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Paid DLC fighters and free updates are separate things in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. A Challenger Pack or Fighters Pass changes which paid content your Nintendo account can use. A free software update changes the game program itself—such as fixing bugs, adjusting balance, or maintaining online play—and does not automatically grant ownership of paid fighters. Nintendo’s update notes can mention DLC becoming “usable after purchase,” which is the key distinction.
Paid DLC changes your roster; a free update changes the software
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has two delivery systems that are often discussed together because Nintendo may release an update around the same time as downloadable content. They are not the same purchase or entitlement.
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- Paid DLC: You buy a Challenger Pack, Fighters Pass, or the standalone Piranha Plant fighter. The purchase adds content that your account can access.
- Free software updates: You download a new version of the game. Nintendo uses updates for balance changes, gameplay fixes, features, security or online maintenance, and other changes to the software.
Nintendo’s official explanation says that players can purchase new fighters as DLC, with some fighters including their own stage and music. Its update history separately lists software changes and describes DLC content as becoming usable after purchase. Downloading the latest version therefore does not turn an unpurchased fighter into an owned fighter.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe practical answer to “Do free updates give you the new Smash fighters?” is no. The update may be required for the game to recognize or support related content, but the fighter entitlement remains tied to the relevant purchase.
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- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. Game
- Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
- Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
Why an update may appear alongside a fighter release
A free patch and a paid content release can be connected in timing without being the same item. The patch can modify shared systems, add compatibility or correct a problem that affects everyone. The downloadable fighter, stage and music are licensed separately and become available to the purchaser. This is why you might see a version download even when you have not bought the advertised Challenger Pack.
In practical terms, installation and entitlement are different steps. Everyone may receive common software files, but the game checks whether the relevant Nintendo account or console has access to the paid content. Updating is therefore not a workaround for buying DLC, and buying DLC does not eliminate the need to keep the underlying game current.
What a Challenger Pack includes
An individual Challenger Pack is the basic paid DLC bundle. Nintendo describes each pack as containing:
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- One stage associated with that fighter
- Music for the game’s music library
That bundle structure matters when comparing a single character with a pass. Buying a Challenger Pack is not merely buying a character model; it is a themed content package with a fighter, a stage and music.
The Piranha Plant exception
Piranha Plant is listed separately from the Challenger Packs. It is a standalone fighter and does not include a stage or music. Do not assume that every paid fighter purchase has the same contents: Piranha Plant is the explicit exception in Nintendo’s DLC catalog.
What the Fighters Pass bundles
A Fighters Pass is a bundle of Challenger Packs rather than a different type of update. The original pass covers Challenger Packs 1–5. Fighters Pass Vol. 2 covers Challenger Packs 6–11. Each pass therefore represents a set of multiple fighter packages delivered through the eShop, while the software updates that accompany releases remain free downloads.
The pass does not let you swap unwanted packs for a different character. It is a predefined group, so check the fighters, stages and music in that group before paying. The pass listings also identify a Mii Fighter costume bonus: a Rex costume with the original pass and an Ancient Soldier costume with Vol. 2.
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Nintendo’s United States purchase pages list the following prices and contents. These are official US listings checked October 13, 2026; eShop prices, taxes, availability and currency vary by region and can change.
| Offer | Fighters | Stages and music | Bonus costume | Listed US price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fighters Pass | Five fighters through Challenger Packs 1–5 | Five stages and music from those packs | Rex Mii Fighter costume | US$24.99 |
| Fighters Pass Vol. 2 | Six fighters through Challenger Packs 6–11 | Stages and music from those packs | Ancient Soldier Mii Fighter costume | US$29.99 |
| Individual Challenger Pack | One fighter | One stage and music | Not stated as part of the standard pack contents | US$5.99 each |
| Piranha Plant standalone fighter | One fighter | No stage or music | Not stated | Check the current store listing |
See Nintendo’s official DLC purchase page and the US Nintendo Store DLC catalog for the current listing in your region.
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Putting the listed prices into perspective
At the listed US prices, buying five individual Challenger Packs would total US$29.95, compared with US$24.99 for the original Fighters Pass. Buying six individually would total US$35.94, compared with US$29.99 for Fighters Pass Vol. 2. Those calculations describe the posted prices, not a promise that a pass is the right choice for every player. If you want only one fighter, a single pack avoids paying for the rest. If you want most or all of a pass’s lineup, the bundle price and costume bonus may be relevant.
