Mario Super Sluggers

Mario Super Sluggers
For alternate box art, see the related gallery.
Developers	Namco Bandai Games Nintendo SPD Group No.4
Publisher	Nintendo
Platforms	Wii, Wii U
Release dates	Wii (original release): June 19, 2008 July 12, 2008 August 25, 2008 Wii (Nintendo Selects): May 15, 2011 Wii U (digital download): March 31, 2016 August 17, 2016
Languages	English Japanese French (Canada) Spanish (Latin America)
Genre	Baseball
Ratings	ESRB: - Everyone CERO: - All ages[?] ClassInd: - General audience[?]
Mode	1–4 players
Format	Wii: Optical disc Wii U: Digital download
Input	Wii: Wii Remote Wii Remote (horizontal) Wii Remote and Nunchuk
Serial codes	RVL-RMBJ-JPN RVL-RMBE-USA

Mario Super Sluggers is a sports game released for the Wii in Japan and the Americas in 2008. It is the follow-up to the 2005 Nintendo GameCube game Mario Superstar Baseball, and the second game in the Super Mario Stadium series. It is the only Super Mario–franchise game for the Wii that was never released in Europe and Australia in physical form. This game borrows many elements from its predecessor but also introduces new ones, including a variety of gameplay controls, such as taking advantage of the motion sensor controls that the Wii Remote provides. The game also has a more in-depth, narrative-driven Challenge Mode, where, rather than facing off against only a Team Captain and a team of opponents, players interact with more characters, including a variety of sub-characters, and play various small challenges to recruit them for their team. Up to four players can play this title, and a new feature allows players to choose which of the two team sides to be on.

Mario Super Sluggers had a Nintendo Selects re-release in the Americas in 2011. The game was also re-released on the Wii U eShop in the Americas on March 31, 2016, and in Japan on August 17, 2016; however, it was eventually removed after its discontinuation on March 27, 2023.

Gameplay

The three control types, as shown in the instruction booklet enclosed with the game.

Mario Super Sluggers can be played using three different control methods:

• Wii Remote (vertical)
• Wii Remote (horizontal)
• Wii Remote + Nunchuk controller

Before a game starts, a roulette will start in order to show which team will be batting first. This is different from the previous game, in which the player could choose which team would be batting first.

Assuming that players are using the Wii Remote (vertical) or the Wii Remote/Nunchuk combination, in order to bat or pitch, players must swing the Wii Remote at the appropriate time. The more precise the hit/pitch, the further/faster the ball will go. To charge up a pitch or swing, players must pull the Wii Remote back. They can also do curve balls by twisting the Wii Remote while pitching, as well as throw a changeup pitch by holding . Once the ball is in a fielder's hand, the Wii Remote must be swung so that the fielder can pitch the ball at one of the basemen.

In the outfield, players can create special moves if there is chemistry between outfielders:

• One outfielder tackles the ball and the ball rolls towards the outfielder with chemistry. The outfielder that holds the ball can then throw a very fast ball towards a base from the outfield.
• When a possible home run is hit, players can initiate a Buddy Jump. Upon jumping around another outfielder's head and pressing twice, one of the players will jump incredibly high to catch home run balls. This must be done with precise timing.

Superstar Matchups return; however, it is set for captains only and occurs when the team captain is not batting first and when one runner is on second or third and two or all three runners on base (only when the runs exceed to 4 or more on the scoreboard). This also applies to RBI chance screens.

While pitching, a character may show signs of fatigue, depending on how long they pitch. Letting up a lot of runs or using many Star Pitches factors into this, too.

While pitching, however, players will have to pay attention to the pitcher's stamina. If the character that's pitching is showing signs of fatigue (depicted by a water droplet in a bubble), their pitches will start to behave in an erratic manner. When the current pitcher has fatigue, players will have to decide to adjust the defense so that a new character plays pitcher instead. On a side note, pitchers can get exhausted even quicker if the batting team manages to make a lot of successful Home Runs. Even a Grand Slam can cause a pitcher to become fully fatigued right off the bat.

Star Skills make a reappearance in Mario Super Sluggers as well. Any player can pitch or bat using Star Skills, however, only Team Captains can use special hits/pitches. Team Players can only use Star Skills that will make the ball go faster or slower. Both teams can store up to five Star Skill attempts; they are earned as a result of well executed plays.

Mario wins MVP after his team (Luigi, Peach, Red Toad, Purple Toad, Toadette, Red Yoshi, Red Noki, and Red Pianta) wins against the Wario Muscles.

At the end of each game, the character who has had the most potential for their team will win the MVP award, which will be recorded in the Records menu. Characters can earn MVP points by striking out opponents, executing nice plays on defense, successful hits while batting (the batter has to make it to 1st base without getting out), stealing bases, close plays, and even for error item usage. The character with the most MVP points will win the award. Also, it's possible for more than one character to win MVP if at least two characters have the same amount of points.

Venues

There are a total of nine stadiums (excluding Toy Field) in all. Every Team Captain (excluding Waluigi, Birdo, and Diddy Kong) has a stadium which is based on their character's unique persona. Mario Stadium is the only one not to feature any gimmicks in the field, making for the most realistic baseball experience. Six of the nine stadiums can be played in daytime or nighttime, which cause different changes in gameplay depending on the stadium (except for Mario Stadium, where the difference is only aesthetic). The time of day can be changed by pressing either the sun or the moon on the stadium selection menu. The Bowser Jr. Playroom is only accessible during the day, while Luigi's Mansion and Bowser Castle can only be accessed at night.

Starting venues

These stadiums are accessible when starting a new game file. Four stadiums can be made available in Exhibition Mode by advancing the story or completing tasks in Challenge Mode.

Stadium		Corresponding Minigame
	Mario Stadium	Bob-omb Derby
	Peach Ice Garden	Wall Ball
	Yoshi Park	Piranha Panic
	Wario City	Gem Catch
	DK Jungle	Barrel Basher

Unlockable venues

Four stadiums can be made available in Exhibition Mode by advancing the story or completing tasks in Challenge Mode.

Stadium		Corresponding Minigame	How To Unlock
	Bowser Jr. Playroom	Graffiti Runner	Beating Bowser Jr.'s team will unlock this stadium, requiring the recruitment of at least nine players.
	Bowser Castle	Bowser Pinball	After winning against Bowser Jr., Bowser's team must be defeated to unlock Bowser Castle.
	Luigi's Mansion	Ghost K	Opening the Pianta's shop in Mario Stadium and buying Luigi's Flashlight will open Luigi's Mansion. The stadium is only usable during nighttime, which is made available after defeating Bowser Jr. in Bowser Jr. Playroom.
	Daisy Cruiser	Blooper Baserun	Opening Toadsworth's shop in Peach Ice Garden and buying a Cruiser Pass will unlock Daisy Cruiser.

Playable characters

The Captain Select screen.

The Team Setup screen.

The Offense/Defense Setup screen.

All of the captains and main team players from Mario Superstar Baseball make a return appearance in Mario Super Sluggers. In addition, Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, Baby DK, Funky Kong, Tiny Kong, King K. Rool, Kritter, Wiggler, and Blooper have been added as new main team players. It is now possible to put more than one of the same character on the team in Exhibition Mode, as long as they are different colors. However, it is no longer possible to choose which hand that the characters will bat and pitch with; for example, players can no longer make Mario a left-handed batter.

Players are given the choice to play as their Miis as well, whose stats are all 6/10. Players cannot choose to have a whole team of nine Miis, but they can put one captain and up to eight other Miis.

When characters become Star Players, their abilities are boosted by one point each. However, characters can only become Star Players by defeating Bowser's team in Challenge Mode, with the exception of Miis.

If one counts the alternate team players and the Miis, Mario Super Sluggers has the third most playable characters of any Super Mario game, behind Mario Kart Tour and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with the Booster Course Pass, with a total of 72 playable characters.

Team captains

All team captains listed below in this section are available to be selected in the game's Exhibition Mode. Luigi, Daisy, Birdo, Waluigi, Diddy Kong, Bowser, and Bowser Jr. are only selectable as Team Captains outside of Challenge Mode. Depending on progress made in the Challenge Mode gameplay itself, players are only able to choose Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Wario, and Donkey Kong while navigating the Baseball Kingdom.

Character	Team	Star Pitch	Star Swing	Running/Fielding	Throwing arm	Batting arm	Pitch	Bat	Field	Run	Unlock/recruit	Bio
Mario	Mario Fireballs	Fireball	Fire Swing	Enlarge	Right	Right	6/10	7/10	6/10	7/10	Default player	"A 5-tool player who can hit, run, and pitch!"
Peach	Peach Monarchs	Heart Ball	Heart Swing	Quick Throw	Right	Right	9/10	4/10	8/10	5/10	Recruit Toadsworth in Peach Ice Garden, then meet Bowser Jr. and defeat him in a battle mission: "You're down 1-0. Comeback time!" or the Bowser Jr. Rookies in a match.	"A slap hitter who can pitch the lights out."
Yoshi	Yoshi Eggs	Rainbow Ball	Egg Swing	Tongue Catch	Right	Left	4/10	4/10	6/10	9/10	Save him in southern Yoshi Park by beating Red Magikoopa in a battle mission: "Throw different pitches!" or "Don't drop the ball!"	"Top-class speed in the field and on base."
Wario	Wario Muscles	Phony Ball	Phony Swing	Laser Beam	Right	Right	5/10	8/10	3/10	4/10	Save him from a rooftop in Wario City by helping Goomba and Paratroopa with their troubles, then climbing the building using Donkey Kong.	"Good stamina and a great contact zone."
Donkey Kong	DK Wilds	Barrel Ball	Barrel Swing	Clamber	Right	Left	6/10	9/10	3/10	2/10	Meet him in DK Jungle, then complete his scout mission: "Get an out!" or "Catch the ball with a super jump!" or "Throw a charge pitch!"	"A strong hitter who can also climb walls."
Bowser	Bowser Monsters	Killer Ball	Breath Swing	Spin Attack	Right	Left	5/10	10/10	3/10	3/10	Defeat the Bowser Jr. Rookies at Bowser Jr. Playroom once, then the Bowser Monsters at Bowser Castle twice.	"His speed and stamina baffles batters!"
Luigi	Luigi Knights	Tornado Ball	Tornado Swing	Super Jump	Right	Left	6/10	6/10	7/10	7/10	Enter Mario Stadium	"A 5-tool player who can jump, pitch, and hit!"
Daisy	Daisy Flowers	Flower Ball	Flower Swing	Super Dive	Right	Left	7/10	6/10	8/10	5/10	Recruit Peach by beating Bowser Jr. in Peach Ice Garden, which unpetrifies Daisy, then replace her spot on the fountain pressure plate near the shop with a nearby Toad statue.	"Her amazing glove is her best feature."
Birdo	Birdo Bows	Suction Ball	Cannon Swing	Suction Catch	Right	Right	4/10	8/10	7/10	5/10	Save her from the top of the rainbow bridge in Yoshi Park by beating a nearby Bowser Jr. in Piranha Panic.	"A good player who has trouble hitting curves."
Waluigi	Waluigi Spitballs	Liar Ball	Liar Swing	Quick Throw	Left	Left	8/10	4/10	8/10	5/10	Find him on a rooftop in Wario City requiring both Wario and Yoshi to reach, then complete his scout mission: "Hit a home run!"	"Charge swings drop power, but increase hits."
Diddy Kong	Diddy Monkeys	Banana Ball	Banana Swing	Clamber	Right	Left	5/10	4/10	8/10	6/10	Find all three pieces of the stone tablet around DK Jungle and set them in place.	"His hits and pitches move like crazy!"
Bowser Jr.	Bowser Jr. Rookies	Graffiti Ball	Graffiti Swing	Spin Attack	Left	Right	5/10	7/10	4/10	7/10	Defeat the Bowser Jr. Rookies at Bowser Jr. Playroom once, then the Bowser Monsters at Bowser Castle twice.	"A pitcher with great ball and bat control!"

Team players

From the start of each new game file, only the returning characters and Miis are available from the start in Exhibition Mode, and none of them are available at the start of Challenge Mode. For the majority of these cases, the player usually has to go through the Challenge Mode process and find the unlockable Team Players in question. Upon finding them, the player is given tasks in relation to them including specified Scouting Missions or Battle Missions. Once the tasks are completed successfully the Team Players are unlocked for use in other modes for the game such as during the Exhibition Mode.

Certain new Team Players can also be unlocked by playing the other available modes in the game. These Team Players are added to the overall roster for the entire game, once certain conditions are met.

Character	Team	Running/Fielding	Throwing arm	Batting arm	Pitch	Bat	Field	Run	Unlock/recruit	Bio
Red Yoshi(new)	Yoshi Eggs	Tongue Catch	Right	Left	3/10	4/10	4/10	8/10	Find him in front of Yoshi Park's shop and return the brush after recruiting Yellow Shy Guy.	"A speedy Yoshi with all-around skills."
Blue Yoshi(new)	Yoshi Eggs		Right	Left	4/10	2/10	6/10	8/10	Meet him in front of the roller coaster control panel in Yoshi Park and complete a quiz to get it working correctly.	"A speedy Yoshi with a decent arm."
Yellow Yoshi(new)	Yoshi Eggs		Right	Left	3/10	4/10	6/10	7/10	Find him hiding in a tree near the rainbow bridge in Yoshi Park using Yoshi, then complete his scout mission: "Bunt to advance the runner!" or "Lay down a squeeze bunt!"	"A speedy Yoshi with a decent bat."
Light-Blue Yoshi(new)	Yoshi Eggs		Right	Left	3/10	3/10	6/10	8/10	Save him in central Yoshi Park by recruiting Yoshi, then beating Green Magikoopa in a battle mission: "Get the ball with a tongue catch!"	"A speedy Yoshi with a decent glove."
Pink Yoshi(new)	Yoshi Eggs		Right	Left	2/10	3/10	6/10	9/10	Find him hiding in a tree near Yoshi Park's shop using Yoshi, then beat his scout mission: "Get a hit to right!" or "Get the ball with a super dive!"	"An extra-speedy Yoshi who loves to run."
Baby Mario	Mario Fireballs	Enlarge	Right	Right	5/10	3/10	4/10	8/10	Meet him in Mario Stadium's diamond entrance after recruiting Baby Luigi and defeating Bowser Jr. in a battle mission: "You're down 1-0. Comeback time!" or the Bowser Jr. Rookies in a match.	"Small and fast, he's the master of close plays!"
Baby Peach(new)	Peach Monarchs	Quick Throw	Right	Right	8/10	2/10	5/10	6/10	Find her hiding in a topiary near the entrance to Peach Ice Garden using Peach, then complete her scout mission: "Get an out with a quick throw!"	"Owner of the wickedest curve around."
Baby DK(new)	DK Wilds	Clamber	Right	Left	3/10	6/10	8/10	4/10	Find him in a tree in the southwestern coast of DK Jungle using Yoshi, then complete his scout mission: "Get an out with a buddy move!" or "Get the ball with a super dive!" (Challenge Mode) Defeat DK's team. (Exhibition Mode)	"A mini dynamo who can clamber and field!"
Baby Luigi	Mario Fireballs	Super Jump	Right	Left	5/10	2/10	5/10	8/10	Speak to him crying on a pier in Mario Stadium, reachable via a coded lever after recruiting Red Noki and defeating Magikoopa in a battle mission: "Throw different pitches!" or "Get an out with a star pitch!"	"An outstanding fielder who can also pitch."
Baby Daisy(new)	Peach Monarchs	Super Dive	Right	Left	6/10	4/10	5/10	6/10	Find her crying in the covered walkway of Peach Ice Garden, accessible with Yoshi, and return her missing rattle.	"A nasty curve makes up for a lack of power."
Blue Pianta	Mario Fireballs	Laser Beam	Right	Right	5/10	8/10	4/10	2/10	Rescue him from Mario Stadium's locked shop after recruiting Baby Mario by using the Sea Hut Key dropped by Bowser Jr.	"Strong but slow, with a powerful arm."
Red Pianta	Mario Fireballs		Right	Right	4/10	8/10	4/10	2/10	Find him hiding in a tree on Mario Stadium's beach using Yoshi, then complete his scout mission: "Get the ball with a tongue catch!"	"A defensive specialist among Piantas."
Yellow Pianta	Mario Fireballs		Right	Right	4/10	8/10	4/10	2/10	Save him from a barrel in northwest Mario Stadium using Donkey Kong, then complete his scout mission: "Hit a sacrifice fly to score a run!" or "Lay down a squeeze bunt!"	"His brawn give pitches extra oomph!"
Blue Noki	Mario Fireballs	Ball Dash	Right	Left	5/10	4/10	4/10	7/10	Speak to her hiding in her shell on the beach of Mario Stadium, then clear her scout mission: "Use different swings!" or "Don't let them score!"	"A speedy guy who runs faster with the ball."
Red Noki	Mario Fireballs		Right	Left	4/10	4/10	5/10	7/10	Speak to her standing on a giant clamshell in the middle of Mario Stadium after recruiting Blue and Green Nokis.	"A defensive specialist among Nokis."
Green Noki	Mario Fireballs		Right	Left	4/10	5/10	4/10	7/10	Speak to her hiding in her shell on the beach of Mario Stadium after recruiting Blue Noki, then clear her scout mission: "Throw a charge pitch!" or "Get a hit!"	"A speedy guy with decent power to boot."
Monty Mole	Mario Fireballs	Burrow	Right	Left	4/10	4/10	5/10	7/10	Wake him up from napping under the sand of Mario Stadium's beach using Peach, then beat his scout mission: "Get an out with a quick throw!"	"A skilled bunter with good speed!"
Blooper(new)	Mario Fireballs	Ink Dive	Right	Left	6/10	4/10	5/10	6/10	Find it off the side of the pier at Mario Stadium by using Peach, then complete its scout mission: "Get a double play!" (Challenge Mode) Complete all of the Practice Lessons. (Exhibition Mode)	"A true master of the changeup pitch!"
Red Toad	Peach Monarchs	Enlarge	Right	Right	5/10	5/10	3/10	7/10	Save him and the petrified Daisy from Hammer Bro in Peach Ice Garden by beating him in a battle mission: "Hit to right!" or "Get an out!"	"A well-balanced Toad who throws a decent pitch."
Blue Toad	Peach Monarchs		Right	Right	4/10	6/10	3/10	7/10	Speak to him near the mushroom hedge maze in Peach Ice Garden after recruiting Peach.	"A well-balanced Toad with extra batting power."
Yellow Toad	Peach Monarchs		Right	Right	3/10	6/10	4/10	7/10	Find him hiding in a mushroom clump near the covered walkway accessible by Yoshi in Peach Ice Garden, then complete his scout mission: "Hit a sacrifice fly to score a run!" or "Steal!"	"A well-balanced Toad with a fine glove."
Green Toad	Peach Monarchs		Right	Right	4/10	5/10	4/10	7/10	Find him hiding in a shrub in the flower garden of Peach Ice Garden using Mario, then complete his scout mission: "Hit to center!" or "Bunt to advance the runner!"	"A Toad with decent stats all around."
Purple Toad	Peach Monarchs		Right	Right	5/10	6/10	2/10	7/10	Find him hiding in a shrub in the flower garden of Peach Ice Garden using Mario, then complete his scout mission: "Use different swings!" or "Get a hit!"	"A well-balanced Toad with a lively bat."
Toadette	Peach Monarchs		Right	Right	5/10	3/10	4/10	8/10	Fix the mushroom hedge maze puzzle in Peach Ice Garden.	"A steal machine with speed to spare."
Toadsworth	Peach Monarchs		Right	Right	7/10	3/10	7/10	3/10	Meet him near the shop in Peach Ice Garden by beating Blue Dry Bones in a battle mission: "Hit the sweet spot!" or "Get an out with a buddy move!" then use the petrified Daisy to weigh down the fountain drainage switch.	"A masterful pitcher who tires easily."
Petey Piranha	Peach Monarchs	Piranha Catch	Right	Left	4/10	10/10	5/10	2/10	Find him in the giant flowerpot in Peach Ice Garden using Peach, then complete his scout mission: "Hit to all fields!"	"A power hitter who swings for the fences!"