Mario Strikers Charged

Mario Strikers Charged (Mario Strikers Charged Football in Europe and Australia) for Nintendo Wii is the second game in the Mario Strikers franchise, preceded by the Nintendo GameCube title Super Mario Strikers. Charged is to soccer (football outside of the United States) as Mario Kart is to racing: while the basic rules are intact, many additions and modifications to them are in place. The result is a new sport, Strikers, the Mushroom Kingdom version of soccer. While a remake of the original in many regards, the main draws of the game are its increased strategy and online regional multiplayer, which utilizes the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Rules of Strikers and Game Play
As mentioned above, Strikers is based off of soccer. However, the sport played is much more physical. Two teams of five face off against each other to kick the ball into the goal. 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. For information regarding the use of items and special aspects of stadiums, please view their respective sections.

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 Remote and Nunchuk Attachment set-up to play the game.

Basic Captain and Sidekick Skills
Movement/Dribbling: When the Control Stick on the 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, he or she will dribble instead. Advanced players can the Z button to kick the ball in front of the character (chipping), losing possession, but slightly charging the ball (see more).

Deke: An advanced skill for the player with the ball, pressing the Control Pad allows players to fake in that direction, dodging opponents moving in for the tackle or steal. This move allows players to dodge the slide tackles of others as well as maintain the ball's charge for extended periods of time.

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 traded members of the same team. The A Button is used for this shot. 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.

Shoot: A more powerful version of the pass, shooting is for scoring goals. The game automatically targets the goal from the player’s current position when the B Button is pressed. Shots can be charged by holding the B Button to increase their chances of success. Players can pull off fancy flip shots to shoot if they hold B as they receive passes.

Clear: When a player has the ball on his or her side of the field, pressing the B Button allows him or her to kick the ball to the other side of the field. This technique is effective in situations where the player is crowded by opponents.

Switch Players: If a character on one's team has the ball, the player automatically takes control over him or her, 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 the A Button. 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 as he or she pleases.

Slide Tackle: Performed in the same way faking is performed, this move allows players without the ball to steal the ball. Less powerful than the Body Check, it is still a worthy move as players are given immediate possession of the ball afterwards.

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

Mega Shakedown: When a captain begins a Mega Strike (see below), the opposing player can move the meter by shaking the Nunchuck. This makes lining up the meter especially difficult, and may improve a player's chance of deflecting the Mega Strike. Directly attacking the captain is more useful, but the option is not always available.

Use Items: By pressing the C Button, any player may use an item in the team's inventory. Items that activate a captain's Super Ability (see below) can only be used by the captain. Details about the items available are provided in the Items section of this article.

Special Captain Skills
Mega Strike: More powerful and epic than the standard shot, a Mega Strike is performed when a captain fully charges his or her shot. To perform this move, players hold the B Button to charge until a meter appears. Through proper timing, a player determines the number of balls as the meter swings to the left (from 3-6, increasing as it goes left, but overshooting the 6 area results in a 3). When the meter moves back towards the right past the original starting point, proper timing determines ball speed (the small orange area is the fastest, while the surrounding green areas are faster than the gray areas.). After the shot specifics have been determined, the captain launches into the air, powers up further and then slams the ball towards the goalie, who then attempts the Mega Strike Block.

Super Ability: Each captain may obtain a character-specific item during the course of a game. When in control of the captain, pressing the C Button activates the item. Super Abilities are the most devastating when used to free up a captain for the Mega Strike.

Special Sidekick Skills
Skillshot: Much like a Mega Strike, the SkillShot is performed by holding down the B Button until charging is complete. The resultant shot is coupled with an attack on the goalie. Depending on the sidekick, the shot will be different.

Goalie/Keeper
Pass: The basic move of the goalie when in possession of the ball, a pass does nothing more than put the ball back into play.

Punt: The goalie's version of the clear, it allows him to move the ball far away from the goal. This move is effective if the opposing team is surrounding the goal.

