Jump to content

Super Mario Strikers

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Super Mario Strikers
North American cover art
North American box art
Developer(s)Next Level Games
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Mike Inglehart
Producer(s)Justin Dowdeswell
Ken Yeeloy
Kensuke Tanabe
Designer(s)Brandon Gill
Programmer(s)David Catlin
Artist(s)Cassidy Scott
Composer(s)Graig Robertson
Kyle Nordman
SeriesMario Strikers
Platform(s)GameCube
Release
  • EU:November 18, 2005
  • NA:December 5, 2005
  • JP:January 11, 2006
  • AU:April 6, 2006
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player,multiplayer

Super Mario Strikers,known in Europe and Australia asMario Smash Football,is a 2005sports video gamedeveloped byNext Level Gamesand published byNintendofor theGameCube.The game's developers had worked onNHL Hitz Probefore development ofStrikers,which served as an influence for the fast-paced and physical nature of the game.[1]This was also the lastMariogame to be released on the GameCube in Japan and North America.

Strikersis a sports game incorporating characters and themes from theMariofranchise. The game features the basic aspects and objectives of a football game, although no referees are present and characters can legitimately shove others out of possession of the ball. As in other games such asMario Power Tennis,the player can useMario-themed items such as bananas and red shells to hinder the opposition and gain the advantage.[2]Each team's captain can use "Super Strikes" that, if timed accurately, will result in two points scored for the striker's team. Each team comprises a goal keeper, a mainMariocharacter (captain), and three of the same secondaryMariocharacters known as "sidekicks".[3]

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to video gamereview aggregatorMetacritic.[4]In general, reviewers laudedStrikers'accessibility andmultiplayergameplay, but criticised the lack of gameplay modes andsingle-playerofferings.[5][6]A sequel,Mario Strikers Charged,was released for theWiiin 2007.

Gameplay[edit]

Opponents can be frozen by blue shells with the score tied betweenWaluigiandPeach.

Super Mario Strikersis afive-a-side footballconsole video game comprising characters and themes from theMarioseries.Each team consists of a captain character from theMarioseries and three secondaryMariocharacters known as "sidekicks".[3]Kritteris thegoalkeeperfor all sides except the "Super Team", which consists of four captain robots and a Robo-Kritter. Both sidekicks and captains have varying gameplay attributes with "balanced" and "defensive" play types available.[7]Strikersfollows the basic gameplay featured in most football video games, including the ability to dash, tackle players, and lob the ball. Despite this, characters not in possession can legitimately hit opponents with or without the ball ( "Big Hit" ),[8]resulting in a morearcade-like style of gameplay. The game also features "Perfect" passes and shots, which trigger in sequence if both a pass and shot are applied close to the opponent's goal.[9]The most powerful shot possible is the "Super Strike", which only the captain can make and will account for two points if successful. Once charged, the player must time button presses accurately on a visible gauge to trigger a successful shot at a goal, resulting in a character-specific animation.[10]

As in otherMariosports titles such asMario Power Tennis,the player can use items—bananas, red shells, etc.—to impede the opponent.[2]Some "power ups" can aid the user by granting temporary invincibility while others immobilize or hinder the opponent. The player can also push opponents into electric barriers, which can electrocute them. The central antagonist of theMariouniverse,Bowser,will also appear occasionally as anon-player characterto obstruct the players from each side.[5]Strikersincludes six stadia, each having barriers to prevent the ball from going out of play. These stadia only vary aesthetically and do not affect gameplay, featuring different surfaces such as grass and wood.[10]The player can adjust the match settings to limit or expand the match time and select whether features such as the Super Strike will be included. As the player advances through the game, further adjustments can be made called "cheats", that can render goalkeepers weaker and grant an infinite number of items.[11]

Strikersincludes multiple gameplay modes such as the "Grudge Match", which is the standard single andmultiplayermatch mode of the game. Training sessions come in the form of "Strikers 101", where the player can practice individual aspects such as shooting and dashing. "Cup Battles" allows up to four players to compete in tournaments againstartificial intelligenceopponents to advance through more difficult cups for rewards, with "Super" denoting the higher-ranked tournaments.[12]

Development[edit]

Strikerswas developed byNext Level Games,who revealed the game at theE3conference of 2005 in the form of a playable demonstration.[13]In an interview, game director Mike Inglehart and marketing director Grace Kim revealed thatStrikerswas originally intended to be a more realisticMariosports game, but the development team opted for an "over-the-top" style after numerous consultations with Nintendo. Next Level Games cited a connection betweenStrikersandNHL Hitz Proin terms of gameplay mechanics, claiming that the latter influenced the "responsive gameplay" inStrikers,as well as the use of goalkeepers and on-field collisions. The developers revealed that the character system would be "balanced and fun", although Nintendo had "the ultimate say" in regards to character design, wanting strong and aggressive styles that did not deviate from past characterisations too much.[1]For this reason, voice recording forStrikersrequired more lines and sounds than in otherMariosports titles.[14]The game was developed in 13 months.[15]

