Mario Strikers Charged: Difference between revisions

|genre=[[Mario Strikers (series)|Soccer]]

|modes=1-4 simultaneous

|platforms=[[Wii]], [[Wii U]] (digital download)

|media={{media|wii=1|wiiudl=1}}

|input={{input|nunchuk=1}}

}}

'''''Mario Strikers Charged''''' (known as '''''Mario Strikers Charged Football''''' in European languages) is a ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' soccer [[Wii]] game and the sequel to the 2005 [[Nintendo GameCube]] game ''[[Super Mario Strikers]]'', developed by [[Next Level Games]] and is the second game in the ''[[Mario Strikers (series)|Mario Strikers]]'' series. Up to four players can participate in this game, attempting to kick the ball into another opponent's goal; the soccer in this game, however, has several differences from the real soccer, such as the ability to tackle other players with a minimal penalty, using ''Super Mario''-themed items to give players an advantage over their opponents, and playing with stage hazards effectively. This game places a higher emphasis on individual character attributes compared to its precedent, by not only assigning stats, but by also giving team captains a unique [[Super Ability]] and the [[Mega Strike]], an opportunity to score up to six goals. Meanwhile, a team itself can be composed of several different ''Super Mario'' species, each with also unique attributes including [[Skillshot]]s. Another introduced mechanic is the power level of the ball. Indicated by the color of the glow, the shots of the ball become more quick and powerful the more active it is, thus making it easier to score goals with. The game, as with its predecessor, also stylistically differs from most ''Super Mario'' games with more realistic sci-fi tones, from the menu interface to the stage designs, in contrast to the more common bright and whimsical cartoon themes.

In addition to the local single-player and multiplayer modes, the game also featured online regional multiplayer, which used the [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]]. Unlike most games that had Wi-Fi features, ''Mario Strikers Charged''{{'}}s game data could be copied (but not moved) onto an [[Memory Card|SD Card]]. However, all Wi-Fi related data could not be copied.

==Opening cutscene==

The game's opening begins with [[Mario]] and [[Bowser]] in a blimp which is the interior of [[Stormship Stadium]]. The camera rolls down to reveal the soccer field in a stormy war-like zone of [[The Wastelands]]. Spectators get electrocuted by the electrical fences, and the whole area is covered in dust and thunderstorms. Bowser shoves Mario out of the way and skydives with Mario following. As Bowser reaches the ground, he breathes fire.

[[File:Mario Strikers Charged Mega Strike.jpg|thumb|Mario performs a Mega Strike in [[The Vice]].]]

As mentioned above, ''Mario Strikers Charged'' is based on {{wp|street football|street soccer}}. However, the sport played is much more physical. Two teams of four (not counting goalie) face off against each other to kick the [[Soccer Ball|ball]] into the goal within the [[Time Limit|time limit]] ranging from two to five minutes (three as the default amount). They may also choose to compete to reach a certain amount of goals first. When the time runs out, whoever has the most goals (or the next goal, if [[Sudden Death|sudden death]] occurs) wins the match. If the score is tied at the end of the set amount, the current music will change and the siren will sound, signaling sudden death. Overall, the game has become much harsher as time has passed. Because of this, players now wear protective gear. Players may utilize various strategies, such as items or special powers, to get ahead. The information regarding the use of items and special aspects of stadiums are found in their respective sections in this article.

===Teams and Player Roles===

Each team is headed by a captain, supported by three offensive/defensive sidekicks and one goalie. Two teams face each other with the aim to score the most points. Points are scored by shooting the ball past the goalie and into the goal. The captain is the leading member of any team and possesses both a [[Super Ability]] and a [[Mega Strike]]. While often an afterthought, sidekicks are crucial to the game. Knowing which position a sidekick is best at (such as defense or offense) can make or break a game. Goalies, or keepers as they are known in the European version, are the final line of defense. They are permitted to use their hands to block goals, but often are forced to use their bodies to do so.

===Shots and Skills===

Each type of player has different types of skills available to them. Captains and sidekicks share many of the same abilities, but goalies use a completely different move set. Players use the standard [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]] and [[Wii#Nunchuk|Nunchuk Attachment]] set-up to play the game.

====Basic Captain and Sidekick Skills====

[[File:MSC Controls.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Players use the standard [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]] and [[Wii#Nunchuk|Nunchuk Attachment]] to control their teams.]]

'''Movement/Dribbling:''' When {{button|wii|Stick}} on the [[Wii#Nunchuk|Nunchuk Attachment]] is pressed, while the captain is not in possession of the ball, the player will move in the corresponding direction. If the captain is in possession of the ball, they will dribble instead. Advanced players can press {{button|wii|Z}} to kick the ball in front of the character ('''chipping'''), losing possession, but slightly charging the ball (see [[#Metallic Ball|more]]).

'''Pass:''' The basic offensive skill, passing the ball from one player to another is critical in avoiding opponents. Also, passing the ball charges it up, meaning that it is easier to score goals once the ball has been repeatedly passed between members of the same team. {{button|wii|A}} is used for passing. While not confirmed, it is presumed that the pass can be altered to match a player's style. Such alterations include the lob shot and the stylized midair skills performed by the receiver.

'''Switch Players:''' If a character on one's team has the ball, the player automatically takes control over them, and can change characters by passing. However, when one's team does not have possession of the ball, players may switch characters at will with a press of {{button|wii|A}}. This move also works when two players control the same team and their team is in possession of the ball. The player without the ball may swap characters freely.

'''Big Hit:''' By shaking the Wii Remote, a player can pull off the most devastating tackle in the game. However, this move does not give the user immediate control over the ball.

===Offensive Items===

In keeping with the combative nature of the Strikers sport, the many offensive items at the disposal of players are cinematic and devastating. These items are the most useful in blocking Mega Strikes, clearing the field for a Mega Strike, or to simply gain possession of the ball.

*'''[[Banana|Banana Peel]]s:''' A staple of the ''Super Mario'' sports series, Banana Peels again play the role of a landmine. Players who touch a Banana Peel fall to the ground and lose the ball if in possession. Banana Peels come in sets of three or five normal-sized items. There also is a [[Giant Banana|bigger version]] of the Banana Peel which comes in a set of one, and it does not leave behind three smaller Banana Peels when someone touches it like it does in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''

*'''[[Green Shell]]s:''' Green Shells are the basic projectile item. They do not home in on players, but because they come in sets of three, they are very effective at close range. If they make contact with a wall, they ricochet off. However, they are destroyed upon contact with a player. The player that gets hit falls and is stunned for a brief moment.

*'''[[Bob-omb]]s:''' Some of the most devastating items in the game, Bob-ombs come in sets of three or five, deployed in front of the player with the ball, or the player closest to the teammate with the ball. All players caught in the blast radius, excluding the user, are affected by the blast. They cause tremendous explosions that literally ram players into the field. Unlike in other games, the player who deploys the Bob-ombs cannot be injured by them as they explode on contact with the ground, although their teammates can.

*'''[[Mega Bob-omb]]s:''' The largest item-based explosive in the game, the Mega Bob-omb can only be fired one at a time. All players caught in the blast radius, excluding the user, are affected by the blast. However, the size of the explosion is much greater than that of an individual Bob-omb. The blast radius is much larger, although the attack is not as wide as that of three normal-sized Bob-ombs.

===Defensive Items===

With the exception of the Super Ability items, there are only two defensive items in the game. Defensive items beef up the user and are particularly useful for scoring goals without the use of Mega Strikes.

*'''[[Mushroom]]s:''' Unlike [[Super Mushroom]]s, the Mushroom only makes characters faster. (The size increase is negligible.) This item is especially effective when surrounded by the opposing team. Running can further increase its usefulness.

*'''[[Star]]s:''' The defensive equivalent of the [[Chain Chomp]], Stars make players invincible for a short period of time. This item is useful for turning the tide of the game and for scoring any time of goal. To have enough time for a 6-ball [[Mega Strike]], the player should activate it right when the meter appears.

{{main|Super Ability}}

[[File:MSC Luigi Super Ability.jpg|thumb|200px|Luigi using his Super Ability.]]

A Super Ability item, represented by icons of the team Captain's head, allows the Captain to use their Super Ability. The effects of each Super Ability are different. Depending on the captain, Super Abilities can be either offensive, defensive, or both. The Super Ability items are most effective when used to clear a field before performing a Mega Strike. As an example, Luigi's special item can allow him to stomp on the other team and then use his Mega Strike. The list of Super Abilities can be seen in the [[#Captains|Captains]]' table. {{br}}

[[File:MSC Menu.jpg|thumb||The main menu is set up in wheel-like fashion, and modes are selected with the Wii Remote.]]

''Mario Strikers Charged'' places a great emphasis on the multiplayer aspect of the game. However, there are also single-player modes present in the package.

===Road to the Strikers Cup===

Designed for one to four players, Road to the Strikers Cup is the standard tournament mode seen in all of the Mario sports games. Players are challenged by various teams across three cups. As the mode progresses, its difficulty increases. Alternatively, players can choose to play in ''Extreme Mode'', which makes the game difficult from the start. The mode uses a tournament ladder or the table system seen in ''Super Mario Strikers''.

===Nintendo WFC Mode===

[[File:Wi-Fi Friend Codes MSC.png|thumb|200px|Screenshot of Wi-Fi friend code billboard.]]

==Characters==

[[File:MSCCharacters.png|thumb|250px|All the Captains in ''Mario Strikers Charged''.]]

Each character has its individual advantages and disadvantages. However, strategic team creation can serve to offset the disadvantages and play to each individual's advantages. Additionally, each character also has a theme song that plays when they score a goal and during their home entrance. [[Bowser]], [[Bowser Jr.]], [[Diddy Kong]], and [[Petey Piranha]] are new captains to the series, while [[Boo]], [[Dry Bones]], [[Monty Mole]], and [[Shy Guy]] are new sidekicks.

{{br}}

|-

!colspan=12 style="background:red;color:white"|Default captains

|colspan=12|The captain is the leader of the team and the only character that can perform the Mega Strike. Captains also may receive a special item, the Captain Ability.