Body Check: Goalies are automatically brutal. If opponents remain in the goalie box to long or make contact with the goalie while he holds the ball, he will attack.

Mega Strike Block: When a Mega Strike is performed by the captain of the opposing team, it is up to the goalie to block as many balls as possible. The player assumes a first-person view from the goalie’s eyes and moves the Wii Remote to move the hands of the goalie, represented by two hand icons. When a ball approaches, pressing the A Button will deflect and destroy it. Depending on the speed of the balls set in the opposing Mega Strike, the player will have some time for each ball or almost none at all.

Metallic Ball
In previous Strikers tournaments, a ball resembling the Real World soccer in appearance and physics was used. However, for this Strikers tourney, a new, metallic ball is used.

The ball tracks how many times it has been passed between members of the same team. Its color changes from purple to red, orange, yellow and finally white. The ball is the most powerful when it is white and least powerful when it is purple. In other words, passing the ball between teammates makes it easier to score a goal. If the ball is intercepted by another team or the sequence of passes broken, the ball will power back down. Charging a shot has the same effect as passing, and if one has enough time, one can simply charge a shot and then pass before actually shooting to speed up the ball charging process.

Modes of Play
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 or two 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 at least three cups. As the mode progresses, its difficulty increases. The mode uses a tournament ladder or the table system seen in Super Mario Strikers.

Domination Mode
Taking the place of Super Mario Strikers’ grudge match mode, domination mode can be played by up to four players. Two teams are created, and players can choose which team they wish to play on. So far, 1 vs. 1, 2 vs. 2, 1 vs. 2, and 1 vs. 3 matches have been confirmed. It is confirmed that all four players can cooperate.

Striker Challenges
Striker Challenges is similar to Mission Mode in Mario Kart DS. Each character has one challenge, amounting to 12 total. Most challenges simply involve winning under difficult circumstances (Such as your goalie being very weak to charged shots, the opposing team leading by 5 points at the start, etc.). Challenges are separated by difficulty, with two classified as Novice, two as Professional, three as Superstar, three as Legend, and two as MegaStriker. Completing each challenge unlocks a new cheat for use in Domination Mode, and also unlocks a card featuring artwork of the player you used in that challenge. Each of the 12 Challenges allows the player to play as all 12 Captains. However, only 11 Captains are the opponent, as Donkey Kong is versed twice, which leaves Bowser Jr. out. Before a striker challenge is started, there is an article in the Striker Times based on the event.

Nintendo WFC Mode
Perhaps the most anticipated mode, players with access to the Internet will be able to play with anyone in their region though Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (WFC). For example, a player in Europe can play with anyone in that continent, but cannot play with a friend in America – Nintendo excluded worldwide play to avoid lag. Matches are available for any combination of four players on two teams as long as at least one player controls each team.

Random matchmaking for players who choose to play ranked matches. However, it is also possible to play with friends by registering their Wii System Codes beforehand. The downside of this is that points will not be recorded in online ranking. Friend play options are equivalent to Domination Mode options.

Each player is identified by the Mii of his or her choosing. Using this system, a “Striker of the Day” is crowned based on the player who earned the most points day-by-day in a week time period. Points earned in unranked matches are not counted. These points are scored by winning matches (10 points), scoring goals (1 for each goal, but goals after 10 in a game do not count), and not disconnecting and taking a loss (1 point). Players will lose points if he or she disconnects.

You will be able to chose from any captain to play as in WFC Mode, even if you haven't unlocked them.

Characters
Each character has his or her 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 their own theme songs that play when s/he scores a goal. It also outlines each character's personality from Peach's Techno, Wario's Polka, Birdo's remix of The Turkish March, and more..

Captains
The captain is the backbone of the team and the only character that can perform the critical Mega Strike.

Sidekicks
While captains usually get all the attention, sidekicks are an important aspect of any team. Unlike Super Mario Strikers, Mario Strikers Charged allows for different types of sidekicks to be chosen instead of one type per team. This makes careful knowledge of them more important than ever.

