Super Smash Bros. Brawl reveals online plans
by Justin McElroy 
{ Sep 18th 2007 at 9:30AM }
We know it's early, but you may want to go ahead and ring the bell that wakes the defense forces: Nintendo has revealed their online plans for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. And Friend Codes are, as you probably feared, in full effect. Luckily, if you don't mind a pared down experience, it's possible to play without them.
If you're competing with a friend, you'll be able to send personalized messages to them as you battle that you'll map to the D-pad. If you play against a stranger, no records are kept of the match. You also won't be able to see a stranger's name, and you won't be able to send messages. So you can stop planning all the creepy things you'll say about about your undying love of Pokemon and how well-sculpted your glutes are right now, child predators! Friend Codes have saved the day again.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
baby sea tuna @ Sep 18th 2007 9:41AM
Nintendo's online plan...See Also: Mediocre.
upz @ Sep 18th 2007 10:25AM
Take that online predators! You can run from Chris Hansen, but Miyamoto's got you all figured out.
mEgAsHoT @ Sep 18th 2007 11:43AM
Nintendo just shot themselves in the foot with this. I mean, all Nintendo's WFC is is a glorified System Link game, because you have to exchange friend codes with a select group of people, then hope that they are online at the same time that you are, and then you can play online! And that's the only way to get the full functionality out of the title. I mean, what is Nintendo's issue with Matchmaking with random strangers? Are they paranoid or something? I mean, what's the use of even including a matchmaking mode when you can't even communicate with anyone else other than friends?! In my opinion, Nintendo should just kill off the friend codes and go a route like Xbox Live's....have Gamertags, people can interact with anyone else in a game, friends or not, etc. Nintendo's "WiFi Connection" is not a true "online" gaming service, because most of the time you are limited to just playing against friends and that's it! If you don't have any friends, you can't play online. It's just a royal pain in the a** to get friend codes, and have to input them.
ill trooper @ Sep 18th 2007 11:58AM
Even Sony has chat and friends lists... C'mon Nintendo. Follow through on the 'casual' approach, you picked it.
And to all the 'I don't want to hear 6 year-olds' complaints about online chatting... Well, that's taken care of by playing with friends - who I do want to hear and chat with. Not even giving you the option is not a plus in my eyes/ears.
slackerdan @ Sep 18th 2007 12:12PM
I could not agree more... Cannot wait to see how the NDF defends this craptacular plan. Please limit your responses to four, just like the d-pad you'll be using in game.
JJ Rooster @ Sep 18th 2007 12:16PM
Great rant Megashot. Anybody who defends this method is seriously bias to Nintendo or an over-protective mother. Please NDF, wake up and see that no one cares about you. The Wii is for kids only, and it will only get worse from here. This is the equivalent of still playing with dolls as a teenager. Sorry, action figures! BAH!
Skippy @ Sep 18th 2007 12:25PM
But instead of calling it a Gamertag, maybe call it your Wii Handle instead? Nintendo did just recently trademark that name. Of course it could be just a device to carry your Wii...
Calviin @ Sep 19th 2007 12:15AM
You know one benefit I like from the friend codes. I don't have to deal with fucktards. I always hated the friendcode system. I hate dealing with it on the Wii and the DS, but I had an epiphany today that showed me a glimmer of hope for why kit exists. I still don't care for it, but it actually has positives that most of us don't know about or think about.
feArleSs @ Sep 21st 2007 9:15AM
Fools say all you want this is gonna sell!
LAZoftheTamarinds @ Sep 18th 2007 9:41AM
I personally hate friend codes but at least it'll have online. Can't wait for Brawl and hope the online turns out good.
GoldenS1104 @ Sep 18th 2007 3:51PM
I never cared whether or not Brawl was online. Taking advantage of the advanced techniques in the game (the ones most casual players don't even know about) requires timing precised down to a few frames. No matter what online service you use there will always be a few frames of lag, meaning there is nothing Sakurai can do to make online as good as being in the same room. I'll still probably play against my friends online when we can't hang out, but I probably won't be using the mode where you play against anyone because I'd imagine that the majority of people who get this game will not know how to use advanced techniques giving them a huge disadvantage against me. Don't take that the wrong way though, I'm not trying to brag, the techniques are fairly easy to learn with a little practice, but most people haven't even heard of them (especially the younger demographic).
samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Sep 18th 2007 9:42AM
Awesome!
Now just announce Sonic!
Donald @ Sep 18th 2007 9:42AM
DO NOT WANT
(Sonic, that is).
OnimushaSoki @ Sep 18th 2007 10:00AM
And so, with the addition of online game play in BRAWL confirmed; my Nintendo Wii can stay away from the grubby talons of GameStop and eBay reselling for one more year.
And I'd still like to see Sonic/Tails or MegaMan...
Wii60 @ Sep 18th 2007 11:24AM
Why would anyone not want Sonic in Brawl?
shivr @ Sep 18th 2007 9:08PM
I believe there's still some hate left over from the whole "nintendont" thing
awesomeness @ Sep 21st 2007 2:47PM
wtf
Carl Winslow @ Sep 18th 2007 9:42AM
The friends codes and short text messages really make me angry about how Nintendo botched online play for the Wii. Having to enter a 12 digit code for each person you want to play with is still annoying. No voice chat is effing stupid. It's 2007 and Nintendo is still trying to figure this stuff out. Ugh.
