mario-super-sluggers posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Fanswag winners: MLB Power Pros and Mario Super Sluggers

by David Hinkle { Sep 19th 2008 at 8:00PM }

When we were going to pick the winner of our latest giveaway, we completely realized that we forgot to announce the winner for our previous giveaway. Also, we received quite a few emails from you all. So, without further delay, here's our winners:

Chris Luebe won our copy of MLB Power Pros 2008
NickBeamin won our copy of Mario Super Sluggers

Congrats to all of our winners and better luck next time to the rest of you!

Reminder: Last day for Mario Super Sluggers giveaway

by David Hinkle { Sep 17th 2008 at 12:00PM }

Well folks, if you've been living under a rock for the past week, you should really try harder to read Wii Fanboy. You see, we've been holding a giveaway for one copy of Mario Super Sluggers this week and you could have been entering every day. If you missed out, today is your last chance to enter, so head on over to the original contest post here.

Good luck!

Gallery: Mario Super Sluggers

Fanswag: Mario Super Sluggers

by David Hinkle { Sep 11th 2008 at 9:00AM }

It's another week, so we're giving away another game. This time, we're giving away one copy of Mario Super Sluggers (retails for $50), which we were quite fond of, we should say. What do you need to do to win this copy of Mario Super Sluggers?

To enter, simply leave a comment between now and Wednesday, September 17th at 11:59PM ET, telling us what your favorite Nintendo sports game is. You can leave one comment per day.

There are a few things you should know before entering. Entrants must be current and legal residents of the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec) and at least 18 years of age or older. Read up on the rest of the official rules right here.

Gallery: Mario Super Sluggers

Nintendo to promote Mario Super Sluggers at Safeco

by David Hinkle { Sep 3rd 2008 at 8:04PM }

Seattle residents, Nintendo is going to be promoting Mario Super Sluggers this Friday at Safeco Field, where the Mariners will be taking on the New York Yankees. There, Mario will throw out the opening pitch, as well as kiosks to demo the game.

What's even better, though, is that Nintendo will be randomly giving away a Wii console and copy of Mario Super Sluggers during each inning. For those of you unfamiliar with the sport, that's nine consoles and copies of the game. That is, if the Mariners and Yankees don't go into extra innings.

Gallery: Mario Super Sluggers

Wii Fanboy Review: Mario Super Sluggers

by David Hinkle { Sep 1st 2008 at 1:30PM }

Mario Super Sluggers very much feels like a first-party game, despite being developed by Namco. It's got a plethora of Nintendo characters, wonderful bits of fan service and quite the bit of polish. There aren't that many flaws in the game, and the single biggest is only the lack of a label on the game's case.

Gallery: Mario Super Sluggers

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It's-a Mario World: In the Batter's Box

by Kenneth Caldwell { Aug 29th 2008 at 2:37PM }

In case you are a newcomer to the unchecked exuberance characteristic of It's-a Mario World, you should know that we are obsessed with the thematic nuances of the Mushroom Kingdom. From the trivial to the crucial, we like to keep up on what's happening in the Mario universe, particularly since much if its mythology is further developed with each new release. That said, we should no doubt acknowledge the most recent entry into the Mario canon, Mario Super Sluggers.

Because we are incapable of making any objective evaluations of Mario-related content in this feature, this is not our review for Sluggers. Instead, think of this as unwrapping the cellophane. Well, tearing it off. Then rolling around in it just shouting, "Let's-a play ball, woo-hoo!!!" If you're not into that kind of thing, or prefer reading a critical analysis, refer to our official game review (I'm assured it will be up on the site on Monday). Otherwise, spread out your capes and fly to our new gallery, in which we highlight nine characters who make one hell of a batting lineup.

*Note that this gallery features some unlockable content, and therefore possible spoilers. Now, go read it anyway.

It's-a Mario World is a weekly feature in which the ubiquity of Nintendo's flagship character is celebrated: We'll incessantly ruminate about mustache wax, debate the curious whereabouts of the princess and covet the luminous power stars strewn about the galaxy. Check back here every Friday to find out what strange and wonderful thing has got us tipping our caps. Is your rabid lust for Mario yet to be satiated? Check out this week's new Virtually Overlooked for more Mario goodness.

