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

Smash Ultimate PC mods and compatibility

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

Skyline and HewDraw Remix compatibility with these PC ports is unknown. Keep your original game files and saves separate, and choose a mod only when its author explicitly supports your project, game version and build.

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WindowSmash mod status

Use Skyline or HewDraw Remix on WindowSmash only with an explicitly supported WindowSmash release. Keep Switch mod packages separate from the PC build.

Use an unchanged setup when you need to identify a crash. If a mod author provides a WindowSmash-specific build, match the author’s supported game version before trying it and keep a save backup.

OpenSmash native hooks

OpenSmash exposes C++ fighter source and a function-hook table for mod DLLs. That is its own native mod system. New fighter kinds and single-file fighter packages are still in progress.

A DLL that hooks main by address is tied to one game build, so a mod written for another supported game version can still be incompatible. Match the mod author’s version and the port build; check the game version first.

Load a compatible Windows DLL mod

Use these switches only for an existing Windows DLL mod whose author supports your OpenSmash build and game version.

  1. Close OpenSmash.

  2. Back up the install location's saves/ directory.

  3. Put the author's compatible native DLL files in a separate folder, for example D:\Mods\Example.

  4. Open Command Prompt in the OpenSmash source folder.

  5. Run the command below, replacing the example with that existing mod folder.

    deps\python\python.exe scripts\run.py --play --env "SSBU_MODS=D:\Mods\Example"

  6. Check the timestamped game_*.log under the install location's logs/ for a load failure.

The launcher removes inherited SSBU_* variables, so setting one in the parent terminal alone is insufficient. --env passes this setting through the launcher. This loads native port DLLs; it does not install Switch plugins.

To unload that folder's mods, close the game and launch Play SSBU.bat without the --env SSBU_MODS=... argument. Keep the mod folder separate so you can return to the same unmodified launch for diagnosis.

Existing OpenSmash feature Enable/disable for a run
Existing OpenSmash featureMod DLL folder Enable/disable for a runUse --env "SSBU_MODS=<folder>"; omit it on the next launch to unload that folder
Existing OpenSmash featureGenerated fighter DLLs Enable/disable for a runAdd --env SSBU_FIGHTER_SRC=0 to the same scripts/run.py --play command to bypass fighter DLLs
Existing OpenSmash featureFighter hooks required by a compatible mod Enable/disable for a runAdd --env SSBU_FIGHTER_HOOK=1 only when that mod requires it; omit it for the next ordinary launch

The command above loads compatible Windows DLLs. OpenSmash's Mac build turns mods and hooks off. Linux DLL-mod compatibility is unknown; use the unchanged Linux build. For WindowSmash, use a mod only when its author supplies loading steps for your build and platform.

Skyline and HewDraw Remix compatibility

Mod/system WindowSmash OpenSmash
Mod/systemSkyline plugins WindowSmashCompatibility unknown; use only an explicit release for this port OpenSmashCompatibility unknown; use only an explicit release for this port
Mod/systemHewDraw Remix / HDR WindowSmashCompatibility unknown; choose an explicitly supported PC-port build OpenSmashCompatibility unknown; choose an explicitly supported PC-port build
Mod/systemOpenSmash C++/DLL hooks WindowSmashA different project’s interface OpenSmashProject-specific path; match the supported game build

Use a mod package made for your PC port and keep Switch mod folders separate.

For OpenSmash online experiments, both sides must also match fighters and mods. For an ordinary startup failure, return to the unchanged setup and follow troubleshooting.

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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