Mario Strikers makes worldwide online matches a pain
by Ross Miller 
{ May 25th 2007 at 3:25PM }
Joystiq reader Joshua Marketis sent us this scan from an instruction manual for the European version of Wii Mario Strikers. The manual states that "you will be able to play only with people within Europe" unless you have shared friend codes with someone outside of the continent, citing lag concerns.
One of our favorite pleasures is playing Tetris DS online or various Xbox 360 titles over Live at odd hours against players in other regions. Without timezone constraints, we always had a large pool of players, regardless of the hours. Nintendo could have solved the problem with a latency test (assuming one doesn't already exist). Here in North America, there are times when we have less lag playing with South African correspondents than we do with someone just a few states away.
It is currently unknown if the same limitations apply to other regions. We've contacted Nintendo for a statement.
One of our favorite pleasures is playing Tetris DS online or various Xbox 360 titles over Live at odd hours against players in other regions. Without timezone constraints, we always had a large pool of players, regardless of the hours. Nintendo could have solved the problem with a latency test (assuming one doesn't already exist). Here in North America, there are times when we have less lag playing with South African correspondents than we do with someone just a few states away.
It is currently unknown if the same limitations apply to other regions. We've contacted Nintendo for a statement.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Miles @ May 25th 2007 3:31PM
They really should just stop bothering. Go all in, or just give up.
JodyAnthony @ May 25th 2007 3:33PM
hey had already announced this.
cc123 @ May 25th 2007 3:35PM
Wtf is it with Nintendo and online??
They go out of their way to make it annoying and unapproachable.
Rubang B @ May 25th 2007 3:37PM
They also go out of their way to make it free.
Vince @ May 25th 2007 3:42PM
this is not a bad thing. It makes friend codes useful while not ruining online play.
Beni Nkangoh @ May 25th 2007 3:43PM
How come you guys are Joystiq try and make everything Nintendo does bad. I mean by your logic, entering a phone number is a pain.
You know whats a pain? Your stupid password system, let me put in my own password instead of some random numbers and letters.
Jeez, you guys are just instigating so much.
cc123 @ May 25th 2007 3:45PM
Most online is free, as it should be. PS3 and most PC games have free online. Just because MS likes to rape people for XBL subscriptions doesn't give Nintendo browny points for not charging.
Oh and Nintendo will be making millions off the browser for the people that didn't download it while it was free.
LongshotX @ May 25th 2007 3:47PM
Beni
Get Firefox and save your password. Or get an addon for IE7 and have it save your password. I don'think the password system is a problem. It use to be worst: check your email and confirm a comment. I think the biggest problem for me is the stupid next 50 comments thing all the way at the bottom of the page.
Beni Nkangoh @ May 25th 2007 3:47PM
@cc123
Thats irrelevant about the browser. You could just download it over the internet and just put it on your SD card and not have to pay. Besides, if they wanted it they already would've downloaded it by now.
Konny @ May 25th 2007 3:48PM
Got to protect Wii gamers from those international pedophiles... they're just younglings and cant decide for themselves.
Beni Nkangoh @ May 25th 2007 3:51PM
@ LongshotX
Thats exactly my point. It USED to be horrible. But now people don't complain right? Friend Codes are a one time thing. I mean, i'm not going to be ignorant here. Friend Codes are the stupidest thing made ever. But, people need to stop complaining about it.
If Friend Codes were made so you have to input the codes EVERY time. Then screw it, but since its a one time deal for each friend. Its bearable.
I mean complaining about friend codes is like complaining about you and your friend switching cell phone numbers and saving it to your phone.
Its stupid.
Anyway, I digress. Mario Strikers not having worldwide matches is dumb, it should have worldwide matches at random.
Slaziman @ May 25th 2007 3:52PM
Unless you play from 12AM to 6AM, this shouldn't be a problem.
Almack64 @ May 25th 2007 3:52PM
@ Konny actually this might be indicating some even worse problem.
Inherent latency problems
I just hope not.
Almack64 @ May 25th 2007 3:54PM
@ Beni
I simply put my password into the name block and selected remember me. So every time I'm on the site its right there and I simply copy into the password block.
Beni Nkangoh @ May 25th 2007 3:56PM
@Almack
Any on different computers? Oh yeah, you have to go search through your archives of your email to find the password and use it.
Really, it wouldn't be hard just to make us able to set our own password..
Tweak @ May 25th 2007 4:02PM
I use about 6 different computers in my day to day life. And memorizing a string of 7 unique characters shouldn't be that hard for anyone.
As far as Ninty's WFC with Charged... They should have worked out the latency bug a long time ago. Or just go with region specific friend codes Coding. Like a US Wii cannot enter a European Wii Code.
Beni Nkangoh @ May 25th 2007 4:05PM
@Tweak
Your missing the point... the point is convenience. It would be easier just to allow someone to change their password. Or even better, not even require one.
JodyAnthony @ May 25th 2007 4:08PM
I just memorized my password. Really, its only 8 characters.
