News: Nintendo's Wii brawler is definitely going online.
Nintendo's Smash Bros. Dojo!! blog has revealed another key piece of information concerning the highly anticipated Super Smash Bros. Brawl: online play.
After months of harsh rumors that said Wi-Fi play would not be included with the fighter, Nintendo has gone on record that Super Smash Bros. Brawl will have online play and detailed how it will work.
Sadly, Friend Codes will be required to start a brawl with anyone you know (dubbed the "With Friends" mode). Playing against the rest of the world is also an option (the "With Anyone" mode), but communication will not be possible with strangers.
When playing with friends it will be possible to set four "taunts" to each direction on the Control Pad. Pressing one of these directional buttons during a brawl will sprout a tiny speech bubble above your fighter's head with your selected taunt. These taunts will not be available in the With Anyone mode.
With Anyone mode will not track any win-loss records and "[y]our opponent will not know your name or any information about you."
I can't say it's an ideal online play setup, but it's a start. We'll have more on Super Smash Bros. Brawl soon.
source: Smash Bros. Dojo!!