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Wii

Mario Super Sluggers Slides Into Stores

by Neal Ronaghan - August 25, 2008, 12:07 pm EDT
Total comments: 26 Source: Press Release

Mario's latest Wii sports game "takes the fun into extra innings" with over 40 characters, a variety of game modes, and collectable online cards.

Nintendo announced today that Mario Super Sluggers is now available in stores across North America. Unlike Wii Sports' baseball mini-game, Mario Super Sluggers does not offer 1:1 motion control, but will detect player swings and thrown pitches through motion control.

The single-player mode takes players around Baseball Kingdom where they face challenges, games, and mini-games as they try to recruit the best players they can. With over 40 playable characters, players will have plenty of choice in assembling their own Mario themed dream team. In addition to the single-player mode, there are multiple multiplayer modes such as the returning Toy Field mode.

Nintendo is also introducing a series of online baseball cards featuring the game's characters. These cards can unlock various game videos and screensavers.

Mario Super Sluggers is rated E for Everyone and is priced at $49.99

MARIO SUPER SLUGGERS HITS ONE OUT OF THE PARK

New Wii Game Features 40+ Characters, Raucous Baseball Action

REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 25, 2008 - Today Nintendo is calling on its star player to step into the batter's box and hit one out of the park with the launch of Mario Super Sluggers. The new baseball game for the Wii console lets players use the Wii Remote controller to mimic motions they might experience on a real baseball diamond. Just swing the Wii Remote like a bat or make a pitching motion to throw a pitch. This wild, Mario-styled take on baseball includes more than 40 playable characters from the Nintendo universe, and players can even use their Mii characters in some modes.

"Mario Super Sluggers has enough depth for core gamers but also offers controls that are instantly accessible to everyone," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Mario Super Sluggers takes the fun into extra innings with cool characters, baseball-themed challenges and different control options for novice and experienced gamers."

The single-player mode lets players visit Baseball Kingdom, where they encounter characters with different baseball skills. Players must defeat them in a variety of challenges to persuade the characters to join their team - and the characters that people choose are important. Team captains can perform special moves on the field. For example, Mario can pitch a wicked fireball, while Luigi can turn infield hits into a tornado. Just as in the real world, some players play better together than others: Different character combinations result in good chemistry for a team. In the world of Mario Super Sluggers, this could result in amazing catches in the outfield or the ability to interfere with fielders.

Multiplayer modes let up to four people compete at once. In Toy Field mode, for example, up to four players compete in a hitting and fielding extravaganza. Or just choose your players and play an exhibition game against friends.

To celebrate the launch of Mario Super Sluggers, Nintendo is giving the characters in the game the big-league treatment by creating a series of special baseball cards. These online cards can be found on a variety of Web sites and collected by users on a special album site. Pairing some players together creates a "Double Play" that unlocks bonuses like game videos and screensavers. Just as with real-life baseball cards, fans can collect multiple versions of the same card and trade them online for other cards they need. The more cards a person collects, the more bonuses and secrets they can unlock.

Talkback

D_AverageAugust 25, 2008

But it slides in just a tad bit late......as Nintendo starting making sports games with motion control about two years ago.  This game should have been made for the Game Cube, oh wait.....

KDR_11kAugust 25, 2008

I wonder if this one will at least include the rules of the game in the manual. We had to grab a half-American just to get an explanation on what the hell "Ball" means.

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterAugust 25, 2008

Quote from: KDR_11k

I wonder if this one will at least include the rules of the game in the manual. We had to grab a half-American just to get an explanation on what the hell "Ball" means.

You mean the rules of the Mario Baseball game or the rules of Baseball in general?

You can do a search of the rules online. Baseball ain't that complicated and once you get it everything makes sense.

KDR_11kAugust 26, 2008

They still shouldn't have assumed that everyone has a reference at hand to check the rules of the sport.

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterAugust 26, 2008

Quote from: KDR_11k

They still shouldn't have assumed that everyone has a reference at hand to check the rules of the sport.