JodyAnthony @ May 25th 2007 4:11PM
Also I'm assuming future games will have worldwide play open. They probably didnt want to risk having people their first major real-time online game with lag and writing the whole online system off.
I'm sure playing with people on your friend list will be no problem worldwide..im sure playing with people online anywhere would be no problem worldwide. Lord knows I VERY rarely have any lag on mario kart ds worldwide.
Mr Khan @ May 25th 2007 4:10PM
Its wierd, because the NINTENDO DS, something around the power of the N64, seems to support relatively lag-free international play
Maybe this is something specific to Strikers; because the program has to basically run 10 seperate characters at once
About the actual warning statement though, i honestly don't think international lag would be that bad, because a lot of things game companies tell us we shouldn't do usually work fine (like blowing on cartridges or modding)
Still, there will be enough North Americans playing, i think that's a pretty safe bet...
Beni Nkangoh @ May 25th 2007 4:11PM
Yeah, or Joystiq could give the option to just let us change it to something that all our other passwords are already set to.
But eh, that will never happen. Joystiq doesn't make their own sites. Almost none of these web blogs do anyway.
Mr Khan @ May 25th 2007 4:13PM
About the password system:
I actually like it, it gave me a completely random password i was forced to memorize, but its randomness basically gave me a new default password for my life, as opposed to my old default, which was very short and contained no numbers, which online services seem to reject nowadays
Almack64 @ May 25th 2007 4:13PM
While we're on the topic I always did wonder why the comment sections were not the same across all of the Weblog Network. Does it cost extra money to add certain feature or does Aol limit features based upon the popularity of the site. I really would like to know.
Beni Nkangoh @ May 25th 2007 4:16PM
@ Mr. Khan
My sarcasm detector is beeping...
Almack64 @ May 25th 2007 4:16PM
The lag issue is probably more of a "better safe than sorry" solution. Hopefully it will change with other games.
Almack64 @ May 25th 2007 4:16PM
The lag issue is probably more of a "better safe than sorry" solution. Hopefully it will change with other games.
Almack64 @ May 25th 2007 4:17PM
Woh There, double post; slow down little doggy
Mr Khan @ May 25th 2007 4:32PM
@ Beni
no, seriously. In this new age of "hacker safety" all websites/services seem to require passwords that are at least 8 characters long, and contain a mix of letters and numbers, my old default was all letters, and only 4 characters long
I needed something new, weblogs inc just happened to come along and provide
Otherwise i would've had to have THINK of a new password, with my brain, and why would anyone want to do that?
megaStryke @ May 25th 2007 4:45PM
I'm just gonna attribute this lag to the shitty European release. They get screwed on everything over there. I bet things will be corrected by July.
Beni Nkangoh @ May 25th 2007 4:48PM
@ Mr Khan...
You destroyed my sarcasm detector...
Seriously though. Why not just LET us make our own password -_-
Astacide @ May 25th 2007 5:08PM
I love Nintendo, but I think they are missing the point here. The basis of online gaming is to play with people you don't know, that can be from all over the world. You meet people, make friends, etc... Like somewhat of a social network. I don't know 50,000 people from all over the world to enter friend codes for. More important, why the hell would they restrict it in the first place? To keep it a family console? Are they that worried someone will say shit, fuck or pussy and they're 10 year old audience members will hear it? There isn't even a voice function supported yet anyway! So how can the audience be harmed. Plus they make a big deal of parental controls, why not just have an option to turn off all voice communication for the younger kids? They can just play the game and not hear others or learn to talk trash themselves. Come on Nintendo. I love you, but wake the hell up. Companies did online gaming 10x better in the LAST generation of consoles.
snowdog @ May 25th 2007 5:19PM
Have only read the first few posts...don't you think you might wait until it's available in other territories until you start complaining about lag..?
Online multiplayer in Europe is perfect. And a great deal of fun, and perhaps if both parties have a decent internet connection then the lag may not be so bad. Better to wait and find out methinks.
On a side note, this game is probably worth buying a Wii for if you haven't already got one. Haven't had so much fun in ages!
Jonathan @ May 25th 2007 5:30PM
BENI, READ ME!
It's not that people like myself hate friend codes only because you have to enter a code for your friends.
It's because I can't just dive into a game and enter a lobby and play people who are also online and want to play.
I can only play with my friends who I know and have traded codes with before hand.
Or, I have to go out of my way to trade friend codes with people on the internet, and hope they add me while I add them, and do this for many strangers in order to have a high amount of friends that I can just log on and be able to find someone online already.
Wii has no lobbies. You have to trade with everyone. So it's harder to find people to play with online. You have to plan play dates. Even with strangers.
And that is why I hate friend codes.
radman @ May 25th 2007 5:41PM
why does why does Nintendo hate its gamers so much? why wont Nintendo fanboys learn that Nintendo doesn't need defending anymore. that stuff was appropriate when Nintendo was making stupid decisions and was 3 place. but now Nintendo is still making stupid decisions but are making tons of money.
do you know whats funner than punching in friend codes for each one of you friends? Having a metal wire rammed up you urethra to check for gohnnarea
NintendoFanbot @ May 25th 2007 6:04PM
"why wont Nintendo fanboys learn that Nintendo doesn't need defending anymore."