I love Smash Bros, but this is just disappointing.
Zaphod Beeblebrox @ Sep 18th 2007 10:28AM
What did you expect from a PS2 generation system? Last generation graphics, last generation online, wait a minute, this is worse than last generation online. Still no voice chat, still those archaic idiodic friends codes. WE MUST PROTECT THE CHILDREN.
Nicolas @ Sep 18th 2007 11:08AM
Oh noes, you really need voice chat for Smash Bros!
dan stabbingworth @ Sep 18th 2007 1:16PM
Yeah, this may sound lame, but at least you won't have 12 year olds telling you to suck their dick the entire time (unless it's your friend).
Koopaknight29 @ Sep 18th 2007 9:45AM
It doesn't look that bad now that I look at it on the site. I guess it just means that there will be more threads of 'show me your friend codes'. Meh, I can live with it.
Oh, and what took you so long, Joystiq? The internet knew about this since 6 hours ago...
~Jeez~
(olol, old jokes for the sarcasm impaired; ie. 90% of internet)
Martin @ Sep 18th 2007 9:45AM
Wow, I have a feeling this comment section is going to get ugly fast.
I'm just happy they have some kind of friend-codeless system.
Kye (NDF - Earth Ring) @ Sep 18th 2007 4:21PM
NDF ASSEMBLE!
JUST SIT BACK GUYS.
Nintendo deserve this whipping. There's only soo many times we can defend retarded decisions.
Mr Khan @ Sep 18th 2007 4:39PM
Well, we couldn't expect them to do more with this one game than with any of its others, now that the online network is here to stay
The only retarded decision was the apparent lack of inclusion of leaderboards. If not recording wins or losses, at least record other statistics (KO's, falls, SD's, Ground Time, Air Time, Damage given, Damage taken, hit %)
Of course we're under no obligation to defend them for their greatest indiscretions, no one is (Example: Even Karl Rove disapproved of Harriet Miers)
Kattleox @ Sep 18th 2007 9:46AM
What? Nintendo has an online plan? I thought it was more of a homocidal scheme or a brooding plot, to be honest.
Hollywood Ron @ Sep 18th 2007 9:47AM
I've participated in enough voice chats to know that's not a feature I'm especially fond of, especially when dealing with strangers. Thanks, but if I wanted to listen to the new Fiddy album I'd play it myself.
NATO_Duke @ Sep 18th 2007 9:52AM
I would agree, but its nice to have the option to talk to friends. Besides, when I dont want to hear chatter - I can turn them off.
superberg @ Sep 18th 2007 9:53AM
Amen. I stopped hooking my headset up to my 360 about two weeks after I started using Live.
Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 18th 2007 11:09AM
Well I'm sure we'll all trade friend codes on Joystiq on launch day, and there are only 4 pre-planned messages you'll be hearing from me.
1. You got served.
2. Come get some.
3. Let me touch your penis.
4. What is your phone number?
Jake @ Sep 18th 2007 11:42AM
Sometimes I play Gears of War with my uncle, brother, guys from work, and adults I requently play with online that are older like me and fun to talk to. I use the headset. That is half of the fun.
Whenever a round comes down to a one on one and somebody will plant a torque dart ftw it is awesome. Everyone that is already out is watching it. Between rounds everyone is yelling and laughing and talking smack. It is like being in a room of guys when your team scores a big play or something.
These are people I know personally or know well enough on Live to want to talk with. It makes the games much, much funner. It is almost as good as having a room full of guys gaming it up. Just the teamwork aspect of using the headset adds so much to the game experience. Plus you can BS while waiting for a round to start.
Anyone who comes in here and says "I threw away my Live headset" or "I'm glad you can only text" or whatever is retarded. I want the option to do that stuff. I have friends with consoles. I have family with them. I request every decent adult I run into on Live to be on my "Friends" list.
I play with almost a dozen different "crews" of adults on Live. I don't have to play with annoying little kids and if I am then I shut the headset off. But the majority of the time, I am playing with cool adults and we have a ton of fun laughing and BS'ing about how bad pokersnatch or whatever online persona just got pwned.
Live and PSN rock. Friends codes and Nintendo online are better than nothing, but in comparision it sucks ass. Nintendo is protecting the kiddies from foul language at the expense of adult fun. I know not everyone wants to talk when they game but I sure as hell do. If my headset broke I wouldn't play online until I got a new one. It makes that big of a difference.
The only reason Nintendo uses the chat and friend's code systems is so that they don't need the "ESRB Notice: Game Experience May Change Online". Essentially, any Teen or 6 and up game for 360 is considered Mature if you go online because people can say raunchy stuff. With Nintendo, there is protection from that. The game experience never changes because strangers can't say dirty stuff to your lil' Timmy.
