Smash Bros. Ultimate Roster: A Complete Guide to the All-Star Lineup

Last Updated: April 2025

Keywords: Smash Bros Ultimate roster, Smash Bros Final Smash, Smash Bros all characters, smash bros ultimate, Nintendo gaming characters, Smash Ultimate update, roster breakdown

Understanding the Context


Smash Bros. Ultimate Roster: All Characters Explained & How to Build Your Dream Team

Since its release in December 2024, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has emerged as one of the most diverse and beloved fighting game titles ever made. With a staggering roster featuring over 80 iconic fighters from Nintendo, third-party developers, and exclusive appearances, mastering Smash Ultimate starts with understanding which characters belong to the ultimate lineup. This comprehensive guide breaks down the current Smash Bros. Ultimate roster—highlighting legendary franchises, rising stars, competitive favorites, and hidden gems—so you can assemble your dream team with confidence.


Key Insights

What Is Smash Bros. Ultimate Roster?

The Smash Bros. Ultimate roster encompasses all playable characters across the entire game, including DLC additions, special features, and hidden unlockable fighters. Unlike many fighting games bound by licensing restrictions, Smart Bros. Ultimate leverages Nintendo’s expansive IP library, giving players access to characters from franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Team Ninja, Fire Emblem, and many more.

The roster is divided into several legacy categories, such as Classic, Legacy, New Characters, Exclusive Heroes, and Special Appearances, making it a living, evolving catalog that continues to expand via DLC packs and major updates.


Creating Your Dream Team: Key Character Categories

Final Thoughts

1. Nintendo Foundations – The Core Cast

At the heart of Smash Bros. Ultimate are Nintendo’s titans. These characters form the backbone of competitive and casual play alike:

  • Mario & Luigi – The dueling founders of the series, with iconic moves and abilities rooted in platforming agility.
  • Link & Zelda – Legendary hero duo from Zelda using swordplay, magic, and environmental mastery.
  • Samus – Zelda Legend’s stealthy brawler with Z-Fit initiative and energy attacks.
  • Kirby – The pink puff with shape-shifting abilities, ideal for comedic yet effective playstyles.
  • Pikachu & Jigglypuff – Fan favorites representing Pokémon’s energy-based combat legacy.

2. Action & Adventure Powerhouses (Third-Party Powerhouses)

Smash Ultimate thrives on cross-franchise appeal, with renowned action and RPG heroes dominating the roster:

  • M泣本田 & God of War (Norse Series) – Brutal melee punchers with cinematic power.
  • Master Chief (Halo) – Sci-fi heavyweight blending punishing close combat and wither energy.
  • Cloud Strife & Kid Icarus (Fire Emblem) – Strategic mêlée fighters with unique passive abilities.
  • Dynasty Warriors/Gerudo Clones (NAMCO) – Fast-paced, power-focused characters from S Bloggames.

3. Legendary & Cult Classic Fighters

These subtler but highly skill-driven characters offer unique playstyles:

  • Bayonetta (Bayonetta series) – Witch with swift melee combos and stylish threats.
  • Bayonetta, Joker, and Camilla (Bayonetta series) – Synergy combos bring dynamic trio gameplay.
  • Ryu & Ken (Street Fighter) – Classical martial artists with deep combos and cup-hand techniques.
  • Inkling (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) – Experimental anti-matter heroes with fluid shaping mechanics.

4. Zelda Series Deep Dives

Beyond Link and Zelda, the franchise shines with spinoff-style warriors:

  • Midna – Fire-element caster with psychological warfare and limited AP abilities.
  • Veha (via Conquest Trials DLC) – Mysterious warrior offering unconventional close-range attacks.
  • Hylian Knight – Noble yet brutal melee fighter from Tears of the Kingdom announcements.

5. Riding and Pilot Heroes

For fast-paced aerial combat, check out:

  • Captain Falcon (F-Zero) – Iconic speedster with jump-slash combos.
  • Sheik (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) – Stealthy invisibility and swift projectile attacks.
  • Commando (Star Fox) – Agile fighter with rapid whiff combos and launch sticks.

6. Character Rarities & Hidden Gems

Keep an eye on DLC and special appearances:

  • Lucario (Skull’s Gate) – Stylish pack-based fighter with Eurofighting flexibility.
  • Rosalina & Luma (Super Mario Odyssey) – Ethereal aerialists with beam attacks and rail jumps.
  • Sora (Kingdom Hearts) – Dual-wield blademaster with timed aura blasts and cinematic moves.

Managing Your Roster: Tips for New & Seasoned Players

  • Balance Purity vs. Synergy: While niche characters like Bayonetta deliver aesthetic stun, pairing with strong synergy combos boosts competitiveness.
  • Experiment with Stamina & Latency Settings: Each character behaves differently; tuning Stamina and Input Latency alters feel.
  • Stay Updated: Nintendo frequently adds new characters via DLC (e.g., Fire Emblem Warriors, Pikmin pets, future announcements).
  • Consider Meta Evolution: Post-launch updates influence rotational balance—track competitive play to optimize your picks.