Line #66 YMMV/MarioStrikers


1	* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: When the first ''Famitsu'' charts were released, including ''Mario Strikers: Battle League'''s physical sales in Japan, a couple of people expected it to underperform due to the game using the infamous Creator/{{Nintendo}} "free update" model since it only sold around the same as ''Charged'' did in its first week. Not helping matters was that, in the UK, it was reported that it sold less than ''[[VideoGame/MarioGolf Super Rush]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/MarioTennis Aces]]'' in its first week. Fast forward to August 3rd (and nearing the end of Nintendo's 2021-2022 fiscal year), where it was reported the game sold 1.91 million units by June 30th, making it the biggest launch for a ''[[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]]'' sports game in series history.
2	* SugarWiki/AwesomeArt:
3	** The nitty-gritty hand-drawn art style still remains eye-catching to this day.
4	** While the original and ''Charged'' were no slouches in the animation department, ''Battle League'' outclasses them in that regard thanks to being released on [[UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch more powerful hardware]] compared to the [[Platform/NintendoGameCube GameCube]] and UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} respectively, specifically with the squash-and-stretch movement of the characters, drawing a few comparisons to Creator/{{Pixar}}'s films of the [[TheNewTens late 2010s]] and [[TheNewTwenties early 2020s]] (namely ''WesternAnimation/{{Luca}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed''), as well as the works from Creator/IlluminationEntertainment.
5	* BestKnownForTheFanservice: One of the first things that people tend to bring up about the first two games are the HotterAndSexier nature of Peach and Daisy compared to anywhere else in the series -- their Striker attire are [[{{Stripperiffic}} sports bras and hot pants]], they have victory animations which have them [[MaleGaze show off their butts]], and [[MsFanservice both act in an overall more sensual and flirtatious manner]].
6	* ContestedSequel: ''Battle League'' is this to ''Charged'', which is widely considered to be an EvenBetterSequel of the original game. The series' over-the-top dark feel [[LighterAndSofter was significantly toned down]] in ''Battle League'', and the game was criticized for the removal of the sidekicks[[note]]and to a lesser extent the Kritter goalies [[ReplacementScrappy being replaced by Boom Booms]][[/note]]; [[ArtificialStupidity the goalies' A.I.]]; the stages being smaller and less varied than in ''Charged''[[note]]and the game's gimmick of mixing two Stadiums looking cool but adding nothing to the gameplay in practice[[/note]]; [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome the lack of staple characters]] such as Daisy[[note]]until she was later made playable as DLC in the first free update[[/note]], Bowser Jr. or Diddy Kong[[note]]who likewise was made playable as free DLC in the second free update[[/note]] when the game first released; and [[ItsShortSoItSucks being bare-bones]], also lacking modes that ''Charged'' had like Strikers Challenges. However, the customization aspects received praise, some preferred every character being able to be both a Captain and Sidekick; the overall gameplay was still seen as strong; {{nerf}}ing the Hyper Strikes to be more like the Super Strikes from the original was seen as much more balanced[[note]]though many still missed the Mega Strikes from ''Charged'' due to how they could be defended against [[DifficultButAwesome in a rather cool way by blocking them using motion controls]] regardless[[/note]]; and the announced updates helped make up for the lack of initial content, at least in terms of characters.
7	* CriticalDissonance: Despite scoring lower than its predecessor on Metacritic, ''Battle League'' still received a generally positive reception from critics (a Metascore of 73). Fan reception, on the other hand, skews much more negatively compared to ''Charged'', for reasons explained in ContestedSequel (particularly the scarcity of single player content, questionable A.I., and lower roster count/omission of series staples).
8	* CrossesTheLineTwice:
9	** Many of the characters' [[SoreLoser losing animations]]. Of particular note is Wario ''[[SuicideAsComedy deciding to blow himself up]]'' in one of his animations. Doubly funnier in that they can do while their team has a commanding lead.
10	** The sheer DarkerAndEdgier nature of the series (compared to pretty much anything in the overarching ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' franchise) is so over-the-top it makes the whole thing both awesome and hysterical.
11	* CultClassic: The series isn't quite as popular as ''VideoGame/MarioKart'', ''VideoGame/MarioParty'', or even [[VideoGame/PaperMario the two]] [[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi RPG series]], but it has a very dedicated fandom that loves its surprisingly skill-based gameplay and DarkerAndEdgier aesthetic. During the [[SequelGap 15-year hiatus]] following ''Charged'', many fans clamored for a third game, and their prayers were answered with the release of ''Mario Strikers: Battle League'' in 2022, [[ContestedSequel though not without caveats]].
