Surely I'm not the only one who watched "The Wizard" and knows that Fred Savage wasn't the one who took on Power Glove boy?

pirate_panda

@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB: Actually, by your account, the tourney "succeeds".

Jest

There's nothing wrong with a VIZIO, a year ago every LCD's contrast ratio was no better than theirs and yet now you people act as if all of a sudden it's crap. To bad I'm terrible at smash bros. Somehow people think just because it's sold at discount stores it's garbage. Do your research, and with proper setup you can create a quality setup on a budget. Plus I play with the brightness high anyways, it;s to damn difficult to see enemies in the dark on some games.

LowNemesis

@MiyamotosChin:

We get this tourney as well

[nintendo.ca]

Bondageware

@CiciColino: Melee pros will still have an advantage. Why do you think KoreanDJ won the WPI tourney? Besides, even if a pro isn't all that familiar with Brawl's mechanics, their mindgames still have a serious advantage.

sanyo

Aww, now we're gonna know who's top tier

Ultrasinc

@BudDudandSlash:

that's weird. at my store players are going to be allowed whatever kind of controller they want. also, the asm is pushing to bring in his wii and his lcd tv so that we can have longer matches between the two setups.

also, gamestop didn't make the rules, they were handed down from nintendo, just to clear that up.

coin_operated_boy

Ewww, only one minute? Hell when my friends and I played Melee we'd set it to 15-20 lives stock. Kept a single round going nice and long.

Aitrus233

Just so everybody knows, the official GameStop rules say the rounds need to be 1v1 time matches, and the controller set up must be Wii remote/ nunchuk. They also recommend 1 minute matches, but for the tournament being run at my store, I'll be pushing for 3-minute matches.

BudDudandSlash

@MuppetChrist:

Nvm. I should read every post, no?

-2 cool pts. for dbl post. :(

Nisori

NEWS: You will be playing with Wii mote and nunchuck attachment only. No gamecube or classic controllers.

Nisori

@TJH518: Don't worry, bastards around you (like me) have been playing this since weeks ago. Hey, look at the bright side, at least you'll have plenty of sleep when they release the game!

No, but seriously, you can cancel your reserve at any time, and get your preorder money back. They might have enough copies at some other Gamestop which you can go to that has a midnight release, and you can cancel/change the preorder the next day.

FlameEye

Son of a bitch. I was hoping for a midnight release, but I preordered at the Gamestop in the mall and they aren't having one, even though they usually do. Now I have to wait till 12pm Sunday to play it, all while knowing some bastards around me are probably playing it already!

TJH518

Great idea and all, but guess what? Apparently, its not going on in two states. And guess where I live. In one of the two.

CaptainHalcyon

the ENTIRE Wii library?! whoa. I wonder how much store credit you could get by trading all the shovelware in?

Sandbox_Emperor

Ok, so the best they can do is a Vizio? Uh...that's not worth the effort.

Benjo

@Superhacker75mil: 4. Though the rules were vague about this, I believe items are supposed to be set to "HIGH" throughout this tier.

Oh wow. Missed this post before (don't think Kotaku's new system is playing nice with references).

Guess that answers my questions about items. I would honestly be surprised if ANYBODY can actually KO somebody in a minute with items at High. (Can you even break and unleash the Smash Ball in a minute?)

TRT-X

@MuppetChrist: Thanks for the info! Appreciate the heads up.

I still don't like one-minute matches, but Battlefield will hopefully tighten things up significantly.

Any idea on the item settings? I'd hate for a one-minute match to come down to a Home Run Bat, Golden Hammer, or Smash Ball landing in somebody's lap.

TRT-X

I don't know why everyone is complaining about the prizes. If you read the fine print, you will see that they spent $500 on a trophy for the winner. This no doubt means that there will be a miniature solid gold kirby dressed as snake at stake.

ForAllThatEverWas

Oh, and I forgot, yes, the matches are being played in Battlefield, to neutralize stage advantages for certain characters and keep the gameplay focused more on the player vs. player combat as opposed to having to avoid environmental hazards.

