GENRE
	Extreme Sports
	DEVELOPER
	Next Level Games
	PUBLISHER
	Nintendo
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1-4
	CONNECTIVITY
	no
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Since Mario first teed off the links in NES Open Tournament Golf--Mario's first official solo sports title, called Mario Open Golf in Japan--one thing has been clear: when you play sports with Mario, things are going to be different. Fifteen years ago, it was the attention to detail, battery-powered save and impressive-for-the-time unlockables that made the original Mario sports game stand out from other golf titles, and nowadays, the GC's Super Mario Strikers sets itself apart in a somewhat different way--with a heavy dose of attitude.

visuals

The radically distinctive art style is the first difference that's immediately noticeable and practically jumps off the game's cover. While the core Mario visual themes are unchanged, the characters are given a broad-stroked, sketched art style, which radiates an atmosphere of street graffiti or roughly-produced concept art. The characters themselves all sport appropriate team colors and tend to express dour grimaces in each pose, each no doubt intended to intimidate potential opponents.

Unfortunately, these visual changes are not translated completely into the game itself. No doubt Super Mario Strikers is probably the most visually distinct of all Mario's GameCube sports titles, the in-game graphics still use the more familiar character models, though it would be unfair not to mention that the new outfits and rougher attitudes are still present. While expecting a totally new engine featuring cel-shaded characters and streaky speed lines might be unreasonable, the game could still use a few more visual tweaks to adapt to the unique style.

audio

Background music is kept to a bare-bones minimum. One theme and a few stressed notes accompany the game's menus with no music whatsoever during play. After a goal is scored, however, the crowd and speakers go crazy Brazilian style, filling the air with a cacophony of cheers and blaring brass. In another nod to the game's torrid atmosphere, the characters' voices sound almost constantly furious, which is a change for MOST of the cast, though possibly Wario seems about the same as usual.

The ball thuds when kicked as one might expect, but the crash of Luigi into an electric fence is more shocking (and somewhat satisfying, assuming he is on the opposing team). Aural cues can also affect gameplay. For instance, if Donkey Kong is in position and ready to take a shot, he'll hoot and holler. A prompt pass will ensure a more powerful shot which will be far more difficult for the goalie to block.

gameplay

Developer Next Level Games is also the house responsible for Sega Soccer Slam, another arcade-style soccer title, and it shows. The pace of gameplay and physics feel similar to the earlier game, but Super Mario Strikers takes the speed and ramps it up about four notches, specifically when using the various Mario Kart-inspired power-ups or when Bowser attacks the field, which he has been known to do upon occasion.

It's a good thing that Mario and the gang don't seem to like each other as much this time around, because there is going to be a lot of bad blood between them after the matches end. Violence is the key to winning the game, whether in slide-tackling the ball away from a running Birdo or just plain hitting Toad as he's dribbling down the pitch. There is no out-of-bounds here--knocking foes into the wall surrounding the field will result in a momentary electric shock and a loose ball. The game actually rewards hitting ball-less characters, as slamming into a random foe will generally result in the snagging of a power-up item.

Team captains can use Super Shots, which are charged up with a golf-style meter. If timed appropriately, they cannot be defended against and may also result in more than one point. The sidekick characters don't have as many options, but can still perform leaping shots and other tricks. Only one sidekick character is allowed per team, and likewise, every goalie is a Kremling. Surely, everyone's inner Mario fan wants to have a team assembled of Goombella, Mallow, E. Gadd, and Jimmy T, or other assorted notables, but having an overabundance of players can lead to confusion. Keeping it simple makes it easier to keep tabs on which player is one which team, even in cases when the sidekicks are the same--as they will be clearly shaded differently.

Single-player games are somewhat limited. In addition to playing a single match, players can also participate in Cups and Super Cups, which pits the player against a series of teams for a pre-set number of matches. Although a trophy room is available to see the numerous unlockables, playing solo can only stay fresh for so long.

multiplayer

The one-player experience can be entertaining for a time, but the area in which Super Mario Strikers truly excels is multiplayer. The pace of the game can seem amplified when four human players are controlling the action, and things can quickly get out of hand if one player tackles another into the wall too many times. The action seems perfectly suited for several players, as the physical fighting, multiple items and solid soccer physics make for nearly endless replayability.

overall

While Super Mario Strikers succeeds in some ways, particularly the edgier feel that it gives the series regulars; but the fact that the atmosphere is the most notable part of the game means that it also fails in some respects. Soccer enthusiasts and those who have little experience with the sport will probably be equally happy with the outing, but the title is probably best suited for those who will be playing it with others.

8.0/10