Betting comes to Brawl with Spectator Mode

by Scott Jon Siegel { Nov 16th 2007 at 8:30AM }

Those with a gambling addiction or who just simply "like to watch" are in for a treat when Super Smash Bros. Brawl finally (hopefully) launches in February 2008. Hot off the official Brawl website is the news that Nintendo's all-star fighter will include a Spectator mode, allowing players to sit back and watch the carnage without lifting a finger.

Not content to simply let players observe each battle, Nintendo has also included a betting system, where players can use their hard-earned coins to wager on combatants during each Brawl battle. Winning can pay off big, but Nintendo has sweetened the pot even more by promising copious amounts of stickers to all the spectators, with the potential for "extra prizes."

Of course, regular paranoid Wii online limitations still remain: you won't be able to see the names of any of the players you'll be watching, and Spectator Mode matches you with upcoming online battles automatically, so it doesn't seem like you'll be able to follow one fighter over a number of matches. And we don't even really know what those coins will do in the game. Still, everyone likes gambling, right?

[Thanks, Brock_UK]

Tags: nintendo, smash-bros, smash-bros-brawl, smashbros, smashbrosbrawl, ssbb, wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

FOXHOUND @ Nov 16th 2007 8:38AM

"The only monster here is the gambling monster that has enslaved your mother! I call him Gamblor, and it’s time to snatch your mother from his neon claws!"

-Homer Simpson

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Nov 16th 2007 3:30PM

Classic.

Silent Xenocide @ Nov 16th 2007 8:41AM

This would be a pretty sweet system if the online wasn't so limited. Plus it would be pretty cool to track players and bet on them maybe in tournaments or something.

B1gC72 @ Nov 16th 2007 5:53PM

thats what i was thinking. i guess they think that people that would follow certain players would have an unfair advantage or something. but seriously, it's not real money lol. plus im sure they would have some other way of obtaining coins too or what would you have to gamble with from the get go?

Nick @ Nov 16th 2007 8:41AM

lol, sweet. I'm really starting to get happy with the Wii again. Some good games are finally starting to come out. I can't wait for this one, all of my friends love to play smash and I just know that there will be plenty of nights wasted away on this game.

Jtenma @ Nov 16th 2007 8:42AM

The betting system sounded very cool, until I was reminded of "the not seeing names thing".

So you might as well not even bet in the first place....you dont know the person, you dont have a name, you dont have even a battle history of the player.

jorojoserojas @ Nov 16th 2007 9:03AM

But, because it is so random, isn't that the very definition of a gamble?

fawazr @ Nov 16th 2007 9:19AM

No, that's like randomly betting on horses or football teams.

Jtenma @ Nov 16th 2007 9:24AM

@ joro

No.

Like fawazr said, you bet on your favorite team/player, not just some random guy/girl just because they picked C. Falcon (which was the best player in Melee...prove me wrong online if he is a playable character).

jorojoserojas @ Nov 16th 2007 9:44AM

Yeah, I guess you guys are right. I was thinking "gambling" more along the lines of slot machines or card games, but your analogies are way more relevant than mine.

Either way, it can never be a bad thing to put more features into a game, right?

Fatass of Kickassness @ Nov 17th 2007 3:24PM

Jtenma, seriously? I mean, C. Falcon was a good character, but a skilled Fox/Falco/Shiek/Marth player could tear him to bits.

shivr @ Nov 16th 2007 8:44AM

hmm.. perhaps allowing spectating on some online high level tourneys would be sweet... Otherwise, I see this as being a 'screen saver' for my wii :3

ares04 @ Nov 16th 2007 8:44AM

don't think anyone was expecting this feature. There are releasing so many tidbits about the game, I'm afraid that there won't be any secrets left when we finally get the game. This is so cool, it's like having a Smash Bros Brawl channel 24/7. I also believe this is going to make this game even more competitive because strategies will become publicly known. Plus this feature combined with the level editor, a person would be able to get feedback on their custom levels. By watching people play on your custom level, a person could make adjustments to make the level more challenging. I can't wait for this game!!!

http://www.ares04.com/

Donald @ Nov 16th 2007 8:51AM

Interesting choice for JAPAN TIME, but there's no confirmation of characters recently. I need to know if I'll be able to get my FALCON... PUUUUUUUUUUUNCH on

Jtenma @ Nov 16th 2007 9:27AM

wow, I thought I was the only one who thought(wait)/KNEW he was the best character in the game....

