Why do we love the Wii with friends? Because we want all to share the splendor and majesty that comes from playing the best home gaming console around. So that's why we set out to bring you a nice, easy package of great multiplayer games for the Wii.
Both online and local multiplayer is covered, as well as games that have released and those that are still in production. We hope you find this useful in your own life, in some small way, or at least a good place to link a friend who has no idea what they're getting into with the Wii. So read on and see what we have in store, then come back here and tell us what multiplayer experiences you enjoy most on the Wii!
With the end of 2007 approaching at near lightning-fast speed, we thought it would be nice to check out what you, the excellent reader, thought about the games of this year. First up, we have the obvious: first-party games. We have a good idea which game you're going to say, but in the name of healthy debate, check out all of the choices past the break.
You know, everyone has been talking about this Metroidthing lately, but we were thinking about the competitive activities one could enjoy on the Wii. Mainly as a tactic of diversion to ease the pain of waiting, we figured we could ask you all about your own best victories. Perhaps you dominated the house champ in Wii Sports, or came back from what seemed to be a sure loss in an online bout of Mario Strikers Charged?
With only one game releasing this week, we know it's been on the minds (and in the hands) of many of you fine, oh-so-beautiful-looking readers. It's on our mind, as well. And, what with the weekend approaching, we finally find ourselves having the free time to actually pick this game up. So, you can be sure we plan on picking this up and seeing what it's all about.
Are you going to be playing Mario Strikers Charged this weekend, or do you have something else in mind?
Now that many of you have had the chance to chime in on whether you're going to pick this game up or not, let's check in and see what the critics had to say. Since giving it some play time, those of you who've snatched it off of a store shelf or wherever else you purchase your games, would you agree or disagree with the content of these reviews?
GamePro (100/100) compares Mario Strikers Charged to the multiplayer Holy Grail, Goldeneye: "A phenomenal addition to the Wii's library and will rival GoldenEye 64 in terms of the exhilarating multiplayer experiences that it offers up. Don't turn your nose up at it just because you don't like soccer or you'll be missing out on one of the best gaming experiences around. Now, bring on Super Smash Bros. Brawl!"
IGN (83/100) finds the game has received a couple of upgrades, changing the experience for the better: "If you thought the original Strikers was good, you haven't seen anything yet. And if you've never played these soccer games before, now is the time to start."
GameDaily (80/100) says: "Mario Strikers Charged features enough modes to keep players entertained, as well as a top-notch presentation that really shows off what the Wii can do."
GameSpot (75/100) thinks the flavor is in the multiplayer: "Mario's soccer sequel is a markedly more enjoyable game than its predecessor, especially for those who prefer the multiplayer arena."
Pro-G (70/100) warns us not to get into the game, expecting something else: "If you approach the game with the mentality that Charged Football is going to be football in the Mario universe you'll find a game that is hard to get on with. If you accept that the emphasis is on flashy moves and fun over skill and precision, you'll find a game that has a place in your collection, even if it's only brought out every now and again."
Being the only release this week, Mario Strikers Charged is undoubtedly a game that has emerged on your radar, bleeping and blooping in the most loud of ways. We were wondering, though, how many of you picked the game up, or intend to? Does the gameplay look fun to you, or are you simply looking for something to play online that isn't Pokemon?
Like last week, Wii owners are only getting one new game this week. It's a fairly big title, though, as it will allow gamers to do what they want to do most with their Wii: take the game online. This week's release is:
What's the deal with friend codes on the Wii? In the last week or so, we've seen a flurry of rumors and responses-to-rumors, and we don't even know if the system for Mario Strikers Charged will set the standard for the rest of the Wii's WiFi future. Are friend codes Mii specific? Some say yes, but there's also word that the good news about Mii-based codes may be untrue and the result of a mistranslation. We've talked at length about WiFi and the future of Wii online before, but in light of all these recent developments, we can't resist asking what you think.
Joystiq has a scan of the European manual for Mario Strikers: Charged, sent in by reader Joshua Marketis, that documents what could potentially become quite the pain in the backside for those of you trying to take the game online when it releases. According to the scan "you will be able to play only with people within Europe" unless you have the friend code of said opponent outside of your region, citing that the reason behind this choice is due to concerns over lag.
