Smash Bros blog teaches us how to make friends

by James Ransom-Wiley { Dec 3rd 2007 at 4:56PM }

"Simple is best." (Ah, but only if it was as simple as 1-2-3-4-5...). On the day when we were supposed to be playing Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Dojo blog drops a downer, reconfirming the use of unique friend codes. Forget that 16-digit Wii number you've committed to memory, it need not apply. No, Brawl is still going to employ a proprietary code for each user, a 12-digit combination that you'll have to exchange with friends before you can build a buddy list (both parties must register the other's code). "Yep. Simple," declares Dojo.

Tags: friend-code, smash-bros-brawl, smashbrosbrawl, ssbb

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

x876543 @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:02PM

Simple, yes. Pain in the ass, yes. It's just annoying having to trade codes with people just to be "friend"-ed.

Mromson @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:26PM

If I want to play with a friend next-door, I'll invite him over to my place. Why the fuck would I want to stress with trading codes with him?

Ridiculesly pointless system. I will not use the Brawl ONLINE function with Wii-codes. Fuck that.

mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:41PM

That'll show them, Mronsom

psyborg @ Dec 3rd 2007 6:00PM

Luckily with Wii and DS games you don't have to use friend codes to play online. Its only used to add friends, so instead of typing out a handle like say x876543 (heh) you just type out a ten digit code. Definatly annoying but nowhere near as bad as people make it seem.

rTwelve @ Dec 3rd 2007 6:19PM

INTERNET IS SERIOUS BUSINESS

rTwelve @ Dec 3rd 2007 6:21PM

sorry, that was supposed to go two threads down, wtf

Victor @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:03PM

fucking a...

NATO_Duke @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:46PM

How the hell can these people refuse to take their heads out of their ass regarding these codes still?

Mr Khan @ Dec 3rd 2007 6:32PM

Easy, the numbers don't reflect the community's outrage. Nintendo WiFi Connection is growing at a rate much faster than that of LIVE, WiFi enabled games generally do better than non-WiFi enabled games (which is obvious, online is merchandising win). And the simple fact that many of the WiFi enabled games would be compelling enough to buy w/o Online (Strikers Charged, Brawl, Mario Kart DS, maybe not Metroid Prime Hunters, BWii)

There's yer answer, the numbers say WFC is a success, even with its fatal flaws

B1gC72 @ Dec 3rd 2007 7:03PM

i agree with Mr. Khan. although these friend codes are a pain in the ass, the numbers dont lie and Nintendo is only going to pay attention to the numbers. they are obviously taking a "aint broke, dont fix it" approach to the whole online thing. Brawl will still be a ridiculously great game regardless of the online play and i think that is what makes Nintendo's online efforts so special. they make games that are great offline and then add online functionality as an extra feature. so basically, we all need to just get over the friend codes thing, i did.

Vidikron (FU) @ Dec 3rd 2007 9:12PM

Getting "over it" is exactly why we'll always be stuck with their stupid ass online system. Nintendo fans are waaay too forgiving of their obvious and painful flaws.

BananaBoat @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:06PM

Friend codes need to die. Right the hell now

Kye, NDF - Fearless Leader @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:08PM

I completely agree with the above comment.

FidliousWong @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:52PM

Well that's certainly a load off my mind. I was wondering if anyone would disagree with that statement and suddenly violence would break out. But so far, one agreement. Hurray!

DaiMac79 @ Dec 3rd 2007 7:21PM

I, for one, would like to violently disagree with this comment. Your blade, sir!

*DaiMac Challenges Banana Boat to a Lightsaber Duel
-Accept? Y or N

DaNameHere @ Dec 3rd 2007 8:02PM

Banana Boat would like to accept your challenge, but unfortunately you don't know each other's friend codes.

Talk about ironic.

Jstn @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:07PM

Nintendo's Friend Code system may not be the best for hard core gamers but if you head over to http://www.NintendoWorlds.com you can get around that system.
Super Smash Brothers Brawl Friend codes can be easily traded and its also a great Nintendo Forum. Check it out!

