Nintendo has revealed that Mario Strikers: Battle League will be receiving free content updates sometime after it releases on June 10, news which came alongside the announcement that a demo for the game is now available to all Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. The long-awaited third entry in the Mario Strikers series was just announced earlier in 2022, and will now follow the post-launch content model of its Nintendo Switch sports game predecessors.
Mario Strikers: Battle League sees the return of a Mushroom Kingdom pastime, Strike, which is a particularly aggressive variant of real world five-a-side soccer. It will join 2018's Mario Tennis Aces and 2021's Mario Golf: Super Rush in the catalog of Mario-specific Nintendo Switch sports titles - all three being part of long-running series. As the game's release date nears, trailers have revealed Battle League's gameplay modes and roster of playable characters. In addition, the Test Kick Demo will now allow those who subscribe to either tier of NSO to try Battle League ahead of release.
Mario Strikers: Battle League is now slated to receive additional free content after it releases, including additional characters to bring on the pitch. This content model brings it in line with both Aces and Super Rush, continuing a trend that moves certain Nintendo games closer to something resembling live service. Nintendo hasn't divulged any specifics in regards to the timing of said updates, but players can expect them within months of launch.
With a notable emphasis on customization, Mario Strikers: Battle League appears ripe to be drip-fed more content. All of the characters confirmed for Battle League's roster will have base stats that players can then alter with a variety of gear, and online Strikers Clubs will allow their managers select the club's uniform and stadium appearances. In addition to new playable characters, these cosmetic features seem likely to be expanded with the free updates. What remains to be seen is whether or not new game modes will be added as well. Super Rush, for instance, had modes like Target Golf introduced in one of its content updates, but previews of Battle League have shown a heavy focus on the traditional Strike game.
Pre-release confirmation of more content is simultaneously welcome and concerning. Super Rush and the more recent Nintendo Switch Sports took a similar approach, and have both been criticized for a lack of content on release. The return of Mario Strikers' soccer meets Mario Kart mash-up is long overdue for many fans, but the noticeably small roster of just 10 characters already raised concerns. It's hard to argue with free content, but Mario Strikers: Battle League is following a trend that sees games release in a lackluster state, with free updates to string players along.
Mario Strikers: Battle League will release for the Nintendo Switch on June 10, 2022.