Rubang B (BRUSH WITH FAME) @ Nov 16th 2007 1:51PM

I'm pretty sure Falcon, Luigi, and Mr. G&W will be making a comeback. Call it a hunch.

Sakurai can't announce everybody though. There's gotta be some secret characters again.

Mr Khan @ Nov 16th 2007 4:08PM

1. If Sakurai was "forced" by fan demand to re-include Ice Climbers, the same "force" will require him to return the beloved Game and Watch

2. An assist trophy from F-Zero, running under Captain Falcon's old symbol (the falcon, duh) has already been shown, so he's as good as in at this point (just like the Animal Crossing symbol heralding the inevitability of Tom Nook)

WiNG @ Nov 16th 2007 8:56AM

How many features will Brawl have? GOTY for sure at this rate!!

FOXHOUND @ Nov 16th 2007 9:02AM

Since it's already confirmed that controls/gameplay wise, it's as good as it gets... it would be a travesty if this game DIDN'T get GotY honors by just about any videogame reviewing media out there(though the NegaReview should be hi'larious).

And yes, this is coming from a guy who bleeds nothing but absolute love for METAL GEAR(obviously).

Martin @ Nov 16th 2007 9:09AM

Games released in February have an uphill battle garnering that precious Game of the Year title, from what I've seen.

For me it all comes down to online implementation, which the Wii is essentially crippled at.

I'll hold off true judgment until the final product ships though.

Platy @ Nov 16th 2007 2:33PM

"(though the NegaReview should be hi'larious)."

hmmm

"The control is the same(1), because it is basicaly the same controller(2) because it is a wii game that don't have motion controls (4)[..]
It needs Cloud(1), Vincent(2), Voldo(7),Ryu (3, 4 and 5) [...]
Friend Codes Sux(6)[...]
This games has itens and stages that aren't flat (3)[...]
makes me have no time to review other games (1,2,3,4,5,6....)"

xD

Slaziman @ Nov 16th 2007 9:11AM

This game has EVERYTHING! I can't believe they are selling this for 50$!

It's sad that Nintendo is so paranoid and limits this game somewhat, but really, the amount of cool features in this game overshadows all of the nitpickings I can think of. If this was on Xbox Live, it would be the No 1. online game EVER! Well, at least on the Wii it will be the biggest local multiplayer game man has ever laid eyes upon.

Lemming @ Nov 16th 2007 9:17AM

Coins are for buying trophies - like the last game surely?

Rubang B (BRUSH WITH FAME) @ Nov 16th 2007 1:53PM

This gambling is the only coin use announced so far.

Slaziman @ Nov 16th 2007 9:23AM

Thanks for camouflaging obvious advertising with an inane comment so you don't get banned.

Slaziman @ Nov 16th 2007 11:15AM

This was in reply to a bot, but his post got deleted, so now I look like an idiot ,_,

x876543 @ Nov 16th 2007 1:41PM

We all have to take turns being the idiot. :)

cybereality @ Nov 16th 2007 9:35AM

BET 3866 9672 3390 4572 ALL

WiNG @ Nov 16th 2007 10:03AM

LOL +1

JPN @ Nov 16th 2007 9:51AM

Wow...I find that very innovative! Not just a cool feature they put in their game that they stole from other games. I didn't particularly care for this game when it was on Gamecube but that is a really neat feature.

zero @ Nov 16th 2007 9:54AM

ZOMG NINTY ISN'T BEING KIDDIE FRIENDLY!!11ELEVEN

Eudoxious @ Nov 16th 2007 10:03AM

Id have to agree with some of the previous posts about another character announcement. Its been quite awhile since they told us about another character for the game. Im 100% positive C. Falcon Luigi and Jigglypuff will be in the game, they've got tenure man, cant just cut them out after two games. I'd say Ness too but after the Lucas commitment im starting to wonder if Ness will still appear, though I do believe he will.

Characters that made their first appearance in Melee are harder to put some confidence behind, Like Marth or Mewtwo Its hard to say if they'll return (though personally I hope Marth does, Mewtwo can go suck a railroad spike). Really, I wouldnt be surprised if Characters like Pichu, Dr. Mario, and Young Link didnt make an appearance.

Eh, its just been an issue thats been buggin me lately, Im getting tired of explaining to my less-hardcore gamer friends that these characters havent been cut, they just havent been announced.

