Smash Bros. Ultimate version 4.0 updates and character balances detailed

4.0 patch adds Online Tournament mode and video editing features

Nintendo has released the full balance changes and patch notes for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s version 4.0 update.

Version 4.0 adds a new Adventure Mode ‘very easy’ difficulty, the ability to predict the winner in Spectator Mode, an Online Tournament mode, video editing features and more. You can watch the new features in action in Tuesday’s video.

In terms of character balancing, the update buffs Charizard and Ridley significantly.

Because this update will include fighter adjustments, it’s warned that replay data from previous versions will be incompatible.

The update arrives alongside Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Hero character DLC, which is available individually for $5.99 USD / £5.39, or as part of the Fighters Pass.

The third DLC fighter, Banjo-Kazooie, will then arrive in the fall.

Banjo-Kazooie creators Grant Kirkhope, Steve Mayles and Chris Sutherland spoke to VGC about the characters’ additions in a recent interview.

Sakurai has previously spoken of his satisfaction with the result of Grant Kirkhope’s Smash Bros. music.

Smash Bros Ultimate Vers. 4.0

Fighter	Move	Change
Common for All Fighters Using Shields (Link, Young Link, Toon Link, Hero)	Basic Movements	Characters who carry shields can now shieldstun shuffle when blocking a projectile with their shield.
All Fighters	FS Meter	Once the FS Meter is fully charged, the Final Smash must be used within 20 seconds or the FS Meter will reset. Note: This change will not affect Spirits mode.
All Fighters	—	The max combo count in Training will stop counting when the opponent can move
All Fighters	Item Attack	Shortened the distance opponents can hitstun shuffle when attacked by the Daybreak item.
All Fighters	Item Attack	A fighter on the ground will now be launched after one hit from the Thwomp assist trophy.
Mario	Basic Movements	Adjusted the vulnerability when waking up from sleep to match other fighters.
Donkey Kong	Basic Movements	Adjusted the vulnerability when waking up from sleep to match other fighters.
Link	Basic Movements	Adjusted the vulnerability when waking up from sleep to match other fighters.
Link	Up Special	Shortened launch distance when the full combo doesn’t connect.
Samus	Basic Movements	Adjusted the vulnerability when waking up from sleep to match other fighters.
Samus	Up Smash Attack	Shortened launch distance when the full combo doesn’t connect.
Dark Samus	Up Smash Attack	Shortened launch distance when the full combo doesn’t connect.
Yoshi	Side Smash Attack	Reduced the range opponents will be pushed while charging.
Fox	Basic Movements	Adjusted the vulnerability when waking up from sleep to match other fighters.
Peach	Neutral Special	When blocking an attack from the rear, Toad’s counterattack will hit opponents easier.
Peach	Up Special	Shortened launch distance when the full combo doesn’t connect.
Daisy	Neutral Special	When blocking an attack from the rear, Toad’s counterattack will hit opponents easier.
Daisy	Up Special	Shortened launch distance when the full combo doesn’t connect.
Bowser	Down Air Attack	Immediately descend when using the attack after being launched.
Sheik	Down Air Attack	Immediately descend when using the attack after being launched.
Mewtwo	Basic Movements	Reduced the area of the tail that can take damage.
Mewtwo	Up Smash Attack	Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts. Extended launch distance.
Mewtwo	Down Smash Attack	Reduced vulnerability.
Mewtwo	Backward Throw	Increased power.
Mewtwo	Side Special	Increased attack speed. Increased the speed to reflect projectiles.
Mr. Game & Watch	Down Air Attack	Immediately descend when using the attack after being launched.
Pit	Neutral Attack 1	Increased attack speed.
Pit	Up Tilt Attack	Reduced vulnerability.
Pit	Down Smash Attack	Extended launch distance when hit with the first attack.
Pit	Back Air Attack	Reduced vulnerability when landing after using the move.
Pit	Down Air Attack	Extended launch distance when hitting an opponent in the air with a meteor effect.
Dark Pit	Neutral Attack 1	Increased attack speed.
Dark Pit	Up Tilt Attack	Reduced vulnerability.
Dark Pit	Down Smash Attack	Extended launch distance when hit with the first attack.
Dark Pit	Back Air Attack	Reduced vulnerability when landing after using the move.
Dark Pit	Down Air Attack	Extended launch distance when hitting an opponent in the air with a meteor effect.
Zero Suit Samus	Down Air Attack	Immediately descend when using the attack after being launched.
Snake	Basic Movements	Adjusted the vulnerability when waking up from sleep to match other fighters.
Pokémon Trainer	Other	The invincibility time for grabbing edges is no longer shortened when performing a Pokémon Change in the air and then grabbing an edge.
Ivysaur	Down Air Attack	Reduced the range of the strong launching attack. Shortened the launch distance when the weak launching attack hits.
