Games

Super Smash Bros Ultimate Update 13.0.4 Patch Notes

4 July 2025
Nintendo Switch
6 min.
WhatsAppMessengerLinkedInRedditPinterestBufferSMS
Super Smash Bros Ultimate Update 13.0.4 Patch Notes

Summary:

Nintendo has rolled out Version 13.0.4 for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a small but welcome patch that fixes a pesky Mii Fighter thumbnail glitch and irons out online hiccups between Switch and Switch 2 players. While the single-line patch note might look tiny, the ramifications reach every corner of the Smash community—from casual fans who love customizing their avatars to tournament grinders relying on rock-solid net-play. This overview explores why the update matters, how to install it painlessly, what to do about legacy replays, and how competitors and content creators alike are reacting. We’ll also revisit earlier 13.x updates, share creative tips for sharper Mii Fighter portraits, and consider whether more patches could sneak in before the next big Smash milestone. By the end, you’ll be fully briefed, ready to hop back into the ring without missing a beat.

The Arrival of Version 13.0.4 of Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Patch days in the Smash universe can feel like surprise parties—sometimes you get new fighters, other times a discreet bug fix slips in under the radar. On 24 June 2025, Nintendo quietly pushed Version 13.0.4 to every copy of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The headline? One targeted repair aimed at thumbnails for custom Mii Fighters. It might read like a footnote, yet anyone who spends time perfecting their avatar’s look understands the annoyance of a broken preview. Even if you never touch the Mii roster, the update still matters: Nintendo bundles previous fixes into each new build, so staying on the latest version keeps your game stable and compatible for both local wireless and online matches.

Why This Patch Matters for Smash Fans

“It’s only a thumbnail—why should I care?” If that question crossed your mind, think of the update as swapping a crooked painting in your living room for a perfectly centered one. Small change, big boost to overall polish. Beyond aesthetics, Version 13.0.4 provides a subtle confidence nudge: when Nintendo still patches a six-year-old game, it signals ongoing stewardship. That reassurance goes a long way for tournament organizers who rely on consistent builds across hundreds of setups, and for casual fans who want their Switch 2 libraries to feel just as cared-for as day-one owners on the original Switch.

Fixing the Mii Fighter Thumbnail Glitch

Mii Fighters thrive on personality—silly hats, fierce armor sets, or uncanny celebrity look-alikes. Before this patch, saving or editing a Mii could result in a blank or corrupted thumbnail, especially if you cycled through outfits quickly. The glitch didn’t break gameplay, but it turned the character-select screen into a guessing game. Version 13.0.4 refreshes the thumbnail generation routine so that every snapshot reflects your latest fashion choice. Imagine taking a selfie only to find your face missing in the photo preview; that’s how some players felt until now. With the bug squashed, your creations once again look razor-sharp in menus and in shared arenas.

Online Stability Between Switch Generations

The patch notes also reference an online fix rolled out earlier in Switch 2 system firmware 20.1.5. Matches pairing a Switch 2 player against a Switch user occasionally crashed when a Mii Fighter appeared. Picture two drivers at a four-way stop both thinking it’s their turn—chaos ensued. Now the handshake between consoles works smoothly, letting cross-generation friends brawl without fear of an abrupt disconnect. While Version 13.0.4 itself flags the offline thumbnail bug, installing both the game update and the latest system firmware forms a one-two combo that restores full stability.

Crossover Net-play Etiquette

With harmony restored, remember to check your connection icon, pick stages with minimal hazards, and avoid playing on hotel Wi-Fi. Net-play mishaps mostly stem from bandwidth spikes, not patch notes—so treat your updated game as a freshly tuned guitar: it still needs a good player to sound great.

How to Download the Latest Update

Installing Version 13.0.4 is straightforward, yet the method you choose depends on your console settings and internet speed. Let’s walk through both hands-free and hands-on approaches so you’re covered either way.

Automatic Update Method

If your Switch family console has Automatic Software Updates enabled, the patch likely downloaded while you scrolled social media. Once complete, you’ll see “Ver. 13.0.4” on the title screen. Still waiting? Leave the console in Sleep Mode while connected to Wi-Fi and the system should grab the file in the background faster than you can land a Falcon Punch.