Rubang B (BRUSH WITH FAME) @ Nov 16th 2007 1:57PM

Sakurai said he doesn't want any clones. He definitely got carried away with that in Melee. So if Pichu, Dr. Mario, or Young Link come back, they'll have to be really different. And I'm pretty sure Ike replaced both Roy and Marth like Lucas replaced Ness.

I'm expecting both Falcon and Ganondorf, but to be separate now. Also, Mario uses FLUDD in this game, and Luigi CAN'T use that, so I'm expecting Luigi to be really different and possibly use his Poltergust.

Jigglypuff and G&W should make it back though. That's all I'm expecting. I want a Young Link to be Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass style, but I doubt it'll happen.

playwhutyalike (take my shoes off) @ Nov 16th 2007 10:03AM

I've never played any of the brawls, but this one just keeps perking my interest more and more.

Damn you Nintendo for making me excited for future gaming experiences!

Now back to Galaxy, see y'all in a few days.

WiNG @ Nov 16th 2007 12:45PM

Brawl is insane fun. It's the kind of game that is hilariously chaotic for a new player, and yet still deep and challenging for pros.

Plus with all this added content, plus Sonic, who can complain??

Obie @ Nov 16th 2007 10:08AM

Could this game be any more jam-packed with features?

Superstar90 @ Nov 16th 2007 10:19AM

Just you wait til they pack in a WiiToaster to sweeten the deal.

hvnlysoldr @ Nov 16th 2007 11:22AM

And when you play soul the toaster dances to life. NES Advantage sold separately.

Your Ad here 555-1923 @ Nov 16th 2007 10:49AM

Kudos to Nintendo.

I'm glad to see more multiplayer games focusing on being fun than in being competitive.

Cutty @ Nov 16th 2007 11:47AM

I was excited about this feature until I heard about how limited the system is. I can't imagine a spectator mode where I cannot choose who to watch or even know who I'm watching to be very fun.

Slaziman @ Nov 16th 2007 12:34PM

I think the fun is to bet together with friends and family, laugh and cheer for the guys playing, and then brag to each other that you won. If you go solo with this feature, then yes, it's pretty lame.

WiNG @ Nov 16th 2007 12:47PM

You could still learn a lot if you watch a match with good players.

x876543 @ Nov 16th 2007 1:46PM

I think it would be cool if you can bet when you play in the match and that others can see what you bet. How much fun would it be to see someone bet like 300 coins on himself and everyone just gangs up on him to lose.

Sieged Eagle @ Nov 16th 2007 2:05PM

Wow. First the Co-op adventure, then Sonic, then the Stage Builder and now this! Brawl looks like it's going to be the definitive God of games next year for sure, and it would be a sin to miss it on launch date. I can safely say this is the best update of the week.

I'd better prepare my tent and food supplies so I can camp in front of BB 1-2 days before it launches!

Platy @ Nov 16th 2007 2:27PM

good update ... free stickers !

but i'm not sure if this beats this week's update that finaly confirmed snake's cardboardbox as a taunt xD

Kye (NDF - Earth Ring) @ Nov 16th 2007 2:18PM

I hate to be the kill-joy, but...

"you won't be able to see the names of any of the players you'll be watching"

and

"it doesn't seem like you'll be able to follow one fighter over a number of matches"

Good ole Nintendo, making sure that your virtual avatar can't follow your friend's virtual avatar. You know, just incase someone hacks a way for there to be avatar rape or something.

Really, people do not need these desicions being made for them. If I decide I don't want to be followed then fair 'nuff, but this is stupid.

All in all though, I'm still v.excited about brawl.

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Nov 16th 2007 3:31PM

This is just another fantastic feature in what's looking like my first major reason to pick up a Wii.

Carlos @ Nov 16th 2007 4:12PM

I want to bet wii points!!!

ThornedVenom @ Nov 16th 2007 6:23PM

Is there SOMETHING they haven't thought up and put in this game?

I'm not too certain now to bet that Noah's Ark isn't going to be in the game.

Deuz Augustine @ Nov 16th 2007 9:14PM

There ... do you see it?

Wh-what is this strange stage!?

Is it ... Noah's Ark!?!?

Oh, there are animals everywhere! But don't touch the elephant; he will step on you with his great foot!

Oh look, there goes Jesus up in the sky!

If you break Jesus open, he will drop many items on the Ark. Please be aware of it.