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

WindowSmash vs OpenSmash-Ultimate

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

Start with your platform and graphics hardware: WindowSmash uses DirectX 11 on Windows, while OpenSmash uses Vulkan 1.3. Both are fan projects in alpha, so pick the setup and features that fit your PC.

On this page

Choose a project

Your situation WindowSmash OpenSmash-Ultimate
Your situationWindows graphics path WindowSmashDirectX 11 OpenSmash-UltimateVulkan 1.3
Your situationWindows CPU check WindowSmashAVX2, FMA and F16C OpenSmash-UltimateSSE2; AVX2 is not required by its check
Your situationSource installation WindowSmashBuilds the port from source and existing game files OpenSmash-UltimateUses matching runtime dependency when available
Your situationNative Linux path WindowSmashSDL2, DXVK/vkd3d-shader OpenSmash-UltimateSDL3, Vulkan; online and F1 menu unavailable
Your situationMac path WindowSmashApple silicon experiment; opening and menus work OpenSmash-UltimateEarly Mac build; no completed gameplay test
Your situationWindows GameCube adapter WindowSmashWii U mode; Windows-installed driver OpenSmash-UltimateSwitch mode; WinUSB

Use requirements for the complete platform conditions. Keep each project in its own folder; configuration files and adapter instructions cannot be exchanged between them.

Platforms and game versions

WindowSmash can keep several game versions side by side; 11.0.0 and 13.0.5 have been tried. OpenSmash accepts 13.0.4 and 13.0.5 and rejects other game builds. Use the version table below to identify the source and prerelease for this guide.

OpenSmash’s Linux testing used one CachyOS/NVIDIA/Wayland machine; other hardware still needs testing. WindowSmash on Mac reaches the opening and menus, with full matches still to test. Choose Windows or a Linux path if you want to try gameplay beyond those Mac menus.

What to expect from the alpha builds

Neither project has a formal release. WindowSmash’s latest alpha Release is source-only; OpenSmash’s runtime prereleases are dependencies for a build, not a complete game download.

Online tests are limited. For Skyline or HDR, use only a release whose author supports your PC port, platform and game version. Choose a project for its setup path and required features.

WindowSmash has no unified project-wide source licence. Its third-party library licences do not supply one for the whole project.

Install your chosen project

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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