Assisted by producer Ken Yeeloy, Inglehart stated in an interview a willingness to link any new feature ofStrikerswith the sport of football. With this, they decided to accentuate "the exciting parts" of the game, with Inglehart using the electric fences in the stadia as an example in reference to the physicality of the sport. They also explained reasons for not using a penalty or card system, rating the power-up system as compensation for this considering power-ups are awarded to the team of a player that has been pushed or shoved.[16]

Reception[edit]

Super Mario Strikersreceived generally positive reviews from critics, with reviewers lauding the game's characterisation and visual style, being reminiscent to that ofKazuto Nakazawa.[2][6]GameSpot's Brian Ekberg praised the game's accessibility, stating that "Strikers' pick-up-and-play design will have you playing like a cartoonPelein no time ".[10]Similarly, critics welcomed the developers' choice to forgo traditional football rules in the favour of a more arcade-like style of gameplay.[3][10]Despite this,IGNcomplained of a "disappointingly slim" variety of modes, as well as the perceived small roster of characters and inflexibility when choosing teams.[2]On a similar note,Eurogamercriticised the vague presentation of characters attributes, making it difficult to determine what their respective strengths and weaknesses are.[3]Despite enjoying the variety and appearance ofStrikers'stadia, GameSpot noted only cosmetic differences among them, and criticised a lack of physical features to make them more interesting.[10]

Strikers'multiplayer gameplay in particular was welcomed by reviewers, who praised the developers for providing aggressive and fast-paced action.[5][6]Conversely, the game's single player offerings gained a less enthusiastic response, with critics noting "boring" and repetitive gameplay.[18]GameSpot thought some features were "overpowered" in parts, including the big-hit tackles and the ability to dash constantly given the absence of a stamina meter.[10]Despite this, Eurogamer remarked that it was deeper than first anticipated, while IGN lauded the game's "tight controls" and use of Super Strikes. The ability to push enemies into the electric barrier and the use of items was also welcomed as a means to make the game entertaining while playing defensively.[2][5]

The game's visuals received a mixed response, with critics reporting occasional problems withStriker's framerate.[5]While praising the character models and goal animations, GameSpot bemoaned the absence of a "Mario feel" when appraising the menu and settings.[10]IGN noted "blurry textures, uninspired stadium designs, and almost incomprehensibly a sometimes sluggish framerate", despite enjoying the characters art style.[2]The audio received a mediocre response, with critics praising the use of character and audience chants while criticising a lack of variety and repetitiveness.[2][10]GameSpot thought the menu music had "some nice flair to it", despite noting sounds such asLuigi's goal celebration that, while charming when first heard, became tedious.[10]In Japan,Famitsugave the game a score of three sevens and one six for a total of 27 out of 40;Famitsu Cube + Advance,on the other hand, gave it a score of one nine, two eights, and one seven, for a total of 32 out of 40.[19]

Not all non-video game publications gave the same praise for the game.Common Sense Mediagave it all five stars and called it "a perfect game for a bunch of teenagers to play because it's wacky, fast-paced, and just plain fun."[26]However,Maximgave it a score of seven out of ten and stated that "With matches of five-on-five taking place on small fields with really basic controls, Strikers is classic arcade-style soccer, but the game gets an extra kick from power-ups, random Bowser attacks, and aTelemundo-style announcer. "[27]The Sydney Morning Heraldgave it a similar score of three-and-a-half stars out of five and called it "immediately likable".[28]

Awards and sales[edit]

In GameSpot's E3 2005 coverage, this game was given the award "Best Sports Game," and was nominated a finalist for "Best Game of Show."[29]It receivedGameSpy's "Game of the Year 2005" awards for "Best GameCube Sports", "Best GameCube Multiplayer", and was ranked second for all the GameCube games in 2005.[30]It was a finalist for "Sports Game of the Year"by theAcademy of Interactive Arts & Sciencesduring the9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.[31]Super Mario Strikerssold 950,000 copies in North America as of December 27, 2007.[32]It sold 1.20 million copies overall.[33]

References[edit]