Why do I even bother? Fanboys will always see console X as superior in every way. Hell, people here are even trying to say they'd rather text and have codes than Live. LOf'ingL. If you don't want to play with kiddies, play R6V. Great time with +90% adults.
JJ Rooster @ Sep 18th 2007 12:29PM
Jake, your post is the gospel! I understand Nintendo's approach, but it screams "this system is for kids" and I have no interest in playing it. As an adult, give me the choice, don't be big brother.
I want to join a game with you on Live sometime. My gamertag is "JJ Rooster", add me.
Konny @ Sep 18th 2007 9:49AM
SSMB fanboys should be happy.. there is online play. Whats the beef?
Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 18th 2007 11:28AM
I think you mean, where's the beef?
Jake @ Sep 18th 2007 9:48AM
I can see why Nintendo wants to use the friend codes, but it really sucks anyways. Friend's lists improve the online gaming experience big time. I really can't overstate that.
baby sea tuna @ Sep 18th 2007 10:05AM
Agreed. Lack of voice chat aside, it's a damn shame that I can't have a SSB match with randoms and then easily turn them into friends for another match. Hell, or even say "good game" afterwards. That's all I ask.
Then again, I'm sure we'll all buy it anyway, so why would Nintendo even bother going the extra mile?
Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 18th 2007 11:27AM
I've updated my list of 4 taunts:
1) GG.
2) kekekekeke
3) zomg zerg rush
4) Let me touch your bikini area.
rdj75 @ Sep 18th 2007 9:50AM
If we were in 1999, this would have been the best thing since slice bread but damn its 3/4 the way to 2008, I love nintendo and all but they need to just stop bull sh!tt!ing about this half a$$ed online service and come up with something better. PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE
NATO_Duke @ Sep 18th 2007 9:50AM
It sounds like a step in the right direction. People need some way of seeing other online players as people and not numbers. It truly is a shame that Nintendo, with some great party games - this being one of them, can't fess up to a poor online system and implement change. A lot more of us would be using our Wii for MP if they did.
The friend code system is such a drag, and it makes the whole experience so cold and impersonal. No system is perfect, but this one is ill conceived in every respect.
Almack64 (NOF - Ultrazord) @ Sep 18th 2007 10:28AM
"The friend code system is... so cold and impersonal"
I agree I actually like Strikers but I stopped playing online because I felt playing with random people felt the same as playing against the computer.
Even "Nintendo approved" messages like "good game or something would be nice to have. Also the ability to have a rematch at a latter time would be nice. What ever happen to the "rivals" list or something like that.
jodyanthony.com @ Sep 18th 2007 9:51AM
awesomeness!
Paul P. @ Sep 18th 2007 9:52AM
It is not clear whether it is a friend code for the individual game or your wii system friend code. The text is kind of ambiguous. The update continually references adding your wii friends, though the screenshot says enter friend code.
Apoklypse @ Sep 18th 2007 9:59AM
Actually if you look at the picture on this post on the right it says "Enter Friend Code" and has 12 digits, the Wii Code is 16 digits. Seems like confirmation to me that Smash has a game specific code.
Skippy @ Sep 18th 2007 12:27PM
Maybe instead of Wii-specific code, it's Mii-specific? What if it's the same code attached to your Mii that Strikers uses?
ZapDash (NDF-Janitor) @ Sep 18th 2007 9:55AM
I was hoping for a headset announcement but oh well.
Seriously though, why not even show the opponents name?
Jerk Face @ Sep 18th 2007 9:58AM
It's simple - so little Johnny the 8 year old doesn't match up against c0ckwh0re69.
wes luger @ Sep 18th 2007 10:01AM
Exactly, if you play against someone and enjoy the game, how do you hook up with them to play again? Is your friends list just made up of people you know in real life, or do they just expect people to use forums to exchange friends codes? Thats pretty weak.
Gotta love that trash talk, though. "YOU WILL BE DUNKED!!"
Jerk Face @ Sep 18th 2007 10:06AM
@Wes
Perhaps it will also work kind of like MP Hunters or Mario Kart DS where you will be able to add someone to your friends list?
That would be nice.
Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 18th 2007 11:31AM
If you go add a million strangers from Joystiq or GameFAQS and see a bunch of racist sexist homophobic names, then it's not Nintendo's fault. It's your own fault for adding strangers. It's going to happen, but Nintendo already protected themselves. I'll add all the strangers in the world and won't complain, but it's gonna get sloppy.
Kael @ Sep 18th 2007 11:55AM
Jerk Face, I hope it doesn't work like Prime Hunters at all. After all this time, I still can't figure out why they gutted the game's multiplayer when playing with strangers. I understand things like not being able to communicate with strangers or see their perverse names, but Prime Hunters limited MODES OF PLAY when playing against strangers by allowing only deathmatch and not any of the seven or so other modes unless you play with people you know. What is so much more dangerous for little Johnny the 8-year-old in Capture the Flag than the deathmatch mode of the same game? I can't figure it out!
If Super Smash imposes similar, retarded restrictions, I'm going to flip out.
Hey, how about Nintendo makes use of the Parental Control system and allow us grown-ups to communicate with strangers and make friends online? Duh!