MuppetChrist

Wow. Some people, man.

I'm the Ass. Manager (yes, I manage your ass all day) at the store where the company is going to be holding the finals. Which means that if some of you are as good as you think you are, we'll be meeting in April (or sooner).

I just wanted to set the record straight on some things.

1.) The control set-up is with the Wiimote and Nunchuck. Nintendo and Gamestop are obviously partnering on this tournament, and Nintendo wants to showcase their new technology. I know this decision is an unpopular one, but please, if anyone out there is thinking about going into a Gamestop tournament and being a jerk to a Game Advisor on Saturday night, think better of it. These guys aren't in charge of that decision, and a lot of them probably agree with you.

Also, to those saying that it's odd to run a tournament with controls nobody has used, I agree, which is why at my store, at least, I intend on holding a quick, five minute "crash course" with my tournament players to go over the new controls before they step up to the consoles.

2.) Gamestop will pay your travel fees to the national finals here in San Jose. There's really no other "traveling" outside of that flight. The tournament set-up is in four rounds - local, district, and region - so the most you might end up having to drive is 40 or 50 miles to your regional finals.

3.) There most certainly are prizes for winning or placing in qualifying tournaments, Gamestop simply isn't advertising those prizes because, honestly, none of us really know what they are. They were supposed to be arriving in stores this week sometime, but as of right now, Thursday, I have yet to see them.

Anyhow, I know there's a lot of negativity being thrown around here, but I, personally, am very excited for both the launch and then all four tournament rounds. It should be a very fun month. Maybe I'll get to meet some of you guys face to face.

MuppetChrist

I should also add, I sincerely hope they have the stages pre-determined. I'd hate to select a character I'm good at (Pikachu seems to be the only option since Luigi and Falco won't be unlocked and Roy isn't in it...), only to get screwed over when they decide to pick a stage that makes said character far less useful.

Or one of the mnay "spend more time running from the stage KO than your opponent" stage (friggin' Melee and it's stupid Icicle Mountain)

TRT-X

Even though my local one has one listed I just called to check on it, they canceled it so I think I will go elsewhere for the game.

I really want to get the game ASAP and have fun at a tourney. I am not a very good player but it does not mean I can not have fun.

datafox

@ceilingFANBOY: now with 100% more fanboy: Here's a thought...turn down the prizes. Unless there's some disclaimer on the signup sheet, you have no legal obligation to accept the prizes they offer you for winning.

They could come back that it's an all or nothing prize pack, but again...read the signup sheet carefully. And, unless I'm misreading a few things...these prizes aren't available until what...3rd round? So it's not like there's going to be a big prize winner at each store right?

In other words, a whole lot of people are whining about something that'll never be a problem for them.

TRT-X

All im asking for is gc controllers.

And please please dont make us play with the classic's like they did at nintendo's tournament.

stephenzerotwo

Yeah, the one-minute match thing is bull. Unless they crank up the Damage Ratio (which makes matches REAL unfun), good luck KOing an opponent in that short of time.

That rule alone gives me a bad feeling it's going to suck. Similar to the Guitar Hero tourney my GS district put together last year. Imagine 15 Kiosks running off of one power supply. Now imagine getting a nice 8x multiplyer going and then having your unit die from a power surge.

Now imagine that happening three or four times to ONE PERSON. And multiply that out across three or four kiosks each SET.

Now combine it with 20 different people trying to adjust the lag between songs...and having varying degrees of lag between 10 different machines.

Terribly put together.

And I get that feeling just by the 1-minute round rule. I could probably take Peach or Kirby, hit my opponent with a projectile and then just float around for 50 seconds.

t3h Wiin!!!!1!

TRT-X

All I can say is... California!

GlompWorthyGamer

@Setzer IIDX:

Dude, a lot of the things he changed made the rules more reasonable.

Have you ever played SSB?

1 minute matches? ok, yah that's bullshit. Superhacker75mil's 7 minutes, 3 stock approach is fine.

Most ACTUAL, REAL tournaments turn the items off, and he was even generous enough to include the cheapest item, the smash ball. Nothing wrong with his item settings.

