Super Mario Strikers
goup.owner
source: http://rr.cube.ign.com/rr/748415/036/036466.html
A much needed adrenaline-rush for Gamecube-owners, Mario does it again!
By DIAC20045
This Review's Trust Rating: Unrated
December 20, 2005 - Skimpy clothing, violence everywhere, and slow
Matrix-like action; who in the world would have thought that this would
be a soccer video game? Even more surprising is that this is a Mario
game. Created by Next Level Games (NHL Hitz Pro), Super Mario Strikers
is the biggest surprise of the year, the game is much more fun than
anyone would ever imagine. Super Mario Strikers is also the most
violent Mario game since Mario Party 2, and this is a fact (not
including Smash Brothers of course). If you can take the usually mature
content of the game, then you will have a blast as long as you have
other people playing with you. The single-player itself proves that
this game was meant to be multi-player, meaning that Super Mario
Strikers is not a sports game, but actually an arcade sports game. The
difference is the lack of effort on the single-player department, but
it is forgivable since the multi-player more than makes up for it.
Other arcade sports game titles worth noting are NBA Jam, and NFL Blitz
2000, previous Nintendo smash hits.
If you know anything about soccer, then totally skip this game unless
you are willing to accept the fact that there are absolutely no rules
in the game, except to score. Soccer fans are much more loving of their
sport than the average football fan or basketball fan, so some may be
turned off by the watering down of their beloved sport. Newcomers to
the sport of soccer (are there any?) this is a good place to start,
because Mario actually makes soccer fun. The fields are no as big, the
action is a lot faster and also it has its share of violence that
usually can never be found in the World Cup (unless you count the
post-game activities as part of the game). The main point of the game
is to score as much as the other team by kicking it past the goalie and
into the large net.
There is no depth whatsoever in the game. In single-player, you just
play in tournaments and that is it. Unlike Mario Power Tennis or Super
Mario Baseball, Strikers has no mini-games. To add to that, there are
only 7 stadiums to play in, and only a total of 9 captains and 4 groups
of players to lead to victory. In previous Mario sports games, there
was plenty of depth, ranging from the golf games to the tennis games
and even Superstar Baseball had a decent amount of depth. Once again,
this is what separates this sports game from all the rest, the mere
feel that it is an arcade game. This can easily become an arcade game
and there will be more explanation towards this opinion later. All in
all, if you want a very simple game, then look no further.
Next Level Games obviously are not one to focus on the graphics.
Looking at the audience, looking at the framerate, the lackluster menu
screen, and the repetitive cut scenes after someone scores, and also
the lack of character models, can prove this. Despite all this, the
game does not look that bad, and also there are some moments in which
you can do no more than just sit there in awe. Best example here would
be with those cool-looking power shots. Once again fitting the bill of
the average arcade game, graphics are not a big deal as long as it gets
the job done. Super Mario Strikers is nowhere near the
prettiest-looking Mario game, but it does add to its gritty feel. Peach
and Daisy have never revealed so much skin, and now the difference
between the two females is even more obvious. Peach has more of the
girl-next-door look, while Daisy is aiming for the
amazingly-hot-tomgirl-that -you-would-not-mind-being-tackled-by. This
new look of the princesses is rather shocking.
Super Mario Strikers is leaps and bounds ahead of the average video
game in terms of playcontrol. It is simple and complex at the same
time, it is easy to learn and yet when mastered you could be one heck
of a soccer player. While you can get away with button-mashing when
playing the A.I., if you play against an expert you will have your
behind handed to you in a golden platter (like Soul Calibur II). What
also allows this game to be so fun is the fact that playing defense is
even more fun than playing offense. You dash by holding one button; you
can pass using the "A" button, and then shoot using the "B"
button. It is very easy to play offense. The tough part is getting past
the Kremling (making his Gamecube debut) goalie. What you must do is
find ways of getting past him, whether it be by smacking him with a
charge shot and then someone else shooting in, or by delivering a
mind-numbing power shot that will take the ball and anyone in its path
straight towards the net. Also with the "Y' button, you can spin
around, leading to possible combos that will keep you away from the
opposing team. Trust me, with all that the defense can do, you will
need to know every trick in the book to get away from them.
Defense in Super Mario Strikers is not only fun, but also cruel, also
evil, and at times just plain unfair. This game receives most of its
violence through what can be pulled off at the defensive end. All
stadiums have a electric force field surrounding the players. You can
knock down players using the "Y" button. Need I say more? Not only
can you knock down players, but you can also slide tackle them, trip
them in shorter terms. To add to THAT (those that love defense are
drooling right now) you can use items that you receive when being
attacked illegally to wipe out the opposing team. The items range from
petty bananas to super stars, to shells, and to even massive bombs that
can wipe out anything in its path. If mastered correctly, you can go
games without allowing a team to score. Another fun part of defense is
that at times Bowser shows up in random moments to case trouble, and as
long as you are on defense, that is a good thing.
Sounds only enhance the violent experience, as it is a guilty pleasure
to hear Peach and Daisy screaming in pain after being pushed towards
the electric force field. The music is not that big of a deal, there
rally isn't much to root about, but it is the sound effects that make
the game more exciting. From the moans of a knocked-down player to the
chants of the audience as you smash a ball into submission, the sound
samples really are quite a blast to listen to. Some Nintendo fans might
not like this sudden transition from happy-go-lucky Mushroom Kingdom
gameplay that we usually see to no-holds-barred Gladiator-style
bloodbath action that could have been seen in another franchise besides
Super Mario. Not everyone will accept this change, like previously
stated, but if you do, be prepared to have friends to play with.
The single-player is not even worth mentioning, the multi-player is
where it's at. Perhaps the best multi-player game since Burnout 3 (I
am serious) Strikers is addicting from the moment you play the first
match. Even after the 10th match is over amongst friends (might not be
friends after the matches) you will still be tempted to play another
one, and then another one, and so on. What makes this game so addicting
is the fact that it goes by so fast, you only have a certain amount of
time to play and before you know it the match is over. Time flies when
you are having fun certainly applies here, which is why you might
accidentally spend over three hours in one sitting playing the game.
What the Mario Parties have been lacking can be found here. This game
would have been even better if it was online compatible. Once again,
the possibilities could have been endless if the Gamecube had gone
online. Nintendo is probably still hitting themselves for their
decision to not go online.
Bottom Line: What could potentially become a very good franchise, Super
Mario Strikers has a multi-player mode so addicting that it nearly
makes up for all the shortcomings the single-player and the video game
in general contains. While the graphics and music and also
single-player could use some work, this game contains some of the most
violent gameplay in a Mario game in years, and also contains some of
the best multi-player content since Burnout 3: Takedown released over a
year ago. This game does not make up for the total lack of decent
Gamecube games in 2005, but it does ease the pain significantly. While
overall it is not as good as Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, Mario Power
Tennis or Mario Superstar Baseball, Strikers could easily be just as
addicting. This is a must-own if you do get a lot of people in your
house at multiple instances.
An online feature would have given this game an even better grade, but
since Nintendo waited until 2005 to fully endorse online compatibility,
you are going to have to settle for just intense 4-player matches,
which isn't bad at all. Next Level Games finally gets it right and
hopefully with enough worldwide appeal (soccer is the most popular
sport in the world you know) we could see an improved sequel for the
Revolution with all the online abilities that this game desperately
needed. Among the top Gamecube games of this year, this game can appeal
to the soccer-lovers and the soccer-haters. Super Mario Strikers: egad,
Mario has done it again!
Reader's Ratings for Super Mario Strikers (GCN)