Metareview - Mario Super Sluggers (Wii)

by Randy Nelson { Aug 28th 2008 at 7:00AM }

Mario steps up to bat on the Wii and ... well, doesn't strike out, but doesn't hit a home run, either. That's the consensus (minus the baseball terminology) on the latest mascot-ified sports title from Nintendo, Mario Super Sluggers. Mario Strikers Charged was the last, and scored (both a gaming and sports term) a bit better overall. We're just excited to finally see the Wii Sports baseball mini-game fleshed out into something that will (we'd hope) have us playing for more than, oh, two minutes.

1UP (B): "Super Sluggers succeeds and fails as most Mario sports games do. Its quick, arcade-style action is easy to get into and plenty fun, coming at the expense of the nuances – and balance – you'll find in a sim."
GameDaily (80/100): "What it lacks in innovation and online play, Mario Super Sluggers makes up for with its robust modes, fun controls and multiplayer options. If you're a fan of either the characters or the sport, you owe it to yourself to round these bases."
Game Informer (55/100): "Multiplayer is amusing in that hanging out with your friends is fun anyway, but the single-player content is truly terrible. A series of boring one-off challenges punctuated by simplistic exploration and the occasional full game makes up Mario's quest to foil Bowser Jr. via baseball. Yes, it's as insipid as it sounds."
IGN (74/100): "We wouldn't go as far as to say this is Nintendo-made shovelware, but there's very little that has changed in the three years between Mario Superstar Baseball on GCN, and Mario Super Sluggers on Wii.

Metareview: Mario Super Sluggers

by David Hinkle { Aug 27th 2008 at 11:50AM }

The follow-up to previous baseball title on the GameCube, Mario Superstar Baseball, Namco and Nintendo's next title, Mario Super Sluggers, has finally hit North American shores. Is it worth your time? Well, let's see what the critics have to say.

GameDaily (80/100) thinks the positives outweigh the negatives: "Overall, the game plays great. The controls work perfectly, whether you're an avid baseball fan or a newcomer picking up the game for the first time. And if you're a n00b, several tutorials are available to help you out. Only two things hold Mario Super Sluggers back from diamond domination. First, despite having a terrific control scheme and lots of options, it's really just another Mario-licensed sports game. If you're looking for something past that, try MLB Power Pros 2008 instead. Second, there are no online options. It would've been great to form a league with your friends through the Wi-Fi Connection, but you'll have to settle for offline play."

Nintendo Power (75/100) says it can be a bit clunky: "This baseball diamond loses some of its luster with occasionally confusing or clunky play (it's too easy to accidentally pitch or swing prematurely), but the game's simplified approach is great for sports-curious gamers looking to avoid the complexities of a real simulation." [Oct 2008, p.87]

1UP (B) found the game to be easy to pick up and play: "Super Sluggers succeeds and fails as most Mario sports games do. Its quick, arcade-style action is easy to get into and plenty fun, coming at the expense of the nuances -- and balance -- you'll find in a sim."

IGN (74/100) thought Nintendo and Namco cut too many corners: "It's a shame Nintendo and Namco didn't go farther with this one overall, though. No online play? No major gameplay renovations, new modes, or improved style over three year old Superstar Baseball? With only Animal Crossing as current first party online offerings in the near future, it really doesn't make a lot of sense to cut corners with Sluggers."

GameInformer (55/100) was quick to trash the game: "Go do something fun with your buddies rather than wasting an afternoon with this crap."

Gallery: Mario Super Sluggers

Nintendo Channel update: Helix, baseball, and an old friend

by JC Fletcher { Aug 25th 2008 at 9:17PM }

A second Mario Super Sluggers video has hit the Nintendo Channel today, proving that Nintendo does mention the game ... occasionally. Good thing, since if they're going to promote the game at all, now would be the time! Other new(ish) videos include the official Helix trailer, designed to entice WiiWare fans into shaking along with a skeletal, metallic homunculus, and ... a Defend Your Castle video? Can't forget about "classic" WiiWare, we suppose. Here's the full list of new, very slowly streaming videos:

Mario Super Sluggers Info Video 2
Helix Info Video
Defend Your Castle Info Video 2
Mario Kart Wii: Who's playing Wii today? 4
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 All-Play TV Spot
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Video 2
MySims Kingdom Info Video
High School Musical 3: Senior Year! Video
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Info Video
Imagine: Rock Star TV Spot

Retail and download releases for the week of August 25th

by David Hinkle { Aug 25th 2008 at 8:59AM }

There's plenty of content releasing on the Wii this week. Whether you're a fan of retail games or looking to download some content on the Virtual Console or WiiWare, your gaming needs should be taken care of this week. Head on past the break for the details and let us know what you'll be playing!

