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The GameCube was certainly dwarfed by Nintendo DS this week, but Super Mario Strikers was still the most popular title shown the second day.

Not much has changed since E3—like Sega Soccer Slam (also developed by Next Level Games), Strikers is focused on action-packed matches. There are no clothes to buy or worthless mini-games to avoid. In fact, except for trophies earned for milestones (such as scoring a certain number of goals) and the inevitable goodies unlocked through the Mario Tennis-like Cup Battle mode, there isn't much besides multiplayer battles.

And what battles they are! Super Mario Strikers ignores the rulebook, encouraging sleazy tactics full of items, theft and glorious shoving. The gameplay is surprisingly deep, with well-mapped controls for both offense and defense. The game rewards well-placed passes with slow-motion and punishes excessive violence by awarding the enemy items. Goal shots can be charged, and team leaders can perform gaudy Striker goal kick, where precise timing of L and R results in an unstoppable goal. Disappointingly, players cannot control their Kremling goalkeeper unless he has the ball, but the computer seems to do a decent job. Few things are more satisfying than slamming Toad minions into an electrified fence or mowing down birdos with a giant koopa shell.

This game's edgier style fits perfectly with its violent nature, inviting trash-talk and shenanigans. Pretty much every character looks cooler than ever, from DK's pissed-off grimace to the toads' victory dance. Waluigi prances (as usual), and Next Level Games reveals the seemingly-innocent Daisy to be downright psycho during her Striker shot. The developers have managed to incorporate brand new attitude without compromising the Mario world's integrity. That is no small feat.

Like Mario Power Tennis, what little Super Mario Strikers does, it does well. Even those with little experience with NHL or soccer games will enjoy the game's mayhem. Intense four-player rivalries and a configurable tournament supporting up to sixteen players make Strikers the perfect addition to anyone's party game arsenal.