For "Is there a source except in the game itself that states the final names for 3P and 4P somewhere? We can't rely on the site that made up the two Toads' Fan Nicknames." the answer is the Title Operations Guide on the Wii Shop Channel. Although it would be better if game descriptions of this sort were posted on the Internet for browser users in general to access.
Excel2011
topic
09:34:42 AM Sep 26th 2011
What's with all the Bold Inflation on this page? Is it some kind of inside joke?