"that stuff was appropriate when Nintendo was making stupid decisions and was 3 place. but now Nintendo is still making stupid decisions but are making tons of money."
Nintendo+3rd Place = stupid
Nintendo+1st Place = stupid
The opinions of Nintendo Fanboys are as resiliant to change as much as logical gamers [i.e. yourself] are. ;)
Baker1000 @ May 25th 2007 6:15PM
We already knew this. It's been said in every review that we would only be playing people from Europe unless we had friends added from US and the like.
I've played online once since getting it, now I can't get online at all probably because the whole of Europe is playing it. Imagine if the rest of the world was on the same server, it would be a nightmare.
Rubang B @ May 25th 2007 6:14PM
BREAKING NEWS!
You do NOT need friend codes to play this game online!
Jonathan is full of crap and doesn't know this but dislikes Nintendo!
You do not need a pool of 50,000 friends. You can play this game online for free within minutes of turning it on for the first time without entering a single friend code!
The only games that absolutely require friend codes are the games that let you communicate, like Animal Crossing or Pokemon (with the voice chat). Even Metroid Prime Hunters lets you have 2 groups of friends: "friends" confirmed via friend codes and capable of voice chat, and "rivals" which do not need friend codes and do not allow voice chat. But neither of these are necessary as you can play randomized matches for free!
OzFactor @ May 25th 2007 6:30PM
seriously everyone is up in arms about not being able to play cross continent!?
have any of you ever tried to play a game like quake or call of duty or battlefield on a PC in the US on a server that is based in europe? or vice versa? the ping is over 150 and the lag is unbearable because things dont happen when you want them to....now im not saying mario strikers is a pc FPS (hopefully they drop the bomb that metroid has online tho!) but there are alot of players on the field to keep track of and im sure the latency issues are similar......everyone is making much ado over nothing here
Jonathan @ May 25th 2007 6:23PM
Actually, Wii is my only current next gen console and I own a both a black and a white ds.
But sure, I hate Nintendo. That's an easy thing to say to discredit someone's opinion you disagree with.
Friend codes suck, buddy. No matter what.
Playing people online in Pokemon is a lot more annoying than it has to be.
Nitendo's online system is horrible, bottom line.
Rubang B @ May 25th 2007 6:31PM
So you'd rather have a lobby than dive right in? This setup is faster and easier.
CloudANDTidus @ May 25th 2007 6:31PM
"You can play this game online for free within minutes of turning it on for the first time without entering a single friend code!"
Haha. Sure would if I could get past all the error messages it gives me. ;)
Rubang B @ May 25th 2007 6:41PM
Is something wrong with your connection? Can you connect to the Shop Channel?
cc123 @ May 25th 2007 6:50PM
"Sure would if I could get past all the error messages it gives me."
*nyuk nyuk nyuk*
Nintendo fans are waaaay too forgiving. If MS or Sony were doing this half assed job with online people would be planning a class action lawsuits against them.
snowdog @ May 25th 2007 7:08PM
Hardly the first time this has happened at the start of the launch of an online game...anyone remember WoW and PES 6 at launch..?!?
I'm sure they'll give the server a kick up the bum in the next few days lol
Mr Khan @ May 25th 2007 7:21PM
@ Cloud and Tidus
for the moment, i'm with you, we just had to refresh my Verizon DSL connection to get it to work again, but in doing so i lost all compatibility for Nintendo WiFi/Wii Connect 24
How well do those WiFi USB connectors work?
cuz that's where i'm headed...
CloudANDTidus @ May 25th 2007 7:35PM
@ Rubang B
My connection is fine. Shop, forcast, news channel all work. It logs in and and its a problem, giving me "Error getting stats."
Btw, random bit of information, Nintendo wont let me use my Hitler Mii online. :(
@ snowdog
Bank holiday weekend? I dout it.
CloudANDTidus @ May 25th 2007 7:35PM
*hits a problem >.>;
Rubang B @ May 25th 2007 7:49PM
Damn that sucks. I feel your pain. I got 2 more months.
I wonder how they pick which Miis to allow then. I was expecting a sea of Hitlers, Cheneys, and Michael Jacksons, just like my Mii Parade.
Grog @ May 25th 2007 8:42PM
You can play with anyone you know via friend codes. You can find a random game any time you want with some random person (who happens to be from your region, but what does that matter when you're playing some random person?).
Why are people complaining? I can't wait to get this game.
AssemblyLineHuman @ May 25th 2007 8:55PM
Friend codes blow. If a game doesn't provide 1. the ability to communicate with the other players through voice or keyboard (preferably voice) and 2. the ability to add people to a friends list on the fly, the online-ness is stupid. Why? It's just like playing with really smart AI.