Redmond (WA) - Nintendo today detailed how online multiplayer will work with the upcoming Wii game Super Smash Bros Brawl.

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See how Super Smash Bros Brawl online will work (12 images) ...

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Just like the current Wii Wi-Fi games that are available, users will be able to duke it out in online brawls against any user who is also looking for a match at the same time.  However, players will only be able to send chat messages to users they have already pre-registered.

Friend registration comes with specialized friend codes, which is the same system that Nintendo has been using since it opened up online DS games a couple years ago.

In his official blog, Super Smash Bros Brawl insider Masahiro Sakurai also noted that the Wii itself will eventually have a universal friend code system that can be used across different games.  However, Brawl will have its own friend code system so the friend codes will not be applicable to any other online Wii game.

Inside Brawl, users will be able to choose icons for their online profiles, as well as up to four comments.  Players can also send messages in the middle of battle.  For easier access to friend status, when a player enters the online mode he will be taken to a game lobby that shows the status of all registered friends.

Why am I not surprised

Dec 03, 2007 14:42     

Why am I not surprised to see Nintendo bungling online play so badly? I love Nintendo and the Wii, but if they were Sony, the media would be all over their handling of their online multiplayer network. This simply isn't acceptable in today's console market. Come on Nintendo. Get it together. You can make this system work!
Devryn report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

smash bros

Dec 03, 2007 15:25     

All I need to know is one thing: does it have the home run bat?
napalmjack report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Thanks

Dec 03, 2007 15:27     

for nothing TG. [Welcome, as always. :) -Rick]
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I love Nintendo...

Dec 03, 2007 16:21     

...but they really don't have a clue when it comes to online gameplay.
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Send message during a game?

Dec 03, 2007 16:46     

I think thats going to be pretty hard to do, with the Wii controls. I think online isnt going to go very smoothly.
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Awesome!!

Dec 03, 2007 16:50     

Smash Bro's is not the same with only two players. 3 is necessary! BTW, I wonder if two-three local players will be able to play with one online player...
Tony report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Aye, sheer brilliance!

Dec 03, 2007 17:10     

Friend codes! nothing like em. I love how Nintendo states (in a nutshell): "Hey! we're going to have a universal friend code system soon! Except SSBB, what is promising to be our biggest online game, and the game I'm discussing. So I don't really know why i'm mentioning it. To make it seem better I guess?"
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Reason for the STUPID friends code

Dec 03, 2007 17:29     

The reason is probably due to the family friendly image and in some ways prevent children to get in touch with others that might have malicious intent. However, I think this is a system that could be implemented differentely and set as default, but allow for a matchmaking type system ala Xbox Live!
ano report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Boooo!

Dec 03, 2007 17:31     

Super Smash Bros. online=ruined. Thanks Nintendo, for yet again dissapointing me greatly. They really need a management overhaul. Friend codes was the worst idea since the virtual boy (which were both made by Nintendo).
Johnymo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Love the Wii but

Dec 03, 2007 17:42     

Nintendo keeps missing the mark on online gaming which is amazing to me. They pretend like it doesn't exist and it's something that's worth there time.
Action Jackson report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

That's nice

Dec 03, 2007 17:54     

So how about some info that's actually useful, like how well the game performs online, or whether or not it's best to have a wireless connection with your Wii or whether or not people from diff continents will be able to play together lag free.
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Does it matter?

Dec 03, 2007 19:24     

What did all you guys do before game consoles went online? It truly scares me... Go out, make some friends, invite them over to chill and eat burritos, and play Smash Bros. Who needs online if you have friends that can come to you in person. All online play does is increase the number of people who become social outcasts and stay inside their house all day. I'm not saying it's bad but just that what the big deal if it's not put together the way your used too. Be happy they even have it is what I guess I'm trying to say. At least you get to play against human controlled characters rather than computer controlled ones.

hmm report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Does it matter?

Dec 03, 2007 19:24     

What did all you guys do before game consoles went online? It truly scares me... Go out, make some friends, invite them over to chill and eat burritos, and play Smash Bros. Who needs online if you have friends that can come to you in person. All online play does is increase the number of people who become social outcasts and stay inside their house all day. I'm not saying it's bad but just that what the big deal if it's not put together the way your used too. Be happy they even have it is what I guess I'm trying to say. At least you get to play against human controlled characters rather than computer controlled ones.

hmm report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

You can say that again.

Dec 03, 2007 21:46     

Action Jackson is completely right. Couple their internet gaming fiasco with their lack of interest in high def output and they've really lost a lot of business to the two other companies who are capitalizing in a big way.
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RE: Does it matter?

Dec 03, 2007 22:55     

I agree wholeheartedly with you, 'hmm': Online play shouldn't be a given, and the game would probably still be good without it. And Smash Bros. will still be Smash Bros., even if the online play isn't as sophisticated or mature as Sony's or Microsoft's. Anyway, don't you prefer it when you can actually have friends at your house to play? Half the fun is the social interaction (e.g. banter and laughter) anyway!

Robert report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

What are you guys complaining about?