12	* EvenBetterSequel: ''Charged'' adds a great deal of depth over the original by adding the "charge" mechanic to the ball, giving the ability to mix-and-match sidekicks while giving them their own abilities, giving the Captains special items, making the stages have unique obstacles, adding extra content such as Striker Challenges, and adding Mega Strikes (even if somewhat unbalanced) with a rather cool way of blocking them using the Wii Remote. The fact that [[SequelEscalation it's even]] DarkerAndEdgier [[SequelEscalation and more over-the-top than the original]] doesn't hurt either.
13	* GameBreaker:
14	** The Super Team in ''Super Mario Strikers'' has the very blatant advantage of each member being able to perform a Super Strike in contrast to every other team, where only the Captain can use this mechanic.
15	** In ''Charged'', Daisy, Waluigi and Dry Bones have a {{teleport\|ation}} deke that lets them easily warp right past the goalie and into the goal with minimal issues. While it is possible to overshoot and electrocute yourself with a teleport, not much of a charge is actually needed to get the goal, making it the best way to shoot goals in the whole game.
16	** Boo has an ''instantaneous'' teleport that allows him to phase through the goalie and shoot with ease, or just use the quick warp as a way to sidestep the goalie. Boo was so strong that many considered him, a Sidekick character, as the best character in the game, to the point where any serious team online ''"required"'' at least a single Boo.
17	* GoodBadBugs: In ''Charged'', when the match ends outside of a Sudden Death, the A.I. can still try to attack your team and score a goal despite there being no point to doing so now. If the match ends with you winning, it makes them look hilariously petty.
18	* HilariousInHindsight:
19	** Turns out, ''Charged'' [[OlderThanTheyThink was the first game to feature]] [[VideoGame/MarioKart8 Luigi's]] [[DeathGlare Death Stare]].
20	** Bowser's brief transformation during his Mega Strike looks strikingly similar to [[VideoGame/BowsersFury his Fury form]].
21	** Fan art depicting Rosalina as a Striker was a popular subject long before ''Battle League'' made it real.
22	* IKnewIt: Pretty much everyone and their mother knew that Daisy was going to be among, if not the first DLC character revealed when it was revealed she wasn't on the base roster of ''Battle League''. To a lesser extent, Pauline was also very highly predicted to be part of the free updates for ''Battle League'', given her increased popularity in the series following her return in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey''.
23	* LowTierLetdown: While Shy Guy was positively received in ''Battle League'' as a player character choice, his class as an All-Rounder was not, as the game's customization mechanic clearly incentivizes MinMaxing and makes his balanced stats [[MasterOfNone sort of a burden]] as a result.
24	* MemeticBadass:
25	** The Kritter Goalies from the first ''Strikers'' and especially ''Charged'' get this for being able to withstand the toughest of shots, particularly the Mega Strikes from the Captains.
26	** Luigi in ''Charged'', thanks to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56i119p_XvU his epic theme]] which perfectly captures his underdog status and feeling of going to rule this match in a Flamenco-heavy theme, being widely recognized as one of the best themes -- if not ''the'' best -- Luigi has ever received.
27	* MemeticLoser:
28	** On the other hand for ''Battle League'', the Boom Boom goalies are mocked for [[ArtificialStupidity their terrible A.I.]] and are portrayed as being unable to handle the simplest of shots.
29	** Daisy also gained this status, due to her not being in the base roster of ''Battle League'' (only being added later in a free update instead), with people claiming that Toad and Rosalina, respectively [[PromotedToPlayable someone who was a Sidekick in the previous games]] and someone who made their ''Strikers'' debut in this game, were chosen over her just to rub more salt in the wound.
30	* MemeticMutation:
31	** From the first game, Peach's scream after being hit by a fence is this because it's a bit ''too'' realistic and violent-sounding for many fans.
32	** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14tQOq2NoSw Waluigi's crotch chop]] in ''Charged'', as well as... whatever ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED13zKJbHXI#t=6s this]]'' is in ''Battle League''.
33	** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZs9QRrBH28 Donkey Kong's breakdance]] in ''Battle League'', especially since it comes out of ''[[BigLippedAlligatorMoment nowhere]]''.
