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Platform: GameCube Review: Mario Power Tennis (GC) Review: Mario Kart: Double Dash (GC) Review: Mario Golf - Toadstool Tour (GC)
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Super Mario Strikers
I've never been a huge fan of soccer games. The FIFA and Winning 11 franchises have always leaned toward a sense of realism and in recent years they've attempted to capture the feel of a sim rather than a game anyone can pick-up and play. Still, one of my favorite titles -- sports-related or not -- is Sega Soccer Slam, which was released about six months after the launch of the GameCube.
Sega Soccer Slam featured an assortment of wacky teams with little or no connection to reality and was (is) a ton of fun. The action was three aside (not including the goalie) and featured loads of special moves to complement the overall feel of the title. It was also the title that jumped into my mind when I spotted Super Mario Strikers in Nintendo's booth at E3. At the time I wasn't aware of it, but the fact that Sega Soccer Slam leapt to mind was very appropriate considering the developer, Next Level Games, has strong connections to the now-defunct Black Box Games, which produced Sega Soccer Slam. It was further cemented when I found that Super Mario Strikers is utilizing a modification of the the engine that powered Sega Soccer Slam. (At least, that's what I think I heard from Nintendo Canada's Marketing Manager -- E3 is a loud place.)
The first title that Next Level Games worked on was NHL Hitz Pro, which was really the swan song of the much-loved (by me, at least) Hitz series. So, Next Level appears to be well-equipped to tackle a cartoony sports game, like Super Mario Strikers.
I would have liked more time to play Super Mario Strikers but from my brief experience, I liked the feel of the action and the movement of the characters. It has the same kind of touches we expect from a Mario sports title -- a roster of trademarked Mario Universe |
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characters, like Donkey Kong and Wario; bright, lush, smooth graphics; power moves; and tight control. Although I would love Mario to hit the ice (damn you, NHL!) this seems like a good fit. My only concern, or maybe more properly, frustration, is with Nintendo's trademark coyness when it comes to releasing a concrete list of features and characters.
Here's what's officially known:
Nintendo's foray into sports titles continues with Super Mario Strikers , a new soccer game that's unlike anything ever to hit the pitch. Whether players are freezing their opponents with an ice-cold |
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shell, unleashing a spiny shell on their hapless opponents or making entire teams flee in terror with a roving Chain Chomp, they're sure to see something new around every corner kick. Super Mario Strikers features all the favorite characters from the Nintendo universe, as well as four-person multiplayer action that will have players and their friends cheering all night long. Get ready for the world cup of gaming.
My own prediction for a release date is sometime in Q4 2005. And even though my play time with Super Mario Strikers was brief, it was enough to create some anticipation for the title.
- Omni (June 8, 2005) |
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