Ivysaur	Side Special	Reduced attack speed and increased vulnerability.
Ivysaur	Up Special	Shortened launch distance for the high-damage range when using the attack in the air.
Charizard	Side Tilt Attack	Extended launch distance when hit in the high-damage range.
Charizard	Side Smash Attack	Increased power. Extended launch distance.
Charizard	Up Smash Attack	Shortened launch distance when the full combo doesn’t connect.
Charizard	Neutral Air Attack	Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts. Reduced vulnerability when landing after using the move.
Charizard	Forward Throw	Extended launch distance.
Charizard	Side Special	Increased the speed of the edge-grab timing.
Lucas	Dash Attack	Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts.
Lucas	Side Tilt Attack	Increased the range at the beginning of the move. Extended launch distance when hit in the high-damage range.
Lucas	Up Smash Attack	Extended the invincibility time at the start of the move.
Lucas	Up Air Attack	Reduced vulnerability.
Lucas	Side Special	Reduced vulnerability when landing after using the move.
Sonic	Down Air Attack	Immediately descend when using the attack after being launched.
Olimar	Side Smash Attack	Increased the distance for Purple Pikmin. Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts for Purple Pikmin.
R.O.B.	Neutral Attack 1	Reduced the amount of time opponents will be in the damage animation when hit with the tip’s attack range.
Toon Link	Down Air Attack	Immediately descend when using the attack after being launched.
Villager	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Rosalina & Luma	Basic Movements	Rosalina can be more easily grabbed from the front when walking, crouching, and shielding when Luma is following.
Rosalina & Luma	Neutral Attack 1	Luma will be in front when reversing the attack.
Rosalina & Luma	Side Smash Attack	Luma will be in front when reversing the attack.
Rosalina & Luma	Up Smash Attack	Luma will be in front when reversing the attack.
Greninja	Down Air Attack	Immediately descend when using the attack after being launched.
Little Mac	Neutral Attack 3	Depending on the timing of continuing from neutral attack 2 to neutral attack 3, neutral attack 3 will no longer decrease vulnerability.
Mii Brawler	Basic Movements	Reverted falling speed to match version 3.0.0.
Mii Brawler	Neutral Special 2	Increased attack speed. Extended launch distance.
Mii Brawler	Up Special 1	Extended launch distance.
Mii Swordfighter	Neutral Special 3	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Mii Gunner	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times. Shortened launch distance when the full combo doesn’t connect.
PAC-MAN	Neutral Special	Will no longer drop the Bonus Fruit while charging the neutral special even if flipped left or right with attacks like Mario’s side special.
Ryu	Basic Movements	The attack after a perfect shield will be unleashed after facing the opponent.
Ken	Basic Movements	The attack after a perfect shield will be unleashed after facing the opponent.
Corrin	Side Smash Attack	Extended launch distance.
Corrin	Down Air Attack	Immediately descend when using the attack after being launched.
Corrin	Side Special	Reduced vulnerability when jumping after stabbing the ground.
Corrin	Up Special	Extended vertical and horizontal distance.
Bayonetta	Down Air Attack	Immediately descend when using the attack after being launched.
Ridley	Up Smash Attack	Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts. Extended launch distance.
Ridley	Back Air Attack	Increased power.
Ridley	Up Air Attack	Increased the high-damage range. Made easier to hit the high-damage range.
Ridley	Dash Attack	Increased attack range.
Ridley	Side Special	Reduced vulnerability when jumping after grabbing an opponent. Extended launch distance when throwing an opponent at the edge.
Ridley	Up Special	Increased attack speed. Increased movement speed.
Simon	Down Air Attack	Immediately descend when using the attack after being launched.
Richter	Down Air Attack	Immediately descend when using the attack after being launched.
Isabelle	Basic Movements	Extended distance of forward and backward dodging.
Isabelle	Neutral Attack 1	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Isabelle	Up Smash Attack	Extended launch distance.
Isabelle	Side Special	Extended launch distance of upward throws. Increased the speed of the grab detection.
Isabelle	Down Special	Increased attack speed of the Lloid attack.
Piranha Plant	Dash Attack	Adjusted launch angle.
Piranha Plant	Up Tilt Attack	Reduced vulnerability.
Piranha Plant	Side Special	Capped the attack-power increase when repeatedly reflected. Increased attack speed. Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts.
Piranha Plant	Down Special	Reduced vulnerability. Increased the power against shields. Shortened the charge time until reaching max charge.
Joker	Down Special	While Arsene is summoned, projectiles that deal 50% or more damage cannot be reflected.