Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this Mario soccer game does not model good sportsmanship. It is a frenetic, somewhat violent, multi-player extreme soccer game that is best enjoyed by tweens and teens. It's not a good fit for younger kids because of its brutal, full-contact, no-rules method of play -- think of a team of "red-card"-collecting maniacs. You can slam your opponent into the electrified boards, where they will experience an extreme shock, wail in pain as they drop the ball, and then crumble. You can plow down an opponent with no repercussions. For silliness, you can also freeze your opponents or purposely make them slip on a banana peel. When played by tweens and teens, this can be some of the most hilarious multi-player fun out there in videogame land.
Families can discuss which of the many Mario characters they like to play as and why. What makes this game so fun? Is it that it's easy to pick up? Is it the over-the-top antics? Is it because there are four levels of difficulty? And why is this game so much more fun when played with friends?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jinny Gudmundsen
In SUPER MARIO STRIKERS, Mario, Nintendo's beloved lead character, has organized his friends into an extreme soccer league, the likes of which you will never see in real life. This isn't your typical benign Mario title. This Mario has a bit of an edge.
The characters are Nintendo fans' favorites including Donkey Kong, Yoshi, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Wario, and Waluigi. (Watching a gorilla play soccer is hilarious.) Four friends can play it together, with two players cooperating as a team.
Super Mario Strikers is a game of five-on-five soccer. Unlike traditional Mario titles, there is no storyline here, just different soccer game options. Because the controls are easy to learn, kids can jump right into a trash-talking single "Grudge" match or battle one another over time in league play. There are four levels of difficulty, and gaming newbies can ease into the frenetic play by exploring the controls in the practice area called "Strikers 101."
In this soccer world, typical "red-card" behavior isn't punished, rather it's rewarded. Knock a player down, and you will get the ball. If you slam your opponents into the boards, they'll experience an electric shock that causes them to drop the ball. Players can even use "power-up" items, including spiny turtle shells that will bounce around the field knocking down everything, and blue shells that freeze your opponents. And Bowser randomly lands on the field to breathe fire and generally cause havoc.
Kids switch between their players with the push of a button. Other controls let characters turbo-run, slide tackle, lob, and even launch Super Strikes, a move where the captain of the team can kick a very powerful two-point shot which, if timed correctly, results in a Matrix-style slow-motion flashy goal.
Kid-testers, both girls and boys, loved this crazy, unpredictable soccer world. It's perfect for kids who have graduated from playing the gentler, but excellent Backyard Soccer. And teens who grew up playing in the Mushroom Kingdom loved this darker, edgier (Peaches and Daisy look somewhat risqué), and more violent Mario world. It's a perfect game for a bunch of teenagers to play because it's wacky, fast-paced, and just downright fun.
Families who enjoy this title will also want to check out Donkey Konga and Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Reviewed: 12/20/2006
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Sexual ContentPeaches and Daisy are looking somewhat risque. |
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ViolenceYou can do all sorts of dastardly deeds while on the field, including smashing your opponent into an electrified wall, smacking them, and having Bowser stamp on them. |
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Social BehaviorThis fun parody does NOT model good sportsmanship. "Red-card" antics are the norm and are rewarded in the game. |
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