And he included the full roster, which doesn't change anything outside of giving people more characters to choose from.

And as the manager (I assume) of a Gamestop he has the right to change any of the rules that they allow him to. What right did the person have who made the original rules to make it so crappily uniform?

NeoAkira

@Nintenboy01:
OMG the games are t3h suck. Who cares that they're essentially giving you $X in store credit.

*Le sigh*

I'll definately have to stop in for this if there's one at my local Gamestop. Haven't played Melee in years...but Pikachu (yeah that's right...I use Pikachu) is a starter so I should have a fair shot.

TRT-X

The only gripe that I had issues getting over (I came to terms with the control style...) is that the first round of Brawls will be a minute long each.

Often, one minute matches are determined by little other than luck, especially between fighters of vastly different skill levels.

I see some of the better players getting eliminated early on because they don't have time enough to do their thing, and their opponents find it fun to just run away the entire time and then get the first hit in Sudden Death.

Though I did practice one minute matches. If you've got your wits about you they can be very interesting, but again--there's too much luck involved.

I understand longer matches would mean everyone would be at the tournament longer, might get their preorders late. But even just two minutes each and starting the tournament before 10 or picking it up again after midnight would feel better.

Xiatter

@Techknow: The rules say "entire First Party Nintendo Wii Software Library (A $700 value??)".

So it's just the first party stuff, apparently. But I didn't realize there is $700 worth of First Party Wii Software.

Xiatter

@Superhacker75mil:

Good man.

Worst rule is by the far the controller rule.

I can deal with any of those other ones, I don't care.

But the controller is a big fuck up on Gamestop's part.

Don't know how to hold a tourney. ;[

Junker

@D3Anon: yep. Gamestop won't pay for your travel, just allow you to move forward. Also, it is my understanding that you get nothing from competing or winning until the finals... which is dumb.

darknessgp

My god, Gamestop runs a free tournament, and people still find ways to bitch and moan about every detail of it.

scottyboy218

II'd go, both both my local GameStops inexplicably canceled their midnight launches (and thus the tourneys as well) and I don't feel like making a 2-hour roundtrip drive down I-25 at 10 at night just for a prelim round. I'll stick with the two non-GameStop local events that I already have organized and set in stone.

Also, SCREW YOU GAMESTOP, YOU CORPORATE FLEABAGS! YOU'LL NEVER GET ANOTHER CENT FROM ME (after I show up at 9 Sunday morning to collect my preorder, paid in full).

zgrowler2

As long as they don't break any windows, I'm OK with them coming into the state.

The Great Aussie Evil

It sounds like great fun! If you like being surrounded by 12 year old narutards.

ila

@DarkHogosha: Well that's on the other end of it, and its also not very cool. I like playing with whole suite of moves, even the ones that don't have a whole lot of punch. Like I said, I'm a veteran of the game, I just don't have unbreakable patterns memorized and I don't do all those "advanced" moves you see on youtube.

Lokno

@Lokno:

Ironically, whenever I see most casual players play Smash, they do a crapload of B-button moves or just mash A while standing there. Annoys me to no end to see a Pikachu player just walk back and forth and hit down+B or neutral B for a full minute. But if that's fun to them, then so be it. Just don't let me hear them complain when they get romped.

DarkHogosha

Ill be participating, but I don't like the format. I could live with one minute rounds, but I really hate that they are forcing the nunchuck configuration, or at least they are at my location. Especially now that I figured out I could use my Niko battery pack in my wavebird, I wish I could use that instead.

I hope they don't mess with the other settings, like items or stages. Smash is meant to be played with items, and random stage is the only logical choice for which to use.

SubZippo

@D3Anon: I'm not 100%, but I believe the small print says they'll pay for one ticket for the finalist to go to California for the last round.

nuEros

@Superhacker75mil: WTS?

This is a tournament that they're giving out huge prizes to. What right do you have to change the rules? It's not your money.

Turning items to low because you don't like them and changing the time. Lame.

Setzer IIDX

@Lokno: Silent Wolf has lots of fun while playing.

