count (even though they count for Gold). Actions made during Classic Mode and World of Light count, excluding any Gold modifiers (e.g. due to difficulty level). Notably, the 5th through 30th characters in the list all have the same action count requirement, so meeting the requirement for any one of them will unlock all of them with no further in-battle actions required, provided that the wait time requirement is met between each one. Unlike the time requirements, the action count requirements cannot be changed. For example, unlocking through a timed encounter will always require approximately 8,100 actions, regardless of if any other characters have already been unlocked through any method.
The 10-minute delay requirement does not apply to the first five Challenger Approaching fights specifically. For example, if the player unlocks all but five characters through World of Light, then no time delay requirements apply to the remaining five regardless of who they are. However, Challenger Approaching fights initiated through Classic Mode will count toward the five despite Classic Mode not having a time delay requirement. For example, if the player's first Challenger Approaching fight is a character below on the list (regardless of if the player wins or loses), and then the player attempts to unlock the rest of the characters through timed encounters, then Inkling will require a 10-minute wait.
The player can bypass any wait time by closing the game and reopening it. (Note that changing the Language setting causes the game to automatically close and reopen.) The wait time applies regardless of if the previous Challenger Approaching fight was won or lost. Time spent idling on the title screen or loading screens counts, but time spent idling during a Challenger Approaching fight does not count (the time starts after the Challenger Approaching fight ends). Wait times do not carry over (if the player waits 20 minutes between one pair of Challenger Approaching fights, all future wait times are still 10 minutes).
===Fighter table===
Classic Mode and timed encounters result in the same Challenger Approaching fights.
The values listed under "Theoretical cumulative wait time" apply only if the player exclusively attempts to unlock characters through timed encounters, never closes the game after challenging Inkling, and never spends longer than the minimum time between Challenger Approaching fights.
Order	Character	Actions required(approx.)	Theoreticalcumulative wait time	Stage 	Music
1st 	 	200 	0 minutes 	Onett (hazards off) 	
2nd 	 	400 	0 minutes 	Temple 	
3rd 	 	700 	0 minutes 	Mushroom Kingdom U 	
4th 	 	1,100 	0 minutes 	Skyworld 	
5th 	 	1,400 	0 minutes 	Moray Towers 	
6th 	 	1,400 	10 minutes 	Smashville 	
7th 	 	1,400 	20 minutes 	Castle Siege 	
8th 	 	1,400 	30 minutes 	Great Bay 	
9th 	 	1,400 	40 minutes 	Wii Fit Studio 	
10th 	 	1,400 	50 minutes 	Summit 	
11th 	 	1,400 	1 hour 	Port Town Aero Dive 	
12th 	 	1,400 	1 hour & 10 minutes 	Princess Peach's Castle 	
13th 	 	1,400 	1 hour & 20 minutes 	 	
14th 	 	1,400 	1 hour & 30 minutes 	Coliseum 	
15th 	 	1,400 	1 hour & 40 minutes 	Saffron City 	
16th 	 	1,400 	1 hour & 50 minutes 	Jungle Japes 	
17th 	 	1,400 	2 hours 	Green Hill Zone 	
18th 	 	1,400 	2 hours & 10 minutes 	Dracula's Castle 	
19th 	 	1,400 	2 hours & 20 minutes 	Brinstar 	
20th 	 	1,400 	2 hours & 30 minutes 	Boxing Ring (Punch-Out!!) 	
21st 	 	1,400 	2 hours & 40 minutes 	Town and City 	
22nd 	 	1,400 	2 hours & 50 minutes 	Gaur Plain 	
23rd 	 	1,400 	3 hours 	Arena Ferox 	
24th 	 	1,400 	3 hours & 10 minutes 	WarioWare, Inc. 	