Sales, regional pricing, taxes and changes to Nintendo’s catalog can alter the final amount. Treat the figures as a snapshot of the listed US offers and verify the checkout total before purchasing.
When an individual pack makes sense
Choose an individual Challenger Pack when you want one particular fighter and its associated stage and music, or when you do not want to commit to the complete set of a pass. At the listed US prices, five separate US$5.99 packs would total more than the original pass price, but the arithmetic alone does not establish that a pass is better for every player. A pass includes packs you may not want, so your decision should depend on which fighters and stages you actually intend to use.
When a pass makes sense
A pass is the all-in option for its covered group: the first pass contains five Challenger Packs, while Vol. 2 contains six. It also includes its listed Mii Fighter costume bonus. Check the pack lineup before buying; a pass does not let you select only one fighter at a reduced commitment, and it does not replace the base game.
What free software updates do
Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate update history records changes such as balance adjustments, gameplay fixes and features. Those changes apply to the game software rather than functioning as a store purchase.
Updates can accompany DLC without including it
A release can involve both a free update and a paid content drop. The update may prepare the software, change shared game systems or correct issues, while the fighter, stage and music remain locked until the associated DLC is purchased. Nintendo’s wording that DLC is “usable after purchase” is important: the update and the entitlement are related operationally, but they are not interchangeable.
Updates are required for shared play
Nintendo’s update instructions state that players must use the same software version to play together. If one console is behind, updating can be necessary even when nobody in the group has purchased a new fighter. This requirement concerns the installed game version, not ownership of every downloadable character.
That same-version rule explains why a player can be asked to update before an online session despite having no interest in DLC. The update is about compatibility between installations. It does not silently add the paid roster to every account.
Version 13.0.5: the latest listed update
As of Nintendo’s update instructions checked October 13, 2026, the latest listed version is 13.0.5, released September 1, 2026. Nintendo describes its listed change as fixing behavior that occurs when invalid data is sent or received in online battles.
Version 13.0.5 is a software update example, not a newly announced fighter pack. The cited update description does not say that it adds a fighter, stage or music. Nintendo’s DLC catalog continues to identify Challenger Packs and Fighters Passes as purchasable content.
Before updating, consider saved replays. Nintendo warns that replay compatibility can be affected by software updates, so check the current guidance on the How to Update instructions if preserving older replays matters to you.
What you need before buying or using DLC
The base game is required
Nintendo’s product listing specifies that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate software is required to use its DLC. A Challenger Pack or Fighters Pass is an add-on, not a standalone copy of the game. If you do not own the game, obtain the base software first; a physical edition is one legitimate way to do that, while the DLC remains a separate Nintendo purchase.
Check the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate product listing for the base-game edition available in your market.
Budget for regional pricing
The figures above are US prices from Nintendo’s official listings: US$24.99 for Fighters Pass, US$29.99 for Fighters Pass Vol. 2 and US$5.99 for an individual Challenger Pack. They are not universal prices or permanent guarantees. Your local Nintendo eShop may show a different currency, tax treatment, promotion or availability. Confirm the final amount on your own store before checkout.
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Keep the game version current
Even if you purchase DLC, the console must run a compatible software version. Matching versions are required for players who want to play together. Updating the game is free; purchasing a pack or pass is what grants the paid content.
How to tell whether you are looking at DLC or an update
Use the following checks when a store notice or game message is unclear:
- Look for purchase language. “Challenger Pack,” “Fighters Pass,” a listed price or “after purchase” indicates downloadable content rather than a free patch.
- Check the contents. One fighter plus a stage and music points to a Challenger Pack. A group of five or six packs points to a Fighters Pass. A fighter-only listing may be Piranha Plant.
- Read the update notes. Balance changes, fixes, feature changes, online behavior fixes and version numbers describe the software update.
- Separate installation from entitlement. Downloading a version may install common software for everyone, but only the account that owns the relevant DLC can use the paid fighter content under Nintendo’s licensing rules.
- Verify the base game. DLC cannot substitute for the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate software itself.
If purchased DLC does not appear
Nintendo provides a dedicated troubleshooting page for DLC that is missing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Its guidance includes checking both system and game update status. Start with these practical checks:
- Confirm that the purchase was made for the Nintendo account you are using.
- Confirm that the base game is installed and that its software is up to date.
- Check the console’s system update status.
- Review Nintendo’s DLC-is-not-appearing troubleshooting article for the current recovery steps.
Do not buy the pack again until you have verified the purchasing account and followed Nintendo’s troubleshooting guidance. A missing fighter after an update is not evidence that the update removed your entitlement.
