[Top 20] Smash Ultimate Best Mods You Should Know About

Smash Ultimate Mods
Updated:
18 Dec 2024

Smash Ultimate is one of my favorite games of all time, and has so much to offer. However, there is a limit to how much Nintendo can feasibly include, and that is where the brilliant work of the modding community comes into play. From new skins for preexisting fighters, to cosmetic or mechanical fixes, to even entirely new stages or fighters, the modding community has so much to offer in order to keep Ultimate fresh. Here’s our picks for the top 20 best mods to install for Smash Ultimate.

 

#20: SSS and CSS Ordered by Party x Series Introduction, by Devory

Image
image
A new spin on a well-worn menu

Some mods may revolutionize the way the game is played, but sometimes all you need is a quality of life improvement that Nintendo didn’t include. This mod alters the character and stage selection screens to be ordered by when each series entered the roster, and groups up characters and stages by series. This is just a nice improvement to keep things a bit more organized, as the original layout may feel a bit too chaotic.

  • Organizes first-party series by when they were added to Smash, followed by third party series.
  • Makes it much easier to find certain stages as long as you know which franchise they belong to.
  • Though not game changing, you’ve got no reason not to include this mod on your list.

Get the mod Here

 

#19: Dry Bowser, by JoeTE

Image
image
As if Bowser wasn't cool enough

Many of the best mods for Ultimate are new skins that the people have been clamoring for, and though they don’t shake up the core gameplay they are a welcome addition aesthetically. The Dry Bowser mod allows the skeleton of the Koopa King to finally become playable, complete with all sorts of edits to his look. And don’t worry, these changes carry over to his Final Smash as well.

  • The mod includes the Dry Bowser skin, as well as 7 different alts of various different colors and looks.
  • Both Bowser’s Final Smash as well as the Giga Bowser boss fight now sport a more skeletal look.
  • The color of both regular and Giga Bowser’s Flame Breath have been changed from red to blue, matching up with the look of Dry Bowser’s fire from the games.

Get the mod Here

 

#18: Wonder Bowser Jr., by Sorangar

Image
image
A modern look for the Prince of the Koopas

Another cosmetic change, this mod changes not only Bowser Jr. to have his new look from Super Mario Bros. Wonder, but also changes his clown car to look like the castle version of Bowser from the same game. One of my favorite aspects of a character skin mod is the way it can change the look of several aspects of a character's kit, and this mod absolutely delivers.

  • Many of Bowser Jr.’s moves have changed to reflect Super Mario Bros. Wonder, including his Cannonballs being changed to the Hoppo enemies or his wrecking ball attacks turning to spiked disco balls.
  • His Final Smash has also been altered to reflect this change, now sporting an original darker look for Shadow Mario.
  • If you’re a fan of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, this mod is a must have.

Get the mod Here

 

#17: Mario & Luigi Combo Effects

Image
image
Good, Great, Excellent even!

This one’s pretty simple, but as a huge fan of the Mario & Luigi series this mod has quickly become one of my favorites. All it does is add the sound effect and text of landing multiple hits as seen in the RPG, but having these added on to your combos is just such a fun touch, and something I wish we could add to the base game.

  • Do a canon matchup with Mario vs Bowser, and watch as your ladder combo becomes “Excellent”.
  • You can also use this mod with someone else, and get to live out the world where they add Olimar to the Mario & Luigi world.
  • Sometimes a mod is just a fun addition to your Smash matches, and these added sound effects and text are a welcome addition.

Get the mod Here

 

#16: Demon King Ganondorf

Image
image
Some new looks for the King of Evil

Another mod that adds a new character skin to the game, but this one takes it one step further and adds 3. While Ganondorf’s Ocarina of Time look is definitely iconic, the new design he’s received in Tears of the Kingdom is excellent as well, and is a great look for the king of evil.

  • In addition to his standard appearance, Ganondorf also now has a skin as the “dehydrated” Demon King from the intro to Tears of the Kingdom, as well as his Demon King form during the second half of his bossfight.
  • The mod also includes 3 different alternate skins for his standard TOTK look, as well as an alternate skin for his two additional forms. 
  • With new voice lines brought over from Tears of the Kingdom as well as a changed sword, this visual mod is great for showcasing the different looks Ganondorf has rocked over the years.

Get the mod Here

 

#15: Ms. Game & Watch

Image
image
An alter ego to a Smash veteran

I just think this mod is adorable. Another new skin, this mod replaces Mr. Game & Watch with Ms. Game & Watch, a female fan made character with new animations for several of her moves. Mr. Game & Watch has quickly become a fan favorite character through Smash, and though she may not have reference material, it’s really fun to see a fanmade take on what another member of the Game & Watch world could look like.

  • Several of Ms. Game & Watch’s moves have had their animations changed, such as using a cat for her Back Air, becoming a witch during her Forward Smash, and even pulling out a Keyblade for her Down Air.
  • This mod is also compatible with almost any color changing mod for Mr. Game & Watch, making this mod incredibly easy to slot into your game.

