Smash Ultimate Fighter Pass 1: Your Ultimate Guide to Unlocking Every Fighter & Maximizing Value
Ever felt overwhelmed scrolling through the DLC roster in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, wondering which fighters are worth your hard-earned cash — and which ones you can skip? You’re not alone. With Smash Ultimate Fighter Pass 1, Nintendo delivered not just six new fighters, but six entirely new battle experiences — each packed with stages, music, spirits, and gameplay depth that reshaped the competitive and casual landscape. Whether you’re a tournament grinder or a weekend brawler, this Fighter Pass isn’t just an add-on — it’s a transformation of the game’s DNA.
Released alongside the base game in late 2018 and concluded in late 2019, Fighter Pass Vol. 1 (commonly called Smash Ultimate Fighter Pass 1) was the first major DLC offering for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Priced at $24.99, it granted access to six Challenger Packs, each introducing a new playable character, stage, music tracks, and spirits. But beyond the price tag and packaging, what truly mattered was who showed up — and how they changed the meta.
What’s Inside the Smash Ultimate Fighter Pass 1?
Each Challenger Pack followed a consistent structure:
- One new fighter — often from a franchise not previously represented in Smash.
- One new stage — usually themed to the fighter’s origin.
- Multiple music tracks — remixes and originals from the character’s home series.
- A batch of spirits — collectible character art with gameplay modifiers.
The six fighters included:
- Piranha Plant (Nintendo) — Originally a bonus for early Switch Online users, later added to the pass.
- Joker (Persona 5) — The breakout star whose Rebellion Gauge mechanic rewrote neutral game theory.
- Hero (Dragon Quest) — Four interchangeable heroes with RNG-based special moves.
- Banjo & Kazooie (Rare) — A nostalgic duo whose inclusion sparked fan campaigns for years.
- Terry Bogard (SNK’s Fatal Fury / King of Fighters) — A true arcade fighter with cancelable normals and special inputs.
- Byleth (Fire Emblem: Three Houses) — Long-range weapon specialist with unique directional specials.
Each character didn’t just join the roster — they redefined it.
Why Fighter Pass 1 Was a Game-Changer
Before Smash Ultimate Fighter Pass 1, DLC in Smash games was sparse and often limited to legacy characters. Vol. 1 flipped the script by introducing third-party icons and genre-defining mechanics.
Take Joker, for example. His inclusion wasn’t just about fan service — it was a mechanical revolution. His “Rebellion Gauge” builds as he takes and deals damage, unlocking a powered-up state with enhanced moves and a devastating Final Smash. This forced players to rethink spacing, aggression, and risk-reward balance. In competitive circles, Joker quickly rose to top-tier status, dominating tournaments in 2019 and 2020. His presence alone justified the entire pass for many players.
Then there’s Hero, whose special moves pull from a pool of randomized spells — some devastating, others duds. This introduced unpredictability into a game known for frame-perfect execution. High-level players learned to adapt, baiting out weak spells or punishing recovery attempts. Meanwhile, casual players loved the thrill of landing a “Kazing” (revival spell) or “Kaboom” (screen-filling explosion).
Terry Bogard brought authentic arcade fighter DNA to Smash. With wavedashes, special move cancels, and command inputs (like ↓↘→ + attack for his signature Power Wave), he felt like he teleported straight out of The King of Fighters ‘98. His inclusion signaled Nintendo’s willingness to embrace complex, technical fighters — not just mascot characters.
Case Study: Banjo & Kazooie — The Power of Fan Demand
Few inclusions in Smash Ultimate Fighter Pass 1 carried as much emotional weight as Banjo & Kazooie. After Microsoft acquired Rare in 2002, fans assumed the bear-and-bird duo were lost to licensing limbo. Yet here they were — rendered in stunning HD, with animations faithful to Banjo-Kazooie (1998) and Banjo-Tooie (2000).
Their moveset? A love letter to N64-era platforming. Egg Firing (neutral B), Shock Spring Jump (up B), and Wonderwing (down B — an invincible dash with limited uses) all mirrored their classic abilities. Even their Final Smash, “The Mighty Jinjonator,” summoned Jinjos to pummel opponents — a direct nod to collecting Jinjos in the original games.
The impact? Immediate. Social media exploded. Speedrunners revisited old Rare titles. And Microsoft, seeing the goodwill, greenlit Banjo-Kazooie as an Xbox Game Pass title shortly after. This wasn’t just DLC — it was cultural resurrection.
Is Smash Ultimate Fighter Pass 1 Still Worth It in 2024?
Absolutely — and here’s why.
First, all six fighters remain viable in competitive play. Joker and Byleth are still tournament staples. Hero’s RNG keeps matches fresh. Terry’s frame data holds up against modern metas. Even Piranha Plant — often dismissed as “gimmicky” — has a fiercely loyal player base that exploits its