It’s no secret that the Smash community isn’t too thrilled with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s online infrastructure. A while back, the “Fix Ultimate Online” campaign on X aimed to pressure Nintendo into improving Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s netcode, preferably with rollback netcode.
This ultimately did result in the release of patch 8.1.0, which did apply small fixes to the netcode, but many of the problems with Smash Ultimate’s playability online still persist. Masahiro Sakurai even talked about how the development team attempted something similar to rollback netcode, but were forced to abandon the concept due to there being too many side effects that came up during testing.
Funnily enough, a single person was eventually able to do what Nintendo couldn’t. The modder known as Blujay released the “Latency Mod” that successfully improved the online for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Many players described the online experience with the Latency Mod enabled as feeling nearly identical to playing offline. It was clear that those that use the Latency Mod would have distinct advantages over those without it.
Top Japanese #SSBU players are already speaking out against the delay mods in Smash Ultimate. They are not allowed to use the mods, putting them at a major unfair disadvantage for practice over other players. pic.twitter.com/Fkd3b61FH6
— AndrewAJT (@AndrewAJT) February 28, 2026
No one should be forced to use them but they don’t violate any competitive rules by using them lol. pic.twitter.com/GewrUDYGu8
— Bad Smash Takes (@justb00ket) February 28, 2026
Additional context pic.twitter.com/B2SurGIJvY
— AndrewAJT (@AndrewAJT) February 28, 2026
Recently, some notable Smash players in Japan have expressed some jealousy over the existence of the Latency Mod. Though Japanese players like acola, Hurt and Miya have been performing extremely well on the global stage, many players believe that the Latency Mod will extend the gap between the North American and Japanese regions.
As such, some players are even considering informing Nintendo about this apparent problem. While this will likely motivate Nintendo to take actions against players that use the Latency Mod, it could actually have a positive effect for the next Super Smash Bros. entry as well.
At first, it might seem like there’s a simple solution to this problem. Japanese players can simply mod their Nintendo Switch consoles to make use of the Latency Mod for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, resulting in opportunities for everyone to get in as much practice as they’d like.
However, the Unfair Competition Prevention Act in Japan was apparently amended in July 1, 2019 which made it illegal to mod consoles or even save files. It’s one thing to risk getting one’s account or console bricked by Nintendo if caught, but it’s another thing entirely to pay a hefty fine or actually spend time in jail just to enhance one’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate experience.
Per the Unfair Competition Prevention Act, those caught with modded consoles in Japan can face up to five years in prison or be fined for 5 million yen (which is approximately $46,000 USD). Needless to say, the risk of using the Latency Mod is far more skewed in Japan than it is in the United States.
Just recently, Masahiro Sakurai and his development team concluded work on Kirby Air Riders. There are apparently no plans to continue adding content to the game via DLC.
More than likely, Sakurai is keenly aware of the need for better online components for Super Smash Bros. Assuming Sakurai’s next project is the next entry in the Super Smash Bros. series on the Switch 2, these new developments could potentially have an impact on that game.
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