34	** Daisy's victory dance in ''Battle League'' has been compared to that of [[Film/SpiderMan3 Bully Maguire]].
35	* {{Moe}}: While he's normally not this, Bowser Jr.'s Away intro has him try to imitate Bowser and, suffice to say, look utterly adorable while doing it.
36	* NarmCharm: Because Boo has short arms, he can't mimic Waluigi's crotch chop and is only able to nod... which is touching in its own right.
37	* NightmareFuel:
38	** When characters get knocked into the electric fence, they let out cartoony yelps of pain. When the character in question is Peach in ''Super Mario Strikers'' or Daisy (as well as Peach again) in ''Mario Strikers Charged'', however, the screams sound startlingly realistic.
39	** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgxK1AlB__Y The Mega Strike animations]] in ''Charged''. The faces (especially the GlowingEyesOfDoom) practically scream ImplacableMan and NoNonsenseNemesis. Some players may also find Wario's Mega Strike -- where he inflates like a balloon and then ''pops'' -- quite disturbing.
40	** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU3R4lAS8OE Thunder Island]] in ''Charged'' can easily unsettle those with phobias of severe weather.
41	** In another ''Charged'' arena, Crystal Canyon, the characters are rather violently incinerated by the focused solar rays. They all reappear at the start of each round, but it's pretty disturbing.
42	** Donkey Kong in ''Charged'' can be quite intimidating despite generally having a smile on his face, with his manic expressions and being incredibly violent, showcased in his reaction to the opposing team scoring a goal, where he'll outright unleash his special on his team and cause them to bounce about in his temper tantrum. Even in one of his goal-scoring animations, he'll punch out one of the cameras in his exuberance.
43	** Bowser's reaction to getting scored on in ''Charged'' as opposed to simply screeching and slumping in despair? ''He'll set '''his whole team''' on fire.'' Not helping is how it starts with one of his teammates facing the screen and screaming at it, which can make for quite the JumpScare.
44	** Petey Piranha's losing animation ''Charged'' has his teammates fearfully running away as he proceeds to eat one of the opposing team's and spits them out.
45	* NightmareRetardant: The Super Team in the original game is a group of black and red, menacing-looking robots designed by Bowser to beat your team, no holds barred... And then they start doing backflips and dancing the Robot. Even more so in the sequel, where the only Super Team robot we see is [[spoiler:a janitor ''cleaning a theatre'' in the end credits]].
46	* NintendoHard: In ''Mario Strikers Charged'', just wait until you reach the Striker Cup. Then wait until you reach the knockout stage. Then attempt Yoshi's, Bowser Jr.'s or Diddy Kong's challenges. Most of the game is actually pretty easy, but the difficulty spike you have to overcome to reach [[HundredPercentCompletion 100% completion]] is absolutely ''insane.''
47	* ReplacementScrappy:
48	** Though Boom Booms playing goalie isn't necessarily seen as a bad choice (actually being ''Mario'' characters instead of sister series ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'' characters like their predecessors even makes them a more logical pick), some fans questioned the need to swap out [[VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry Kritter]] goalies from previous games with them in ''Battle League''. Players quickly began to notice that [[ArtificialStupidity Boom Boom was drastically worse at blocking shots]] compared to the previous goalies, as they are more susceptible to stun, have very little range in blocking a shot, and thus completely struggle against most shots at the goal, to the point where ''shooting at the midline after a goal is viable because they are just that bad at their job''. It went so far that critics and players alike label Boom Boom's ineptitude at being a goalie as a major downside that hampers the game significantly. To add insult to injury, the Galactic Cups in the Cup Battle Mode '''make your Boom Boom even worse at goalkeeping'''.
49	** Carried over from other ''Mario'' games, many people see Rosalina as one to Daisy in ''Battle League'' due to Daisy, who appeared in the previous two games and being a staple of ''Mario'' spin-offs ever since ''Mario Tennis 64'', not being present in the base roster of the game while Rosalina, who made her ''Strikers'' debut in this game, was. This extends to Toad as well, as he was just a sidekick in the previous games whereas Daisy was a Captain, but he was part of the base roster while she was not.
50	* RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap:
51	** Though Waluigi was already heading this way by this point in time (the mid-2000s), many fans will point to his incredibly over the top {{Heel}} antics in these games, [[MemeticMutation his notorious crotch chop in particular]], as when they started warming up to him.