Dec 04, 2007 00:43     

What are all of you complaining about? You can play online with anyone-- read the article again. Nintendo has done this with all of their games and it works fine.
MP report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

haha

Dec 04, 2007 06:01     

Does it matter, it matters a great deal. I think they should steer clear from even trying to go online. And for the most part, leave the gaming industry as well. I say give it another year maybe less, there console is nothing but a mere dent that we all thought was great. In general, the only great games it offers is those that are made by the company itself.. No publisher/developer really wants to make a game for a console that sure, it sells a lot of units. But the remote idea sux, and fact that it has like 5 year old tech in it blows big time. Its no wonder most great games out now are not on the Wii. And i'm talking about publishers/developers that don't work for nintendo. I will be looking forward to smash bros. But nintendo just doesn't get it. And one last thing, i think its them trying to be sooo different that in the long run i hope makes them suffer. I'll buy one if it cost like 100 bucks.. But 250 for sh**** tech ehh. They need a real revolution, and it better come out asap.

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I agree

Dec 04, 2007 06:07     

But some people are stuck with shitty friends that don't play SSB so it'd be nice to have some real competition. I like playing with friends, but it's not as much fun if they all suck compared to you. I want some competition, and the NPCs get old after a while.
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I love online gaming...

Dec 04, 2007 07:16     

Mostly on games like WC3 and WoW... can't play them by myself and love having friends over and playing together. I still think that online game is just a bonus feature on the wii... better to have friends over. Now if they are putting online on it I really believe they should try to put more effort on it. The "handicap" works great for real life gaming. Put your name on the character, and it tracks how you play and keeps your handicap. Allows me to play with my 10 y/o cousin and my 22 y/o friend together and still have a challenge (they don't have a clue of what they are doing). Now if they mix handicap to a matchmaking system like that of a Warcraft 3, it would be awesome.

crazyhippo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I cant believe you nay-sayers!

Dec 04, 2007 07:44     

Ok first of all, SSB rules... the moment I heard that they would include online play I was like OMG YES. I know many of you may not play online games, and you know what? No one really cares! You dont have to play it online for god sakes... it just an EXTRA feature. Nintendo blesses the world with an online SSB and you people complain?! LOL what is wrong with you! Has nintendo failed you recently or something? It seems to me they know the meaning of fun and success. Go Wii!

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GEES hard critics

Dec 04, 2007 08:15     

A lot of people seem to think that online play is all that we have anymore. Its great that they are bringing Smash Bros online, but the Wii (and Nintendo in general) isnt really about hiding in a dark hole. WoW does that, Nintendo is a social machine. There is NO console in the world that can be played by a family (or any general broad range of sex and age) like what Nintendo has to offer. Nintendo might not be the king of online or high end graphics, but the "other guys" sure can't seem to figure out how to do a non-gore or graphics dependent game. I can't wait to play this game... only one more important really is Mario Kart ~Wii edition (whatever the final name is gonna be)

NoDestiny report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Griping?

Dec 04, 2007 08:57     

I don't know what the huge deal is. It looks like, yes, you can go out and randomly challenge any ol' Joe out on the Web, you just can't -chat- with people unless you've both got Friend Codes. Obviously that detracts a bit, but this way Nintendo doesn't have to deal with the kid/adult interaction problems (which affects Nintendo much more than X-Box 360 or PS3, because Nintendo has much more of a reputation as a kid-friendly company).

Steve report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Move in the right direction

Dec 04, 2007 11:10     

IMO it's a good move for the Nintendo. The Wii is a great family/party console. Adding online capability will increase playability of SSBB as others hav indicated it's much more fun with more people. Chatting is nice, if you know the people. I've been quite disapointed with some individual's imaturity and cursing on Xbox live. Smack talk is one thing... but where are these kids parents or if they are aduults they should be ashamed of themselves. I do not cinsider myself a conservative or anything, but I think Nindento is doing the right thing here as the console does seem to be more family oriented. Amazing how having little kids changes your view. If I didn't have kids I would probably be right there with the other bashers.

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Does it Matter

Dec 04, 2007 13:51     

>>>Go out, make some friends, invite them over to chill and eat burritos, and play Smash Bros. Who needs online if you have friends that can come to you in person. great, this is all I need, invite people over to my house only to have Chris Hansen show up on my doorstep telling me I'm a sexual predator for inviting people over for buritos and Wii...
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Keyboard!

Dec 04, 2007 18:16     

@wolflive The Wii has had USB keyboard support since the last update for use in opera. I'm sure it wont just be limited to that.
Miggzeh report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

You only have to do it once anyways

Dec 05, 2007 11:47     

Friend codes are stupid, yes, but you have to add each friend once and that`s all, so it is not a that big of a trouble... and you can play with a lot of people without doing that, so, for most of the fights, it won't matter. If you are going to play with people you know, then all the better if all of you go play together in real life anyways...
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Reason Why We're Complaining

Dec 08, 2007 18:25     

Because we expect a lot from Nintendo. Nintendo always does things beyond our expectations and now they bring us something that everyone was expecting greater. I would not mind if Nintendo delayed Brawl for a few more months to make online play customizable!
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cool

Dec 11, 2007 15:50     

i love nintendo i love supersmashbros but will i be able to fight online with no friendscode? nintendo rocks
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bad

Dec 11, 2007 15:55     

wat we need friendscode to play online? when is supersmashbros coming out
kevin report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

nintendo rocks

Dec 11, 2007 15:57     

wii is so awesome xbox360 is crappy go nintendo
kevin report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

why are you guys complaining (read)

Dec 11, 2007 16:13     

its ok for nintendo to put friend codes just chill guys lets wait so we can see wat nintendo is doing
kevin report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

where?

May 14, 2008 18:27     

where can i go to play ssbb online?
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