Sometimes you have an XCI but need an NSP for DLC or update compatibility. Tools like NS-USBloader and SAK (Switch Army Knife) allow conversion.

Step-by-step (for legal backups only):

This process is not for beginners. Most users simply download the format they need rather than converting.

The defining feature of Ultimate is its roster of 89 fighters (including DLC). Every veteran from previous Smash games returns, from Melee’s Mewtwo to Smash 4’s Cloud Strife. Newcomers range from the obvious (Inkling from Splatoon) to the shocking (Ridley from Metroid, long deemed “too big” by fans), to the impossible (Joker from Persona 5, Banjo-Kazooie, and Sora from Kingdom Hearts). Each fighter is faithfully recreated: Hero’s command menu, Terry’s fighting-game super meter, Steve’s mining and crafting from Minecraft. No other game has ever hosted such a diverse, licensed cast.

The DLC packs, known as Fighters Pass Vol. 1 and 2, turned Ultimate into a live-service event. Every new character announcement broke Twitter, fueled speculation, and often defied expectations. Sakurai’s “Mr. Sakurai Presents” streams became appointment viewing, showing obsessive care—down to the angle of Banjo’s backpack strap or the sound of Sephiroth’s footsteps. This post-launch support extended the game’s lifespan to nearly three years, culminating in Sora’s release in October 2021.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate revitalized the competitive fighting game community. It replaced Melee as the main event at many tournaments, though Melee retains a dedicated following. With online play via Nintendo Switch Online (imperfect, but functional), global rankings, and major circuits like the Smash World Tour and Panda Cup, Ultimate achieved an eSports presence its predecessors never fully realized. Memorable moments—MkLeo’s comeback at Evo 2019, Sparg0’s explosive rise, and the “Homecoming” tournament for HBox—cemented its place in FGC history.

Beyond competition, Ultimate serves as a digital archive. The game’s music library includes over 1,000 tracks, from 8-bit chiptunes to orchestral remixes. Each stage is a diorama of a classic game, with cameos, stage hazards, and background characters that spark nostalgia. For a child born in 2010, Ultimate might be their first exposure to Ice Climber, Duck Hunt, or even Fatal Fury. That cultural transmission is invaluable.

The game lives up to its name by featuring every single fighter from previous Super Smash Bros. games.

Because the XCI is large (14GB base + 7GB update = 21GB merged), Windows will struggle with page filing.