25th 	 	1,400 	3 hours & 20 minutes 	Norfair 	
26th 	 	1,400 	3 hours & 30 minutes 	Pokémon Stadium 	
27th 	 	1,400 	3 hours & 40 minutes 	Spear Pillar 	
28th 	 	1,400 	3 hours & 50 minutes 	Figure-8 Circuit 	
29th 	 	1,400 	4 hours 	Castle Siege 	
30th 	 	1,400 	4 hours & 10 minutes 	Fountain of Dreams 	
31st 	 	1,600 	4 hours & 20 minutes 	Wrecking Crew 	
32nd 	 	1,700 	4 hours & 30 minutes 	Corneria 	
33rd 	 	1,900 	4 hours & 40 minutes 	Luigi's Mansion 	
34th 	 	2,000 	4 hours & 50 minutes 	Pokémon Stadium 2 	
35th 	 	2,200 	5 hours 	Dracula's Castle 	
36th 	 	2,300 	5 hours & 10 minutes 	New Pork City 	
37th 	 	2,400 	5 hours & 20 minutes 	Kongo Falls 	
38th 	 	2,600 	5 hours & 30 minutes 	Halberd 	
39th 	 	2,700 	5 hours & 40 minutes 	Shadow Moses Island 	
40th 	 	2,900 	5 hours & 50 minutes 	Bridge of Eldin 	
41st 	 	3,000 	6 hours 	Coliseum 	
42nd 	 	3,200 	6 hours & 10 minutes 	Wily Castle 	
43rd 	 	3,300 	6 hours & 20 minutes 	Umbra Clock Tower 	
44th 	 	3,500 	6 hours & 30 minutes 	Pirate Ship 	
45th 	 	3,600 	6 hours & 40 minutes 	Mario Galaxy 	
46th 	 	3,700 	6 hours & 50 minutes 	Boxing Ring (Super Smash Bros.)	
47th 	 	3,900 	7 hours 	Gerudo Valley 	
48th 	 	4,000 	7 hours & 10 minutes 	Distant Planet 	
49th 	 	4,200 	7 hours & 20 minutes 	Pac-Land 	
50th 	 	4,300 	7 hours & 30 minutes 	Frigate Orpheon 	
51st 	 	4,600 	7 hours & 40 minutes 	Lylat Cruise 	
52nd 	 	4,900 	7 hours & 50 minutes 	Flat Zone X 	
53rd 	 	5,200 	8 hours 	Castle Siege 	
54th 	 	5,500 	8 hours & 10 minutes 	Reset Bomb Forest 	
55th 	 	5,800 	8 hours & 20 minutes 	Midgar 	
56th 	 	6,100 	8 hours & 30 minutes 	 	
57th 	 	6,400 	8 hours & 40 minutes 	Boxing Ring (Punch-Out!!) 	
58th 	 	6,700 	8 hours & 50 minutes 	Kalos Pokémon League 	
59th 	 	6,900 	9 hours 	Arena Ferox 	
60th 	 	7,200 	9 hours & 10 minutes 	Spear Pillar 	
61st 	 	7,500 	9 hours & 20 minutes 	Delfino Plaza 	
62nd 	 	7,800 	9 hours & 30 minutes 	New Donk City Hall 	
63rd 	 	8,100 	9 hours & 40 minutes 	Palutena's Temple 	
===Challenger's Approach===
If the player loses any Challenger Approaching fight, that character will not appear again either from Classic Mode or as a timed encounter. However, the character will later reappear under Challenger's Approach on the Games & More menu.
===World of Light===
In the World of Light, only characters that have been awakened in the current World of Light save file can be used, with only initially being available. However, awakening a fighter in the World of Light that is not a starter character also unlocks them for the regular roster.
Awakening a Mii Fighter in the World of Light automatically creates a custom Mii Fighter of the awakened type.
Each fighter must be unlocked through a fighter battle, with a few exceptions:
: is always available from the beginning.
: is unlocked after defeating Giga Bowser within the Molten Fortress sub-world in The Light Realm.
: Downloadable fighters become available after freeing a total of 10 fighters. If the player has already freed 10 fighters on a file, any characters downloaded afterwards will immediately be available.