Just watch this, this, this and ESPECIALLY this and you should be fine by the time you play Sluggers :D .

Am I the only person that thinks this game will be fun?
I mean, Strikers Charged wasn't leaps and bounds over its predecessor but it was still an enjoyable Wii title. I'm hoping for the same success with this game.

What I don't understand is why they released this before a Wii version of Mario Golf.  I've been playing Hot Shots Golf on PS3 lately, and it's reminded me how much I love those arcadey golf games.

Quote from: nron10

Am I the only person that thinks this game will be fun?
I mean, Strikers Charged wasn't leaps and bounds over its predecessor but it was still an enjoyable Wii title. I'm hoping for the same success with this game.

Strikers was phenomenal, the best multiplayer game on the Wii until Brawl came out. I highly doubt this will be even close to that. This game may be good, but it deserves the harsh criticism it's getting for being a step backwards from Wii Sports in terms of control.

Quote from: Silks

What I don't understand is why they released this before a Wii version of Mario Golf.  I've been playing Hot Shots Golf on PS3 lately, and it's reminded me how much I love those arcadey golf games.

I have a feeling We Love Golf is the closest we're going to get to Mario Golf on the Wii. It is really close, though, with the biggest difference being the different name.

Nick DiMolaNick DiMola, Staff AlumnusAugust 26, 2008

I'm really interested in this game and will likely be playing it with my brother who is buying it today. I LOVE the original so I have high hopes for this one.

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusAugust 26, 2008

Well let's put it this way, I canceled the preorder of Too Human and replaced it with this game.

Quote from: insanolord

I have a feeling We Love Golf is the closest we're going to get to Mario Golf on the Wii. It is really close, though, with the biggest difference being the different name.

Read my reader review of We Love Golf :)

D_AverageAugust 26, 2008

Quote from: nron10

Am I the only person that thinks this game will be fun?
I mean, Strikers Charged wasn't leaps and bounds over its predecessor but it was still an enjoyable Wii title. I'm hoping for the same success with this game.

I think it will be a decent game alright.  But it just seems as if the developer couldn't decide if they wanted to make a Wii game or a GCN game.  Given that the Wii has been out for two years now, the lack of progress in motion control is more than a bit disappointing.

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusAugust 26, 2008

Well the general consensus in reviews are positive, everyone is giving it a 7.5 or better so far.

GoldenPhoenixAugust 26, 2008

I'm getting this. My family loved the first game and this appears to be much more fleshed out, so YEAH!

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterAugust 26, 2008

Quote from: D_Average

Quote from: nron10

Am I the only person that thinks this game will be fun?
I mean, Strikers Charged wasn't leaps and bounds over its predecessor but it was still an enjoyable Wii title. I'm hoping for the same success with this game.

I think it will be a decent game alright.  But it just seems as if the developer couldn't decide if they wanted to make a Wii game or a GCN game.  Given that the Wii has been out for two years now, the lack of progress in motion control is more than a bit disappointing.

I never played the first Baseball game, so I can't say if it was good or not. However, I've seen a lot of videos, coverage and previews and it looks to deliver a more polished experience than the first game. The insane cast of characters (which includes the likes of the DKC cast), the really detailed stadiums, the extra modes and quirky mini games is impressive. So much that I am surprised that some fans are shunning the game for the sole fact that it doesn't have 1:1 controls.

Besides, didn't people hate Wii Baseball due to its controls?

On another topic, anyone get the Gamestop message featuring Mario? I just heard it! :D

KDR_11kAugust 26, 2008

Quote:

The insane cast of characters (which includes the likes of the DKC cast), the really detailed stadiums, the extra modes and quirky mini games is impressive. So much that I am surprised that some fans are shunning the game for the sole fact that it doesn't have 1:1 controls.

Because all the extra stuff is just icing but the 1:1 controls are a part of the cake. It's a fundamental issue that no amount of bonus content can fix.

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Besides, didn't people hate Wii Baseball due to its controls?

