Mario Strikers Charged Wii online play, other details

by Kyle Orland { Apr 25th 2007 at 11:30AM }

It's been a long time coming, but the Wii's first online-enabled sports game, Mario Strikers: Charged, is getting on towards completion. French gaming mega-site JeuxFrance sat down with the developers at Next Level Games to get some details on how online gameplay will work on the Wii. Among the interesting features:

Ranked matches will pair players based on win-loss records, but those records will reset at the end of three month "seasons."
Unranked matches will make use Mii-specific friend lists, so multiple users on one system can have different friends.
The player that earns the most ranking points every day will have their Mii featured on the log-in screen as the "player of the day." Ranking points are earned based on wins and number of goals. Disconnects will be punished with negative ranking points.
Online matches can have four players at most (no four-on-four networked play). Ranked matches can be one-on-one or two-on-two, with each team sharing a system. Three-on-one and two-on-one matches are available in unranked games.

The full interview also reveals many new characters and features for the sequel, including a new mega-shot that can be worth up to six points. Six points in one play? Sounds like somebody confused American football and European football again.

[Via 4 Color Rebellion]

Tags: firend codes, FirendCodes, football, futbol, mario, mario strikers, MarioStrikers, online, soccer, wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

sheppy @ Apr 25th 2007 11:32AM

Whoa, when did Mario grow tits?

Zertoss @ Apr 25th 2007 11:38AM

Q: "Whoa, when did Mario grow tits?"

A: "Sounds like somebody confused American football and European football again."

sheppy @ Apr 25th 2007 11:45AM

Umm, Zertoss.... look closely at Marios chest... see them? Bulging breasts stretching the fabric? They even have curve highlights.

Mick @ Apr 25th 2007 11:47AM

another Mario game for the wii folk.

Jonathan Tran @ Apr 25th 2007 11:57AM

If I cared about soccer I would get this. Now why don't they make this exact game only tennis? I mean for Wii.

Dolla Dolla @ Apr 25th 2007 11:58AM

It's padding, sheppy :) lol Are you getting this game?

I played Strikers on the gamecube once, and it was highly entertaining. I think it is a must have for all Wii owners.

samfish @ Apr 25th 2007 11:58AM

Yeah, you should have put that picture up of Daisy with the incredible looking ass in tight shorts, instead.

...not tranny Mario

Unit @ Apr 25th 2007 12:02PM

@#4 "another GOOD Mario game for the wii folk." fixed

sheppy @ Apr 25th 2007 12:11PM

@Dolla Dolla

http://www.morrisville.edu/Athletics/images/Mens%20soccer.jpg

Oooo, I get it. Only the goalies get to wear breasts... okay.

Anywho, to answer you question, I played the original Strikers and thought it was fun, but not worth $50. Especially when it degrades to general chaos. So once Strikers Charged drops to $20, I'll snag it. But I'm not exactly counting the days. I got Homecourt for PS3 (the decision to pass it on 360 was simply because I have 4 controllers on PS3 and three on 360) and while it was fun, I really wish I would have waited on that one as well.

Jack of No Trades @ Apr 25th 2007 12:17PM

@#8 "another Mario game for the wii folk that is only good in the eyes of fanboys." fixed

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 25th 2007 12:22PM

@10 "another Mario game for the wii folk that is only good in the eyes of fanboys, as say it by me, the Anti-Nintendo-15-Year-Old-Puberty-Kid-Who-Needs-Violence-To-Feel-Mature" Fixed

Ethan Duffy @ Apr 25th 2007 12:22PM

Looks a bit randomly hyperactive, and in the wrong way. Anybody who likes Pro Evo like me won't buy this, but it's not aimed at me.

Dolla Dolla @ Apr 25th 2007 12:22PM

haha

I'm not much of a sports game person, which is probably why I enjoy games like Strikers, NBA Jam, Blitz, etc. When is Calling All Cars dropping for the PS3? That looks fun.

