Latest patch has FGC saying Nintendo can’t leave competitive Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players alone

Nintendo has released Patch 13.0.5 for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, marking the game's first update since June 2025. The patch features a single line in its notes: “Fixed behavior that occurs when invalid data is sent or received in online battles.” Within the fighting game community (FGC), players and community members immediately connected the update to the ongoing usage of Delay Mods, which are utilized to mitigate online latency issues.

Historically, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players have criticized Nintendo's online netcode on the Nintendo Switch, stating that lag heavily impacts competitive integrity and makes online practice vastly different from offline LAN matches. Due to these persistent latency challenges, some competitive players turned to unofficial modifications to improve connection quality. Previous controversies involving anti-lag cheats and mods include top player Hurt, who announced a self-imposed two-month ban in 2025 following an internal investigation by his team, ENTER FORCE.36, which confirmed unofficial mods were installed on one of his systems.

While community members debated whether anti-lag tools helped level the playing field or introduced unfair advantages—especially given that Japanese law strictly prohibits console modification and led the mod's creator, Bluejay, to halt development after being doxxed—the new patch has reignited discussions about Nintendo's historical handling of the competitive scene. Past friction between Nintendo and competitive players includes canceled tournaments, cease-and-desist letters, and the removal of the franchise from events like Evo.

Players have expressed frustration that rather than overhauling or improving official netcode infrastructure, the latest update effectively targets the behavior associated with these mods. As the community continues to analyze the implications of Patch 13.0.5, discussions persist regarding whether future releases will lean further into competitive integration or maintain a focus on casual party-style gameplay.