Classic Mode

Learn how to navigate Classic Mode in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, from understanding intensity and high scores to managing gold and classic tickets for optimal rewards.

Classic Mode is a campaign mode for up to two players in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, found under Games & More → Classic Mode. You select a fighter and face 6 rounds of Smash battles, a bonus game, and a final boss. Each fighter has a unique route with themed battles. You start each route with 0% damage and one stock, aiming for a high score and maximum intensity.

Intensity

Intensity determines the difficulty of opponents. You can start a route with an intensity between 0.0 and 5.0. Defeating opponents quickly and maintaining a high health percentage increases intensity after each round. A "Nice Play!" notification signifies a significant intensity boost. Starting at 5.0 intensity grants a better high score and increases the chance of reaching the maximum 9.9 intensity by the final round. Finishing with high intensity provides bragging rights, better rewards, and reveals more of the mural artwork. Continuing a fight with gold or classic tickets can impact intensity.

Gold & Classic Tickets

Gold or classic tickets can be used to continue a fight if defeated, restoring your health while retaining damage dealt to the opponent. Using gold results in an instant drop in intensity and score. Classic tickets do not decrease intensity but lower your score and reduce subsequent intensity gains. Using either gold or a classic ticket makes achieving 9.9 intensity impossible, capping it at 9.8. If you enter a round at 9.8 intensity after using gold or a ticket, you won't gain further intensity. However, using a classic ticket at 9.9 intensity will maintain the 9.9 level.

High Score

Intensity and score are related but distinct. A fighter with a lower final intensity can achieve a higher score than one with 9.9 intensity. Intensity increases contribute to your score, but other factors are crucial. Achieving a "Perfect!" bonus (no damage taken), excelling in the bonus game (especially with a perfect bonus for finding all orbs), and dealing significant damage to opponents all boost your score. The mural bonus, awarded when intensity increases, also contributes. Points cap at 999,990 when intensity reaches 9.9. To optimize your score, balance defeating opponents quickly with conserving health for intensity bonuses, while also ensuring you deal enough damage to increase your score. Reaching 9.9 intensity before the boss may mean you're increasing it too rapidly. Aiming for an optimized high score increases overall risk and difficulty.

Your fighter's high score is displayed on the fighter select screen. It shows your highest score achieved with that fighter, the costume used, and your Global Smash Power (GSP). The "No.1 High score" indicates your highest score across all fighters, and "Total High Score" is the sum of all your fighters' high scores.

GSP

Global Smash Power (GSP) is an inverted ranking system indicating how many other users' scores you surpass. You start with 1 GSP in the first round and gain GSP by performing well. GSP is calculated by comparing your fighter's high score against all other users' high scores for that fighter. Your GSP can fluctuate even if your high score remains unchanged as the community's scores improve. For example, a GSP of 7,239,169 means your score is better than 7,239,168 other scores.

Credits

After viewing the final results screen, a scrolling shooter minigame within the credits allows you to earn bonus rewards and set a high score by shooting names with a Nintendo Scope or Super Scope. Each hit increases your score and the blue bar.