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In my experience it's mostly because of it being baseball. Noone can hit the ball properly and in the few cases where they can hit it in a way that's not a foul it usually gets caught immediately. On rare occassions a player bats a homerun, even more rarely they get singles or doubles (which are usually worthless if not followed by a homerun as noone ever gets enough of them to send a runner around the field).

Ian SaneAugust 26, 2008

I didn't know this game didn't have 1:1 controls.  Well f*ck it then.  The whole thing is just a pointless cash-in.  Any baseball game made by NINTENDO should have controls at least as accurate as Wii Sports.  This is completely unacceptable.

What possible reason is there to get THIS over Mario Superstar Baseball?  The graphics look about the same and this being a newer game COSTS MORE.  This doesn't even have ONLINE play which I also would now consider a required feature for any Nintendo-made multiplayer game.

This game sounds like a damn con targetted at rubes too stupid to realize their Wii can play Gamecube games.

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterAugust 26, 2008

Quote from: KDR_11k

Quote:

The insane cast of characters (which includes the likes of the DKC cast), the really detailed stadiums, the extra modes and quirky mini games is impressive. So much that I am surprised that some fans are shunning the game for the sole fact that it doesn't have 1:1 controls.

Because all the extra stuff is just icing but the 1:1 controls are a part of the cake. It's a fundamental issue that no amount of bonus content can fix.

Yeah, I understand that deep motion controls would have the game even better. But what I mean is that the extra features and game modes add a lot to the experience. So much in fact that I am willing to bet that once people get into it they'll forget that it isn't a 1:1 game.

And in the event that better motion controls were added people would have bitched that it makes them tired and reminds them too much of Wii Sports and switch back to classic controls.

Besides, from what I read the controls work very well. The other two options add their own take on the game.

Really, I think people are putting too much emphasis in the controls and technical side of things and are forgetting to have fun. Sluggers looks like it will be a blast to play, with or without super mega realistic 1:1 controls.

This game sounds like a damn con targeted at rubes too stupid to realize their Wii can play Gamecube games.

GoldenPhoenixAugust 26, 2008

I see it like Strikers, it was a solid update to the first game that was worth it even if the motion controls were minor.

D_AverageAugust 26, 2008

"Because all the extra stuff is just icing but the 1:1 controls are a part of the cake. It's a fundamental issue that no amount of bonus content can fix."
================================================================================

Exactly.  This game reeks of last generation.  Anyone who tells you otherwise is either in denial or works for Namco.

Am I the only one around here who thinks its ABSURD we still don't have a baseball game on the Wii that uses motion controls correctly?

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterAugust 26, 2008

Quote from: D_Average

"Because all the extra stuff is just icing but the 1:1 controls are a part of the cake. It's a fundamental issue that no amount of bonus content can fix."
================================================================================

Exactly.  This game reeks of last generation.  Anyone who tells you otherwise is either in denial or works for Namco.

Because the people that genuinely had fun with the import are really in denial. Because the fans that liked the first game and are looking forward to the updated sequel are in denial.

Really, talk about crapping on the people that are looking forward to it.

Yes, I agree that better motion controls could have been added. Yes, an online mode could have been added. And yes, the game feels more like a Madden type game than a full on updated game worthy of a follow up.

However, the game is rock solid and its a charming take on Baseball that should provide hours of fun in both single and local multiplayer. And like I already mentioned, Sluggers is more likely to be more successful than the first because the first came very late in the GC's life while Sluggers is released at the height of the Wii's popularity with both fans and newcomers alike.

I'm sorry for being pushy, but I'm getting this vibe that anyone that enjoys and supports this game is stupid for doing so. If anyone doesn't give a crap about Sluggers, fine. No one is forcing them to buy it.

Once again, we are well aware that the game is missing some features. But many of us at the end of the day won't care. I'm sorry, but this whole thing reeks of Nintendo fanboy angst, and its something I've had ENOUGH of.

GoldenPhoenixAugust 26, 2008

Quote from: D_Average

"Because all the extra stuff is just icing but the 1:1 controls are a part of the cake. It's a fundamental issue that no amount of bonus content can fix."
================================================================================

Exactly.  This game reeks of last generation.  Anyone who tells you otherwise is either in denial or works for Namco.

