No cheat code unlocks all fighters. Unlocks are earned through gameplay (Sakurai's design philosophy).
| Character | Unlock Condition |
|---|---|
| Marth | Play 10 VS. matches OR Clear Classic on Normal+ with 8 chars |
| Roy | Play 15 VS. matches OR Clear Classic on Normal+ with Marth |
| Mewtwo | Play 20 VS. matches OR 20 hrs combined VS. time OR Clear Classic on Hard+ with 10 chars |
| Dr. Mario | Play 25 VS. matches OR Clear Classic on Normal+ w/ Mario & Luigi |
| Pichu | Play 30 VS. matches OR Clear Event 37 (All-Star Match Deluxe) |
| Falco | Play 35 VS. matches OR 30 hrs VS. time OR Complete 100-Man Melee |
| Ganondorf | Play 40 VS. matches OR Clear Classic on Hard+ w/ Captain Falcon |
| Young Link | Play 45 VS. matches OR Clear Classic on Normal+ w/ Link & Zelda/Sheik |
| Jigglypuff | Play 50 VS. matches OR Clear Event 23 (Yoshi's Egg) OR Complete 15-Minute Melee |
| Mr. Game & Watch | Play 55 VS. matches OR Clear Classic on Hard+ w/ 15 chars |
| Wolf | Play 60 VS. matches OR 40 hrs VS. time OR Clear Boss Battles (Hard) |
| Toon Link | Play 65 VS. matches OR Clear Classic on Normal+ w/ Link, Zelda, Ganondorf |
| Snake | Play 70 VS. matches OR Clear Classic on Hard+ w/ 20 chars |
| Sonic | Play 75 VS. matches OR 50 hrs VS. time OR Clear Classic on Intense w/ 10 chars |
| R.O.B. | Play 80 VS. matches OR Clear 100-Man Brawl |
Fastest Legit Method: Set VS. matches to 1 stock, 1 min, no items, FD. Turbo controller / rubber band "A" → 1 match ≈ 30s. ~1 hr for all. Boring but effective.
Subspace Emissary (Story): Also unlocks most (clearing stages).
No codes. The grind is the unlock celebration.