52	** Birdo also ended up in this situation, as she became a surprisingly popular sidekick choice for many players thanks to her extremely powerful stats, as well as [[TalkToTheHand her reaction]] to Peach's losing animation.
53	* TheScrappy: The Super Team from the first game aren't liked by many fans. Their design is very out of place even with the edgier tone of the game and the fact that they're both the Captain and Sidekick (which means every one of them can use a Super Strike) makes them much harder to face. Many felt that Bowser should have been the ninth Captain instead of them. Unsurprisingly, when they were DemotedToExtra in ''Charged'', very few people were upset.
54	* SignatureScene:
55	** The intro of ''Mario Strikers Charged'', especially the moment where each Captain shows their Mega Strike towards the end (except Petey Piranha's).
56	** Waluigi's crotch chop is easily the series' most iconic animation, with its absence in the third installment being met with universal disapproval.
57	** However, ''Battle League'' has two of its ''own'' iconic animations in the form of Donkey Kong's victory animation, featuring an incredibly fluid breakdance sequence, and Shy Guy's losing animation, where he just quietly stands there ('''''[[Memes/SpongeBobSquarePants MENACINGLY!!]]'''''), which became instant hits with fans.
58	* SoOkayItsAverage: The general consensus is that ''Battle League'' was this at launch, with its gameplay and visuals being overall enjoyable and pleasant to look at respectively, but with the game suffering from a terrible lack of content, mainly single-player modes and characters, and thus the experience becoming repetitive and stale very quickly for many players. Not helping matters is the game being worth $60, the price of a full game. After post-launch updates, with the additions of initial glaring omissions such as Daisy, and new additions such as Pauline, the roster was seen as being better than launch but still just "okay" overall. The game also remains rather bare-bones content-wise and while previous games weren't content-rich to begin with, the game still lacks modes that ''Charged'' had like Strikers Challenges.
59	* SuspiciouslySimilarSong: Several in ''Charged''.
60	** Koopa Troopa's {{Leitmotif}} sounds a lot like ''Franchise/{{Madagascar}}'''s version of "I Like To Move It, Move It".
61	** Mario's theme sounds like Music/{{ACDC}}'s "Let There Be Rock".
62	** Toad's sounds very similar to "[[Music/{{Queen}} Another One Bites The Dust]]".
63	** Bowser Jr.'s theme sounds like the Music/DickDale surf rock cover of "Misirlou".
64	** Peach's theme is reminiscent of Technotronic's "Pump Up The Jam".
65	** Yoshi's theme sounds similar to "Linus and Lucy" from the ''Franchise/{{Peanuts}}'' specials.
66	** ''Charged'''s theme for winning trophies (which returns in remixed form in ''Battle League'') is very similar to that of the opening of Music/JohnWilliams' "Throne Room" theme from ''Film/ANewHope''.
67	* TaintedByThePreview: A lot of fans were not happy that Daisy was absent from the base roster of ''Battle League'', and even excluding the Daisy issue, the base roster only having 10 characters, especially when eight have to be on the field during a match, made a lot of fans worried that this would yet be another live service Mario Sports game after ''[[VideoGame/MarioTennis Mario Tennis Aces]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/MarioGolf Mario Golf: Super Rush]]'', or something even worse like ''[[VideoGame/MarioTennis Ultra Smash]]'', which never received ''any'' DownloadableContent. The absence of Sidekicks didn't help matters as well. Their fears were [[HarsherInHindsight eventually confirmed]] when it was revealed that ''Battle League'' would be getting free post-launch updates, which specifically highlighted the inclusion of new characters. Luckily, Daisy would later be revealed as one of the characters in the first of such updates. Unfortunately, the game didn't receive any additional DLC beyond characters, leaving the game feeling pretty bare-bones in terms of modes.[[note]]As unbelievable as it may seem, ''Battle League'' actually has ''less'' content than even ''Ultra Smash'': it has the same number of playable characters (16, and that's only ''post''-updates), has less stadiums (9 vs. 8), and completely lacks any modes besides solo (in Cups) or multiplayer (in Clubs) Strikers matches (not even Knockout Challenge or Mega Ball Rally like ''Ultra Smash'', or Striker Challenges like ''Mario Strikers Charged'').[[/note]]
68	* TearJerker: While most of the losing animations are somewhat comedic, some animations for the characters are pretty heartbreaking.
