Super Mario Sluggers is a sports game and guessing you read the title you may already know that this is a Wii title. I was able to play it because it was bought at a yard sale so I'm guessing that already means it wasn't appreciated enough however the Disc read fine so that was when I decided to make this review.
Super Mario Sluggers is much like the title before it for the Gamecube which was called Mario Superstars Baseball and I could review that one for you if you ever so wish to request it. Most of the characters from the GCN version returned to this outing. That being said there are even more character additions and more things to cover in this game compared to the title before it imo. There are 71 characters in total to choose from to get your team of 9 and each character has at least one special feature about them so they can get a big play. The way this game was made reminds me of an RPG in terms of each character (and even color variants) have their own unique stats and chemistry.
Let's start off with Challenge mode. It is very different from the GCN version in terms of mechanics which was great but don't get me wrong I'll get to the complaints soon enough. In Challenge mode you start off as Mario and you go around these microworlds recruiting players and solving RPG like puzzles (very much like Pokémon is with their HMs). You recruit new players by going through each world, finding each character, and meeting the requirements you would normally do in the GCN which is know the controls enough to do it a few times out of typically ten tries. To be specific some of them may be complicated at first like stealing base or knowing what your are supposed to do to get a sacrifice homerun much like a Prof. Layton Puzzle but with more reaction required. It is not hard however because the game goes through with you the controls and you can head straight to the Practice mode before you head to challenge mode if you want to unlock Blooper early. Of course even with the Nunchuck there is motion involved in the controls but it's fairly solid.
Now in Challenge mode there is a variety of minigames that allow you to use the Wiimote like as if it were a point and click game (which I had no problem with) and you can also edit your save file icon (there are three save files) if you are feeling artistic enough once you found the paintbrush in Challenge mode and bring it to its rightful place. You also face Bowser Jr. on occasion and must beat him in a three inning game a few times (once in each area of the map). There is plenty of rewards in the game and a day/night mechanic I wish was implemented a little better but overall it's easy to navigate. If you are good enough at the game this mode overall is fairly short and the difficulty curve is fair.
The graphics, music, variety of minigames (some are similar and some stand on their own), and updated Toy Field help this game age well as well as have longevity in your collection especially if you have someone to play with or against. This game gets an 8/10.
Super Mario Sluggers is much like the title before it for the Gamecube which was called Mario Superstars Baseball and I could review that one for you if you ever so wish to request it. Most of the characters from the GCN version returned to this outing. That being said there are even more character additions and more things to cover in this game compared to the title before it imo. There are 71 characters in total to choose from to get your team of 9 and each character has at least one special feature about them so they can get a big play. The way this game was made reminds me of an RPG in terms of each character (and even color variants) have their own unique stats and chemistry.
Let's start off with Challenge mode. It is very different from the GCN version in terms of mechanics which was great but don't get me wrong I'll get to the complaints soon enough. In Challenge mode you start off as Mario and you go around these microworlds recruiting players and solving RPG like puzzles (very much like Pokémon is with their HMs). You recruit new players by going through each world, finding each character, and meeting the requirements you would normally do in the GCN which is know the controls enough to do it a few times out of typically ten tries. To be specific some of them may be complicated at first like stealing base or knowing what your are supposed to do to get a sacrifice homerun much like a Prof. Layton Puzzle but with more reaction required. It is not hard however because the game goes through with you the controls and you can head straight to the Practice mode before you head to challenge mode if you want to unlock Blooper early. Of course even with the Nunchuck there is motion involved in the controls but it's fairly solid.
Now in Challenge mode there is a variety of minigames that allow you to use the Wiimote like as if it were a point and click game (which I had no problem with) and you can also edit your save file icon (there are three save files) if you are feeling artistic enough once you found the paintbrush in Challenge mode and bring it to its rightful place. You also face Bowser Jr. on occasion and must beat him in a three inning game a few times (once in each area of the map). There is plenty of rewards in the game and a day/night mechanic I wish was implemented a little better but overall it's easy to navigate. If you are good enough at the game this mode overall is fairly short and the difficulty curve is fair.
The graphics, music, variety of minigames (some are similar and some stand on their own), and updated Toy Field help this game age well as well as have longevity in your collection especially if you have someone to play with or against. This game gets an 8/10.
