Spectator

Even among Smash players, there are some people who just aren't that good at action games. With that in mind, I've been thinking about how I can convey the fun of Smash to newcomers. I've been thinking about this type of thing since long before I joined this industry.

So, for this game, I've prepared a new kind of mode. It's called Spectator, and you'll find it in the With Anyone menu. If I had to describe it in a word, it's "watching!"

You can enjoy watching matches between other people!

This mode is a service where Nintendo uses Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to send the data for games played between other people to every Smash household.

Match selection is handled automatically, and absolutely no names of any players can be seen. It feels like there's a continuous broadcast of matches on your television! Even if you don't play, you can enjoy the battles of other characters!

And at the beginning of each match, you can even bet coins on the character you think will win.

I'll bet some coins. I've got a winner!

Glean what hints you can from the stages and combatants and try to deduce the winner.

Of course, if your pick wins, your coin count will increase! And the more players in a match, the higher the payout. There may even be extra prizes.

Even if you lose, you can get some stickers.

Just to make sure there's no mistaking that just watching a match can be fun, we'll be passing out stickers left and right.

For those of you who want to cooperate with our data collection for Spectator mode, set Allow Spectators to Yes in your Wi-Fi Options. This will result in your play data occasionally being sent to Nintendo.

This setting is in your Wi-Fi Options.

The content that is broadcast is the same for everyone spectating (if your connection timing is the same), so it should be fun to have people in different environments watch and cheer the same match.

To be shocked by impressive play, or to bust a gut laughing at some accident will be quite fun! Perhaps you can use it as reference for your own matches.

Hopefully this mode is something that even people who aren't good at games can enjoy.

Meta Knight: Special Moves

I introduced some of Meta Knight's special moves in a previous post titled "Four Special Move Types".

But, since he has so many peculiar moves, I wanted to explain them again.

Suck them up!

Your inertia carries you left and right. Tap the button to rise up off the ground a bit.

Rush!!!

You spin like a drill, plowing into people. You can also change your direction slightly.

Push your enemies up into the air!

Of course, you can push them down, too.

Rise up while launching your sword up...

You can also flutter through the air and glide.

This is a move you use to glide. It's kind of like Kirby's wing ability.

The familiar move from the trailer.

He wraps himself in his cape, disappears, and reappears with this move.

Tilt the stick to move the position where he'll reappear!

If you're pressing the attack button, you'll unleash a surprise attack as you reappear!

Use the Dimensional Cape as a precursor to an attack. If you just can't get the opportunity, then forget about attacking.

Handicap

Be kind to beginners! If all you do in brawls is beat up people who don't know left from right, they'll never understand the rules of the game, right?

So until now, I've always made sure to include handicaps in each game in the series.

But, I began to think that there isn't much thrill in just making yourself weaker, so I changed the system.

First, find the Handicap option on the Rules screen.

Then you'll see something new.

Click-click-click! Ratchet up the handicap.

You start with your initial damage meter boosted!

Even when you reappear.

The strength of each character doesn't change, so then you can show your skills to your opponent!

Also, you can use this not only for handicapping, but also for starting all players at the same damage-it'll give you matches with a slightly different feel.

Now, I've also kept the auto-handicap feature. This gradually increases the starting damage for the winner of the match.

Choose the Auto setting from the same option.

Three Different Taunts

If you want to show your opponent a little flair, you can do moves unrelated to battle-it's called taunting. You do it with the +Control Pad, except when using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.

This time, you do one of three different taunts, depending on the direction you press the +Control Pad!

Up taunt: He twirls his sword twice and sheaths it.

Side taunt: Oh. A fairy.

Down taunt: Is this his mysterious pose from the Nintendo 64 version?!

There are a variety of patterns for you to enjoy.

He takes off his hat and spins around whimsically.

She curls herself in some sort of new stretch.

He gives a shout on the spot.

He gives a three-fingered "W" salute.

He thrusts his sword in the ground and crosses his arms.

He spins his feet and says "Too slow..."

...

With Wii Remote + Nunchuk control, taunts are handled with the 1 Button (up taunt), the 2 Button (down taunt) and the 1 and 2 Buttons simultaneously (side taunt).

Oh, and a short message can be assigned to each taunt direction.