When is Nintendo going to get a clue about online gameplay? This kind of thing isn't going to cut it and surely doesn't necessarily even improve the chances that a gamer will not receive lag. We can't be the only ones thinking this, right?
Joystiq's Nintendo Media Summit coverage just keeps on trucking as they take a look at Mario Strikers: Charged. This is one of the games that Nintendo is stating will appeal to core gamers (or more hardcore games, to be exact), so Reggie and the gang understand the importance of making the title accessible and appealing. But what makes this game different and improved over its predecessor?
Well, the gameplay mechanics have been greatly improved, according to one of the game's developers. With tweaks to the game's AI and improved character customization, along with more characters to choose from overall, more is the name of the game here. And, not to mention the implementation of online gameplay.
English soccer football star Ian Wright (the guy on the left) has been recruited by Nintendo to advertise Mario Strikers: Charged in the UK. Embedded past the post break is the first television spot for the game, where we're introduced to the darker side of online play against random strangers: losing to a superstar. Not only that, but losing to a superstar who made himself known in the sport you're playing, even if it is a deformed variation of.
IGN had their hands on a playable build of Mario Strikers: Charged and our worst fears have been realized: the game has its own friend code. Sure, we all suspected as such in our last look at the game, but then it wasn't confirmed. Sadly, it is now. And in order to add someone as a friend, you must manually input their 12-digit friend code. This, we understand, is going to be sad, sad news for a lot of you. We feel your pain. Let us all cry together.
But, if you can find your way past that, the game looks to be offering a robust experience online and could very well validate itself into anyone's collection regardless of the horribly cumbersome manner in which it handles itself over Wi-Fi. There's still a whole area of online play that they didn't cover, also, where you encounter total strangers and duke it out on the field, so perhaps that mode will offer less hassle.
The fine folks over at Jeux-France got their hands on an early build of Mario Strikers: Charged, taking care to document the online gameplay capabilities. Considering that the only glimpse into online gameplay on the Wii we've been privileged enough to see so far, we'll take what we can get.
The video is past the post break, but we must note that it takes fairly long to load, so make a sandwich or something. You'll be waiting for a bit.
Eurogamer recently got some more explainin' out of a Nintendo UK spokesperson, beating out of them politely asking for some more detail on the latest news that Mario Strikers: Charged would feature online play. And, the online play, it seems will be fun, for the most part. Two players, on the same console, will apparently be able to take on another pair on another console through Wi-Fi Connect, as the UK spokesperson explained to Eurogamer. This made us very excited, of course.
The bad news, though, is that the game will support game-specific Friend Codes, adding more credibility to a future online experience on the Wii that is as cumbersome and difficult as that of the DS. As said before, the game will feature ranked and unranked matches, however when jumping into a quick ranked match against random opponent, you'll be region-locked, preventing you from taking on some competition from another country. Perhaps it'll cause less lag that way, but variety is the spice of life.
Add another game to the short list of upcoming Wii titles with WiFi Connection support. Mario Strikers Charged will feature both Ranked and Unranked matches for players all over the world to compete in. Ranked games track your wins and losses, calculating your standing on leaderboards (We can already imagine the problems with early disconnecters.). The Unranked mode allows you to set up a quick round with your friends.
Nintendo hasn't announced a date for the US release yet, but Mario Strikers Charged will hit UK shelves on May 25th. Having previewed the wacky soccer title at GDC, we can't wait to see how well the Wii remote has been integrated and how fleshed out the game's online support will be.
What's the deal with friend codes on the Wii? In the last week or so, we've seen a flurry of rumors and responses-to-rumors, and we don't even know if the system for Mario Strikers Charged will set the standard for the rest of the Wii's WiFi future. Are friend codes Mii specific? Some say yes, but there's also word that the good news about Mii-based codes may be untrue and the result of a mistranslation. We've talked at length about WiFi and the future of Wii online before, but in light of all these recent developments, we can't resist asking what you think.
Eurogamer recently got some more explainin' out of a Nintendo UK spokesperson, 
Add another game to the short list of upcoming Wii titles with WiFi Connection support. Mario Strikers Charged will feature both Ranked and Unranked matches for players all over the world to compete in. Ranked games track your wins and losses, calculating your standing on leaderboards (We can already imagine the problems with early disconnecters.). The Unranked mode allows you to set up a quick round with your friends.