The fighter battles all feature the same single condition: Win the battle to awaken the fighter
No. 	Image	Name 	Type	Power 	Stage 	Music	Location
01 	 	 	 	2,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm (right at the beginning)
02 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (middle of the western jungle)
03 	 	 	 	3,600 	 	 	In The Light Realm (the Sheikah Tower in the south)
04 	 	 	 	7,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm (just beyond the light breach)
04ε 	 	 	 	12,500	 	 	In area (dark side)
05 	 	 	 	3,600 	 	 	In The Light Realm (in the ribbon hills)
07 	 	 	 	3,700 	 	 	In The Light Realm (before the red button in the heart pond)
08 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (the rapids above the wall)
09 	 	 	 	10,600	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Mysterious Dimension sub-world, in the flames)
10 	 	 	 	7,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm (beyond the light breach, in the pink clouds)
11 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (race track east of the starting area)
12 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (forest north of the starting area)
13 	 	 	 	7,500 	Mushroom Kingdom U (Slide Lift Tower)	 	In The Light Realm (in the Molten Fortress sub-world)
13ε 	 	 	 	10,600	Mushroom Kingdom U (Slide Lift Tower)	 	In The Dark Realm (in the sub-world)
15 	 	 	 	7,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm (bottom of the icy mountain)
16 	 	 	 	2,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm, one of the 3 starter routes (north route)
17 	 	 	 	10,100	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Sacred Land sub-world, in Kakariko Village)
18 	 	 	 	3,400 	 	 	In The Light Realm (north of the city towards the ribbon hills)
19 	 	 	 	7,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm (in the Power Plant sub-world)
20 	 	 	 	7,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm (the space area, on the yellow planet)
21 	 	 	 	2,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm, one of the 3 starter routes (west route)
21ε 	 	 	 	10,000	 	 	In The Dark Realm (south-eastern path)
22 	 	 	 	10,300	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Sacred Land sub-world, in the Lost Woods)
23 	 	 	 	10,700	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Sacred Land sub-world, in the Gerudo Fortress)
24 	 	 	 	12,000	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Mysterious Dimension sub-world, in the red-leafed trees)
25 	 	 	 	12,500	 	 	In area (light side)
25ε 	 	 	 	10,600	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Sacred Land sub-world, by jumping into a treasure chest in the Lost Woods)
26 	 	 	 	7,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm (beyond the light breach, in the maze)
27 	 	 	 	11,800	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Mysterious Dimension sub-world)
28 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (in the Temple of Light sub-world)
28ε 	 	 	 	11,200	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the sub-world, through a fireplace)
29 	 	 	 	7,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm (beyond the light breach, on the volcano)
30 	 	 	 	10,100	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the sub-world)
31 	 	 	 	9,000 	 	 	In The Light Realm (in the Base sub-world)
32 	 	 	 	11,200	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Mysterious Dimension sub-world)
33-35	 	(, , and )	 	7,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm (beyond the light breach, east of the coastal town)
36 	 	 	 	9,000 	 	 	In The Light Realm (in the sub-world)
37 	 	 	 	6,600 	 	 	In The Light Realm (in the western village)
38 	 	 	 	9,800 	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Sacred Land sub-world, between Kakariko Village and the Lost Woods)
39 	 	 	 	9,000 	 	 	In The Light Realm (in the Gourmet Race sub-world, after obtaining a score of 11)
40 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (the mushroom forest)
41 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (along the wall, near the light breach)
42 	 	 	 	10,500	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Mysterious Dimension sub-world, eastern optional path)
43 	 	 	 	7,500 	Wuhu Island 	 	In The Light Realm (in the Forest Hill sub-world)
44 	 	 	 	11,800	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Mysterious Dimension sub-world, on the crashed plane)
45 	 	 	 	2,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm, one of the 3 starter routes (east route)
46 	 	 	 	7,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm (near the Base entrance)
47 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (northern part of the city)
48 	 	 	 	10,000	 	 	In The Dark Realm (northern path, 2nd path from the left)
49 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (in the city's stadium after clearing Power Plant)
50 	 	 	 	10,600	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Mysterious Dimension sub-world)
51 	 	 	 	10,000	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Sacred Land sub-world, in Kakariko Village after setting the clock to 4:40)
52 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (north of the eastern town)
53 	 	 	 	7,500 	Tortimer Island 	 	In The Light Realm (beyond the light breach, on the southern island)
54 	 	 	 	12,500	 	 	In area (light side after beating Crazy Hand)
55 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (between the mushroom forest and Base)
56 	 	 	 	10,700	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the sub-world)
57 	 	 	 	8,200 	 	 	In The Light Realm (beyond the light breach, atop the waterfall)
58 	 	 	 	12,500	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Sacred Land sub-world, on top of a pyramid in the Gerudo Desert)
59 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (in the shrouded forest)
60 	 	 	 	9,000 	 	 	In The Light Realm (in the World Tour sub-world)
60ε 	 	 	 	10,600	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the sub-world)
61 	 	 	 	11,200	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Sacred Land sub-world, before the Master Sword)
62 	 	 	 	10,700	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Mysterious Dimension sub-world, on white clouds)
63 	 	 	 	12,500	 	 	In area (dark side after beating Master Hand)
64 	 	 	 	3,300 	 	 	In The Light Realm (southern part of the city)