Also, I'd like to go to this to rape scrubs, but wiimote/nunchuck only is kind of... well it's so bad I probably won't go.

CogSmooch

I wanna know if "the entire Wii library" are used copies or new, but the cases pulled off the display racks and the game placed back in.

ToastyBuffoon

Man, I played against some professional SSBM players at PAX 2006 calling themselves "silent wolf". They basically jumped around like slinkies, repeating the same four moves in a fixed, regular, and unbreakable pattern. I love to play that game at a high skill level, but using some practiced optimal pattern, or utilizing exploits does not interest me in the least. There's playing to win and then there's working to win. Excuse me if I rather have fun.

That said, I'm entering this tourney, and I will enjoy playing until I meet up with another professional and lose, which is fine by me.

Lokno

They spelled "evar" wrong. It should be "Biggest Tournament EVAR!".

KirbyMorph

This would be fun if it weren't for all the bullshit rules that Superhacker75mil posted. When I get my copy, I'm not even going to attempt playing with anything but my Wavebird.

Kudos to Superhacker75mil on bucking the system and ignoring some of the stupider ones, though.

kylenalepa

There was already a SSBB tournament over here- It's hilarious to watch a tournament with a buch of N00bs to the game. haha

King Seafoam

@jive238: "One (1) Grand Prize consisting of: one (1) Vizio 37" LCD TV (ARV: $900.00), entire First Party Nintendo Wii Software Library (ARV: $700.00), one Nintendo Wii Console (ARV: $250.00), selected Nintendo Wii Accessories as determined by Sponsor (ARV: $150.00), $5,000 Cash (ARV: $5,000) and the Grand Prize Trophy (ARV: $500.00). Total ARV of Grand Prize is $7,500.00. "

NinjaMarion

Here's the scoop, for you people thinking that this tournament will be dominated by the hardcore who either have crazy Melee experience or a month's worth of hacked/imported Brawl experience.

The initial stage of this tournament has what I would call the shittiest tournament rules ever. It's as geared toward the casual crowd as it can possibly be, although like others, I too have heard that higher tiers will have stricter rules. Whatever. Not at my store...it's going to be as competitive as I can get away with from Round 1.

1. All matches are mandated to be set for 1 minute time matches. Obviously, this is a batshit crazy rule, especially for Brawl, where KO's regularly happen after a minute of play because of new character physics and hugely improved recoveries.
MY STORE: The first thing to go. I don't think Nintendo has even played their own game, because this is nonsense. Matches at my store will be set for what seems to be the competitively acceptable (for Brawl) 7 minutes, 3 stocks. Depending on how many people show up, regular matches will be best of 3, while the final will be best of 5.

2. All matches are mandated to be played on Battlefield ONLY. This is also nonsense, given that the platform heavy stage provides a huge advantage to characters who have effective up-airs/up-smashes. That, and it's boring. There're at least 4 other completely neutral stages to play on (Smashville, Final D., Yoshi's Island, Lylat Cruise).
MY STORE: Apparently I won't be getting away with changing this one. Oh well.

3. The controller style will be store-only Wiimote/Nunchuck configurations.
MY STORE: Another one I can't change. I'm not sure it'll be easy to allow custom setups either, for time reasons...so far, I've disallowed them.

4. Though the rules were vague about this, I believe items are supposed to be set to "HIGH" throughout this tier.
MY STORE: Yeah, uh, no. Items are fun and all but they have absolutely no place in a tournament with stakes that high (or any tournament). I'm going to allow Smash Balls just to say I allowed "items," so to speak, but it'll probably be set to "LOW."

5. There were no specifics on who would or wouldn't be unlocked, leading me to believe that they expect people to play with the starting roster only.
MY STORE: While the starting roster is totally awesome, it's just not cool if people who want to play as Sonic or Snake or any of the other hidden characters don't get to play them. All the hidden characters add a lot to the game, and they'll be playable at my location.

Superhacker75mil

@Enkur: word. im a nyc native and i havent heard jack squat about SSBB over there. a real shame. got my wii there.. (sniff sniff) :)

zanzibarlegend

I wonder if you can bring in your own GameCube controller for this...

