Mario Superstar Baseball for GameCube Reviews by Gamers

EA and MLB-simulated sports game fans beware, this game is likely not for you. Mario Superstar Baseball is fast-paced, arcade baseball with a Mario twist.

Each of the games 30+ unique characters (all pulled from the various generations of Mario games) carry their own unique power-ups and strategies which allows for creative customization of your batting order and fielding positions. Charging your swing or releasing your pitch at the right time adds for extra power (Mario Kart NE1?) and fielders can jump, dive, climb walls and throw laser beam throws to home plate at the far end of the outfield depending on their particular strengths.

The playing fields have their own unique themes and ERR-inducing traps all focused on that particular home-team captain. For example, Donkey Kong's field is in the jungle where gigantic rolling barrels can occasionally roll through the outfield and knock-out fielders ready to throw base-stealing outs. Mario's stadium is the only exception as it serves to be the only traditional baseball field and will have your buddies hating on the game less since they weren't beaten by a Chain-Chomp in Wario's Stadium or their homerun was blocked and caught after hitting a floating brick-block in the upper atmosphere of Peach's Castle.

For single players, the Challenge Mode offers a lot and encourages play through multiple times to unlock the difficulties and "Star power" each character must uniquely achieve. These achievements can be anything from getting a hit (easy) to pitching a perfect game with Mario (very difficult). Each character has at least 4 goals to reach before becoming a superstar, with the top-billed having up to 10. This provides the most challenge and length to the game if you're playing solo.

As for multi-player outside the standard game, there are 6+ mini-games all very similar to those in any Mario Party game with a baseball theme. Toy field is an interesting concept, too - four players rotating fielding, pitching and hitting

I gave this game a ten because it is just simply fun. There is not one funner mario sport game out there yet. Controls are simply field play are simple, lots of unlockables, it is just hours of endless fun. You won't have any more fun!