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. Alone with the new fields, the seven classic stadiums from the previous game are also playable.

The Arenas
The ten new courses are referred to as “The Arenas” in-game. These courses are dynamic, featuring new dangers and events. There are three unlockable stadiums.

The Vice
Resembling the grass stadiums in the previous game, The Vice features the famous electric fence that protects the audience from flying balls, items, rubble, and even players. Based off of this stadium, the sport appears to have grown in popularity, as there are countless hundreds of players cramming themselves in and craning their necks to see the game. The seating areas are metal themed, with structures resembling giant Warp Pipes.


 * Course Element: Electric Fence. If an attack pushes a player out of bounds, he or she will be caught in this invisible wall and electrocuted. After falling back to the ground, characters twitch a while before returning to play.

Thunder Island
A dark, ominous course, Thunder Island is also one of the most dangerous. Located on the top of an island amid foggy waters, players who move or are pushed out of bounds are not stopped by an electric fence. Instead, they tumble down the cliff and appear on the center of the field shortly after. Matches are played during thunder storms, increasing the danger. Audience members sit safely in seats attached to the cliff of a nearby island.


 * Course Element: Storm. Sometimes a heavy storm will start. It is not uncommon for Cheep-Cheeps, cows, and tractors to fly across the field. The wind also pushes players, making moving around either slower or quicker, depending on the direction it blows in. The standard electric fence is also missing along the lengths of the field, characters that get too close to the edge will simply fall off, only to come back with the next storm.

The Sand Tomb
Set in the middle a desert and built around ancient ruins. Giant stone Thwomps guard the middle horizontal section of the field. While players may use the sides to avoid danger, the sand on the sides prevents the fast pace typical to other fields. This course does not feature seating for fans due to the surrounding pillars and the structure that resembles a Mayan temple.


 * Course Element: Thwomps and sand pits. 8 Thwomps randomly drop down around the center of the stadium periodically. Their pattern is unpredictable. Around the edges of the stadium are large lots of sand - moving in the sand is slower than moving under the Thwomps.

The Classroom
Set in the middle of a large, vertical, futuristic-looking, lab-like arena, The Classroom serves as the arena the player learns the basics in Strikers 101/ABC mode. This course does not feature seating for fans.


 * Course Element: Electric Fence. This course is very basic, just like the Vice, and only has an electric fence.

The Lava Pit
This field is made of dark rock. Lava glows through holes in the field to act as boundary markings and field lines. Surrounded by a pool of lava, this course does not have an electric fence or fan seating. What looks like mechanical or castle pillars surround it. It is unlockable.


 * Course Element: Lava. Periodically, balls of lava will jump out of the pool and fall onto the field. When this happens, a large circle of fire spreads on the ground around it, burning everybody who runs into it and stunning them temporarily. If the ball hits the circle of fire, it will bounce around until it hits solid ground again.
 * Unlocked By: Beating the Fire Cup.

The Wastelands
The Wastelands are set in a strange purple-colored landscape, where it is constantly snowing. Mechanical Bloopers are set around the edge as decorations.


 * Course Element: Ice, lightning, electric fence. Because of the constant snowfall, the ground is slippery. Every now and then, the screen will darken, and lightning bolts will hit random places on the field (The lightning always hits close to the ball). When this happens, wind will also blow players around slightly, like on Thunder Island. There is also an electric fence on this course.

Crystal Canyon
Set inside a gigantic canyon (The field itself is in a part that's under an overhanging rock), the Crystal Canyon field has large orange crystals set around it.


 * Course Element: Sunlight. Although the course itself is under an overhang, beams of sunlight will ricochet off the crystals set around the field. After every goal that is scored, these beams will hit 1 or 2 players on each team, knocking them out for such a long time, that they cannot play until the next goal is scored. Captains can also be knocked out.
 * Unlocked By: Beating the Crystal Cup.

The Dump
A field made of dirt, this course becomes a muddy mess during rain storms. In the center of the field is one drainage pipe, where all the dirt travels.