Project Thanatos

Nothing unlocked, grand prize is Nintendo games only, my Gamestop said they were using the Wiimote + nunchuck, and that the tournament STARTS at 9 pm. So yeah.

BenKenobi88

The thing that caught my eye was the "entire Wii library" prize... I hope they don't mean what I think they mean.

jive238

@Smadubaku: I was clearly joking. Vizios are only ranked so high because of their price and because the majority of people who are willing to buy a Vizio don't know what makes one HDTV different from the next. The contrast on Vizios sucks and is surpassed by even mid level brands like Sanyo. However, when the Vizio 32" is sitting next to a Samsung 32" and there is a $200+ difference in price, the average consumer is going to say the Vizio is a better deal. You would also be surprised how easy it is for someone to fool themselves into thinking that the TV is actually better so they can justify buying it.

c-lin' Fanboy

@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB: I'm sorry if experts beating casual players = a fail tournament...?

Anyway, something I found out from a friend who works at EB:

At the first tournament, the game will have nothing unlocked and it will be only played with the wiimote. Pretty lame, but he did say that both of these things will most likely change upon advancement.

Torusan

I think this tournament looks pretty sweet. Everything is funneling into the showdown at their new Gamestop Tournament Center that just opened up in San Jose, so this is a good way to showcase it. As someone who used to head up the organized play for a ccg company, I'm glad to see that video games are starting to get their own OP structure. EVO is cool, but it's nice to see something that starts in the community instead of at a regional level. And the prizes are just the cherry on the sundae compared to having fun playing people you normally would never play adn the bragging rights of saying you won this thing!

Crocadial Up

Whooa ... I wish I was actually good at Smash Bros, though. Guess I'll have to wrangle in my boyfriend but I think he'd keep all the prizes for himself ...

kupoporo

By the time you take taxes off of the $5000 and pay the taxes on the other prizes, though, you'll be able to get a good TV, but not a great TV.

c-lin' Fanboy

Aside from Ceiling's annoying flamebait, Vizio's have actually come a long ways. Many people consider them among the very best LCD's on the market right now. 37" is a little small for my taste though.

Smadubaku

@DigitalHero: Well they are giving away a Wii, the entire first party lineup, and $5,000 cash in addition to the Vizio. Five grand can buy a pretty nice TV.

NinjaMarion

@DigitalHero: There's also a $5,000 cash prize in addition to all that.
Which can get you a pimp TV.

And THIS week is Best Buy's tournament finals, so a lot of people are already involved in Tourneys this week.

Setzer IIDX

@MiyamotosChin: Yeah. I'd rather have the entire Wii software collection as a prize rather than just a trip for two to NYC they're giving us.

gravel

@Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB: not really, sure, japanese importers are advantaged, but melee pros have no advantage AT ALL, melee was so different. Trust me

CiciColino

"The grand prize? A 37" Vizio LCD television"

I hope thats a joke and they plan on giving away a real HDTV worth something.

DigitalHero

It sure would suck to have to pay taxes on all the shitty Wii games that you didn't want and the ones that you already own.

[flame]I guess the TV is a Vizio because the Wii's graphics aren't good enough to justify a better TV.[/flame] :-p

c-lin' Fanboy

I don't mind using some of the shovelware as door stops or something to chuck at someone. I'll just play gems such as Zack & Wiki, Metroid Prime 3, Paper Mario, super Mario Strikers, Excite Truck and others.(these are all games that I haven't played)

KM91

Great, 7 more months of Wii sold outs..

zztopp

@Ceezsa: Semifinalists (the people that actually make it to round 4) go to California on Gamestop's dime. The rules state both a one day / night trip and two day / night, so not sure which it is, but regardless, they're paying.

It also seems to specify that it's only the NINTENDO Wii catalog, as in only Nintendo's first party software, so no Ninjabread man.

NinjaMarion

The entire Wii library? Including gems like Cruis'n??? Sign me up!

