I don't see how online multiplayer would hinder local multiplayer much at all. I suppose some people might not go the extra mile to get together, but most gamers seem to agree that they'd rather play local multiplayer than online multiplayer. Online is just a good substitute when friends aren't available locally.
It's true that Brawl had lousy online... except with friends, which are pretty much the only people that you'd want to be playing NSMBW with. Then there are games like TMNT Smash-Up and TvC that are said to have even better online functionality. And if they can make fighting games work over an internet connection, I don't see how lag could possibly cripple a platformer.
"The worst part about these reviews is they are [subjective]--and their scores often depend on how drunk you got the media at a Street Fighter event." — Mona Hamilton, Capcom Senior VP of Marketing
*Image indefinitely borrowed from BrainBoxLtd without his consent.
