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

Smash Ultimate PC requirements

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

Start with your operating system, then compare the two projects below. On Windows, WindowSmash needs AVX2/FMA/F16C and DirectX 11; OpenSmash checks for SSE2 and needs Vulkan 1.3.

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WindowSmash by platform

Platform CPU and graphics Memory Space and system
PlatformWindows source path CPU and graphicsx64 with AVX2, FMA and F16C; DirectX 11 with a current driver Memory16 GB recommended Space and systemWindows 10/11 x64; about 60 GB plus existing game files around 17 GB
PlatformLinux source build CPU and graphicsAVX2 x86-64; Vulkan driver, DXVK and vkd3d-shader path Memory8 GB or more for the installer; 16 GB builds faster Space and systemAbout 30 GB for this build path
PlatformLinux package exported from Windows CPU and graphicsAVX2; Vulkan; glibc 2.35 or newer MemoryAbout 6 GB beyond the desktop; 12 GB or more total is more comfortable Space and systemSeparate from the source-build figures
PlatformApple silicon Mac CPU and graphicsM1 or newer; Metal Memory8 GB minimum; 16 GB or more helps building Space and systemmacOS 14.5+; about 40 GB plus game files around 17 GB; CLT 16+ and macOS 15 SDK+

On Mac, WindowSmash reaches the opening and menus; full matches still need testing. Use Mac setup to try that build.

OpenSmash by platform

Platform CPU and graphics Memory Space and system
PlatformWindows CPU and graphicsx64 with SSE2; Vulkan 1.3 driver MemoryInstaller checks 8 GB; 16 GB gives more room Space and systemWindows 10/11; build budget about 8 GB, plus about 17 GB prepared game files; .nsz temporarily needs about another 17 GB
PlatformLinux CPU and graphicsNative Linux; Vulkan 1.3; SDL3 and clang 19 or newer Memory16 GB or more Space and systemBuild about 12 GB, shader cache about 4 GB, existing game files about 16 GB
PlatformMac first-test path CPU and graphicsApple silicon M1+; Metal through MoltenVK Memory16 GB recommended Space and systemmacOS 14.4+; about 60 GB free; hours to build; no full play result

OpenSmash has been tried on CachyOS with an NVIDIA RTX 3080 and Wayland. Other distributions have dependency-install paths; gameplay on them and on Steam Deck still needs testing.

OpenSmash’s Mac build is an early experiment with no completed gameplay test. Choose its Windows or Linux guide to set up those versions.

Check your own machine

Feature WindowSmash OpenSmash
FeatureWindows CPU test WindowSmashAVX2, FMA and F16C OpenSmashSSE2; do not apply WindowSmash's AVX2 check to this port
FeatureLinux input/graphics WindowSmashSDL2, Vulkan through DXVK OpenSmashSDL3, native Vulkan 1.3; no OpenGL fallback in this Linux path
FeatureMac result WindowSmashOpening/menus on the Mac branch OpenSmashFirst real-machine experiment; no completed play result
FeatureSteam Deck WindowSmashSteamOS build path; performance varies by setup OpenSmashGameplay still needs testing
  1. Identify your OS and processor architecture in the system's information/settings panel.
  2. Compare its CPU features, memory and driver API with the matching row above.
  3. Check free space on the actual build drive, including your existing game files and backups.
  4. Open the project's platform installer or dependency check to read its specific failed check before building.

Read the failed check, then follow the matching branch:

  • Missing CPU instructions: choose a project whose CPU requirements your processor meets, or use a compatible PC.
  • GPU or graphics API failure: update the driver for your own GPU, then rerun that project's check. If the GPU still falls short of the required graphics API, use compatible graphics hardware.

Storage and graphics limits

Keep build space separate from the room occupied by your original game files and save backups. OpenSmash’s Install location lets you choose a drive with more free space. A location change starts a build there; it does not move the existing one.

Do not choose a cloud-synced folder for WindowSmash’s large build. If a build starts but stutters, use the project-specific performance checks.

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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