We’re less than a month out from players hitting the pitch in Mario Strikers: Battle League, which means it’s time for Nintendo to drum up some hype for the scintillating soccer title. The Big N has released an overview trailer for the game that goes over all the fundamental aspects. Here’s a breakdown:
- True to series tradition, the basic gameplay is combat soccer: you dribble, pass, and shoot like it was the proper sport, but can also tackle your opponents into electric fences or hurl shells at them with wild abandon. Some characters will even use their hands with the ball. No fouls, no order!
- The video highlights two new maneuvers in particular: Team Tackles and Hyper Strikes. If you tackle a team mate, it’ll propel them forward in their own tackle like a billiard ball, which can either bowl over opponents or simply reposition a ball-handler to a prime spot to shoot a goal. Hyper Strikes are this title’s version of Mario Strikers Charged’s Mega Strikes, requiring a lengthy charge-up period and precision timing to shoot a special power shot – though this time you’ll need a special power-up first. If your Hyper Strike lands, you’ll get two goals, and your Hyper Strike’s flourish/power depends on the character.
- The game has ten playable characters at launch, four to a team: Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Peach, Rosalina, Toad, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario, and Waluigi. No word on if more will be added via DLC, though we can hope.
- As revealed previously, each character’s proactive gear is customizable and offers different stats. High speed makes you dribble faster, high strength makes you harder to tackle, high shooting… makes you better at shooting, and so on. You can buy equipment with coins you earn from playing matches.
- You can play local multiplayer matches with up to eight players locally, including the option to play with only one Joy-Con each. You can go online with two folks per system to challenge other players worldwide.
- New to the game is Strikers Club, a light FC management/guild system for online play. Up to 20 players can join a club and compete against other clubs for rankings. You’ll compete in seasonal matches to earn points and ascend divisions in solo or co-op play, though you can also fall to lower divisions if you’re not careful. Club owners can also customize team outfits, colors, and stadium – in a match your stadium will combine with the opponent’s to make a truly striking playing field.
Mario Strikers: Battle League goes for the goal on June 10th. Pre-orders are live via Amazon right now!
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Written by Amelia Fruzzetti
A writer and Nintendo fan based in Seattle, Washington. When not working for NinWire, she can be found eating pasta, writing stories, and wondering about when Mother 3 is finally going to get an official localization.
