Smash Ultimate PC on Linux and Steam Deck

WindowSmash on Linux

Download, game files and build time

Download the WindowSmash source ZIP. Use its install-windowsmash.sh source-installer path; this is different from a Linux package exported by an existing Windows installation. The installer updates its source unless --no-update is passed.

The installer searches existing yuzu-family and Ryujinx folders, including Flatpak locations. It checks the entered folders in the terminal and reports what it found. Keep the game folders mounted and readable. Use the versions below and folder examples if you need help identifying the files.

Install and start

1. Unpack the source ZIP into a local folder such as ~/WindowSmash.
2. Open a terminal in that folder.
3. Run bash install-windowsmash.sh.
4. Approve the distribution package installation with sudo when requested.
5. At the Keys prompt, press Enter to keep the detected path or type the correct existing folder.
6. At the Firmware prompt, confirm or correct that existing folder.
7. At the Game prompt, confirm or correct the folder containing your existing base game and intended update/DLC.
8. Read each file check before continuing.
9. Enter the online name you want displayed when asked.
10. Wait for the installer to complete.
11. Run ./play-ssbu.sh from the source folder.

The installer supplies clang/lld, bison, flex, SDL2, libopus, libvpx, the Vulkan loader and zenity through the package manager, plus a private Python environment and DXVK/vkd3d downloads. If a build stops, rerun the same command; use bash install-windowsmash.sh --jobs 4 if compilation exhausts memory.

On first play, wait for shader work to settle. The arrow keys move and Z is A. Close the game window to finish. For an offline start use bash launchers/play-ssbu-offline.sh. Optional shader preparation is bash launchers/prepare-shaders.sh with the game closed; allow it to finish before launching again.

SteamOS preparation

For a Steam Deck running SteamOS, build in Desktop Mode with a terminal available. System-package installation needs a writable system and a sudo password; an OS update can remove those build dependencies.

1. Run passwd if your account does not yet have a password for sudo.
2. Run sudo steamos-readonly disable to permit the package installation.
3. Run bash install-windowsmash.sh from the unpacked WindowSmash folder.

Only if package installation reports an uninitialised keyring, run sudo pacman-key --init, then sudo pacman-key --populate archlinux holo, then rerun the installer. On an image-based Fedora system, follow any package installer's requested reboot before rerunning the build.

OpenSmash on Linux

Download, game files and build time

Download the OpenSmash source ZIP, then use the Linux commands below, not Install SSBU.bat or a Windows runtime ZIP.

The game directory needs exefs/main, sdk, rtld, subsdk0, main.npdm, and romfs/data.arc. Choose this directory yourself: the Linux setup has no automatic game-file search. Use 13.0.4 for the Linux-tested path; setup also accepts 13.0.5, which still needs Linux testing.

Install and start on a regular Linux desktop

For SteamOS, use the separate container steps immediately below instead.

1. Unpack the source ZIP into its own directory.
2. Open a terminal in that directory.
3. Run bash scripts/linux/install_deps.sh.
4. Approve the requested system packages with sudo.
5. Run deps/venv/bin/python scripts/setup.py --target linux --dump "/absolute/path/to/existing-input", replacing the quoted example with your existing directory.
6. Wait for setup to finish.
7. Run ./play.sh.

The dependency script installs the distribution's compiler, SDL3, FreeType, OpenSSL, FFmpeg, glslang, Vulkan loader, OpenGL/Opus libraries, Python and git as needed. It also prepares the private Python environment and source dependencies. To resume an interrupted build, repeat the setup command with the same --dump path; add --jobs 4 if memory is exhausted. Repeating setup resumes building; it does not itself fetch newer repository source.

OpenSmash on SteamOS: build and play inside distrobox

Use Desktop Mode on SteamOS 3.5 or newer, which includes distrobox and podman. The ordinary dependency script stops on the SteamOS host and directs you to this container path. This is separate from WindowSmash's host-package setup above.

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Unpack the OpenSmash source ZIP into a new directory inside your home folder.
3. Open Konsole in that source directory.
4. Run distrobox create --name ssbu --image docker.io/library/archlinux:latest if you have not already created the ssbu container.
5. Run distrobox enter ssbu.
6. Change into the same source directory inside the container, for example cd "/home/your-user/ssbu-recomp" with your actual path.
7. Check that your existing game directory is readable from this container.
8. Run bash scripts/linux/install_deps.sh.
9. Run deps/venv/bin/python scripts/setup.py --target linux --dump "/absolute/path/to/existing-input" with that accessible input path.
10. Run ./play.sh after the build finishes.

The container can see your home folder and keeps its tools there. On a Valve device, the dependency script also installs vulkan-radeon and libpulse inside the container. To play again, enter ssbu, change into the source directory and run ./play.sh there; launching from the host is not the same environment.

bash scripts/linux/install_deps.sh --steamos-host deliberately chooses the alternative host install and needs a sudo password, writable system and pacman keys. A SteamOS update can remove those host packages. Use the container sequence above unless you specifically intend to maintain that alternative. Steam Deck gameplay and build time still need testing.

First launch and controls

Wait at the first shader progress screen for several minutes. On the test PC, preparation reached 61% after 200 seconds; a driver update can require preparation again. On a new save, the Milestones banner waits for A: press Z on the keyboard. Close the window to quit.

Linux testing so far used one CachyOS/NVIDIA/Wayland PC. Steam Deck, other distributions and AMD/Intel GPUs still need testing. There is no F1 menu, online play, OpenGL fallback or album movie recording. Edit build-linux/config/controllers.ini for button bindings and build-linux/config/graphics.ini for display settings; only windowed mode was tested. The defaults are arrow keys to move, Z/X/C/V for A/B/X/Y and Enter/Backspace for +/−.

Files and first fixes

OpenSmash uses $XDG_DATA_HOME/ssbu-recomp/userdata when XDG_DATA_HOME is set, or the directory supplied with --userdata. Back up the actual save directory with the game closed. --userdata changes the save location, not the play.sh log path; find the log using XDG_DATA_HOME in the environment where you launched, including inside ssbu on SteamOS.

Use Linux troubleshooting for the next diagnostic action, controls for remapping, or saves for backup/restore. Windows GameCube driver instructions do not apply to either Linux build.

Versions covered by this guide

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