Smash Ultimate PCIndependent port guide
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Independent port guide.
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INDEPENDENT PORT GUIDE

Game versions, existing files and DLC

Updated · Covers WindowSmash v0.2.0-alpha.1 and OpenSmash runtime-c2ca705

Use 13.0.4 or 13.0.5 for OpenSmash. WindowSmash has been tried with 11.0.0 and 13.0.5 and can keep separate game versions in their own folders. Check your files against the table before building.

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Supported versions by project

Project/platform Game version What works so far
Project/platformWindowSmash Windows Game version11.0.0 and 13.0.5 What works so farNewer version reaches menus/character list with limited match testing; unpatched 1.0.0 alone does not work
Project/platformWindowSmash Mac Game version13.0.5 What works so farOpening/menus only; no full-match result
Project/platformOpenSmash Windows Game version13.0.4 and 13.0.5 recognised What works so farOnly recognised game builds pass its build check
Project/platformOpenSmash Linux Game versionBoth recognised; 13.0.4 actually tried What works so farTested on one CachyOS/NVIDIA/Wayland PC

WindowSmash’s 13.0.5 build has less match testing than 11.0.0. Use a compatible update with the base game: unpatched 1.0.0 alone will not work. OpenSmash stops the build if it cannot recognise the game version.

For OpenSmash, check game_version in the install location’s state.json and the version printed in the run log. For WindowSmash, check the selected version folder’s version.txt and the launcher selection.

Check your existing folders

Compare the game folders you already have with these layouts.

Project/path Existing layout or check
Project/pathWindowSmash prepared runtime input Existing layout or checkA compatible RomFS, correct data offset and six .bfttf fonts; its helper validates them and writes dump/modules/romfs.cfg
Project/pathWindowSmash built version Existing layout or checkdump/, build/, its own save/, version.txt and install.json
Project/pathOpenSmash existing directory Existing layout or checkexefs/ containing main, sdk, rtld, subsdk0 and main.npdm; romfs/ containing data.arc and the rest of the game data
Project/pathOpenSmash fonts Existing layout or checkReplacement fonts are included; some non-Latin characters can be missing

Keep WindowSmash’s original game-file location accessible, because it can read the RomFS in place. If the layout or version is wrong, stop at that check rather than mixing files from different versions.

Game updates

Changing the port program through program update leaves your game version unchanged. A game update needs your own compatible update data.

WindowSmash can build a separate version folder and asks which one to start. Each version gets its own save; the initial copy does not keep future progress synchronised. Check the version displayed by the launcher before playing or joining someone else.

OpenSmash records the detected version during conversion. Reusing a build directory for a different supported game version makes later build steps run again. Keep a save backup before changing that input.

DLC and unlocking the roster

DLC needs the matching content you already possess. In WindowSmash, the roster tool unlocks the base-game roster on supported saves and leaves DLC fighter flags unchanged. Close the game and back up the save before using it.

For WindowSmash's own Windows roster tool, only if you already have the matching 11.0.0 or 13.0.5 save:

  1. Start that game version once so it creates its save.
  2. Close every game window.
  3. Open launchers\Unlock All Fighters.bat.
  4. Select the intended version if the tool asks.
  5. Check the dated backup path reported under save_backups/.
  6. Start the same version again to check the roster.

The tool changes the existing base-game save; it does not install DLC or convert saves between versions. Keep its backup. To undo, close the game and copy the reported backup over the system_data.bin path the tool identified.

OpenSmash’s existing add-on list is config/dlc.txt inside the install location, build/config/dlc.txt by default. A list entry alone is not a substitute for compatible content.

For current mod restrictions, use mod compatibility. For a save you already have, use save migration.

Versions covered by this guide

Project Source version Release status and game versions
ProjectWindowSmash Source versiona9aac43 Release status and game versionsNo formal release; v0.2.0-alpha.1 is a prerelease. 11.0.0 and 13.0.5; 13.0.5 has limited match testing. Mac: opening/menus only.
ProjectOpenSmash-Ultimate Source versioneac10a1 Release status and game versionsNo formal release; runtime-c2ca705 is a prerelease. 13.0.4 and 13.0.5 recognised; Linux tested with 13.0.4.

Sources

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