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 25th 2007 12:30PM

mmmm My post was referring to Jack, not me... This game is more fun than every PS3...

sheppy @ Apr 25th 2007 12:33PM

@Dolla Dolla

No clue about CAC. And yeah, I agree. Most Sports games suck for me. Which was why I was shocked when I played the demo of Homecourt. And then I rented it for PS3 and introduced it to the gaming night I host and while most complained about it, by the second game, we were having a blast. Everything from passing to shooting can be trick modified and it's such a great pick up and play game. If you have a 360 or a PS3, I suggest a rental. You may, like myself, end up buying your first sports game in years.

Zeruel @ Apr 25th 2007 12:50PM

This upgrade is looking to be pretty good. From initial analysis, the game seems to have more balance than the last installment. I like how there are different attributes for both the captains and subplayers. Hopefully there will be several different formations that will be effective as opposed to one "supergroup". I know it looks similar to the Gamecube title, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The visuals fit the game just fine and don't need to look all splendiferous.

The online play is what I'm going to get alot of enjoyment out of. The system seems to be set up to keep the game life going for at least a few years, with resetting leaderboards every 3 months. The ability to have the current online top dog listed and possible to play on the fly is also pretty cool. It looks like all those fears about friend code compatibility will be quelled with this game.

I also like how the game is not built around minigames or too many wii remote gimmicks (I don't know about that deflecting supers thing with the remote, but then again getting a super off will probably still be not easy if you're playing competent opponents.) I'm starting to get a bit tired of every Wii game coming bundled with several minigames. The novelty of pointing at the screen and swinging the remote is starting to grow stale.

With all that said, this game is geared towards the arcade-style sports fan. If you liked NBA JAM back in the day, this game will be right up your alley. I think that this is one of the next "core gamer" games. I think it's obvious I'll pick this one up on launch.

Lastly, I hope that if there are unlockable characters that they will be kept off of online play. Dry Bones killed Mario Kart DS. I don't need no uber powered ST Akuma-like character to totally dominate the playing field.

stafford @ Apr 25th 2007 1:08PM

what shite, i will stick to pro evo on the PC

kelekod @ Apr 25th 2007 1:11PM

Where's this "full interview"? I clicked on it and go to some french site and hit the translation thing and all there is, is a video. And the video was taking FOREVER to load. Any actual text interview?

Velops @ Apr 25th 2007 1:12PM

The original game was very limited and it showed. This sequel on the other hand is shaping up to be much more robust. The real test is whether or not it can live up to serious competitive play for game balance.

bounchfx @ Apr 25th 2007 1:16PM

This is a game I normally would not buy.

Thanks to nintendo's lack of wii games (I know they are coming)

I will most likely pick this up.. just depending on when it'll come out.
sooner = better chance of me buyign
later = i wait for ssbb/mario galaxy/mp3

Dolla Dolla @ Apr 25th 2007 1:32PM

@sheppy

I'm still on the fence on which next-gen system to get. Well, I'm leaning toward the 360 side, simply due to available games and the steep price of entry for the PS3, ATM. I know one guy with a PS3, and a couple with the 360. When LAIR and Heavenly Sword drop, I'll definitely be checking them out. I probably won't be next-gen till this holiday season.

LongshotX @ Apr 25th 2007 1:59PM

Couldn't this have came out on the Gamecube?

Almack64 @ Apr 25th 2007 2:03PM

@ longshotx
No man the ducttape is an esential part to making this game play. I can't believe you didn't know that.

Doug Kaplan @ Apr 25th 2007 2:30PM

Most Wii games that don't take advantage of the Wiimote and nunchuck could be made for the GameCube but even with the slight graphical upgrade, the same can be said for PS3 games that don't use the SIXAXIS controller. Also, the online functions of the GameCube were never fully realized like they will be with the Wii so basically there was no chance of an online version of Mario Strikers coming to the GameCube so it had to be put on the Wii.

Also, Zeruel, I know sarcasm is hard to get on the internet but I want you to know that your post honestly sold me on this game and there is no sarcasm in this comment of mine. You really went into great detail about this game and got me excited about a soccer game, a sport I have no interest in otherwise even on the Cube version! Thanks!

