Super Smash Bros for 3DS tips - how to unlock every secret character

Super Smash Bros has a massive roster of fighters.

When you start the game you'll be able to pick from a whopping 37 playable characters, including chimps, dinosaurs, sword fighters, and whatever the hell Kirby is.

But that's not all. If you meet some criteria you'll be able to unlock a further 12 hidden (or secret) characters, like veteran fighters Ness and Falco, or series newbies like Bowser Jr. and Duck Hunt Duo.

In this guide we'll tell you how to get all those unlockable heroes so you can fight with the full roster (and play the true All Stars mode).

Ness - EarthBound (Mother) series



EarthBound's hero Ness has appeared in every Smash Bros game. Once again, he uses his psychic moves to turn the tide and shouts PK Fire! and PK Thunder! when he unleashes his moves.

You can unlock Ness by playing 10 matches in Smash Mode, or beating classic mode twice (on any intensity). Then you'll have to defeat this character in a one-on-one battle.

Falco - Star Fox series



Star Fox pilot Falco returns to the fight, once again. And, once again, he's a slightly tweaked version of Fox.

You can unlock Falco by playing 20 matches in Smash Mode, or beating classic mode once (on any intensity). Then you'll have to defeat this character in a one-on-one battle.

Wario - WarioWare series



Wario is back, following his introduction in Brawl. He can bite enemies, let out a toxic fart cloud, and ride a motorbike back and forth. His alternative costumes let you switch between his WarioWare look and his Wario Land plumber suit.

You can unlock Wario by playing 30 matches in Smash Mode or clearing 100-Man Smash. Then you'll have to defeat this character in a one-on-one battle.

Lucina - Fire Emblem series



Despite being shown off in the marketing for the game, Lucina is actually a hidden character in this game. She's essentially a female clone of her Fire Emblem buddy (and ancestor) Marth.

You can unlock Lucina by playing 40 matches in Smash Mode, or beating classic mode with Marth on any intensity. Then you'll have to defeat this character in a one-on-one battle.

Dark Pit - Kid Icarus series



Dark Pit comes from Kid Icarus: Uprising. And just like in that game, he's a very similar pugalist to normal Pit when it comes to Super Smashing. He does use some slightly different weapons, though, to mix things up.

You can unlock Dark Pit by playing 50 matches in Smash Mode or beating Classic Mode three times. Then you'll have to defeat this character in a one-on-one battle.

Dr. Mario - Super Mario Bros. series



Don't let Dr. Mario touch your genitals. He is not a real doctor. But he is a real fighter, and plays a lot like Mario but with pills instead of fireballs.

You can unlock Dr. Mario by playing 60 matches in Smash Mode, or beating Classic Mode with Mario at Intensity 7.0 or higher. Then you'll have to defeat this character in a one-on-one battle.

R.O.B. - Robot series



In Smash Bros, R.O.B. can shoot lasers, fly around on jets, and fire spinning discs that do mortal damage to anyone in the vicinity, meaning he can do two things the NES peripheral can't.

You can unlock R.O.B by playing 70 matches in Smash Mode, or beating Classic Mode with six unlockable fighters on any intensity. Then you'll have to defeat this character in a one-on-one battle.

Ganondorf - The Legend of Zelda series



Link's long-time rival and savage Smasher returns to the fray, once again. As usual, his move set is heavily based on Captain Falcon, except he doesn't shout "Falcon Punch!" because that would be weird and possibly copyright infringement.

You can unlock Ganondorf by playing 80 matches in Smash Mode, or beating Classic Mode with Link at Intensity 7.0 or higher. Then you'll have to defeat this character in a one-on-one battle.

Mr. Game & Watch - Game & Watch series



Before there was Game Boy there was Game & Watch. And before there was Mario, there was Mr. Game & Watch. This paper-thin chap featured in all the LCD games, and brings moves from those standalone handhelds to the battlefield.

You can unlock Mr. Game & Watch by playing 90 matches in Smash Mode, or beating Classic Mode with ten different fighters on any intensity. Then you'll have to defeat this character in a one-on-one battle.

Bowser Jr. - Super Mario Bros. series



Bowser's kid - a new fighter for Smash Bros - rides around in his tiny clown copter and attacks with cannons, boxing gloves, and a giant dinner fork.

Instead of costumes, his alternative designs let you play as the Koopalings, technically adding Ludwig, Lemmy, Morton, Iggy, Wendy, Roy, and Larry to the Smash Bros roster.

You can unlock Bowser Jr. by playing 100 matches in Smash Mode, or beating Classic Mode with Bowser at Intensity 7.0 or higher. Then you'll have to defeat this character in a one-on-one battle.

Duck Hunt Duo - Duck Hunt series



One of the most surprising additions to the game is this unlikely pair: the cheeky dog and a hapless duck from NES Zapper game Duck Hunt. They also use items and characters from other light gun games, like Gumshoe and Hogan's Alley.

You can unlock Duck Hunt Duo by playing 110 matches in Smash Mode, or beating Classic Mode ten times on any intensity. Then you'll have to defeat this duo in a one-on-one battle.

Jigglypuff - Pokemon series



This classic Pokemon has appeared in every Smash Bros game. She can send enemies to sleep by singing, and turns into a cute pink ball of death that zips around the stage like a Hello Kitty-brand buzz saw.

You can unlock Jigglypuff by playing 120 matches in Smash Mode, or beating Classic Mode with Charizard on Intensity 7.0 or higher. Then you'll have to defeat this character in a one-on-one battle.