Mario Strikers: Charged Football Review
Picket up next week.
Version tested: Wii
It's easy to imagine why Mario Strikers came to be. There's a GameCube prequel for a start but on a deeper level, we know that Japan loves football almost as much as Britain. Japan also loves Mario and the combination is a match made in, well, Shigeru Miyamoto's liver spotted super brain. But then this isn't a game made in Japan, it's made in Vancouver - a short drive away from FIFA developers EA, where team FIFA are working on perfecting David Beckham's new hairdo and debating on how much Wayne Rooney's bottom lip should wobble when things really kick off. Next Level Games have no restrictions of realism to hold back Mario Strikers from becoming the strangest take on the beautiful game we've ever seen. Forget ball physics, just ask yourself how do you make a save while a giant turtle shell is heading towards your testicles. It's a question Barthez never had to seriously consider outside of his surreal nightmares but here, it's all part of the fun and strategy of playing football with the plumbers and the princess.
On the face of it, Mario Strikers could be a simple football follow-up to Wii Sports. A FIFA Street for the pre-school generation. In fact, for most casual observers it is exactly that. The thing is, it's actually complex. Not complex like arranging the attack and defence pointy arrows in Pro Evolution Soccer 6 but there's more strategy here than we're used to in Mario spin-offs. Yes, it might feature the usual selection of Mario heroes and villains, but there's more to Mario Strikers than waving the remote for five minutes and then passing it to someone much younger than you, along with a jammy dodger and a glass of milk.

Luigi prepares for a 5 shot Super Strike while the pitch condition deteriorates due to the presence of one Monty Mole in the starting line up.
In a typically American NFL style, you can select who will make up your 'defence' and who will be the 'playmaker'. The koopas and boos make good defenders, while Mario is the best all rounder as usual. Other character traits are evident too - the Princess is good at running but rubbish at masculine things like, er, hitting the ball really, really hard. The special attacks are what makes Mario Strikers all the more tactical - boos can vanish and reappear perilously close to the goal, while other characters can shock, dig and generally pummel the opposition. The captain can unleash a Super Strike too, holding down the shoot button triggers a Super Smash Brothers style screen spasm of light and a power barometer which needs to be stopped at the right time, just like a golf game. If you play as Mario, a Super Strike will involve leaping 50 foot into the air, turning the sky black and your eyes red before launching shots like hot rocks towards the keeper.
This is where the remote comes in - the screen rotates and lets you see approaching shots through the eyes of the keeper. You direct the on screen hands and press A to make a save. It's great fun and ironically, more realistic than the simplistic hit and miss penalty shoot-outs in Pro Evolution Soccer. If you fail to make a single save, that's a possible five goal difference you've conceded making the score line read like a game of basketball. And that's what Mario Strikers is all about - the speed, points and pushing and shoving of basketball. The ball probably stays in the air for a similar amount of time, too. The D Pad is used for tackling and 'takedowns' are frequent, given the small size of each pitch. There's no ref, no red cards - just red homing shells. Tactical use of power ups are key to winning a match and as a brief concession to reality (sort of), clever passing and build up play is rewarded. Link several quick passes and the ball begins to glow, making the eventual shot on goal travel faster. Keepers rarely catch these and it's up to you to get a second striker (sorry, 'playmaker') in line to either assault the keeper or shoot while he's recovering.

Yoshi is a good all rounder and the crowd seem to love him, chanting his name when things get rough, making him sound like a noodle bar. Yo-shi, Yo-shi...