Get the mod Here

 

#14: Brawl Final Destination DX, by willytheterrymain

Image
image
Complete with all the blinding lights

If you have as much nostalgia for Brawl as I do, then this mod is quite the treat. This mod adds a fully functional version of Final Destination from Brawl, complete with all the blinding space chaos happening in the background you remember from the original.

  • Not only has this stage been fully worked into Ultimate, but it also has a Battlefield version and even works during World of Light!
  • Relive the days of non-stop tripping from Brawl, as well as play on this nostalgic stage with all the newcomers of Smash Ultimate!

Get the link Here

 

#13: Funky Kong Pack, by BezBZ

Image
image
Funky Mode unlocked

The last of our skin mods, this one is incredibly iconic. After all, who hasn’t asked for Funky Kong to make an appearance in Smash? This mod may not add as much variety as the other skin packs, but with the amount of love and attention to detail included in this mod, it’s definitely a must have for any DK main.

  • The mod changes all aspects of Donkey Kong, including 8 unique Funky Kong alts, custom expressions, and even Funky Kong’s voice lines.
  • Donkey Kong’s particle effects have also changed, with the impact lines from his Down Smash having been changed to blue.

Get the link Here

 

#12: Bowser’s Castle DX, by willytheterrymain

Image
image
Get ready for a red-hot battle

Custom skins are impressive in their own right, but entirely custom stages are their own beast. This stage incorporates aspects of Bowser’s Castle from all over the Mario Universe, and lets you play on a stage with the same gravitas as the famed Koopa King.

  • The castle itself is ported from Mario Kart 8, while the throne is taken from Mario Party 4.
  • The lava behind the stage is also animated, giving this stage a more legitimate feeling.
  • Additionally, the mod comes with Omega and Battlefield versions, making this mod fit right in with the rest of Ultimate’s stages.

Get the link Here

 

#11: Punch Bowl - DKC: Tropical Freeze, by willytheterrymain

Image
image
Time to throw down in the coolest place there is

Another impressive stage mod by willytheterrymain, this mod adds one of the boss stages from Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze, one of my personal favorite platformers. Boasting an incredibly similar look to that of the original game, this stage is impressive not only for its similarities, but also the small details the creator has added to make this stage feel like a true love letter to Tropical Freeze.

  • One of 2 stage mods for Tropical Freeze made by this creator, this stage is chock full of different references to the original game.
  • Features hand painted shading and self optimized models, bearing a visually indistinguishable look to Tropical Freeze.

Get the link Here

 

#10: Character Select Preservation, by Devory

Image
image
Perfect for the runback

This is one of the mods that make you think “how is this not in the base game”. A feature from previous Smash games that did not return to Ultimate, this mod simply preserves which character you selected after each match.

  • Though resetting after each match does encourage trying out different characters, at a certain point I already know who I’m going to play.
  • This feature is not the most groundbreaking, but just having this option is why these sorts of mods exist: to give you more options.

Get the link Here

 

#9: Anything Can Crit, by Vishera

Image
image
Strongest rapid jab in history

Mad that only Hero gets the critical hit feature from RPGs? Wish that your favorite rpg character, or hell, anyone could land that famous crit? This is the mod for you.

  • This mod gives the ability to any move, and I mean any move, to have a 1 out of 8 chance to do double damage.
  • Projectiles, tilts, even throws, everything is capable of a sudden spike in damage.
  • Using this mod is perfect for injecting a bit more chaos into your games without being limited to just using Hero.

Get the link Here

 

#8: Sandbag Moveset, by mRama

Image
image
A punching bag no longer

We’ve now reached one of my favorite categories of Smash mods, the brand new character mods, and who better to start off with than the adorable Sandbag. Having being only the target of Home-Run Contest or an item, this mod grants Sandbag his own brand new moveset, including plenty of Smash homages.

  • Most of his normals aren’t too flashy, though his stubby grab range and lack of hands is very charming.
  • Where this mod really shines is with the references to Smash, such as the use of the bumper in one of his throws or getting hit with a baseball bat for his recovery.
  • There are plenty of solid character mods, but this one had enough love put into it to make it onto our list.

Get the link Here

 

#7: Vegeta moveset over lucario, by VinegarChicken

Image
image
The Saiyan Prince has joined the fight!

Our next unique fighter mod brings in Vegeta from Dragon Ball, replacing Lucario’s spot on the character select menu. Though I may not be a Dragon Ball fan, I can admit how cool it is to play as the Prince of the Saiyans in Smash, and though I’m sure there is a Goku mod out there this one was extremely high quality.

  • Vegeta is quite floaty, with a big double jump and very floaty air physics.
  • His Specials are all flashy, befitting a Dragon Ball character, shooting huge beams of energy or launching himself.
  • Finally, his Down Special allows him to go Super Saiyan, buffing all of his attacks. But if you use it again, you might go even further beyond…

Get the link Here

 

#6: Waluigi Moveset, by Challat

Image
image
The moment we've been waiting for!