Gallery: Mario Super Sluggers

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Nintendo Channel video update shows off Mario Super Sluggers

by David Hinkle { Aug 18th 2008 at 9:17PM }

This week, there's plenty of new videos to watch on the Nintendo Channel. Above, you'll see a pretty lengthy video on how to play the upcoming Mario Super Sluggers. We apologize for the audio, but the guy really does talk that low. It was hard to get the audio as clear as it is.

For a breakdown on what's in store for you this week on the Nintendo Channel, head past the break.

Gallery: Mario Super Sluggers

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In Japan, PS3 bested by Wii 3-1 during July

by David Hinkle { Aug 1st 2008 at 11:56AM }

For all of you keeping track of how many months the Wii has crushed the PS3, maybe it's time you got yourself a new notebook. That thing must be full. But, in all seriousness, Japan saw the Wii selling quite a bit more when compared to the PS3 last month.

How much more? Well, the Wii sold 171,851 units in the four weeks leading up to July 27th (so, really, it could've sold a lot more last month), while the PS3 only sold 54,823 units. And, as one might expect, both totally crushed the Xbox 360, which only sold 14,439 units.

We expect that the NPD data in the next few months will reflect something similar, as all of us in North America are still waiting on Wario Land: Shake It! and Mario Super Sluggers. Both of those, as well as Fatal Frame IV, have already released over there, but they pretty much don't count here as Wario and Fatal Frame released only yesterday. Sluggers released way back in June.

E308: Wii Fanboy's E3 Endgame Evaluation

by Alisha Karabinus { Jul 19th 2008 at 11:10PM }

In the second year of the newly revamped show, Nintendo released a few much-desired games, as well as a pair of incredible peripherals, and yet, there seemed to be something missing. Much of the show's excitement came from third parties (on my Nintendo Wii?), and some found Nintendo's announcements disappointing. Whatever your reaction, we're sure we can all agree on one thing: there was a ton of news and a flood of media. Luckily, you can revisit it all right here (even the week's most outrageous story, which wasn't even from E3).

We've listed a few of the show's highlights below, but for the full index of all our 2008 E3 coverage, hit the break. We still have a few items rolling in, and we'll be updating the index as that happens. Check back with us over the next few days by clicking the E3 sidebar graphic.

A new Pikmin sprouts!		Animal Crossing: City Folk confirmed
The Conduit will use WiiSpeak		Wii Sports Resort announced (and Wii MotionPlus!)
Mega Man 9 feels more like a 10		Wii Fanboy bats-on with Mario Super Sluggers
Animal Crossing to support keyboards, save fruit-picking time		Wii Fanboy hands-on with Wii Sports Resort

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E308: Wii Fanboy bats-on with Mario Super Sluggers

by David Hinkle { Jul 18th 2008 at 10:00PM }

Seeing as how the game has been out in Japan for quite some time now (and releasing here in little over a month), you've probably seen and heard all their is to Mario Super Sluggers. But, we'd be remiss if we didn't do our duty and sit down with the game and enjoy some time at the ballpark.

Gallery: Mario Super Sluggers

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Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 7/7-7/13

by Candace Savino { Jul 18th 2008 at 2:00PM }

We're kind of glad to see Persona 4 blow away the competition in software, even if it's not a Wii game (cough -- it should be). Nothing else really sold all that well, not even the games in the top ten. Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii keep piling on copies to their ever-growing mountains, though, and remain snug in the top ten.

The other big news in terms of Japanese software is the release of Resident Evil 0. Capcom's port did debut at spot six, but only sold 20k copies in its first week. This game won't come even close to being the cash cow that Resident Evil 4 was, but we're sure Capcom will still make a pretty ported penny.

Hardware sales show that the Wii was stuck in third, again: