Previously
revealed as "
Super Mario Stadium Baseball" last October, and now apparently dubbed,
Mario Super Sluggers, the Wii sequel to
Mario Superstar Baseball has been confirmed for US release, likely later this year. Nintendo briefly demonstrated the game today at a media summit in San Francisco,
IGN reports. As expected, the majority of gameplay is controlled by flicks and waggles (think:
Wii Sports' baseball with
shaky fielding), but some of the demonstrator's motions were "unrecognized by the game," IGN observed. "Not a very good sign."
In addition to the
known cast of playable characters, IGN confirms that
Sluggers will feature Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Waluigi, Toad, Toadette, and Boo.
Update: There's been some confusion about the game's title. Is it Super Mario Sluggers? Or Mario Super Sluggers? We're going with the latter for now. It's
Mario Super Sluggers --
for sure!
[Note: Image is a previously released screenshot of "
Super Mario Stadium Baseball."]
{ Apr 10th 2008 at 1:52PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
peteH @ Apr 10th 2008 1:57PM
Wait - a Nintendo game using classic characters in an unprecedented and partly new setting? BRILLIANT!
eNrique @ Apr 10th 2008 3:56PM
expect super mario hospital, special unlockable character dr house
Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Apr 10th 2008 1:57PM
Is this the big game Reggie was hinting at?
I hope not, me not being that much of a fan of baseball and all.
WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 10th 2008 2:06PM
I am betting on Animal Crossing...waggle style.
Or an old franchise from the days of the NES.
Worst Review Ever @ Apr 10th 2008 2:10PM
KayRazy,
At least it's not something like Lair 2...now with more carpal tunnel.
Ghen @ Apr 10th 2008 2:30PM
Same thought I had... This better not be the big christmas release or my wii will still have guitar hero in it.
BPM [SSBB: 5026 4120 1186] @ Apr 10th 2008 3:07PM
For once, Killjebus doesn't say something completely trollish and stupid.
... Here's a gold star?
GANNONSMASH @ Apr 10th 2008 7:43PM
Yes! where's my Wagnimal Crossing?
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 10th 2008 1:58PM
Mario Sport series is actually very good... just check last games on Gamecube, Golf, Baseball and Tennis... all very good games, with very good reviews.
Im looking forward to this title... a lot more than WiiSports 2.
WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 10th 2008 2:00PM
No way Fernandos, you...looking forward to a Nintendo game? Next thing you know Dubya will do something illegal and or dumb.
Zertoss @ Apr 10th 2008 2:11PM
He's right about the Mario Sports games being good. I love unrealistic and over-the-top sports titles, which is why I'm also a fan of the Blitz games.
xFenixKnightx @ Apr 10th 2008 2:38PM
I love how Wiisports Machine always addresses FernandO as FernandOS. I chuckle every single time!
Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ Apr 10th 2008 2:41PM
Ok, Fernando makes a statement, that is FACT, and he gets voted down? Then Captain Obvious spews some crap from his mouth as usual and gets voted up?
There must be a bunch of Sony extremists lurking on this site...
samfish @ Apr 10th 2008 2:50PM
In fairness, he did call Bush an idiot.
AcidMonkey @ Apr 10th 2008 3:04PM
Strikers is fun. Hoping this will be fun too.
Who cares if the ip's are overused if it's fun. Don't buy it if you don't like it.
BPM [SSBB: 5026 4120 1186] @ Apr 10th 2008 3:13PM
I can't comment on Mario Baseball or Soccer (never played either), but Tennis has been fun at least. Never cared much for Mario Golf, though.
(seems as though the only golf game I could get into was PangYa/Albatross18(PC)/Super Swing Golf(Wii)... Oh, and there's a PSP version coming, too... sweet)
I agree with Zertoss, though. Man, Blitz used to be so great back in the day. NBA Jam, too...
Vidikron (FU) @ Apr 10th 2008 3:24PM
Good or not, I just get tired of seeing their cast of characters in all these games. Gets old.
Tim The Enchanter. (Formerly not-so-well-known as AcidMonkey) @ Apr 10th 2008 3:42PM
I do hear ya on how they tend to saturate everything with Mario and co. But if your IP becomes a name that you can attach to anything and people buy it because they assume it will be fun, then you'd be a fool not to use it. And usually they are fun.
They WANT to saturate us with their IPs. They don't want you to love their characters, they want you to buy into them. It's what's kept them afloat, arguably, during the rough patches. But I guess it doesnt bother me as much because again, if I don't like it, I won't buy it.
Mr Khan @ Apr 10th 2008 3:48PM
I felt the Mario Baseball one was poorly done, but i love Mario Golf, Tennis, and especially Strikers
Vidikron (FU) @ Apr 10th 2008 4:12PM
@Tim
I actually agree with what you said... from a business perspective what they are doing obviously works. Even mediocre games like Mario Party 8 become million sellers with their IPs attached. I completely get that. But for me personally, I'm getting kind of sick of all their characters.
cc123 @ Apr 10th 2008 4:41PM
I tend to like the arcadey sports games much more than the sim ones. So this would be more up my alley.
BUT I have to agree with some of the other people...I've been playing Mario games for 22 years now. I think I've earned the right to be a little sick of the same characters in every game.
Tim The Enchanter. (Formerly not-so-well-known as AcidMonkey) @ Apr 10th 2008 9:01PM
@Vidikron
Yeah, I hear ya, and I agree. There's just not a whole lot we can do about it lol... but all I mean aside from that is that it won't stop me from liking the game, even if I am kinda tired of seeing the same ip's all the time.
itsburnsie @ Apr 10th 2008 1:58PM
I'm beginning to see through your efforts to make me re-buy my gamecube library with added waggle, Nintendo.
I don't like it.
How about a NEW franchise once in a while? Maybe even with NEW characters?
WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 10th 2008 2:02PM
Prying open your third eye.
WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 10th 2008 2:05PM
"How about a NEW franchise once in a while? Maybe even with NEW characters?"
New IP's are risky. Why should the house that Mario built take a risk when they know that if the slap Mario into the title of any game....it will sell to the likes of Fernandos and pals.
Nintendo is in this business to make money, and money they will make if they keep doing Mario this and Mario that. You want the Big N to stop making the same shit and do something new?
Tell Fernandos and pals to STOP buying the same KRAP over and over...simple logic.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 10th 2008 2:05PM
Well... Nintendo definitely has more franchises than Sony and Microsoft.
Besides... Nintendo can easily release a game with another name, and change the name... but for what? People love Mario.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 10th 2008 2:10PM
"How about a NEW franchise once in a while? Maybe even with NEW characters?"
Take a look at the +800 and +500 stickers and trohpies... I think Nintendo has done a very good job.
itsburnsie @ Apr 10th 2008 2:12PM
Fernando, you can't count all the separate Mario games as different franchises.
Nintendo has Mario, Metroid, and Zelda... it'd be nice to see them add something to that lineup.
itsburnsie @ Apr 10th 2008 2:13PM
Oh, and Starfox, which has been hit or miss as of late... and yet to make an appearance on the Wii
Assault was alright, but forgetable.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 10th 2008 2:16PM
Nintendo has Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Star Fox, F-Zero, Animal Crossing, Yoshis Island, Wii Series, Brain Age, Big Brain Academy, Kirby, Fire Emblem, Battalion Wars, Waverace, Donkey Kong... and a lot lot more.
New IPs include Elite Bbeat Agents, Pikmin, Disaster (coming in July),
Blazur @ Apr 10th 2008 2:17PM
I for one am sick to death of seeing Mario games. Please somebody kill him off in an RPG-styled action game, and then lay this overly used character to rest once and for all.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 10th 2008 2:20PM
Blazer... and I guess you are hyped by Final Fantasy XIII or by any other shooter with similar characters and graphics?
Zertoss @ Apr 10th 2008 2:28PM
I don't understand the whole "Kill this franchise, it's older than I am!" mindset. I like new IPs as much as the next guy/gal, I ate Pikmin and Elite Beat Agents up, but I also like to revisit IPs that birthed some of my favorite games.
I mean, do you people whining about it want games that are only a one-hit wonder? Do you not want sequels to games like Portal, Bioshock, etc.?
Worst Review Ever @ Apr 10th 2008 2:30PM
@ Killjebus,
"Prying open your third eye."
I bet you say that to all the guys...
Fatass of Kickassness @ Apr 10th 2008 2:32PM
"Tell Fernandos and pals to STOP buying the same KRAP over and over..."
And that's where you lose the argument. There are quite a few crap Mario games, but they're heavily outweighed by the good ones. Same goes for EVERY one of Nintendo's franchises, 'cept for DK which has been getting nothing but crap lately.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 10th 2008 2:36PM
pikmin's not new it was created like 6 years ago or somethin around that.
try again.
Blazur @ Apr 10th 2008 2:43PM
Sequels are great and all, but after the 3rd one it gets old. I quit FF after #7. But even still, there's a difference between making a sequel or stamping every new game with the persona of a classic figure. Placing an image of Mario on the cover does not guarantee it to be a good game.
