Mario Strikers Charged for Wii Reviews by Gamers

True, Mario Strikers Charged isn't the first true Wii game with Wifi, but it's the one we've all been waiting for. Controls are solid, and the gameplay is almost identical to the GCN game, almost too identical. While there is plenty of new stuff to do, I can't help but to feel this isn't really a full sequel.

Right out of the gate, Nintendo's new online service is a pretty good start. Assuming you have a good connection, most of my encounters online have been lag free, and with no trouble finding someone to play. There is also a ranking system in place that resets every week or every "season". You can work your way up the leaderboard by scoring points in a number of ways. 10 points for winning + how many goals you scored OR 1 point for losing + the goals you scored. The wifi element adds a ton of extra replay value, and it's a promising start for Nintendo.

The single player mode is pretty bulky in MSC. With many more cups, and and new side kicks, there is a great deal of new stuff. One of the biggest downsides to this game is the lack of use of motion controls. The only motion controls you have are to strike other players, or to defened against a Mega strike. The overall look to the game was slightly updated, with more detail on the field and in the crowd, but everything else looks about the same.

Mario Strikers is a solid entry into the Wii's line up with a good online service, something that was desperately wanted on the Wii. It's probably worth 50 dollars to just run and pick it up, but definitely worth a rent!

Okay, so Pokemon Battle Revolution was really the "first" wifi game. But for people like me who didn't play that, this was our first chance to see what the Wii has to offer for wifi game play. It could not be better. There is no lag whatsoever and you can't even tell you are playing people across the country! It feels as if you're playing against a friend in the same room. Similarly to the DS, you can make a friends list and play against your friends, or you can play against anyone. You can even play 2 on 2 wifi, if you have a friend playing along with you. My only gripe is that you need to use ANOTHER friend code for Mario Strikers, you cannot use your consoles code.

Now regarding one player mode. You play against other characters and you make a team. I don't want to get into too much detail, because I don't want to ruin it from anyone, but heres the basics. You select one captain for your team, that has a special power that allows shooting up to 6 balls at once. You also select 3 other characters on your team who have their own very special powers. It ranges from throwing hammers to teleporting into the goal post! You can unlock new characters by beating certain characters in one player mode, and you can use these characters online.

If this doesn't seem like the best game you could think of for a early on wifi game, I don't know what is.

Oh, and don't worry about how easy it is to play, there is a tutorial mode which shows you everything from running around and shooting to using special powers. They really made it fluid to play with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, you don't even feel like your using a controller. It feels like you are IN the game.

I give it a 10/10. I bought it the day it came out, didn't even need to rent it. I knew it would be good. This is a game that you should buy, it is worth it. It has great replay value.