Unlockables Guide

Welcome, aspiring Smash Master! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various methods to unlock the full roster of fighters and the hidden stage in the original Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64. Get ready to expand your options and dominate the competition!

Unlocking Fighters

In Super Smash Bros. (N64), there are four secret characters to unlock. Each has a specific condition that must be met. Unlike later titles, there are no complex adventure modes or extensive challenges; the unlock methods are straightforward and tied directly to playing the game's core modes.

Unlockable Character List and Conditions

Here's a detailed breakdown of how to add each hidden fighter to your roster:

Character	Unlock Condition	Strategy Tips
Jigglypuff	Complete any mode (1P Game, Training, Bonus Games) once.	This is typically the first character players unlock. Simply play through the 1P Game (Classic Mode) with any starting character, regardless of difficulty or lives. Even just starting and quitting a 1P Game, or playing a few minutes of Training Mode, can sometimes trigger the unlock. Actionable Step: Select your favorite starting character (e.g., Mario) and complete the 1P Game on any difficulty. You'll face Jigglypuff as a challenger after the credits roll.
Captain Falcon	Complete the 1P Game within 20 minutes on any difficulty setting, without continuing.	Time Management: The key here is speed. Focus on defeating opponents quickly. Don't spend too much time on bonus stages if you're struggling. Character Choice: Choose a character you are proficient with, who has strong, fast attacks. Fox, Kirby, or Pikachu are good choices due to their speed and recovery. Difficulty: Play on "Very Easy" difficulty to make battles quicker. Lives: You can set lives to 1 to speed up matches, but be careful not to lose. No Continues: If you lose all your lives and use a continue, you will fail the condition. You must restart the 1P Game from the beginning. Actionable Step: Start a 1P Game on "Very Easy" with Fox. Rush through each opponent, aiming for quick KOs. Skip or quickly complete bonus stages.
Ness	Complete the 1P Game on Normal difficulty with 3 lives or less, without continuing.	Difficulty & Lives: This condition requires a bit more skill. "Normal" difficulty means opponents will be more challenging. Limiting yourself to 3 lives means you have less room for error. Character Choice: Pick a character with good recovery and reliable KO moves. Link, Samus, or Mario are solid choices. Survival: Focus on staying alive and avoiding unnecessary damage. Use your character's recovery moves effectively. No Continues: Like Captain Falcon, using a continue will invalidate the unlock condition. Strategy: Practice the 1P Game on Normal difficulty first to get a feel for the opponents. Once you're confident, attempt the run with 3 lives. Actionable Step: Select Link and start a 1P Game on "Normal" difficulty with 3 lives. Prioritize survival and use Link's projectiles and strong attacks to secure KOs.
Luigi	Complete the "Break the Targets" bonus stage with all 8 starting characters.	Specific Mode: This unlock is tied to the "Bonus Games" section, specifically "Break the Targets." All Characters: You must successfully complete the target-breaking stage for each of the original 8 characters: Mario, Donkey Kong, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Kirby, Fox, and Pikachu. Completion, Not Score: You don't need to achieve a specific time or high score, just successfully break all 10 targets for each character. Character-Specific Stages: Each character has a unique "Break the Targets" stage designed around their abilities. Some are easier than others. Practice: If you struggle with a particular character's stage, practice it until you find the optimal route and techniques. Actionable Step: Go to "Bonus Games" -> "Break the Targets." Select Mario, complete his stage. Then repeat for Donkey Kong, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Kirby, Fox, and Pikachu. Luigi will challenge you after the eighth completion.

Challenger Approach and Rematches

Once you meet the conditions for an unlockable character, a "Challenger Approaching" message will appear, and you'll immediately enter a one-on-one battle against that character. You must defeat them to add them to your roster.

If You Lose: Don't worry! If you lose to an approaching challenger, they will reappear. Simply play a few more Versus Mode matches (usually 2-5 matches) or complete another 1P Game run, and they will challenge you again.
Difficulty: Challenger battles are usually on a slightly higher difficulty than what you might be playing in 1P Game, so be prepared for a fight.

Unlocking Stages

Unlike later Smash Bros. titles with numerous unlockable stages, the original N64 game features only one hidden stage.

Mushroom Kingdom (Past)

This stage is a retro-themed version of the original Super Mario Bros. world, complete with pipes, blocks, and classic enemies.

Unlock Condition: Complete the 1P Game with all 8 starting characters.
Strategy:
1. Select Mario and complete the 1P Game (any difficulty, any number of lives, continues are allowed).
2. Repeat this process for Donkey Kong, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Kirby, Fox, and Pikachu.
3. You do not need to meet any specific time or life conditions for these runs, just complete the game with each character.
Verification: After completing the 1P Game with the eighth unique starting character, the Mushroom Kingdom (Past) stage will become available in Versus Mode. You'll see a notification on the screen confirming its unlock.
Actionable Step: Systematically play through the 1P Game with each of the initial 8 characters. You can do this on "Very Easy" difficulty to make it a quick process.

Other Unlockables

The original Super Smash Bros. on N64 is a more focused experience compared to its successors. Beyond the four characters and one stage, there are no other significant unlockables like trophies, music, or Mii costumes. The game focuses purely on expanding your roster and battlegrounds.

Sound Test: While not an unlockable in the traditional sense, the "Sound Test" option becomes available in the "Option" menu once you have unlocked all four secret characters. This allows you to listen to all the game's music and sound effects.

By diligently following these straightforward strategies, you'll soon have a fully fleshed-out roster and all available battlegrounds to enjoy in Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64. Happy Smashing!