Games > Gamecube > Super Mario Strikers
Over the years, the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond have played baseball, tennis, and golf; of course, sports in the Mushroom Kingdom are far from the ordinary. When it comes to soccer (or football if you are in Europe or any of countries south of the U.S.), which can get a little rough, the Mushroom Kingdom superstars will practically leave the field in total chaos. Super Mario Strikers has given a new, edgier look, away from the subtle and peaceful life. For a game that has been introduced in the Mario sports series, it really stands out.
The game takes the biggest names of the Mushroom Kingdom in a brand new and extreme sport. Each player selects a team captain and a team of minor characters (e.g., Toads, Birdos, Koopa Troopas, and Hammer Brothers) to play in an exhibition game or compete for the cup. Sometimes, teams will use items to attack opponents or improve their speed and attack power; these items are earned when they perform actions like goal shots and perfect pass-and-shoot maneuvers. A few times, Bowser will come and create more chaos to both teams to throw off their game. Captains also have the ability to make "Super Strikes", strong shots that scores two points if the ball gets in the goal. Don't worry about difficulty; there will be some tournament matches (like the advanced cup matches) where it is better for you to use these gimmicks. So go ahead, ignore that guilty feeling of cheating the computer!
The first time I turn on the game and see the title and menu screens, I get a jolt of excitement, like watching an upcoming sports event on TV. The characters show a lot of determination instead of a smile for a friendly match. Every one of them show a lot of energy, more than any other game; therefore, more personality. Each captain's super strikes are inspired by various martial arts techniques. A lot of action from beginning to end has really picked up the excitement in any Mario sports game, whether or not you choose to use items and/or super strikes.
However, the gameplay and the graphics are the only things in this game that make this game good. The music soundtrack, while it is a nice change of pace to use primarily rock and techno music, it's not really that special. In fact, it's kind of minimal (the only song that got me pumped was the song played at Sudden Death). Another gripe is the minimal selection of characters; players can only select a captain and a team of minor characters. The only way two "captains" can be on the same team is multiplayer mode. Even Mario Superstar Baseball allows you to choose any of the forty or more characters instead of one of nine captains and one of four teams of minions. The third gripe is the lack of unworthy unlockables. The only unlockables available is the ability to toggle the use of super strikes, items, and the Bowser obstacle. Finally, when you manage to reach the highest achievement, there is no special trophy ceremony like the ones in the other Mario sports games, nor there is a special video shown during the credits (all you see is a ball rolling back and forth across the field). Honestly, it's like Super Mario Strikers was a test project for future Mario soccer games.
Super Mario Strikers has definitely stand out as a sports game, while at the same time, keeps the use of gimmicks in the other Mario sports games. With the use of items and a special attack unique for all the captains, while at the same time, provided enough excitement to last someone like me from the time I turn on the Gamecube to the time I turned off the Gamecube. Yeah, it was that exciting, and that is coming from a non-adventure, non-RPG, game. There's a new way of playing soccer and Super Mario Strikers has made that game-winning goal!