  1. ^abBedigian, Louis (September 6, 2005)."Super Mario Strikersgets "Pro" fessional design by Next Level Games ".GameZone. Archived fromthe originalon September 17, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 24,2015.
  2. ^abcdefghCasamassina, Matt (December 2, 2005)."Super Mario Strikers".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on November 6, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  3. ^abcdeReed, Kristan (November 23, 2005)."Mario Smash Football".Eurogamer.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  4. ^ab"Super Mario Strikersfor GameCube Reviews ".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on March 4, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 24,2015.
  5. ^abcdefMcGarvey, Sterling (December 6, 2005)."GameSpy:Super Mario Strikers".GameSpy.Archivedfrom the original on September 21, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 1,2008.
  6. ^abcSklens, Mike (December 9, 2005)."Super Mario Strikers".Nintendo World Report.Archivedfrom the original on January 3, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 24,2015.
  7. ^Next Level Games, ed. (2005).Super Mario StrikersInstruction Manual.Nintendo. pp. 22–23.
  8. ^Next Level Games, ed. (2005).Super Mario StrikersInstruction Manual.Nintendo. p. 9.
  9. ^Next Level Games, ed. (2005).Super Mario StrikersInstruction Manual.Nintendo. p. 10.
  10. ^abcdefghijEkberg, Brian (December 2, 2005)."Super Mario StrikersReview ".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on January 2, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  11. ^Next Level Games, ed. (2005).Super Mario StrikersInstruction Manual.Nintendo. p. 21.
  12. ^Next Level Games, ed. (2005).Super Mario StrikersInstruction Manual.Nintendo. pp. 16–18.
  13. ^Castro, Juan (May 18, 2005)."E3 2005:Super Mario Strikers".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on January 28, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 24,2015.
  14. ^Podd, Mark (November 16, 2007)."Feature:Charles" Voice of Mario "Martinet interview".Wii Gamer. Archived fromthe originalon December 27, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 24,2015.
  15. ^Davidson, Neil (December 7, 2005)."Vancouver developer brings Super Mario to life".Fort McMurray Today.p. 17.Archivedfrom the original on March 14, 2022.RetrievedMarch 14,2022– viaNewspapers.
  16. ^L. Smith (October 27, 2005)."Super Mario StrikersDeveloper interviews ".Kotaku.Archived fromthe originalon January 16, 2006.RetrievedJanuary 24,2015.
  17. ^"Super Mario Strikersfor GameCube ".GameRankings.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 24,2015.
  18. ^abEGM staff (January 2006)."Super Mario Strikers".Electronic Gaming Monthly.No. 199. p. 125. Archived fromthe originalon November 8, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  19. ^abcGantayat, Anoop (January 24, 2006)."Now Playing in Japan (Page 2)".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on September 18, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  20. ^Kato, Matthew (December 2005)."Super Mario Strikers".Game Informer.No. 152. p. 178. Archived fromthe originalon January 6, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  21. ^Atomic Dawg (December 5, 2005)."Super Mario StrikersReview for GameCube on GamePro ".GamePro.Archived fromthe originalon January 1, 2006.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  22. ^Reilly, Mike (December 8, 2005)."Super Mario StrikersReview ".Game Revolution.Archivedfrom the original on July 24, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  23. ^"Super Mario StrikersReview ".GameTrailers.December 8, 2005. Archived fromthe originalon August 1, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 27,2016.
  24. ^Bedigian, Louis (December 20, 2005)."Super Mario Strikers- GC - Review ".GameZone.Archivedfrom the original on January 25, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  25. ^"Super Mario Strikers".Nintendo Power.Vol. 200. January 2006. p. 111.
  26. ^abGudmundsen, Jinny (2005)."Super Mario StrikersGame Review ".Common Sense Media.Archivedfrom the original on January 12, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  27. ^abSemel, Paul (December 5, 2005)."Super Mario Strikers".Maxim.Archived fromthe originalon February 22, 2006.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  28. ^Hill, Jason (April 14, 2006)."Mario Smash Football".The Sydney Morning Herald.Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  29. ^GameSpot staff (May 31, 2005)."GameSpot's E3 2005 Editors' Choice Awards".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  30. ^"GameSpy Game of the Year 2005 (Super Mario Strikers) ".GameSpy. Archived fromthe originalon February 4, 2006.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  31. ^Tuttle, Will (February 10, 2006)."The 9th Annual Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Awards".GameSpy. Archived fromthe originalon February 18, 2006.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
  32. ^"US Platinum Videogame Chart".The Magic Box.Archivedfrom the original on October 9, 2021.RetrievedFebruary 18,2008.
  33. ^"Nintendo 2006 Annual Report"(PDF).p. 8. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 21, 2006.Retrieved2022-03-14.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Super_Mario_Strikers&oldid=1219612549"