 * Course Element: Mud. The mud not only makes players move more slowly, it will also slowly move them towards the center of the field. The drainage pipe is sealed, so you will not fall in.

Stormship Stadium
The Stormship Stadium is a giant metal platform, inside a giant metal ship with an open center.


 * Course Element: Electricity and tilting. Running along the floor are several small slits. Periodically, thunder will strike the center of of the platform, and lightning will randomly travel along 2 or 3 of these slits. The field also tilts towards the side with more players on it.
 * Unlocked By: Beating the Strikers Cup.

Galactic Stadium
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.


 * Course Element: Electric fence. Even though it's the final stadium, the only specialty it has is an electric fence, like many stadiums before it.

The Classics
All of the original seven courses from Super Mario Strikers are playable. Known as “The Classics,” they have had no new additions. Each course retains its famous electric fence, but since Bowser is included as a playable character, Bowser attacks are no longer included. All of these are available from the start.

The Palace
Located in the Mushroom Kingdom, this grass field was home to the first tournament's Mushroom Cup. While it is currently a soccer pitch, it was the residence of a royal family at one point. Visiting the course is a must for hardcore fans of the sport.


 * Course Element: “Electric Fence” If an attack pushes a player out of bounds, he or she will be caught in this invisible wall and electrocuted. After falling back to the ground, characters twitch a while before returning to play.

Pipeline Central
Created in honor of Mario and Luigi, Pipeline Central is on top of a skyscraper a futuristic city of the Mushroom Kingdom. In the first tourney, it was home to the Flower Cup.


 * Course Element: “Electric Fence” If an attack pushes a player out of bounds, he or she will be caught in this invisible wall and electrocuted. After falling back to the ground, characters twitch a while before returning to play.

The Underground
Wario and Waluigi supplied the funding for The Underground, the subterranean course which served as the Star Cup's home in the previous title. It features unique seating, with stylized W's separating the sections.


 * Course Element: “Electric Fence” If an attack pushes a player out of bounds, he or she will be caught in this invisible wall and electrocuted. After falling back to the ground, characters twitch a while before returning to play.

Crater Field
Surrounded by large boulders on Yoshi's Island, Crater Field has an unorthodox design. While its grass field is traditional, spectators are kept many different pods surrounded by large, arching sheets tinted glass. It played host to the Super Flower Cup in "Super Mario Strikers."


 * Course Element: “Electric Fence” If an attack pushes a player out of bounds, he or she will be caught in this invisible wall and electrocuted. After falling back to the ground, characters twitch a while before returning to play.

Konga Coliseum
Donkey Kong Island's stadium, Konga Coliseum is famous for its destructible wooden floor. Small ponds of water add to the jungle atmosphere of the stadium. It once housed the Super Flower Cup in the events of "Super Mario Strikers."


 * Course Element: “Electric Fence” If an attack pushes a player out of bounds, he or she will be caught in this invisible wall and electrocuted. After falling back to the ground, characters twitch a while before returning to play.

The Battle Dome
Situated in Bowser's Castle, The Battle Dome is largely filled by Bowser’s minions. Featuring a metal field and a large glass dome, the ominous stadium served as the home of the Super Star Cup in "Super Mario Strikers."


 * Course Element: “Electric Fence” If an attack pushes a player out of bounds, he or she will be caught in this invisible wall and electrocuted. After falling back to the ground, characters twitch a while before returning to play.

Bowser Stadium
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 and Super Bowser Cups. It’s field is a blue rubber compound. Some of the structures of this stadium resemble Eggman, the robot in the next level games logo.


 * Course Element: “Electric Fence” If an attack pushes a player out of bounds, he or she will be caught in this invisible wall and electrocuted. After falling back to the ground, characters twitch a while before returning to play.