The darling of every Smash Ultimate fan, and the man we’ve been begging to see added to the game for years, Waluigi makes his grand entrance into Smash with this mod. With a moveset as wacky as he is, this mod feels like an incredibly faithful recreation of what Waluigi might have officially played like in Smash, even if it’s a bit more complicated than you would expect.

  • All of Waluigi’s normals are dripping with personality, feeling super goofy and over exaggerated.
  • Shout out to his Up Air being the first ever Up Air to spike. Who else but Waluigi?
  • His Specials are where things get complicated, with a Neutral Special that throws a dice block with various different effects, or his Side Special that changes depending on whether he’s airborne or not.
  • Finally, his Down Special feels like it could be its own character, with several different inputs useful for moving all around the stage.

Get the mod Here

 

#5: Shadow the Hedgehog (Moveset), by Doctor Dark

Image
image
The Ultimate Lifeform

Sonic’s much more metal rival has also received a playable character mod, and this one is just so rad. Shadow has always seemed way cooler than Sonic in my eyes, so to see him put into Smash with much more creativity than Sonic’s legitimate moveset is a bit cathartic. Believe me, this fighter’s got some scary movement tools, and feels right at home in Smash’s roster.

  • Shadow boasts movement speed almost on par with Sonic, along with a Side and Up Special that gives him even more movement options.
  • The use of his rocket shoes in several of his moves is also quite inspired, giving him a feeling distinct from Sonic alongside his use of more magic-esk attacks.
  • To top it all off, his Neutral Special is quite similar to Wolf’s, with even less end lag. This character might be a little broken…

Get the mod Here

 

#4: Sans Moveset, by Kybbler

Image
image
Sans Undertale. Need I say more?

I mean come on. It’s Sans Undertale. Of all the custom fighters added to Smash, this one has to be my favorite in terms of just how happy it makes me. This mod gives Sans plenty of references to his infamous boss fight, as well as different aspects of his character that I was surprised to see featured. But really, this mod just makes me happy.

  • Many of his tilts and aerials feature the bones he uses during his boss fight, though this time they thankfully deal more than 1 damage.
  • Surprisingly, Sans also wields several other tools, such as his trusty trombone or even his own skull for a few attacks.
  • And of course, a Sans mod wouldn’t be complete without his Gaster Blaster, which makes this mod feel like the perfect playable version of his boss fight.

Get the mod Here

 

#3: Competitive Playable Bosses, by NemesisSSBU

Image
image
The power's in your hands now

Remember when World of Light blew all of our minds by allowing us to play as Master Hand? Well with this mod, the world truly becomes your oyster, as all the bosses that Smash Ultimate has to offer are now playable. From Rathalos to Ganon to even Galeem and Darkon, this mod says that it’s time to feel the power!

  • Play as any of the bosses featured in Ultimate, either against each other or against the standard fighters.
  • Like I’ve said before, mods are the perfect way to give players more ways to play, and this mod effectively gives the player a ton of new characters to try.
  • Though I can’t imagine how they were able to achieve it, NemesisSSBU has truly made the impossible possible with this mod.

Get the mod Here

 

#2: Super Turbo Mode version 1.2, by VinegarChicken

Image
image
They forgot to add the end lag

Ultimate feeling a bit too slow for you nowadays? The Turbo Mode mod is here to fix that issue by all but eliminating any lag that your moves might have. This mod completely changes the way the game is played, changing any character on the roster into a combo machine.

  • Instant attacks, paired with 5 additional jumps and airdodge cancelling, make each fighter extremely technical, leading to most stocks ending after 1 or 2 exchanges.
  • Several fighters have also been slightly altered to feel more ‘turbo’, such as Joker always having Arsène active or Terry always having his GO Meter ready.
  • This mod is something else, pretty much creating an entirely new game mode for Smash, though it just barely misses out on the top slot.

Get the mod Here

 

#1: CHAO5 The Unbalance Mod Returns!, by CHAO5 Development

Image
image
Unlimited Chaos

The CHAO5 mod is the ultimate mod, fitting for Smash Ultimate. Each and every character has had the properties of their moves altered to be as unbalanced and broken as possible. It doesn’t feel like its own game; it IS it’s own game. And that’s why the CHAO5 mod is our pick for the best Smash Ultimate mod, and one that you have to try,

  • A character has a spike? It’s instantaneous now. A Smash attack? Yeah, how about 0 lag, and increased hitboxes. Got a strong move? Why not, it instakills, it's time for chaos!
  • With the universal boosted movement physics and added jumps, along with unique and powerful buffs that every member of the roster has received, this mod turns Smash into a clash of titans where winning off of 1 move is more likely than not.
  • This mod is an absolute blast, and is a ton of fun both for those with 0 competitive experience as well as those who want to see Smash pushed to its absolute limit.

Get the mod Here

Ryan Photo
Gamer Since:
2005
Favorite Genre:
Strategy
Currently Playing:
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, Dungeons and Dragons