Manual Update Walk-through

Prefer manual control? Highlight the Smash Ultimate icon on the HOME menu, press the + button, choose “Software Update,” then “Via the Internet.” The console pings Nintendo’s servers, grabs the patch (a tiny download measured in megabytes), installs it, and reboots the game. Don’t worry—your save data stays intact.

What Happens to Old Replays and Data

Patching brings peace of mind, but it also raises that classic Smash anxiety: “Will my clutch replays still work?” In this case, you’re safe. The update touches thumbnails, not fighter balance or physics. Your highlight reels from 13.0.3 load just fine. Still, best practice is to convert prized replays to video before any update—much like backing up cherished photos before upgrading a phone.

Tips for Creating Picture-Perfect Mii Fighters

Now that thumbnails behave, why not refresh your wardrobe? A little creativity turns generic avatars into online crowd-pleasers. Below are quick ideas to help your Mii stand out on the character-select grid.

Lighting and Poses

Stage lighting influences thumbnail brightness. For vibrant results, capture your snapshot on a bright stage like Pokémon Stadium or Battlefield in daytime. Hold a victory pose that highlights your costume—think of it as framing the hero shot in a movie poster.

Advanced Editing Tricks

Experiment with colored backgrounds by placing your Mii near stage scenery of contrasting hues. If your brawler sports a dark ninja suit, a vivid green field makes them pop. Treat thumbnails like trading-card art: bold colors, clear silhouettes, and just a hint of flair.

A Brief Look Back at Past 13.x Updates

Version 13.0.0 in October 2021 introduced Sora, the final DLC fighter, capping off Ultimate’s monumental roster. Subsequent 13.0.1 delivered the last fighter adjustments, fine-tuning balance for dozens of characters. Patches 13.0.2 and 13.0.3 focused on amiibo compatibility and Global Smash Power stability. Each incremental update has kept the game fresh without steering the meta too drastically—more like trimming a bonsai tree than chopping limbs. Version 13.0.4 continues that maintenance tradition, proving Ultimate still gets a gardener’s care long after the final DLC curtain call.

Community Reactions and Memes

Smash Twitter lit up with jokes the moment the tiny patch went live. One popular meme showed a grand fireworks display labeled “Smash Fans” over a single-line changelog taped to a lamppost. Yet beneath the humor sits genuine gratitude; creators who showcase Mii Fighters on YouTube can now present crisp visuals, and tournament stream producers avoid awkward blank icons on overlays. Even modest fixes deserve confetti when they polish a game that unites millions.

What This Means for Competitive Play

Tournament organizers breathed easy: no balance changes mean no need to retrain spacing or lab new frame data overnight. The patch’s biggest competitive impact is logistical—uniform builds across setups eliminate version-mismatch errors that could derail brackets. Players bringing a Switch 2 to events also gain confidence knowing cross-hardware lobbies won’t implode. In a scene where every second of downtime counts, that reliability is priceless.

Looking Ahead: Could More Patches Come?

Although Masahiro Sakurai famously declared balance tuning finished, Nintendo’s quiet push of Version 13.0.4 hints they’ll still swat critical bugs. We may not see sweeping fighter tweaks, but minor compatibility updates could surface as Switch 2 features evolve. Think of Ultimate as a classic car lovingly maintained rather than remodeled. As long as new road rules (firmware) appear, expect periodic check-ups to keep the engine purring.

Conclusion

Version 13.0.4 won’t rewrite tier lists, yet it restores a sheen of perfection to a beloved game and strengthens the online bridge between console generations. Whether you craft elaborate Miis or just want drama-free lobbies, the update is a painless install that enhances day-to-day play. Fire it up, admire those freshly generated thumbnails, and get back to settling scores—as always, Smash is life.

FAQs
  • Q: Do I need the update to play offline?
    • A: Technically no, but installing ensures future compatibility and smooth local wireless battles.
  • Q: Will my custom stages be affected?
    • A: Your stages remain unchanged; the patch only touches Mii Fighter thumbnails and online stability.
  • Q: How big is the download?
    • A: Under 50 MB—small enough to snag even on a café hotspot.
  • Q: Does this patch adjust fighter balance?
    • A: No balance tweaks were made. Your main still plays exactly the same.
  • Q: Can I skip converting old replays?
    • A: They should work, but converting critical highlights to video is always wise before any update.
Sources
WhatsAppMessengerLinkedInRedditPinterestBufferSMS