Unexpected Update: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Receives First Patch in Over a Year
Nintendo has surprised the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate community with a fresh update for the fan-favorite platform fighter. The game has been officially bumped to Version 13.0.5, marking the first time the title has received a patch since June of last year.
While the update is minor in scope, it addresses a specific technical concern within the game’s infrastructure. According to the official patch notes released on September 1, 2026, the update focuses on security and stability for online play, specifically targeting “behavior that occurs when invalid data is sent or received in online battles.”
Important Warning for Replays
As is standard practice for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate updates, players should be aware that installing this patch may impact the compatibility of saved replays.
Nintendo has noted that replays saved from versions 9.0.0 through 13.0.4 may face compatibility issues following the update. Replays from version 8.1.0 or earlier are officially incompatible. For those looking to preserve their best matches, the developer advises converting them into video files before applying the patch. This can be done by navigating to Vault → Replays → Replay Data → Convert to Video.
A Week of Nintendo Updates
This latest patch for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate arrives during a busy week for Nintendo’s legacy library on the Switch. The company has also rolled out updates for other major titles, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Pikmin 3 Deluxe, which have recently received free performance enhancements optimized for the Switch 2.
Fans are encouraged to check their systems to ensure the update has been applied, as connectivity for online modes will eventually require the latest version of the software. You can find the full patch notes on the official Nintendo support page.
Have you jumped back into the arena since the update? Did you notice any improvements to your online experience? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
