Mario Strikers Charged

For Other Uses See Mario Strikers.

Mario Strikers Charged (Mario Strikers Charged Football in Europe) 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 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 will utilize Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Rules of Strikers and Game Play
As mentioned above, Strikers is loosely 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 of scored the most points. Points are scored by shooting the ball past the goalie and into the goal. The captain is the leading members 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 use the C and Z Buttons to pull of fancy maneuvers. It is unconfirmed if dashing is one of these. In Super Mario Change, this allowed for extreme speed, but gave players less control over the ball.

Faking: An advanced skill for the player with the ball, pressing the Control Pad allows captains to fake in that direction, dodging opponents moving in for the tackle or steal.

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. If the advanced version of the move made the cut from the previous game, players will be able to pull off fancy flip shots 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.

Body Check: 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.

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. A meter then appears which players attempt to line up in order to score more points. The captain launches into the air, powers up further and then slams the ball towards the goalie. Depending on the timing of certain button presses when the meter appears, the ball multiplies into up to five balls, each of which must be blocked by the goalie.

Super Ability: Each captain may obtain a character-specific item during the course of a game. If it is used, the captain performs a special move.

Special Sidekick Skills
Skillshot: Not much information is available about these moves, but they are character-specific and can be performed without items. They are comparable to the captains’ Super Abilities.

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.

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

When a Mega Strike is performed, multiple balls fly towards the goalie. It is unconfirmed if the ball splits into multiply balls.

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 only for single-player mode, 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. Whether the mode uses a tourament ladder or the table system seen in Super Mario Strikers is unconfirmed. Additionally, Nintendo has not revealed information about a possible secret cup.

Domination Mode
Taking the place of Super Mario Strikers’ exhibition 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 and 1 vs. 3 matches have been confirmed, but whether all four players can cooperate is unknown.

Strikers Challenges
Only the name of this mode has been revealed. The most logical conclusion is that it may be similar to Mario Kart DS's Mission Mode.

Nintendo WFC Mode
Perhaps the most hotly anticipated mode, players with access to the Internet will be able to play anyone in their region though Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (WFC). For example, a player in Europe can play anyone in that continent, but cannot play 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.

Matchmaking based on skill level is available 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.

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 three month time period. Points earned in unranked matches are not counted. These points are scored by winning matches and scoring goals. Conversely, a player will lose points if he or she disconnects.

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 individuals advantages.

Captains
The captain is the backbone of the team and the only character that can perform the critical Mega Strike. Please note that one captain is still unconfirmed. It is speculated that he or she may be similar to or be the Super Team from the previous game.

Mario

 * Character Type: Balanced
 * Mega Strike:
 * Super Ability: “Super Mario!” Mario grows in size and becomes nearly invincible for a limited time, as if he had eaten a Mega Mushroom.
 * Uniform: Red armor with blue accents.
 * Emblem: Signature M symbol with flames flowing around it.
 * Ground Entrance:
 * Air Entrance:

Luigi

 * Character Type: Balanced
 * Mega Strike:
 * Super Ability: “Super Luigi!” Luigi grows in size and becomes nearly invincible for a limited time, as if he had eaten a Mega Mushroom.
 * Uniform: Green armor with blue accents.
 * Emblem: Signature L symbol with electric flowing around it.
 * Ground Entrance:
 * Air Entrance:

Peach

 * Character Type: Playmaker
 * Mega Strike:
 * Super Ability: “Freeze Frame!” Using a special camera, Peach freezes all players around her in place temporarily in a photograph.
 * Uniform: The letter P with signature crown atop it.
 * Emblem:
 * Ground Entrance:
 * Air Entrance:

Daisy

 * Character Type: Defensive
 * Mega Strike:
 * Super Ability: “Crystal Smash!”
 * Uniform: Teal armor with orange accents.
 * Second Uniform: Orange armor with teal accents.
 * Emblem: Signature teal daisy with yellow center.
 * Ground Entrance:
 * Air entrance:

Yoshi

 * Character Type:
 * Mega Strike:
 * Super Ability:
 * Uniform:
 * Emblem: Signature Yoshi egg.
 * Ground Entrance:
 * Air Entrance:

Waluigi

 * Character Type:
 * Mega Strike:
 * Super Ability:
 * Uniform: Purple armor with black accents.
 * Emblem:
 * Ground Entrance:
 * Air Entrance:

Wario

 * Character Type:
 * Mega Strike:
 * Super Ability:
 * Uniform:
 * Emblem:
 * Ground Entrance:
 * Air Entrance:

Donkey Kong

 * Character Type:
 * Mega Strike:
 * Super Ability:
 * Uniform:
 * Emblem:
 * Ground Entrance:
 * Air Entrance:

Diddy Kong

 * Character Type:
 * Mega Strike:
 * Super Ability:
 * Uniform:
 * Emblem:
 * Ground Entrance:
 * Air Entrance:

Bowser

 * Character Type:
 * Mega Strike:
 * Super Ability:
 * Uniform:
 * Emblem:
 * Ground Entrance:
 * Air Entrance:

Bowser Jr.

