Topic: IMPRESSIONS: Mario Strikers Charged

[MegaByte]

Mario sports to the extreme.  Video included.

Mario Strikers Charged is an apt title; it does not deviate significantly from the GameCube original, yet is pumped up a level with actual electricity.   Like its predecessor, Mario Strikers Charged has no rules, no bounds, and brutal “fouls" are allowed.  In fact, the game steps it up a notch with soccer balls made of metal and armored uniforms.  These additions just add to the usual craziness of a Mario sports title while going for a more “badass" look for Mario and his crew.    

Mario, Peach, Donkey Kong, and Bowser are available as team captains (with many more not yet shown), while Toad, Boo, and Dry Bones characters could be mixed and matched to form a complete team.  Each character has their own speed and other abilities.  There are, of course, plenty of items that can be strewn across the fields including the usual banana and shell affair.      Once a power meter is charged, players can take power shots against the goalie.  The goalie will then have to block shots by pointing at the screen to direct a pair of hands, pressing A at the point of contact.  Players get multiple shots during a power shot attempt, each one potentially adding to the score.  From characters’ extravagant entrances to their victory dances, everything about the game feels over-the-top.    

Oddly enough, Mario Strikers Charged reminds me of the Wii version of Twilight Princess in its control scheme.  The control stick moves the characters and the various buttons are used for selecting character, shooting, and using items. But if you shake the remote while near an opponent, it will cause your active character to attack, much like a sword attack in Twilight Princess.  It is actually quite satisfying since the force feedback makes it feel like you are hitting something.    

Only Domination Mode (exhibition) is playable at GDC, but the menu screen shows “Road to the Striker Cup" as well as “Striker Challenges" as two other game modes that should be available in the final version.    

Fans of the original game should find this “extreme" update to their liking.  No firm release date is currently set, though it is expected to release this year.  Check out some video of the game below.