Cups
All three cups must be played by the same captain and sidekicks in one of two modes: Normal (opponents get progressively harder) and Extreme (opponents are always hard).
 * Fire Cup – 4 teams play 6 qualifying rounds, each playing each other twice; 2 teams advance to 1 final, 3-game series with defending champion Bowser Jr.
 * Crystal Cup – 6 teams play 10 qualifying rounds, each playing each other twice; 4 teams advance to 2 semi-finals and 1 final, 3-game series with defending champion Diddy Kong.
 * Striker Cup – 10 teams play 9 qualifying rounds, each playing each other once; 8 teams advance to 4 quarterfinals, 2 semi-finals, and 1 final, 3-game series with defending champion Petey Piranha.

Winning each cup results in unlocking the defending champion. The Qualifying rounds are played Robin-Round style: a win (W) is worth 3 points, a loss (L) 0 points, a sudden-death loss (SD) 1 point. At the end of the qualifying rounds, the teams are ranked by points and the top few advance to the elimination round (semi-finals and finals). One loss here and the player must start the cup all over again. If they make it to the defending champion, they must win a best-of-3 series away at the same stadium.

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.

Challenges
Challenges can be played in Striker Challenges mode. Each challenge the player beats, will unlock a new cheat.

Items
One of the most critical elements of a team's strategy is its use of items. Regardless of which player earned an item, any member of that player's team may use it. However, this may not be true of the special items that activate a captain's Super Ability.

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.

Bananas
A staple of the Mario sports series, Bananas again play the role of a landmine. Players who touch a Banana peel fall to the ground and lose the ball if in possession. Bananas come in sets of three or five normal sized items. There also is a 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 they do in "Mario Kart: Double Dash!!!".

Green Shells
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 will react if a green shell were to hit them.

Giant Green Shells
Unlike its miniature counterpart, the Giant Green Shell is a devastating item. While it's movement pattern is the same, it does not disintegrate upon its first impact with an item or player. Only one can be fired at a time.

Red Shells
A more advanced projectile weapon than the Green Shell, the Red Shell homes down the nearest opposing player. They come in sets of three, making them useful both for clearing the field for a Mega Strike or taking possession of the ball. However, not all three usually reach targets. Often, they break into pieces by hitting a wall.

Giant Red Shells
The Giant Red Shell is more robust than the normal Red Shell. It will bounce off of walls for a number of times before crumbling. As soon as it bowls over one player, its homing abilities are nullified and it acts as a Giant Green Shell. Only one can be fired at a time.

Blue Shells
The Blue Shell utilizes a similar movement pattern to the Green Shell and also comes in packs of three which are deployed at the same time. However, Blue Shells bounce off walls until they come in contact with a player. The character is then encased in ice, effectively stunning him or her for a few seconds.

Giant Blue Shells
Larger than the basic blue shell, the Giant Blue Shell follows the same movement pattern and also freezes characters. They can only be released one at a time.

Spiny Shells
While they have the same effects on players as the Green Shells, Spiny Shells are much more durable and will bounce off walls twice before falling apart. During this period, they can run over players an infinite number of times.

Giant Spiny Shells
The difference between Giant Spiny Shells and Spiny Shells is comparable to the differences between Giant Blue Shells and Blue Shells. The movement patterns of both versions are the same. The difference between the types of Spiny Shells is their size. Also, only one can be fired at a time.

Bob-Ombs
Some of the most devastating items in the game, Bob-ombs come in sets of three, deployed in front of the player. 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.

Giant Bob-ombs
The largest item-based explosive in the game, the Giant 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.

Chain Chomps
While the Mario Kart games had the Lightning item, Strikers tournaments use the Chain Chomp. Systematically attacking every single player on the opposing team by ramming them into the ground, the Chain Chomp can easily turn the tide of the game. If the user's team is not in possession of the ball, the Chain Chomp will fall onto the pitch right on top of the player in possession. The item is very rare.

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.

Mushrooms
Unlike Super Mushrooms, the Mushroom only makes characters faster. This item is especially effective when surrounded by the opposing team. Running can further increase its usefulness.

Stars
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.

Super Ability Items
A Super Ability item, represented by icons the team Captain's head, allow the Captain to use his or her 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.