 * Character Type:
 * Mega Strike:
 * Super Ability:
 * Uniform:
 * Emblem:
 * Ground Entrance:
 * Air Entrance:

Sidekicks
Sidekicks make up the backbone of the team. Any three can be chosen, allowing for greater match-up strategy than the previous installment of the series. Each species has its own strengths and weaknesses, meaning that players will need to be able to select which sidekick to use based not only on their position, but their species as well. The sidekicks are:
 * Koopa Troopa
 * Toad
 * Birdo
 * Hammer Bro.
 * Boo
 * Dry Bones
 * Monty Mole
 * Shy Guy

Goalies
It is highly unlikely that players will be able to choose their goalies, just like in Super Mario Strikers. So far, only Kritter has been shown to the public. While the game has not been released yet, there has been no selection of goalies in the demo versions. The European release is less than a month away.

Stadiums/Fields
Unlike Super Mario Strikers, the stadiums in Charged appear to be more than simple cosmetic changes. Five have been seen in demos and in screenshots. There will be a total of seventeen stadiums, seven of which appeared in Super Mario Strikers. These stadiums are referred to as The Classics while the new additions are referred to as The Arenas.

The Arenas

 * The Vice: Resembling the grass stadiums in the previous game, this field 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 thousands 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.  It is rated "Secure" in the stage selection.


 * 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 are transported back into the center of the field shortly after. Additionally, matches are played during thunder storms.  Lightning tends to hit this course, and although it is unconfirmed, seems to be attracted to the metallic ball, an added danger for the player in possession. Even winds can drop dangerous objects that can raze the players as trucks, Cheep-Cheeps, and cows. Audience members sit in seats attached to the cliff of a nearby island. There also seem to be a wind element that pushes against the players.  The field is made of stone and its difficulty is rated “Lethal” according to the Games Convention 2006 demo.


 * Sand Tomb: Seen only in a screenshot, this course may feature a Thwomp that rams down on the field, a course element of this stage. There does not appear to be a stadium surrounding the field, although there are a series of pillars that can be seen.  The field is made of rock.


 * Unnamed Lava Field: Also seen only in a screenshot (above), this field is made of dark rock. Lava glows through holes in the field to act as field markings.  Surrounded by a pool of lava, this course does not appear to have a stadium.  There appear to be mechanical or castle pillars surrounding it.


 * Unnamed Muddy Field: Another course only verified through a screenshot, where Yoshi and Luigi play a match during a heavy rain. The course is made out of mud.  There are several metal plates around the course, so it is possible that these could be used to move faster if the mud makes players slower.


 * Unnamed Rock/Cavern Field: Seen only in a single screenshot in the Nintendo World pamphlet, very little is known about this stage. Wario and Waluigi have been seen playing next to sharp rocks.

The Classics
Traditional Stadiums from Super Mario Strikers. Til' now, there are two confirmed stadiums within "The Classics":
 * The Battle Dome
 * Bowser Stadium

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. Based on a recent screenshot that revealed a lava course, some items may be character specific. Bowser appears to be breathing fire in this shot, and an item that appears as a flame in the item inventory is also seen in the shot.

Items from Super Mario Strikers
These items appeared in the original Strikers. While there exact use cannot be known until the game is released to the public, it is likely that they will have nearly the same effect in the sequel. Readers should note that this is an incomplete list.


 * Banana x3
 * Blue Shell
 * Blue Shell x3
 * Bob-omb
 * Green Shell x3
 * Mushroom
 * Red Shell
 * Red Shell x3
 * Spiny Shell x3

New Items
There is little information regarding items specific to Charged, but some have been seen in demos for the game. It speculation is correct, then each player has a special item that cannot be earned by anyone else, as characters did in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. Each of these items allows players to greatly deter opponents.

Captains' Super Abilities

 * Super Mario! Only seen in Mario's inventory, when this item appeared a trumpet blast played rather than the usual electronic ring. It has been spculated that by using this item, players are able to make Mario grow in size.  The effects would then be like the Mega Mushroom, wherein Mario is temporarily invincible and able to kick opponents out of his way. In previous trailers, Mario's special item had been shown as a double "M" emblem, referencing Mario's initial obviously.


 * Super Luigi!: An icon of Luigi's head has been seen only in Luigi's item inventory. It is speculated that this is a Luigi-specific item that relates to his changes in size.


 * Freeze Frame!: A camera that has only been seen in Princess Peach's inventory, this item traps all players within a small radius of the user within a photograph.When used, a photograph is taken of the field, and all players who are in this photograph are frozen inside. While this item appears similar to items such as the Blue Shell, its true power is evident when a Mega Strike is initiated immeadiately after use, as it prevents enemies from tacking the player.


 * Flame Item: Seen in Bowser’s inventory, this may be how players activate his flame breath, which sends burnt players running. However, the flame breath may be a special attack, similar to Donkey Kong’s chest pounding.

Basic New Items

 * Dry Bones Shell: A new type of shell has been shown in the most recent set of screenshots from Juex-France.com. It appears to be an enlarged version of a Dry Bones' shell.