Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is Nintendo's platform fighting game that brings together characters from dozens of franchises. It was released on December 7, 2018 for Nintendo Switch, developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. under the direction of Masahiro Sakurai, and published by Nintendo. It has sold over 37 million copies according to Nintendo's figures as of December 2025. This guide explains what the game offers, how it is played officially and what you should know if you want to try it on PC or Android with an emulator.
What the game offers
- Fighters: 74 in the base game (63 returning and 11 new). Twelve more arrived as downloadable content until October 2021: Piranha Plant (free for players who registered the game), the five in Fighters Pass 1 (Joker, the Hero, Banjo & Kazooie, Terry Bogard and Byleth) and the six in Pass 2 (Min Min, Steve, Sephiroth, Pyra and Mythra, Kazuya Mishima and Sora).
- Stages: 103 in the base game, and more with the downloadable fighters.
- Modes: Classic, Special Smash, Home-Run Contest (added in September 2019), Smashdown, Squad Strike and Tourney, plus Spirits mode with the World of Light story.
- Multiplayer: local play for up to eight players and online play over Wi-Fi or LAN.
- Amiibo: amiibo figures create AI-controlled fighters you can train.
How it is played officially
The game is only published for Nintendo Switch. It supports the Joy-Con, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and GameCube controllers through the USB adapter. There is no official version for PC or Android.
What about PC or Android? What you should know
There are Switch emulators that try to run the game on a computer or a phone, but you should understand the situation before installing anything:
- You need your own copies. An emulator does not include the game or the console's files (keys and firmware). They must come from a console and a game that you own. The Ryujinx guide explains how keys and firmware work.
- The ecosystem has changed. Yuzu's development and official distribution ended on March 4, 2024 after a settlement with Nintendo. Eden and Citron appear as the active continuations of its code, and a February 2026 DMCA notice affected a network of Switch emulators that included them. Always check a project's current status before using it.
- Eden is, according to its own website, a free and open-source emulator for Linux, Windows, macOS and Android. See our Eden guide, and the pages for Windows and Android.
- No performance guarantees. Compatibility and performance of each game change with every emulator version; check the project's own compatibility list. GigaROM cannot guarantee that the game will run on your hardware.
General tips if you try it
- Stutter at first: the emulator compiles shaders the first time it sees each effect; the game becomes smoother afterwards.
- Controller: use a controller compatible with your system and set it up in the emulator's settings before starting a match.
- Resolution: raise the internal resolution only if your hardware has headroom; start at native.
- Saves: back up your saves before updating the emulator.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official version of Smash Ultimate for PC?
No. The game was only released for Nintendo Switch.
Is it legal to use an emulator?
The emulator is software; what you need are your own copies of the game and the console's files. Nintendo has taken legal action against Switch emulators, such as the Yuzu case. GigaROM does not host files: see our safety guide and the DMCA policy.
How many fighters does it have?
74 in the base game and twelve more as downloadable content, until October 2021.
Can you play online?
On the console, yes: the game supports online play over Wi-Fi or LAN.
More information
If you want to see the game's page in our catalogue, it is on GigaROM; the rest of the emulators are in the emulators list.
Related guides: how to install Ryujinx on PC (firmware and keys), download and install the Eden emulator and Eden for Windows.
Notice: GigaROM does not host files. Use only copies of games and console files that you legally own. If you are a rights holder and want a page removed, see our DMCA policy.