Dale @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:12PM

I don't see how a forum for sharing those codes gets around them. Getting around them would be a web site into which you enter your codes then it automatically does all the handshaking on the Nintendo end to link up you and folks on your MSN/AIM/Yahoo!/Facebook/MySpace/whatever buddy lists.

Or even Nintendo realising how stuck in the '80s they are for demanding that users sit and enter long codes with a controller when their are more elegant methods.

Fox318 @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:16PM

Yeah, but you should have to do that in order to play with people. The rest of the gaming world works like this...
person a: Whats your XFIRE/PSN/XBOX LIVE/STEAM/GAMETAP/GAIM/SERVER NAME?
person b:Ok meet you there.

Wii and DS works like this:
person a: Whats your Wii number?
person b: 1532813616313123713872163217361872638
person a; ok her is mine :
23876718638721631827^982*π
person b: ok lets go play with no interaction besides 4 text statements(only in brawl)

Jstn @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:23PM

@Dale it does a hell of a lot more than trying to find people in RL with it, SO SHUT THE FUCK UP.

Fox318 @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:33PM

Jstn

This is why gaming suffers. Because people like you will look past everything bad Nintendo does.

If Nintendo raped and killed your entire family for exchange for a Wii with Mario I'm sure you would be just content.

People, we live in a world where WE have the power. If a product sucks or has a bad feature let the company know. They need to fix it in order to survive(except Nintendo, Apple, and the Microsoft Windows Platform). Nintendo should have launched with a online platform that would allow the consumer to fully enjoy the benefits of an online community.

At least with PS3,XBOX 360, PC, and Phantoms can get patched to fix and add WANTED features. All Nintendo has added is a fashion show, and an rss reader.

Also Jstn try not to sound like a bitch.

mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:42PM

Fox,

Thanks for comparing Friend Codes and rape. You are an ass.

Sincerely,
Civilized Society

FidliousWong @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:56PM

Friend Codes and Rape. You know... rapists often KNOW their victims. Sometimes being very, very close. Ladies, beware the heavy drinker who wants to know your friend code. He will RAPE YOU!!!!

I'm sorry. I know it's a bad thing but....

Raaaaaaaaapppppe Muuuuuuuurrrrrddddeeeerrr, it's just a shot away. It's just a shot away.

Fox318 @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:58PM

@ nimblewick

I believe you misread my response

"If Nintendo raped and killed your entire family for exchange for a Wii with Mario I'm sure you would be just content."

This was in response to Jstn's immature response to a good point Dale made
"@Dale it does a hell of a lot more than trying to find people in RL with it, SO SHUT THE FUCK UP."

This statement by itself is comical as Jstn clearly has not been outsides hsi mom's basement enough to know what the real world is like.

Anyway my original statement was based off the fact that I never NEVER see Nintendo fans say complain about any thing. When Xbox had the RRoD xbox fans were in a frenzy, the recent adult/child problem on xbox live was fixed due to the outcry. Where is the outcry for patching wii games and fixing Virtual Arcade titles(Mario Kart 64). When ever Nintendo has a bad feature they refuse to do it, state a bs reason, and fans walk away..."Oh well, not like I was gonna use that feature anyway." or "Its overrated anyway". Sony is getting their act together as well by providing services that gamers might actually want.

Rape may have been an Exaggeration but the fact still remains that people need to be more vocal.

mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Dec 3rd 2007 6:27PM

I suppose nintendo and xbox fans have different temperments. Sure, friend codes are dumb, but they aren't going anywhere, so Wii owners choose to look on the bright side. There's enough good to the console to offset the bad. Why not just be happy with that?

Peter R. @ Dec 4th 2007 8:38AM

Jstn sites like that, with that exact purpose(connecting anonymous people for online play) are why friend codes are used and ironically the same reason why they don't work. Nintendo put up the stupid friend code system so kids can't connect with anonymous people online. Yet everyone just goes an shares their codes with the world via internet anyway. I wish Nintendo would stop hallucinating on mushrooms and realize their system is extremely flawed.

Besides friend codes Smash bros online is so so ..... I mean wth, no score keeping, no rankings, no nothing, ahhh -_- Hunters on the DS had stat keeping sooo why the change.

