any console

So, I’ve been playing Mario Strikers: Charged for a few days now, and I thought I’d give you all my opinion. My honest opinion is somewhat disappointed. I remember Mario Super Strikers on GameCube, and I thought this would be so much like that. What I found, however, is that Next Level Games actually made this iteration much more complicated than it’s previous version.

In this version you get essentially the same game play as the GameCube version with some minor twists. The Mega Strike, as it is now called, is actually possible to defend against. What you do is depending how well you do with the timed selector and where you’re located on the field when initiating the super strike, you get more or fewer shots going at goal. So if you’re just in front of the line, and you initiate the mega strike, and you blow it on the timed selector, you get 5 balls instead of 6 balls going at goal. Let’s do the run-down, shall we?

Pros:

• Nintendo WiFi Connection support allows you to play online
• You can take your stats with you by putting your Mii on your WiiMote
• The new Mega Strike can allow for more spectacular comebacks
• The tutorial mode is very well done
• More captains and more possible side-kicks. You can also mix and match sidekicks

Cons:

• I don’t know if I’m wrong or right here, but it seems like the field is smaller
• “Defensive” moves are quickly repeatable, enabling the lame equivalent of bunny-hopping
• Defending against mega strikes is tricky since in most living room situations, the wiimote is fighting too much light interference for any real accuracy
• Series are fun, but it’s hard to get in and play a quick game of strikers online with only a series as your option

The bottom line is that I really still prefer the GameCube version of this game to the Wii version. Online play is nice, but the changes in the game make it tougher for those of us who aren’t 14 and don’t have 5 hours a day to dedicate to this game.

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