Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Next Level Games
System: Nintendo Wii
Genre: Sports
Release Date: Available Now
Review by: Christopher Troilo

Mario Strikers Charged is a direct sequel to the popular GameCube title, Super Mario Strikers. Strikers Charged is a soccer game in the same way you’d call Mario Kart a driving game; while the basics of the sport are there, it’s not without a multitude of the unique power-ups and weapons we’ve all come to know and love.

All of the captains from the GameCube version have returned along with some new characters, who can be unlocked as the game progresses. As expected, each captain has his or her own strengths and weaknesses. For example, Bowser is extremely strong, but slow as molasses. Players like Mario and Luigi are more balanced, while Daisy and Peach are speedy.

In addition to choosing captains, you can now select three sidekicks, each of which has certain advantages. All of the sidekicks fit into a category of offensive, defensive, playmaker, balanced or powerful, and have corresponding special skills which can help you in various ways.

During gameplay, your captain is the key to scoring a multitude of goals, as each one has the ability to perform Mega Strike shots. By holding down the trigger for an extended period of time, then releasing it perfectly, you can fire between three to six shots at the goalie. The timing of this attack determines how fast the balls are fired. When the attacker pulls this off, the opposing team is taken into a point-and-click mini-game, where they have the opportunity to stop as many of the shots as they can.