Zeruel @ Apr 25th 2007 3:01PM

Wow. Didn't think that anyone actually read my comments. I sit on here and type these long ass diatribes and get no responses outside of the random lols. Thanks. :)

If you get the time, take in that video interview on JeuxFrance - the developers spent a significant amount of time going over the deets, all in English. My Street Fighter background has made me very critical on game rules, balance, and exploits. I feel like these guys are on the same page in that regard.

I only became interested in this game after seeing and playing it at Digital Life 2005. There was seriously a line with a half hour wait, but watching and hearing the players having a fun time convinced me to give it a shot. I'm glad I did. I picked it up when it came out in December and it has become the game of choice when I have three people at my place who want to play something simple, competitive, and goes well with a couple of drinks in their system. Hearing people shit-talk one another in Strikers is always good times imo.

Xbox Live - Zeruel99

Plaid Ninja @ Apr 25th 2007 4:08PM

#7 - Tranny Mario would make for a wildly successful new franchise.

"Save the Princess? I AM THE PRINCESS!"

Rubang B @ Apr 25th 2007 4:36PM

I have the GC one and it's just really fun. Neighbors have called the cops on me and 3 friends while playing 4 player co-op through the whole game on hard, with alcohol at 5 in the morning. The cops thought it was some huge raging party, but when they saw that it was 4 dudes and Wario, they just laughed and left. The secret is that this game is so fun it transforms 4 dudes and a GameCube INTO a huge raging party! The cops had no idea!

3 month seasons will be rad, so everybody can start fresh 4 times a year.

Trying to be advertised as the player of the day will be fun competition to obsess over. We'll probably see a lot of Hitler and Akbar Miis as the player of the day.

Ranked 2 on 2 will be awesome.

Peach and Daisy are both 10x sexxier than they were in the last game.

This game has Dry Bones and Boo.

And I agree with Zeruel that this is the next NBA Jam, as it's all about turbo, 95% hard fouls, and 5% crazy impossible shots. This makes the 4p multiplayer really fun. You just make a run for it and have 3 guys cover you and destroy everybody in your way while you prime your super shot. I'm buying the hell out of this game and recommend at least a rental for any Wii owners that are on the fence. If you got really into the old NBA Jam Tournament Edition for SNES/Genesis, try this out.

Todd @ Apr 25th 2007 6:10PM

@Jack of No Trades

Why condemn a game before you've had the chance to see, or even play, the game in action? Lame.

Todd @ Apr 25th 2007 6:10PM

@sheppy

lol. Wishful thinking, maybe? ;)

Alex @ Apr 25th 2007 6:14PM

nba jams was an ownage game.

Im still waiting for an online Tennis game Ninty

Silver @ Apr 25th 2007 7:08PM

"Why condemn a game before you've had the chance to see, or even play, the game in action?"

Because his all-consuming Wii hatred demands that it be so.

Jack, your constant trolling of the Wii stories with your sour grapes commentary would be funny if it weren't so sad.

Mr Khan @ Apr 25th 2007 7:41PM

It looks like they really gave some consideration to balance in the online interface

hell, if it weren't for the friend codes, this would easily rival the competition, and as it is, it'll still be fun enough (if you already have Wii friends, friend codes aren't that hard...)

And, realistically, yes. Most of the games on Wii could be done on the gamecube, due to the sad fact that most developers (not even Nintendo) ever fully realized the capabilities of the GameCube

Basically, the games on the Wii NOW are what SHOULD have been done on the GameCube, and you'll probably never see something that uses all 88 MB of RAM, runs 729 Mhz CPU...

Todd @ Apr 26th 2007 9:57AM

@Mr Khan

In response to your comment about developers not realizing the full potential of the GameCube, and thus, the Wii. This is certainly true. Just another piece of evidence that game designers are really more lazy about making games than talented.

While a talentless slub would be happy to build a sandcastle on a beach, having all the room needed, a true architect would be talented enough to build a bigger and better sandcastle with even a small sandbox.

cer @ May 9th 2007 8:51AM

As a soccer fan it is my opinion that the only way soccer could be emulated in a good way would be with 10 human players(the goalie can be ai). until such a game is released devs are better of focusing on the game being fun.

I havent played strikers but with 4p and online its definately got potential.
A console can always use a game like this.