Fans of Mario sports games were left with mixed emotions after Nintendo’s February Direct. On one hand, many were hoping for a Mario Kart 9 announcement and were disappointed when Nintendo only showed DLC for Mario Kart 8. On the other hand, the initial trailer for Mario Strikers: Battle League had fans incredibly excited about the resurrection of a franchise that’s been dormant for 15 years. The upcoming Mario soccer game is due to be released on June 10 and promises some fun new additions to the franchise.
Nintendo’s latest trailer provided more details about the upcoming game and its new features that will be sure to excite fans. Mario Strikers: Battle League‘s updated gameplay mechanics, new character stats and gear, and expanded multiplayer functions are among the new additions. These features, which utilize key aspects that have made other sports games so popular, will help to modernize the franchise.
Updated Gameplay Mechanics
Mario sports games have always been successful due to their chaotic and enjoyable gameplay. Battle League looks set to double down on these aspects by introducing some exciting new mechanics. One such new addition is Team Tackle. This brand-new mechanic, which allows players to tackle their own players to boost them forward, can be used both defensively and offensively. It will not only add a new dimension and skill challenge to the gameplay but will also contribute to the mayhem that makes these games so great.
Another new feature is the updated Super Strike. A part of the previous Mario soccer games, Super Strike rewards players with two goals if they can pull off this special shot with their team captain. However, considering how easy it is to accomplish, it’s often been regarded as overpowered, and this can make other characters feel redundant. Battle League appears to fix this issue by introducing strike orbs that need to be collected before this powerful strike can be unleashed. Hopefully, this updated mechanic will rebalance the gameplay and make games more competitive.
Character Stats and Gear
Unlike previous installments, Battle League will introduce unique stats for each character that can be modified with gear for the head, arms, body, and legs. This new feature, which takes inspiration from fighting games, will prove popular with modern gaming fans who have grown accustomed to customizing character loadouts. For example, weapon loadouts in popular battle royale games and online shooters allow players to customize the game to match their play style. Closer to home, Mario Kart has had different stats for drivers and karts for many years, allowing players to choose their driving style. Introducing a similar system in Battle League will appeal to modern-day fans and add more depth to the game itself.
Eight-Player Local Multiplayer
Mario Strikers: Battle League will also make full use of the Nintendo Switch’s eight-player local multiplayer capabilities. Mario sports games have always been best when played with others to share the excitement of the chaos. With eight players, this mayhem will be multiplied to new levels and will keep groups of friends and families engaged for hours as they battle it out to become the ultimate Mario Strikers player. The controls can be adapted to be played with a single joy-con too, so this maxed-out multiplayer experience only requires four Switch controllers.
Strikers Club and Online Multiplayer
The online multiplayer has also been expanded, drawing heavily from other popular online sports games. As well as classic online battle modes, where up to two local players can team up to take on others, Battle League will also feature a new Strikers Club mode. This new online-only mode allows up to 20 players to join a club, and they then compete against others to earn rankings and promotions. Within this mode, players can customize their team’s uniform and stadium to personalize their experience.
Other popular sports franchises, such as FIFA, have had similar features for a while, where players strive to climb divisions and earn rewards. Including a similar mode, but keeping it focused on the social side of the game, will bring Mario Strikers into the modern era and give players the chance to prove themselves on a global scale. The prospect of combining these expanded multiplayer options with updated gameplay mechanics and character stats is certainly an exciting one, especially for fans who have waited 15 years for a modern version of Mario‘s soccer adventures.
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