![]() ![]() Holding down the shoot button allows you to perform a more powerful kick, and the angle you aim the control stick in the process changes the direction of the ball. I found my entire body clenching up every time I went for the net, as I anticipated whether or not the goalie would block my shot or if I would score a sweetly rewarding point for my team. Just simply controlling the characters on the field is a ton of fun, as you dash, pass, shoot, dodge, and tackle opponents, but the adrenaline rush you get when you finally strike a goal is unlike anything else. Tackling opponents just for kicks, when they don’t have the ball, is morbidly entertaining, but knowing the existence of the Star attempts to get everyone to show a bit of sportsmanship.Įvery mechanic presented in Battle League feels incredibly smooth to use. Invincibility Stars are also thrown into the field by the spectators of Toads, Yoshis, Shy Guys, and Koopas as a pity reward for when the opposing team is expressing aggressive behavior. There are even sporadically appearing item boxes to create even more chaos, featuring many of the iconic Mario power-ups such as: Bananas, Mushrooms, Green Shells, Red Shells, and Bob-ombs – all of which do exactly as you’d expect them to if you’ve ever played a Mario game (and if you haven’t at this point, you must be living under a twomp). ![]() You must do everything in your power to kick the ball into the opposing goal, even if it means brutally shoving your friends-turned-foes into the electric fence surrounding the playing field. The goal of Mario Strikers (no pun intended) is pretty much exactly like soccer, but without any of the safety rules. Character swapping is only possible when the other team is in control of the ball, and pressing L to swap will assign you the character closest to that opponent. You’ll automatically take control of whichever character on your team is dribbling the ball. You’d think that swapping between characters would feel convoluted, but after a bit of practice, the mechanic is actually quite intuitive. If you’re unable to form a full team of real players, prepare to take control of multiple characters, as there are no 1v1, 2v2, or 3v3 options for any of the modes. Battle League can be played with up to 8 total players on a single console, through local wireless communication, or via the internet with an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Nintendo has been advertising Mario Strikers’ gameplay as being timed 5-on-5 matches, and while that’s technically true, it’s more easily explained as being 4-on-4 with a non-playable goalie on each team. If anything, the core gameplay is so enjoyable that I just wish there was more of it. That isn’t to say that Mario Strikers: Battle League isn’t a worthy revival. Game developers using DLC as a method to finish an incomplete-feeling game, rather than as a way to provide content that feels like a bonus, is a poor business practice, and it’s a shame to see Nintendo somewhat go that route with another one of their flagship series. Mechanically thrilling and polished gameplay, accompanied by superb animations, helps make it easier to overlook, but the lack of variety in modes, characters, and customization options is mildly disappointing. As with many of the other Mario sports titles, Mario Strikers: Battle League seemingly follows the same infamous content formula bare bones at launch with periodic free updates promised to keep players coming back. Next Level Games, the studio that became a Nintendo subsidiary in 2021, has returned to develop the threequel, but has their decade-and-a-half long absence caused them to strike out, or are you guaranteed to have a ball with Battle League?īooting into the game, you’re greeted with an admittedly small number of menu options. ![]() It’s hard to believe it has been over 15 years since then, but número tres is finally here, continuing the Nintendo Switch trend of reviving seemingly forgotten franchises. ![]() Super Mario Strikers started the spin-off series back in 2005 on the GameCube, with its sequel, Mario Strikers Charged, releasing for the Wii just two years later. Mario Strikers: Battle League is the long awaited third entry in the cult-beloved Mario Strikers football series. ![]()
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