The guts of the game centres around the Road To The Striker Cup mode which asks you to play different cups, naturally divided into different skill levels like the flower, mushroom and star cups in Mario Kart. There's an entertaining 10 stage boot camp training mode and a selection of Mario history based challenges - like Mario playing Bowser with a three goal deficit. It's nothing radically new, but there's something about the structure that makes you want to beat every challenge and unlock everything. This is a Mario game, after all - even if Nintendo isn't directly involved. There's a traditional Nintendo charm too - it's hard not to smile when the crowd chant 'Yo-shi, Yo-shi' or when Toad straps on his twee body armour style kit and begins to breakdance, spinning on his giant head to a 70's funk medley when he scores. For us, that's the most eye opening victory celebration since Robbie Fowler decided to snort the touch lines off the pitch. Forget premiership show-offs and coke snorting shame, watching a midget mushroom making like he's wandered into a Run DMC video is where it's at, though we're not sure FIFA officials would approve of disco fungi. And that's kind of the point. Mario Strikers is for those that don't take football that seriously and can stomach playing a game so loosely based around the sport without comparing the action to that of a recent real life cup final.

Build up enough passes and the ball will glow, inviting you to take a decent shot or floor the keeper. That's what's known as 'total football'. We think.
So, the sound is spot-on, traditional Mario tunes given a bizarre funk makeover. Brilliant. In terms of visuals, there's great effects but the bulk of the action could have been produced on a GameCube - in fact, the whole game could've appeared on the N64 without any hassle. The joy of Mario Strikers lies in the genius control method, which actually works perfectly. It's not a hit and miss Eye-Toy gimmick and it's refreshing to pick up the remote without already assuming that the run, shoot and pass buttons are all in the same place on the pad that they have been for countless years in PlayStation footy games.
Of course, like most sports games, Mario Strikers is best played against friends - up to four, with decent Wi-Fi options. The single player game is strong enough to warrant a purchase too, especially as Mario Strikers finally breaks the recent drought of Wii releases. As the most original, admittedly surreal, take on the sport for years, Mario Strikers is a gem of a game and manages to flawlessly meet Nintendo's brief of appealing to absolutely everybody.
8 / 10
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Comments (109) Latest comment 4 years ago
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Power shots FTW!!!!!!!
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As if I knew anything about sport.
In a typically American NFL style
I do know geography though. Vancouver is in Canada, the big one to the north with the maple leaf and all.
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I don't have it, but from the vids I've seen it doesn't look as tight a footballing game as the first one. I really enjoyed the first one and I think some of the tweaks have disrupted the balance of the gameplay. If you want it for multiplayer, I guess it would be worth it.
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Stop reading IGN, EG.
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I'm sold. Well written review, nice and easy to read.
What I don't get though is why do you have to mention that the game would have been possible on the N64 as well? What really does that mean? Especially considering that in the same sentence you mention the Wii controls as the thing that makes the game so fun. Saying a Wii game would have worked on the N64 if it had the controls makes about as much sense as saying that driving really fast is fun and would be possible in a Golf, if it had the same power like a Ferrari.
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In terms of visuals, there's great effects but the bulk of the action could have been produced on a GameCube - in fact, the whole game could've appeared on the N64 without any hassle. The joy of Mario Strikers lies in the genius control method
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"oh no... can't see score immediately"
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I simply can't wait. This is gonna be AWESOME!!!
I loved the first mario football, and to be honest, if this is half as good, I'll still be psyched!
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It's not about being able to see the score immediately, it's about needlessly having to click a link to another page when the rest of a review could quite easily fit on one page.
I mean, the first page barely reaches beyond the nav bar.
I can understand doing it on massive reviews for big releases, but it's just getting stupid now
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Didnt the first one get an 8 here as well?
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I assume its ommitted as the game isn't out for another week yet so theres no-one actually online - but as it the Wii's first proper online game its a pretty big ommission.
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I assume its ommitted as the game isn't out for another week yet so theres no-one actually online - but as it the Wii's first proper online game its a pretty big ommission.'
Yes, seeing as it's the first Wii game online, the multiplayer aspect does seem to be mnetioned as an afterthought.....
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And there they were trying to be all clever.
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This sounds good in a brutal sports footy kinda way
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You don't need to speak to people you're playing against, especially if it's just a random challenge.
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When's Mario Does Dallas out?