Heres an idea free of charge Nintendo, hope a Nintendo rep is reading >_>. Forget the damn friend codes, they ain't helping to accomplish nothing. Instead adapt a system like xbox live, with rankings, stat keeping, and so on(even ARCADE games keep high scores!!). Add a global friend list system to the Wii and assign each Wii a unique username(no damn codes). Make it so whenever someone plays a new online enabled game in wii, its added to their games list,so all their friends can see what games they have and when their online. Connect and play from there, that way only a username is needed, not multiple 12-16 digit codes.

Its not like nintendo gives online voice chat in their games(or any form of communication)anyway. So why are friend codes needed. -_-

tmacairjordan87 @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:07PM

i guess even nintendo believes no one but little kids play the wii online

JarMustard @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:07PM

nintendo seems to be doing everything in their power to force you to play with people in person, not that thats a bad thing...

Intentless @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:07PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... Oh wait I wasn't planning on playing this online anyway... A few friends a bottle of our favorite beverage and GO!

BPM - The Return @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:09PM

Wii Number isn't for Wi-Fi Connection (active connection, multiplayer, etc.), just WiiConnect24 (passive connection, Miis, message board, etc.). Hence why Wii Number won't be used.
The DS also has a console specific number, but just was never used for anything. To view it, go to WFC Settings (from any WFC compatable game) -> Options -> System Information. There you'll see the system's MAC address and the NWFC ID (and just like the Wii Number, it's a 16-digit number, not 12-digit like Friend Codes).

Doesn't stop the fact that Friend Codes suck. But, hell, it takes about 20-30 seconds to enter one.

Zertoss @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:09PM

Dammit, Nintendo! Friend Codes don't make children safe! Guns do!

Mr Intel @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:47PM

NATO_Duke @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:49PM

Damn funny. +1 my friend.

FOXHOUND @ Dec 4th 2007 7:24AM

"You know what the difference between a woman and a gun? You can put a silencer on a gun."
-from SHOOT'EM UP

And no, I'm not a fan of the 'friendcode' system either. :P Good gravy, as if I didn't have enough numbers & codes to remember...

Sihylm @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:09PM

Fucking nintendo.

Oh how I hate you.

You take amazing games, and seemingly for the hell of it, make some of the best features a pain in the arse.

Kye, NDF - Fearless Leader @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:11PM

"Hi, my name is 2673-1729-5839, what's you name?"

Would you accept this face to face? No!

So why the fuck should we accept it online?

Down with friend codes, bring on the names!

Dale @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:14PM

I take it you never had a CompuServe account.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:16PM

or an ICQ number.

Kye, NDF - Fearless Leader @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:20PM

Compuwhat? ICwho?

AlexP @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:28PM

Man I miss that piece of sh** Compuserve.

Actually, I don't, and ICQ is used by Eurofegs.

jake11 @ Dec 3rd 2007 7:35PM

IC Weiner

Aberu @ Dec 4th 2007 12:52AM

Who in the fuck with a life uses ICQ srsly? Or who in the fuck with moar than a kindergarten education uses ICQ?!

WiNG @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:12PM

honestly I only know one or MAYBE 2 friends who will get this game, so it's fine for me. But I still don't know why you have to exchange friend codes per game. What is the point of the Wii system codes if no game can access them? Metroid Prime 3 did better than this, afaik.

Paul P. @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:18PM

The system codes are strictly for the message board, which of course no one uses.

FoxHoundADAM @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:14PM

Online, the major downfall of the Wii.

DonWii @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:15PM

Woot. Online.

LameDuck @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:16PM

This is a good ideal because we all know pedofiles can't remember a 12-digit code. Even if they could, they wouldn't be able to figure out what to do with it.

GO NINTENDO!

Jeff @ Dec 3rd 2007 5:16PM

I would have bought a Wii if not for that garbage. What annoying, stupid, filthy, worthless... KNAVERY!

Super Smash, in my eyes, has always been just as much about talking shit as actually playing. If they had actual this-gen online technology, it'd be flawless.