Game Card
Mario Strikers Charged (Wii)
- Publisher:
- Nintendo
- Developer:
- Next Level Games
- US Release:
- 30.07.2007
- EU Release:
- n/a
- Number of players:
- n/a
- Type:
- Action
- Sport Style:
- No Contact
- Sport:
- Other
- Extra:
- Alternative
Review
We play Mario Strikers Charged...
In Mario’s second appearance on the Wii he plays a game of soccer. A rather dirty one, actually. Our Italian hero and his friends and enemies battle out on the field of play this time, but their passion for dishing out pain remains. Mario Strikers Charged brings the first of hopefully many sports games to the Wii.
Following the wonderfully pixilated introduction is an easy to use menu bar. Starting with the campaign mode, a curt and standard rise to the top, a chosen team captain and three players make the team. While there is no official storyline (no saving Peach) the ‘Road to the Striker Cup’ follows a simple set of guidelines.
There are three different cups to attain, each revealing a new playable character. These characters appear in any online match though, so getting through this mode isn’t required. Nor is it very exciting.
The Strikers Challenge, a set of small missions, if you will, is more like a place to show off newly founded skills than an actual playground. It really is just like training, yet without the name.
Strikers 101, on the other hand, seems like a good start, yet it really doesn’t teach anything more than the basics of play. In fact, it didn’t show some of the more basic moves, which only the manual addressed. It was helpful to understand some of the controls, but it wasn’t entirely comprehensive.
Control layout is excellently done; very simple. The A button is player switch and pass, B is shooting and cross-court kicks, the directional pad is tackle, C activates power-ups and holding Z brings up the secondary controls. The nunchuk’s analog stick serves as the movement hub. It did take a bit of getting used to, but once the secondary commands were down, it was blissful to use.
The cinematics don’t show what the game really looks like, but graphically the game is well made. There is an exceptional amount of detail, especially in minor places. For instance, a power-up which freezes players will actually stay with those frozen for much of the game, and it will be visible on them. The same applies to dirt, burn marks, etc.
Game physics were a pleasant surprise as well. Different maps featuring different terrains will change how players move about on the field. Some are muddier and cause sliding, and others make for high-friction surfaces.
Also very impressive were the maps. No two are alike, and each has either very endearing qualities or downright annoying ones. All of which make the game just a tad more interesting. Lighting raining down randomly, desert area’s with falling bricks, and plenty more. Many maps also overlook high cliffs, so players can subsequently be kicked off the court for a short period of time.
The real trial with playing the game alone is that doing so makes it feel just like the majority of Wii titles: mini games. Three minute soccer games, each nearly identical to the last, and no real depth to gameplay. This only happens because of the limited number of different teammates available. With only 8, it’s easy to learn their moves and beat the game. It just happens to be very time consuming.
Switching to verses mode or playing online changes that entirely. While the AI may have failed in acting spontaneously, any breathing opponent will have the opposite problem. This makes most gameplay exciting, at least for half an hour. Yet even then it’s easy to tire of, and once again the mini game feeling comes back.
Cooperative mode, however, is a real challenge. While most sports games are more entertaining with a friend on your side, because of the lack of players per team MSC is extremely demanding in this department. Not having complete unity amongst the two makes it feel similar to pulling ones hair out.
Even online play has its downsides. Playing with friends requires getting their Wii codes and inputting them again, since MSC doesn’t actually take from the Wii’s address book. Gameplay cross-hemisphere (to anyone across the sea) is limited to friends only because of the possible lag, and even then it is stated it may not work.
All that remains is having a good time. It’s apparent that Nintendo really needed the release of a good game for the Wii, and Mario Strikers Charged is worthwhile, but perhaps too late of a release. However, its long list of minor problems keeps it from being in the top of the gaming food chain.
Top Game Moment: Scoring the gaming winning goals through a mega strike with 1 second left while down by 2.
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| Powered up shots can do plenty of damage... | …or if it’s your captain, score up to six goals |
Following the wonderfully pixilated introduction is an easy to use menu bar. Starting with the campaign mode, a curt and standard rise to the top, a chosen team captain and three players make the team. While there is no official storyline (no saving Peach) the ‘Road to the Striker Cup’ follows a simple set of guidelines.
There are three different cups to attain, each revealing a new playable character. These characters appear in any online match though, so getting through this mode isn’t required. Nor is it very exciting.
The Strikers Challenge, a set of small missions, if you will, is more like a place to show off newly founded skills than an actual playground. It really is just like training, yet without the name.
Strikers 101, on the other hand, seems like a good start, yet it really doesn’t teach anything more than the basics of play. In fact, it didn’t show some of the more basic moves, which only the manual addressed. It was helpful to understand some of the controls, but it wasn’t entirely comprehensive.
Control layout is excellently done; very simple. The A button is player switch and pass, B is shooting and cross-court kicks, the directional pad is tackle, C activates power-ups and holding Z brings up the secondary controls. The nunchuk’s analog stick serves as the movement hub. It did take a bit of getting used to, but once the secondary commands were down, it was blissful to use.
 |
 |
|
| The sky really falls in MSC. Hard | Each captain has a special power up, which come in very handy to clear the field quickly |
The cinematics don’t show what the game really looks like, but graphically the game is well made. There is an exceptional amount of detail, especially in minor places. For instance, a power-up which freezes players will actually stay with those frozen for much of the game, and it will be visible on them. The same applies to dirt, burn marks, etc.
Game physics were a pleasant surprise as well. Different maps featuring different terrains will change how players move about on the field. Some are muddier and cause sliding, and others make for high-friction surfaces.
Also very impressive were the maps. No two are alike, and each has either very endearing qualities or downright annoying ones. All of which make the game just a tad more interesting. Lighting raining down randomly, desert area’s with falling bricks, and plenty more. Many maps also overlook high cliffs, so players can subsequently be kicked off the court for a short period of time.
The real trial with playing the game alone is that doing so makes it feel just like the majority of Wii titles: mini games. Three minute soccer games, each nearly identical to the last, and no real depth to gameplay. This only happens because of the limited number of different teammates available. With only 8, it’s easy to learn their moves and beat the game. It just happens to be very time consuming.
Switching to verses mode or playing online changes that entirely. While the AI may have failed in acting spontaneously, any breathing opponent will have the opposite problem. This makes most gameplay exciting, at least for half an hour. Yet even then it’s easy to tire of, and once again the mini game feeling comes back.
Cooperative mode, however, is a real challenge. While most sports games are more entertaining with a friend on your side, because of the lack of players per team MSC is extremely demanding in this department. Not having complete unity amongst the two makes it feel similar to pulling ones hair out.
Even online play has its downsides. Playing with friends requires getting their Wii codes and inputting them again, since MSC doesn’t actually take from the Wii’s address book. Gameplay cross-hemisphere (to anyone across the sea) is limited to friends only because of the possible lag, and even then it is stated it may not work.
 |
 |
|
| Doesn’t matter what special move is used, the goalie will take whatever you throw at him. Well, almost | Terrain makes a huge difference in the game. Try tackling in mud. That’s no easy feat |
All that remains is having a good time. It’s apparent that Nintendo really needed the release of a good game for the Wii, and Mario Strikers Charged is worthwhile, but perhaps too late of a release. However, its long list of minor problems keeps it from being in the top of the gaming food chain.
Top Game Moment: Scoring the gaming winning goals through a mega strike with 1 second left while down by 2.