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

!colspan=12 style="background:red;color:white"|Unlockable captains

|colspan=12|Three captains can be unlocked by completing [[cup]]s.

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

!colspan=12 style="background:red;color:white"|Sidekicks

|colspan=12|Sidekicks comprise the rest of the team. They share stats with captains in the same category, but instead of Mega Strikes, they perform a variety of Skillshots exclusive to the sidekick's species. Unlike Super Mario Strikers, Mario Strikers Charged allows for different types of sidekicks to be chosen instead of one type per team.

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

!colspan=12 style="background:red;color:white"|Goalie

|-

|-

|-

|}

===Character Type Stats===

Each character type has its own stats. Since every one of each specific type will always have the same stats, only the stats for each type will be shown instead of for every character.

|-

|-

|6/10

|6/10

|6/10

|-

|10/10

|3/10

|3/10

|-

|3/10

|10/10

|10/10

|-

|3/10

|10/10

|3/10

|-

|10/10

|3/10

==Stadiums/Fields==

Unlike ''Super Mario Strikers'', the new fields in ''Charged'' are not clones of one another. Each has its own dangers and gimmicks to keep players on their toes. Along with the ten new fields, the seven classic stadiums from the previous game are also playable, which makes a grand total of seventeen stadiums.

===The Arenas===

The ten new fields are referred to as “The Arenas” in-game. Most of these fields are dynamic, featuring new dangers and events. There are six unlockable stadiums.  

|-

!Name

| -  

|The final stadium, Galactic Stadium is set on top of a large, flat, floating chunk of metal in outer space, with several smaller pieces of metal floating around it. There is no seating for fans. It is unlocked by earning the Brick Wall Award and Golden Foot Award in the Strikers Cup.

|}

===The Classics===

|-

!Name

|

|A characterization of the extreme nature of the Strikers sport, Bowser Stadium is located in [[Deep Space]] and served as the symbol of the [[Bowser Cup|Bowser]] and [[Super Bowser Cup|Super Bowser Cups]]. Its field is a blue rubber compound. Some of the structures of this stadium resemble Eggman, the robot in the Next Level Games' logo.

|}

There are two awards for each cup for the qualifying rounds: Golden Foot, for the most GF total (goals for), and Brick Wall, for the least GA total (goals against). Winning both in a Cup unlocks a new course for Domination Mode.

===Fire Cup===

The [[Fire Cup]] consist of four teams that play six qualifying rounds, each playing each other twice; two teams advance to 1 final, 3-game series with defending champion [[Bowser Jr.]]

==Challenges==

===Till Sudden Death Do Us Part!===

[[File:MSC Mario Challenge.jpg|thumb]]

===Sibling Rivalry!===

[[File:MSC Luigi Challenge.jpg|thumb]]

'''Difficulty:''' Novice<br>

'''Character:''' [[Luigi]]<br>

'''Official Description:''' Mario and Luigi battle it out for the last spot in the next round. But Luigi's team is down a player. Will this be the first time that Luigi pips his big brother for the final qualifying place, and can he do it missing one of his key players?<br>

'''Cheat:''' "Safe Mega Strike" - Once a Mega Strike charge is initiated, it cannot be stopped by anybody except goalies.

===This Monkey Shines!===

[[File:MSC Donkey Kong Challenge.jpg|thumb]]

'''Official Description:''' It's the final of the Lightning Cup and Donkey Kong has taken a beating early on in the game by conceding a three goal Mega Strike. Can the courageous captain come back to win the game? Time will tell! Donkey Kong against Petey, coming up now!<br>

'''Cheat:''' "Super Captains" - The only items received are Super Ability items.

===Battle For The Crown!===

[[File:MSC Princess Peach Challenge.jpg|thumb]]

'''Official Description:''' It's the final game of the Super Cup with Wario and Diddy tied at one game each. But Wario's Goalie has severe dizzy spells due to too many Megastrikes to the head. The winner of this game will take home the championship. Can Wario overcome his Goalie's head problems?<br>

'''Cheat:''' "No Power Ups" - Removes all items from the game.

===Three Goals Away!===

[[File:MSC Waluigi Challenge.jpg|thumb]]

'''Official Description:''' Waluigi is on the brink of being eliminated by Luigi at the Storm Cup. He must win his final group stage game by three or more goals to advance. Time is running out for the purple pest... Are his Storm Cup days coming to an end, or just beginning?<br>

'''Cheat:''' "Secure Stadium" Stadium events will not occur.

===So Far Behind...===

[[File:MSC Yoshi Challenge.jpg|thumb]]

===Tag Team Tussle!===

[[File:MSC Petey Piranha Challenge.jpg|thumb]]

'''Difficulty:''' Legend<br>

'''Character:''' [[Petey Piranha]]<br>

{{main|List of Mario Strikers Charged staff}}

Programming

*Mike Cline

*Mike Vlad Cora

*Jack Yee

Sound Design

*Simon Delaat

*Scott McFadyen

Music Composition