If you keep rehashing the same old crap we'll never even see games like BioShock and Portal. We need more of these to keep the interest alive.
WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 10th 2008 2:52PM
"@ Killjebus,
"Prying open your third eye.""
"I bet you say that to all the guys..."
It's from Tool's Aenima and the song is Third Eye
Worst Review Ever @ Apr 10th 2008 3:17PM
Sure it is, buddy. Sure it is.
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 10th 2008 3:25PM
Black and white are all I see... in my infancy, red and yellow then came to be, reaching out to me, let's me see....
Having dropped a tool reference, I really do have to say this. Nintendo has a huge catalog or original IPs BUT the industry has always been a "what have you done for me lately" and Sony and Microsoft are both pushing new IPs and series than Nintendo.
I miss the era when Nintendo would release a unicycle racer and not even explain why. It's just a unicycle racer... enjoy. Of course Nintendo as a whole has gone from "Play It Loud" to "Guys, let's keep this reasonable, you grandmother is sleeping in the other room!"
Cesaria (SSBB: 3136-6466-5083) @ Apr 10th 2008 3:58PM
Third Eye is the alpha and omega of tool songs. Listen to that totally blazed and it will change your life.
NATO_Duke @ Apr 10th 2008 4:06PM
I'm gonna get attacked for this one - but I think it would be awesome if they killed off Mario.
C'mon, hes a fat old plumber now and has pushed his physical limits. Time to have him go down in a blaze of glory and let something new arise.
Oh, here's an idea - have Peach pretend to love him and then stab him through the heart. Awe, yeah, that would be rough.
WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 10th 2008 1:59PM
I think the WSM needs even MORE Mario games. Such innovators Nintendo is. And originality too.
Maybe soon they will announce
Mario Whirlyball
Mario Paint 2
Mario knitting
Mario Dodgeball
Mario Steal the White House and start an illegal War of differing ideologies in the hopes of hastening the so called Armageddon.
Worst Review Ever @ Apr 10th 2008 2:03PM
Dude, Nintendo takes way more risks than Sony. If Nintendo ever wanted to fuck Sony over in a big way they would leak footage of something that they never intend to really do and fall over themselves laughing as Sony runs all over the place trying to copy it.
Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Apr 10th 2008 2:04PM
"Mario Steal the White House and start an illegal War of differing ideologies in the hopes of hastening the so called Armageddon"
Wario as Cheney.
makishima @ Apr 10th 2008 2:09PM
@Worst Review Now I am not trying to defend WiiSports Machine or anything, but common. Nintendo took A (One. Singular) big risk with their system. Thats it. Now its time to sit atop their piles of cash and play it safe by releasing all their tried and true franchises in new games. SSB was a risk? Mario Galaxy was a risk? Really? I'm not saying they didn't take a BIGGER risk than Sony, but how many original IP's have been released on the PS3 vs the Wii? And no the shovelware that comes out by the dozen each week for the Wii doesn't count. Does that make the PS3's new IP's good? No not necessarily. But does releasing a new game for almost every big Nintendo franchise make the more of a risk taker? I dont think so.
THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ Apr 10th 2008 2:10PM
I propose a video game faceoff between you and fernando...the loser stfu about their favorite console for 1 whole day. But really though Mario Baseball...crap. How bout a sequel for zelda or smash bros in a few years before a new console comes? A kingdom heartsesque rpg with ninty and other company characters? Further nintendo innovated that ps1 into existence.
WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 10th 2008 2:10PM
"Dude, Nintendo takes way more risks than Sony"
ROTFL man o man...I cant stop laughing after reading that.
Tell me something, what entitles more risk
A. Re-releaase the same games over and over on the SAME hardware 2 generation in a row
OR
b. Re-design hardware from scratch each generation using new and or unproven technology while spending hundreds of millions in R&D and putting out NEW ORIGINAL IP's with each new machine.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 10th 2008 2:12PM
Tell me what new and original IPs?
Worst Review Ever @ Apr 10th 2008 2:17PM
makishima,
I guess it depends on how you use the word "original". What has Sony really released that has been new? Ratchet and Clank a.k.a. I Wish We Could Make a Mario Game? Goddess of War? The Gears of War/Tomb Raider mash-up called Uncharted? Star Wars Rogue Squadron 4: Now We Gots Dragonz? 360 ports?
And please don't cite games that haven't come out yet. I'm just saying that Nintendo takes bigger and more game-related risks than Sony. That's all.