A new trailer for the upcoming Mario Strikers: Battle League has just dropped, revealing the game's at-launch roster of playable characters. The long-awaited next entry in the Mario Strikers franchise is set to come out this summer, bringing the high-octane, fantastical sports gameplay that the series is known for to the Nintendo Switch. This franchise is a hotly anticipated fan-favorite, and the new Mario Strikers is just part of Nintendo's busy 2022.
Mario Strikers is far from an ordinary soccer game series. Rather than focusing on simulation-level physics and mechanics in the same way that a game like FIFA would, players are unbound from the restraints of human physicality, offering a super-powered experience that is much closer to Super Smash Bros. than a sports game from EA or 2K Games. Much of this unhinged and over-the-top gameplay comes by way of the game's diverse selection of playable characters from the Mario series, who each offer their own strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities. Earlier trailers and demos for Mario Strikers: Battle League have touched on new features that expand upon these gameplay differences, as the upcoming entry will allow stat-tweaking via interchangeable gear pieces. This level of customization is new to the franchise, and might make some players think that Mario Strikers shares similarities with Mario Kart, which also allows for customization via unlockable gear.
As the launch date for Mario Strikers: Battle League approaches, a new trailer has arrived on the Japanese Nintendo YouTube channel (via TheGamer), confirming the game's roster. At launch, players will be able to play as ten characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Rosalina, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Toad, Wario, Waluigi, and Bowser. This roster is noticeably smaller than those of previous entries, which included popular characters like Daisy, Diddy Kong, and Boo.
The truncated roster of Mario Strikers: Battle League may be disappointing to fans who were hoping for more from this modern entry rather than less. Although gamers have wanted a Mario Strikers game on Switch for some time now, it may have been reasonable to assume that there would be a broader selection, especially considering that this was the case for other Switch releases like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
It's probable that Mario Strikers: Battle League will have post-launch DLC that brings over other characters in the same way as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Mario Kart 8 broke new ground by adding non-Mario characters like Link and Animal Crossing's Isabel, so perhaps this new Mario Strikers game will do the same. While it's understandable that fans would feel somewhat disappointed by this small roster, the potential for DLC and the touted gear options will likely keep excitement alive for many players.
Source: Nintendo/YouTube (via TheGamer)