Nintenboy01

@Ichidou:
they should've been more specific, it's the biggest touranment gamestop has ever had or participated in.

unit

@MiyamotosChin: Oh yeah, free health care is fucking MISERABLE.

Maldron

Living in Canada sucks.

MiyamotosChin

@DimensionWarped: Did you think that that's WHY they're doing the tournament? It gets rid of the advantage anyone could possibly have.

scottyboy218

Its starting characters only. No Captain Falcon or Luigi. Im stuck playing as my old main man Mario.
Im probably screwed.

Blackjack1353

Actually Luke Edwards faced Power Glove Boy in the finals.

/super nerd

+ Watch video

BloggyMcBlogBlog

@Techknow: Yeah, exactly.

I want to buy my own games with the system because I don't want "The Golden Compass" or "Bee Movie"--both of which I've seen in Web bundles. Shit, I don't know if I'd want the whole library for ANY system. But if I had to choose, I wouldn't pick the Wii. ;)

gigantor21

I'm only interested in winning so I can finally get my hands on a copy of "My Horse and Me". You know, the one where you use grenades to take out swarms of enemies.

Nahhh, I'm not doing this tourney. I'll have more fun with Brawl if I take it home and play it with friends. Which we will.

TalKeaton: Game Design Major

It might be interesting to try, since I doubt I'll make the 256 man cutoff at the Official Best Buy NoHo Regional. I mean, hell, since everyone's going to be there instead, I stand a pretty good chance of taking the first round. Go NYC.

TWD Industries

I've heard the commercials on the radio for a couple of weeks now. "Better start practicing" followed by "pre-order at Gamestop today."

How exactly are you supposed to practice on a game that isn't out yet?

mywhitenoise

The travel thing sux. I am good at smash but not good enough to Pay for a trip to California to play the best in the US just to come home empty handed.

Ceezsa

"entire wii software library"?
Why would you punish the winner with that many coasters/frisbees/doorstops? Can the winner request just games by Nintendo?

I would love to have my game collection to include the likes of Petz: Horse 2 and Bratz: Movie Starz?

Techknow

Of course my city doesn't even get the midnight launch! Maybe I will have to hang around the local Wal-Mart (I shudder at the thought) until 12:01. :/

shyguy

@shaselai: Forget the shitty Vizio, the ENTIRE Wii software lineup, you mean, ALL THE GAMES!!!! Damn that is kinda neat even if 75% of those can hardly be called games but still FUN!!!

valhum

@DimensionWarped:

it is silly... I think most people will end up picking old favorites to win than playing new chars. Maybe link, samus, captain falcon (if he's there), marth/roy pikachu

shaselai

@DimensionWarped:

Well, yeah. I'll be amazed if anyone actually get used to the controler within a match or two.

animemecha

not worth it especially i would rather stay home and play .. plus a Vizio as a prize????

shaselai

Does anyone else think its utterly retarded to have a big tournament for a game no one has played yet? (exempting bootleggers and foreigners of course)

DimensionWarped

Does anyone know if the Nintendo World store in NYC is having a midnight launch, or an early opening on sunday at least? I haven't been able to find any information on their plans for Brawl's release, and prospects look grim.

Enkur

Damn...While this sucks. Everybody knows not a single casual player is going to win jack shit. All the winners are going to be hardcore Tournament players who played Melee for six thousand hours plus.
...And who already have Wii's and imorted copies.

This contest just fails.

Kirbytheslayer: In-Kirby XMB

GameCrazy's doing the same thing; I just phoned them awhile before this was posted to check.

I might actually go. I have never actually PLAYED Smash Bros before, like, ever in my life, because I didn't own a Nintendo console until the Wii... but hey, it'll be fun to watch and I'll get my hands on the game (preordered) a few hours earlier than if I went on a Sunday afternoon.

Twoflower

"biggest tournament ever" ?

That's a rather bold statement.

Ichidou

Just make sure you know that gamestop will not pay or reimburse your travel expenses, so expect to drive to nyc or wherever with your mommy and daddy, or drive your car all over the country to get to the district finals etc.

D3Anon