Which Smash Ultimate Fighter Pass Should You Buy?

If you want every post-launch character for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, you should buy both Fighter Passes. If you’re on a budget and can only pick one, choose Fighter Pass 2—it has more newcomers (6 vs. 5), includes the most requested additions like Sora and Sephiroth, and offers more stage and music variety. Below, we break down exactly what each pass contains, how the pricing compares, and how to decide based on your playstyle.

What Each Fighter Pass Includes

Each Fighter Pass is a bundle of downloadable content (DLC) for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. When you buy a pass, you get every fighter in that wave as they release, plus each fighter’s home stage and a set of music tracks from their series. You also get a Mii Fighter costume bundle with each pass, though those are cosmetic only.

• Fighter Pass 1 – 5 fighters: Joker (Persona 5), Hero (Dragon Quest), Banjo & Kazooie (Banjo-Kazooie), Terry (Fatal Fury), and Byleth (Fire Emblem: Three Houses).
• Fighter Pass 2 – 6 fighters: Min Min (ARMS), Steve (Minecraft), Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII), Pyra/Mythra (Xenoblade Chronicles 2), Kazuya (Tekken), and Sora (Kingdom Hearts).

Each fighter is fully unique with their own moveset, Final Smash, and stage. The passes do not include any in-game currency, spirits, or other bonuses—just the fighters, stages, and music.

How Fighter Passes Work

When you buy a Fighter Pass, you pay once and automatically receive each new fighter as they are released. You don’t need to buy them individually. The passes are available through the Nintendo eShop, and they work on any Nintendo Switch console tied to your Nintendo Account. If you buy the pass, you can download each fighter as soon as they launch, and you’ll also get the accompanying stage and music tracks.

If you buy the fighters individually, you pay more overall. For example, in most regions, a single fighter costs about $5.99, while a full pass costs around $24.99–$29.99. That means the pass is roughly a 20–30% discount compared to buying each fighter separately.

Fighter Pass 1 vs. Fighter Pass 2: Which Has Better Characters?

This is subjective, but there are objective differences. Fighter Pass 1 leans heavily on third-party franchises that were long requested by fans: Joker (the first non-Nintendo fighter in the pass), Banjo & Kazooie (a Microsoft-owned character), and Terry (a classic fighting game icon). Hero and Byleth are more divisive—Hero’s RNG-based moveset is chaotic, and Byleth was seen as “another Fire Emblem character� by some.

Fighter Pass 2 includes six fighters, so you get more content for roughly the same price. It also includes Steve (from Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time), Sephiroth (one of the most iconic villains in gaming), and Sora (the most requested character in the Smash ballot). Pyra/Mythra and Kazuya are also strong additions from popular series. In terms of sheer variety and fan service, Pass 2 is generally considered the stronger value.

How to Choose Based on Your Playstyle

If you care about competitive viability or fun factor, the two passes offer very different playstyles. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Joker – Fast, combo-heavy, with a comeback mechanic (Arsene). Top-tier in competitive play.
• Hero – Unpredictable due to RNG spells. Fun casually, but frustrating in tournaments.
• Banjo & Kazooie – Zoner with projectiles and a decent recovery. Balanced and beginner-friendly.
• Terry – Rushdown character with auto-turnaround and powerful command inputs. Great for fighting game fans.
• Byleth – Slow but powerful, with a tether recovery and long-range weapons. Good for players who like spacing.

Fighter Pass 2:

• Min Min – Long-range zoner with arms that can be controlled in different directions. Unique but polarizing.
• Steve – Resource-based fighter who can mine, build, and craft. Extremely technical and powerful in the right hands.
• Sephiroth – Glass cannon with a long sword and a wing that powers up at high damage. High skill ceiling.
• Pyra/Mythra – A stance character: Pyra is slow and strong, Mythra is fast and combo-oriented. Very versatile.
• Kazuya – A traditional fighting game character with complex inputs and super armor. Hard to master but devastating.
• Sora – Floaty, with multiple jumps and magic spells. Beginner-friendly but with depth.

If you prefer fast, technical characters, Pass 2 has more of them. If you like classic Nintendo and retro picks, Pass 1 might appeal more.

Cost and Value Comparison

In the US, each Fighter Pass is priced at $29.99. Individually, each fighter costs $5.99, so a 5-fighter pass would cost $29.95 if bought separately—essentially the same. A 6-fighter pass would cost $35.94 individually, so the pass saves you about $6. In other regions, the pricing may vary, but the pass always offers a slight discount over individual purchases.

If you buy both passes, you get 11 fighters total for $59.98. That’s less than the cost of a new game. Considering the amount of content (stages, music, spirits), it’s one of the best value DLC packs in fighting game history.

Common Misconceptions

One common misconception is that you need to buy the Fighter Pass to get the characters. That’s false—you can buy each fighter individually. Another is that the passes include Piranha Plant. They don’t—Piranha Plant was a pre-order bonus, and it’s now sold separately. Also, the passes do not include any “exclusive� content beyond the Mii costumes; you get the same fighters and stages whether you buy the pass or individual DLC.

Another misconception is that the passes are region-locked. They aren’t—you can buy a pass from any region’s eShop and use it on your account, but you’ll need to match the region of your game cartridge or digital copy. In practice, it’s easiest to buy from the same region as your Nintendo Account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy both Fighter Passes to get all characters?

Yes, if you want all 11 DLC fighters, you need both passes. Each pass contains a distinct set of fighters, and there is no overlap. You can buy them separately or together—there’s no bundle discount for buying both at once, but you can save a little compared to individual purchases.

Can I buy a single fighter from a pass without buying the whole pass?

Yes, each fighter is available for individual purchase on the eShop. This is a good option if you only want one or two characters. However, you’ll miss out on the stage and music that come with the pass, and you’ll pay more per fighter if you buy several.

Which Fighter Pass has the best characters for competitive play?

Fighter Pass 2 is generally considered stronger for competitive play because it includes Joker (though he’s in Pass 1), Steve, Sephiroth, and Pyra/Mythra—all of whom have been top-tier at various points. Pass 1 has Joker, who is also top-tier, but the rest of the roster is more casual-friendly.

Are the Mii costumes worth it?

The Mii costumes are cosmetic and don’t affect gameplay. They’re a nice bonus if you like dressing up your Mii fighters, but they’re not a reason to buy the pass. You can also buy many of them separately, though some are exclusive to the pass.

Will there be a Fighter Pass 3?

As of the last update, Nintendo has confirmed that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s DLC is complete. There are no plans for a third Fighter Pass, and the game is no longer receiving new fighters. The two existing passes are the only ones you can buy.

What happens if I buy the pass after some fighters are already released?

You’ll get all fighters in that pass immediately, including the ones already out. You don’t need to have bought the pass earlier to get them. The pass simply unlocks all content in that wave.

Final Verdict

If you can afford it, buy both passes—you get 11 unique fighters, 11 stages, and dozens of music tracks for about the price of two new games. If you must choose one, go with Fighter Pass 2 for the extra fighter, the iconic characters, and the higher overall value. But if you’re a fan of Joker or Banjo-Kazooie, Pass 1 is still a solid purchase. Either way, you’re getting quality content that extends the life of the game significantly.

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