69	** Luigi falls onto his knees, sobbing, "No, no, no! Mamma mia!" in ''Charged''. Like Mario, he often cries when losing in spin-offs, but it's usually in a comedic fashion, while in this game, Luigi cries in a way that is very realistic, sobbing hysterically and with a broken voice from crying. ''Battle League'', however, will have Luigi look devastated before [[FacePalm facepalming]] himself and collapsing on the ground, crying.
70	** Peach will jump up and down in a fit of rage before also bursting into tears in ''Charged.''
71	** In ''Charged'', Donkey Kong walks off, whimpering sadly.
72	** In ''Charged'', Diddy Kong appears to wipe tears from his eyes with an utterly anguished expression before scratching his head and kicking the ground sadly.
73	** Bowser Jr. attempts to kick the goal post in ''Charged'', only to [[AgonyOfTheFeet hurt his foot]] and break down in tears as a result.
74	** Bowser releases an upset roar in disbelief in ''Charged'' before hanging his head dejectedly.
75	** In ''Charged'', Wario [[DrivenToSuicide pulls out a Bob-omb and sadly says "I give up!"]], only for the Bob-omb to explode and knock him out.
76	** Yoshi will look depressed as one of his teammates comforts him in ''Charged'', with the sad/losing version of his {{Leitmotif}} taking an appropriately somber tone. In ''Battle League'', he'll outright burst out crying and throw a tantrum.
77	** In ''Battle League'', Toad will react with shock before [[HeadDesk banging his head on the ground]].
78	** In a ''very'' stark contrast to her [[UnstoppableRage furious reaction]] in ''Charged'', Daisy looks genuinely miserable and cries in ''Battle League''. The voice clip of her bursting into tears when getting 7th place or lower in ''VideoGame/MarioKart8'' is reused in the animation, just to pour salt on the wound.
79	* TheyChangedItNowItSucks:
80	** The LighterAndSofter tone of ''Battle League'' in comparison to the previous two games was also not well-received, given the DarkerAndEdgier execution of the first two games was a major reason for the series' popularity in the first place [[note]]It is likely that the tone shift is due to Nintendo’s recent creativity [[ExecutiveMeddling mandates/restrictions]] for the ''Mario'' series.[[/note]].
81	** The victory and loss animations in ''Battle League'' mostly only having the one who scored or reacting to being scored against present with none of their teammates or opponents onscreen, making them feel less lively compared to ''Charged'' having Sidekicks reacting in the background, if not alongside or directly to the Captains.
82	** Boom Boom [[ReplacementScrappy replacing]] the Kritters as the goalies wasn’t well-received by the fandom, not at all helped by [[ArtificialStupidity the goalie A.I. taking a major dip in intelligence between games.]]
83	** While fans were happy that Shy Guy would be added to ''Battle League'' alongside Daisy in an update, many were quite disappointed that he no longer has his ExpressiveMask.
84	** Likewise, while fans were pleased to see Daisy make it into ''Battle League'' via the first update, many of her fans were not happy to see that her sass and aggressiveness had been heavily toned down compared to the original ''Strikers'' and especially ''Charged''.
85	** With Birdo's return made fans excited, there were two problems with her. The first was that, unlike Toad and Shy Guy, who were originally Sidekicks like she was, Birdo is considered a singular character, meaning that players cannot have more than one Birdo on their team. The second was that Birdo doesn't change color depending on the team uniform, unlike her role as a Sidekick in the previous games.
86	* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: The first game has Bowser present, but only as a recurring hazard. While his appearances can be fun, his exclusion from the playable roster is strange. The sequels [[PromotedToPlayable let you play as him]], though.
87	* UnexpectedCharacter: Kritters serving as goalies in the first two games given they had only appeared in the ''Franchise/DonkeyKong'' series beforehand.
88	* WinBackTheCrowd: Many Daisy fans were disappointed and angered that she had been left out of the base roster in ''Battle League'' despite being a mainstay in the previous games and a staple of ''Mario'' spin-offs ever since ''[[VideoGame/MarioTennis Mario Tennis 64]]'', especially since Rosalina, who many Daisy fans see as being a SpotlightStealingSquad, was included in the base roster. These fans did mostly calm down after it was revealed that Daisy would be added to the roster via a free post-launch update, though.

Context YMMV / MarioStrikers