65 	 	 	 	10,600	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the sub-world)
66 	 	 	 	7,500 	 	 	In The Light Realm (in the Temple of Light sub-world)
66ε 	 	 	 	11,800	 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the sub-world, after killing all evil ghosts)
67 	 	 	 	10,600	Pirate Ship 	 	In The Dark Realm (in the Mysterious Dimension sub-world, the pirate ship optional path)
68 	 	 	 	3,900 	 	 	In The Light Realm (east of the town by taking the bus from the western village)
69 	 	 	 	12,500	 	 	In The Dark Realm (south-western path)
===Gallery===
SSBU Ness Approaches.png|Ness challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Zelda Approaches.png|Zelda challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Bowser Approaches.png|Bowser challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Pit Approaches.png|Pit challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Inkling Approaches.png|Inkling challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Villager Approaches.png|Villager challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Marth Approaches.png|Marth challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Young Link Approaches.png|Young Link challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Wii Fit Trainer Approaches.png|Wii Fit Trainer challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Ice Climbers Approaches.png|Ice Climbers challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Captain Falcon Approaches.png|Captain Falcon challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Peach Approaches.png|Peach challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Ryu Approaches.png|Ryu challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Ike Approaches.png|Ike challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Jigglypuff Approaches.png|Jigglypuff challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU King K. Rool Approaches.png|King K. Rool challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Sonic Approaches.png|Sonic challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Simon Approaches.png|Simon challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Zero Suit Samus Approaches.png|Zero Suit Samus challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Little Mac Approaches.png|Little Mac challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Isabelle Approaches.png|Isabelle challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Shulk Approaches.png|Shulk challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Lucina Approaches.png|Lucina challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Wario Approaches.png|Wario challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Ridley Approaches.png|Ridley challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Pokémon Trainer Approaches.png|Pokémon Trainer challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Lucario Approaches.png|Lucario challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Daisy Approaches.png|Daisy challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Roy Approaches.png|Roy challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU King Dedede Approaches.png|King Dedede challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU R.O.B. Approaches.png|R.O.B. challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Falco Approaches.png|Falco challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Luigi Approaches.png|Luigi challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Pichu Approaches.png|Pichu challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Richter Approaches.png|Richter challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Lucas Approaches.png|Lucas challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Diddy Kong Approaches.png|Diddy Kong challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Meta Knight Approaches.png|Meta Knight challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Snake Approaches.png|Snake challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Ganondorf Approaches.png|Ganondorf challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Corrin Approaches.png|Corrin challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Mega Man Approaches.png|Mega Man challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Bayonetta Approaches.png|Bayonetta challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Toon Link Approaches.png|Toon Link challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Rosalina & Luma Approaches.png|Rosalina & Luma challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Incineroar Approaches.png|Incineroar challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Sheik Approaches.png|Sheik challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Olimar Approaches.png|Olimar challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Pac-Man Approaches.png|Pac-Man challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Dark Samus Approaches.png|Dark Samus challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Wolf Approaches.png|Wolf challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Mr. Game & Watch Approaches.png|Mr. Game & Watch challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Robin Approaches.png|Robin challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Dark Pit Approaches.png|Dark Pit challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Cloud Approaches.png|Cloud challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Duck Hunt Approaches.png|Duck Hunt challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Ken Approaches.png|Ken challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Greninja Approaches.png|Greninja challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Chrom Approaches.png|Chrom challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Mewtwo Approaches.png|Mewtwo challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Bowser Jr. Approaches.png|Bowser Jr. challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Dr. Mario Approaches.png|Dr. Mario challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
SSBU Palutena Approaches.png|Palutena challenging the player in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
==Trivia==
*In each of his unlockable appearances outside of Smash 64, Ness has always been the first one unlocked through Vs. Mode matches.