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- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. game
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
Console sharing: what Nintendo’s support article says
Nintendo’s DLC support article says that when DLC is purchased by one player on a console, it is also available to other players on that console under its virtual game card arrangement. This is a console-sharing statement. It should not be expanded into a blanket promise about every account configuration, other consoles or unrestricted transfer of ownership.
For the exact account and virtual game card conditions that apply to your setup, use Nintendo’s What DLC Is Available? support page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common questions answered without the marketing confusion
Do I have to buy a Fighters Pass to get a new character?
No. Nintendo lists individual Challenger Packs at US$5.99 each on its US purchase page. A Fighters Pass is optional; it bundles the packs covered by that pass.
Does a free update unlock every fighter?
No. Free updates alter the software. Paid fighter access is tied to a Challenger Pack, Fighters Pass or the separately listed Piranha Plant purchase.
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Does every Challenger Pack contain a stage?
Nintendo’s standard Challenger Pack description includes one fighter, one stage and music. Piranha Plant is the standalone exception and does not include a stage or music.
Can I play online after updating without buying DLC?
Updating and buying DLC are separate decisions. Nintendo requires players who play together to use the same software version, but the update itself does not grant ownership of paid fighters.
Is version 13.0.5 a fighter release?
No. Nintendo’s September 1, 2026 description for version 13.0.5 identifies a fix for invalid data behavior in online battles. It does not list a new fighter, stage or music pack.
A simple buying decision
If you already own the base game, decide in this order:
- Pick the content you want. If one fighter and its stage and music are enough, compare that individual Challenger Pack with the full lineup.
- Check whether you want most of a pass. The original Fighters Pass covers five packs; Vol. 2 covers six. A pass is a commitment to the entire group, not a custom single-character selection.
- Include the bonus costume in your calculation. The first pass lists a Rex Mii Fighter costume, and Vol. 2 lists an Ancient Soldier Mii Fighter costume.
- Confirm your region’s price. Use the Nintendo eShop or the regional Nintendo store page immediately before purchase.
- Keep updates separate in your expectations. Install free updates for fixes, features and compatibility, but do not expect them to replace a DLC purchase.
The shortest accurate summary is: updates keep the game current; DLC expands the content your account owns.
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![Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Fighters Pass Vol. 2 - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513xrBEbo0L._SL160_.jpg)
- Challenger Pack 6 includes Min Min as a playable fighter, their stage, and a selection of music
- Challenger Pack 7 includes Steve & Alex as a playable fighter, their stage, and a selection of music
- Challenger Pack 8 includes Sephiroth as a playable fighter, their stage, and a selection of music
- Challenger Pack 9 includes Pyra/Mythra as a playable fighter, their stage, and a selection of music
- Challenger Pack 10 includes Kazuya Mishimia as a playable fighter, their stage and a selection of music
Frequently Asked Questions
Do free Smash Ultimate updates give me new fighters?
No. Free updates change the game software, while fighter access comes from buying the relevant Challenger Pack, Fighters Pass or standalone Piranha Plant DLC.
What is included in a Challenger Pack?
Nintendo describes a standard Challenger Pack as one fighter, one associated stage and music. Piranha Plant is sold separately and includes no stage or music.
Do I need a Fighters Pass to buy one character?
No. Individual Challenger Packs are listed at US$5.99 each on Nintendo’s US purchase page. A pass is optional and bundles five or six packs, depending on the pass.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat are the listed US prices for the passes?
The listed prices are US$24.99 for Fighters Pass and US$29.99 for Fighters Pass Vol. 2. Prices, taxes and availability can differ by region and change over time.
Is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate required for the DLC?
Yes. Nintendo says the base Super Smash Bros. Ultimate software is required to use its DLC.
Why do I have to update to play online if I did not buy DLC?
Nintendo requires players who play together to use the same software version. That compatibility requirement is separate from ownership of paid fighters.
What should I do if purchased DLC is missing?
Confirm the purchasing account, update the game and console, then follow Nintendo’s dedicated DLC troubleshooting guidance before buying the content again.
Can other players on my console use purchased DLC?
Nintendo’s support article says DLC purchased by one player on a console is also available to other players on that console under its virtual game card arrangement. Exact account conditions apply.
The Bottom Line
Free updates maintain and change the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate software; paid DLC expands the content your account can use. Buy a Challenger Pack for one fighter, stage and music, choose a Fighters Pass for its full group and costume bonus, and keep the base game and current software version in place.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