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And if it does have online, does it boast ingame voice comms ? Surely its not going to be quite the same if you cant talk to the other person !
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works same as DS, its a different online experience from live and both are great fun in their own way. would be nice to have the option though.
i wasnt going to get this as hae the cube version, looks like i have to now, sounds much better than i thought.
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I loved Sega Soccer Slam and Beach Spikers on the Cube as they were fantastic multi-player games. I'd say that the original Super Mario Strikers on the Gamecube was on a par with Soccer Slam; both games excelled in multi-player fun and with the online mode available with Mario Strikers Charged this game is an essential purchase for me.
Great review: "Bring it off"
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Yuk. There's something I hoped would never imagine in my life.
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I'm sorry, but WTF is with Nintendo's hardware approach? By all means produce something that's innovative, but why hold it back from LOOKING good?
That said it looks like a good game - the ONLY thing puttin me off it is MARIO! Surely a day will come when Nintendo realise the old plumber needs to retire.
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For the iditos complaining about the review being on two pages- Eurogamer is a business, and trying to maximise profits. Shock! Whilst slightly annoying, it really isn't a big deal - and a hell of alot better than all the other game websites. Keep up the good work eurogamer!
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Obnixous
and
unnecessary
spacing
for
fun
and
???
profit.
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The review sounds like a 9 all the time...Still, it's just a number right?...
This game's chances of getting bought just went up...
(this month'll be hell on my wallet)
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Didn't have much hopes for this to be honest, but I'll definitely be renting it out with a view to buying it.
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So what of the online games? Happily, they were fantastic. Each was quick to load and free from slowdown, and anyone who has ever enjoyed a typically thrilling Wi-Fi game of Mario Kart on the DS will already have some idea of how hilarious multiplayer Mario Strikers can be on the internet.The game itself allowed up to four-players to compete simultaneously in teams of two, and featured a ranked mode alongside the standard friendly match setting.
Setting up an online game involved inviting players from a 'friend list' that displayed cards detailing adversaries' total wins, losses and draws, along with an Xbox LIVE style profile. It was not clear how you will invite new friends to your list, but I managed to confirm that the 12 digit 'friend code' that identifies you is not the same as your Wii's own code. That means friend codes could well be different for each game, as with the DS, though details are yet to be released on future Wii online games.
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I didn't take these comments as a dig at the Wii's graphics: "Brilliant in terms of visuals" "The bulk of the action could have been produced on the Gamecube" The whole game could've appeared on the N64"
All these statements are true; the fact is Nintendo's previous consoles wouldn't have been able to handle the 3D crowd, but the game could have been done on the SNES.
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I am just wondering why this has become such a huge argument for Wii games. As if it would matter at all.
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"I was a little puzzled when I got to the bottom of the first page seeing "Eurogamers Most Wanted" and a picture that looks remarkably like Garry Glitter...."
My first thought was that it was Grant from Eastenders...
EDIT: Not that I watch, obviously...
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/chants
It's all gone quiet over there!
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I've got a feeling this game isn't much better, but because it has a football in it Eurogamer gavi it a 8/10
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...Why no direct comparisons with the apparently brilliant original? I can get that for 20 notes second hand and the two title look pretty similar to me.
Also, why not talk of soccer slam - made by the same developer. Also why no real detail on how the wiimote can/could be used to wind up a shot etc...
another back of the box predicta-scribe - stick to '9 out of ten for a cover' print work for the nazi coffers, melville!!!!!
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Not really.
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One thing I was wondering tho - how does the game work in multiplayer? For instance, with the penalty part you mentioned, does one of you direct the ball somehow and the other is the hands?
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how is it controlled though? nunchuk?
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Eurogamer gave this one 8/10 but others have given it 7, don't listen to the Eurogamer hype, the game is average as hell and not even made by Nintendo.
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We'd have been better served by a review written after launch.
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I agree - never review on an empty stomach.