*Super Smash Bros. 64 is the only game in the series in which playing VS. Mode matches cannot trigger a "Challenger Approaching" battle, and the only game in which each unlockable character only has a single unlock criterion.
*When a player fights a secret character to unlock in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the character they used always uses their default costume even if the player was originally using an alternative costume. As Brawl mods often if not always make the entire roster available by default (regardless of if they were unlocked in the vanilla game) and the player can still trigger Challenger Approaching fights, using the same character as the one the player is trying to “unlock” will make both participants use the same palette swap.
*Starting in Super Smash Bros. 4, no items appear at all during the unlocking battle.
*In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, each character unlock notification has a different tone depending on the debut game of the character.
**Strangely, 's unlock notification tone is the same as the Brawl newcomers despite debuting in Super Smash Bros. 64. This is likely because it is unlocked in the post-game Subspace Emissary, as well as its internal ID being right next to and , Brawl newcomers. The other Smash 64 newcomers use "Rare Trophy" from Melee, Melee newcomers use the stage unlock fanfare from Brawl, and Brawl newcomers (alongside Jigglypuff) use the sound effect in Brawl when collecting songs or completing minor challenges.
*In and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, unlock matches are treated as VS. Mode matches - that is, they count towards the total number of VS. Mode matches, and all statistics accumulated during unlock matches are saved.
*Masahiro Sakurai originally intended for all the characters in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U to be available from the start, but eventually decided against it.
*In Super Smash Bros. 64, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, , and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the AI level of unlockable character fights starts out very low, but increases with each consecutive character unlocked.
**In Super Smash Bros. Melee, the opposite is the case.
**In Ultimate, the difficulty of the AI was lowered in patch 1.2.0, after notorious reports of the level of difficulty for each match.
*Counting Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U separately, Jigglypuff, Falco, and Mr. Game & Watch are tied for the most unlockable appearances, with five each.
**Of the three of them, is the only one to be a starter character at any point, which was in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
*Wario was the first starter character to become an unlockable character in a later installment. He is also the only character to have this distinction from Brawl to Smash 4.
* is the only character whose moveset involves transforming into another character to become unlockable.
*Prior to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the only unlockable characters whose playable status was not kept a secret in official material prior to release were and in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and in Super Smash Bros. 4.
**Out of all of these, Lucina is the only one who is not a third-party character.
*Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the first game to have more unlockable characters than starter characters, and the first game to feature unlockable characters on the box art.
*While is a downloadable fighter rather than unlockable, from 17 December to 22 December 2020, defeating him through the limited-time Sephiroth Challenge enabled access to him, Northern Cave and his music if the player had purchased Challenger Pack 8 or Fighters Pass Vol. 2 prior to his official release.
*In Ultimate, and can have different music play during their regular unlock battles. Specifically, when they're unlocked between 8:00pm and 12:00am on Saturday, K.K. Slider will perform.
==See also==
*Unlockable stage
*Starter character
*Starter stage
*Downloadable content
Category:Characters
es:Personaje desbloqueable