Am I the only one around here who thinks its ABSURD we still don't have a baseball game on the Wii that uses motion controls correctly?

I agree it is a problem, but it doesn't make the game any less worthwhile or fun. Like many of the so called "next generation" games there isn't much distinguishing them from the older ones in gameplay mechanics, but still that does not mean you can't have a blast.

Ian SaneAugust 26, 2008

Quote:

Really, I think people are putting too much emphasis in the controls and technical side of things and are forgetting to have fun. Sluggers looks like it will be a blast to play, with or without super mega realistic 1:1 controls.

I'm sure it is very fun and is a quality game but it's still an unnecessary sequel.  It's like Madden without a roster update.  I'm sure most of the Mario Party games are pretty fun too.

Quote:

Because many of us "rubes" missed out on the first game, because it came too late in the GC's life and would rather prefer the Wii version over the GC version. And there's a good chance the game will do better than the GC game because of the many "rubes" the Wii attracts.

Yeah I know.  It's pure product.  They're relying on the ignorance of the Wii userbase to sell a repackaged Cube game for full price.  I'm supposed to be cool with this why?  I'm not a Nintendo shareholder.  I'm a longtime customer witnessing a blatant attempt to rip people off.

Quote:

Am I the only one around here who thinks its ABSURD we still don't have a baseball game on the Wii that uses motion controls correctly?

Technically I used the term "unacceptable" but yes I agree.  Frankly I feel the whole situation embarrassing for the Wii.  It makes the remote look like a g!mmicky joke.  I can understand MLB Power Pros not having it because it's a third party game but this is the same publisher of Wii Sports.

Quote:

Once again, we are well aware that the game is missing some features. But many of us at the end of the day won't care. I'm sorry, but this whole thing reeks of Nintendo fanboy angst, and its something I've had ENOUGH of.

To me the opposite opinion reeks of Nintendo fanboy blind loyalty.  The "Nintendo can do no wrong" attitude.  If EA did the same thing you guys would freak.  Oh wait they do do the same thing and you guys crap on them for it.  Nintendo's the big innovative company while Sony and MS supposedly just pump out the same stuff.  But when Nintendo does it it's okay?

Preach on Ian, preach on.  Amen.

D_AverageAugust 26, 2008

Quote from: Ian

Quote:

Really, I think people are putting too much emphasis in the controls and technical side of things and are forgetting to have fun. Sluggers looks like it will be a blast to play, with or without super mega realistic 1:1 controls.

Quote:

Quote:

Am I the only one around here who thinks its ABSURD we still don't have a baseball game on the Wii that uses motion controls correctly?

Technically I used the term "unacceptable" but yes I agree.  Frankly I feel the whole situation embarrassing for the Wii.  It makes the remote look like a g!mmicky joke.  I can understand MLB Power Pros not having it because it's a third party game but this is the same publisher of Wii Sports.

Quote:

.

I love MLB Power Pros and play it every day, but I concur w/ Ian on this.  Its the fact that Nintendo is publishing the game.  They've talked a big game about changing paradigms in the industry, but at the end of the day, they have yet to develop/publish the games to back it up. 

Like I said, the game is obviously going to be fun, but given the fact that it came out on the Wii, and the expectations Nintendo themselves set for the Wii, the final product is very disappointing.

NinGurl69 *hugglesAugust 26, 2008

lol namco

let's see what other nintendo franchise they ruin next.

D_AverageAugust 27, 2008

For once, Bozon's written review hits it right on the head:

"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. That is, however, unless you're just going for the easy, out of touch, "Oh neat, Mario!" audience. Next on the list, we'd expect a direct copycat design of Toadstool Tour and Mario Power Tennis. And really, that's not even a bad thing, as long as a little more effort is put into them, and provided Nintendo doesn't try to pawn it off as its entire summer line-up. These Wii-make titles should be snuck out between the big first party games, not in place of them."

7.4

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