But seriously - surely the Nintenscenti among us would rather have a thorough late write-up. I still can't decide whether to get the old cube game or this as they look pretty similar to me. ie the cube game would also stand today as an 8/10.
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You do realise that New Super Mario Bros was the biggest selling title on any format last year?
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although 2 of the 9/10 games for the Wii are third-party... although I believe Atlus is second-party, correct?
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Controls.
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You could say the same about 99% of 360 games.
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OH NOES!!!
im sure that the 1 mark difference makes a HUGE difference.
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Come ON nintendo, that best not be the ONLY way to play this online.
Who do they benefit? WHO?
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No, and please never mention that to anyone in the forums.
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What are you on about? You don't need friend codes to play online. Ranked matches will work only WITHOUT friend codes.
Yes, you can just go online and get matched up to a random person (or 2 or 3) without entering anything.
You need a friend code if you want to play a SPECIFIC person, and you need that code only once and then that guy is in your buddy list, and you can invite him to a game, and see if he is online.
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This is my most wanted game at the moment and I can't wait for next Friday; the original was superb in multi-player, the single player game was a little shallow but anyone could pick up and play Mario Strikers in minutes.
The reviews for Super Mario Strikers on average are 76%; you have to understand that some people don’t review games for what they are and because this Mario series is football related the game sometimes gets compared with PES and FIFA.
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LMFAO ace comment!
EDIT: Oh wait.. hang on.. were you being serious?
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Fix your sarcasm detector!
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Yes, unfortunately of course you can only see him if he happens to be playing Mario Strikers online at exactly the same time as you.
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I hate football or soccer, whatever!
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Mario boxing - luigi punching the sh*t out of peach
or wrestling (same reason)
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Why wait until the sequel is released on the Wii to decide to buy an inferior Gamecube version? Mario Strikers Charged is basically Super Mario Strikers 1.5 edition; but you can't play online with the Cube build. I have the US Cube version of Mario Strikers which runs in 480p on my Panasonic Q; the UK version won’t be 480p widescreen enabled.
If the game-play is on a par with the Cube version; (obviously the tilt sensor controls are limited) you’ll have the added bonus of …The extra stadiums, the enhanced character detail, the ability to use 3 different sidekicks for a more balanced team, the extra captains and the online feature, this is more than enough to warrant a purchase of the Wii game in my opinion.
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As for that other argument, 90% of all games coming out could be done on an N64 or even a PSX. There is absolutely no point in making a comment about it other than (thinly veiled) trolling.
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No, it's a soccer game - which just happens to star mario.
Is it a good game? Apparently. Does it make any difference whether mario is in it or not? no.
Now, if it was yet another game with the same characters and same gameplay - say halo 3 - then you might have a point.
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Ye Gods - nintendo still arent great at advertising are they?
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(runs into bathroom with kleenex)
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Fair point, if I can find it for 24.99 i'll report back...
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Considering it costs about £35 for admission into most Premiership grounds for 90 minutes entertainment (you'll be lucky if I got 90 minutes entertainment out of a total of 1710 minutes at St James' Park last season) then £35 for hours of fun with Mario Strikers Charged is relatively cheap in my opinion.
Another Mario Strikers Charged review is in from those great guys at SPONG 88%.
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does anyone know how many players can join the game from a single Wii in the online mode? it is 1p only or can i bring a guest?
EDIT: apparently 1 guest player can join the online mode!
"Selecting Play presents the option to start a game (either playing on your own or with a second player teaming up on your Wii), followed by your preferred match settings" -IGN
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hopefully just a teething problem
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I wavered at "Mario" and you lost me at "Football".
But yet you found the time to type and post a comment, nice one.
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Update - I have now sold my wii. This is the game that helped make that decision a lot easier. Now I have to decide between an xbox360or a PS3.
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i play it everynow and then to see how good i compare to others which really i am terrible compared to most.
now the servers are sorted since it 1st came out it is a good start to online nintendo games.
think a shoot-em-up of roleplaying game should be next to hit wii online