Software:Mario Super Sluggers

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Short description: 2008 video game

Mario Super Sluggers
North American cover art
North American box art
Developer(s)Namco Bandai Games
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Hideki Tomida
Producer(s)Yasushi Ono
Toyokazu Nonaka
Artist(s)Masahiro Hoshino
Composer(s)Ayako Yamaguchi
Masashi Sugiyama
Nobuhiro Ohuchi
Kazuyuki Fujita
SeriesMario Baseball
Platform(s)Wii
Release
  • JP: June 19, 2008
  • NA: August 25, 2008
Genre(s)Sports (Baseball), adventure
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Mario Super Sluggers[lower-alpha 1] is a 2008 sports video game developed by Namco Bandai Games and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It is part of the Mario Sports series, and the sequel to Mario Superstar Baseball for the GameCube. The game was released in Japan on June 19, 2008 and North America on August 25, 2008.

Like its predecessor, Mario Super Sluggers gameplay sees the player using various Mario series characters of their choosing to compete in games of baseball. Alongside traditional play, the game features an adventure mode where players must recruit members of a baseball team in order to defeat Bowser Jr. and Bowser.

The game received mixed reviews, with praise for the large character roster, multiplayer and gameplay, but criticism for the controls and lack of online play, while the graphics received mixed reactions.

Game modes

Mario Super Sluggers features game modes that are similar to those of Mario Superstar Baseball.

Exhibition

The player can choose a captain and which eight players to have on a team. The number of innings can be chosen, and which field position the players are on. The player can choose which one of the nine stadiums to play on, as long as it is unlocked.

Challenge Mode

The player starts as Mario and must recruit all the characters. This is also where to unlock all characters and stadiums. The plot of this mode is that Bowser Jr. is taking over the ball parks. After defeating Bowser Jr., Bowser appears and the player must defeat him in his Castle.

The player can choose between five different captains: Mario and the unlockable captains Yoshi (Yoshi Park), Donkey Kong (DK Jungle), Wario (Wario City), and Princess Peach (Peach Ice Garden). The player may switch captains at any time during gameplay.

Minigames

Some minigames can only be played in day or night time. There are nine minigames in total. However, several of the minigames are unlockable. Some minigames only play with the Wii Remote with Nunchuk and the Wii Remote sideways.

Toy Field

Players try to hit baseballs to point spaces all around the field. The other players try to catch the ball. A player who catches a ball goes up to bat. At the end of the game, king medals are awarded for various achievements. The computer adds up the score and the player with the most points will win. Toy Field can be played with the Wii Remote with Nunchuk, or with the Wii Remote sideways.

Practice

Players learn to bat, pitch, fielding, special moves and base running, so they can be better.

Records

Shows MVPs of exhibition games, star players in challenge mode and high scores of the minigames. There are also videos, and when the game is completed, the records will show the Intro movie.

Gameplay

A pre-release screenshot of Yoshi up at bat against Bowser Jr.

The gameplay of Mario Super Sluggers is similar to that of its predecessor; the main difference being the controls, with the Wii Remote adding immersion using a control scheme similar to the baseball sub-game in Wii Sports.[1] There are three control methods available: Wii Remote by itself, Wii Remote and Nunchuk, and the Wii Remote held sideways. Along with different styles of game mechanics, an important feature in Mario Super Sluggers is chemistry between the nine characters on a team. Chemistry gives any team the opportunity to earn items, rob home-runs with a super jump and use a laser beam throw to catch any opponent in the base path. This advantage in chemistry will help any team increase their odds of winning and increase their understanding of the game.[2]

Promotion

As part of the North American marketing launch, Nintendo created a series of collectible online cards along with a website that served as a virtual collector's album. The site promises that the series will include a card for each of the 41 characters featured in Mario Super Sluggers.

The cards began appearing in banner ads on popular children websites on August 18, 2008, but have since begun to appear as embedded hyperlinks in other, less obvious locations. Mario Super Sluggers cards have been found on other sites, such as YouTube.

When the Seattle Mariners played the New York Yankees on September 5, 2008, the game was promoted there at Safeco Field.[3] The first 20,000 fans received special Mario Super Sluggers foam mitts. There were also two booths with the game demo, and Mario Super Sluggers cards were also passed out there. Every inning, someone was randomly chosen to win a Wii system along with the game. Whenever a home run or a good play happened, the Safeco Field video screen showed a gameplay clip with Mario, Luigi, or Bowser. A Mario mascot also appeared before the game with the Mariners' mascot, the Moose, but left after the first inning. Nintendo of America's offices are based in the Seattle area, and was the majority owner of the Mariners at the time of the game's release (hence the promotion).

Reception

Reviews
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings69.72%[4]
Metacritic69/100[5]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid7/10[6]
Game Informer5.5/10[7]
GameProStarStarStar[8]
GameRevolutionB−[9]
GameSpot6.5/10[10]
GameSpyStarStarStarStar[11]
GameTrailers6.7/10[12]
GameZone7.3/10[13]
Giant BombStarStar[14]
IGN7.4/10[15]
Nintendo Power7.5/10[16]

Mario Super Sluggers received mixed reviews. The lack of online play was a generally major factor in the reviews. On GameRankings, the game holds a score of 69.72%,[4] and on Metacritic a 69 out of 100.[5]

The game was nominated for the 2009 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards for Favorite Video Game,[17] in which it lost to Guitar Hero World Tour.[18]

Sales

By the end of 2019, the game has sold 2.32 million units worldwide[19]

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Japan as Super Mario Stadium Family Baseball (Japanese: スーパーマリオスタジアム ファミリーベースボール, Hepburn: Sūpā Mario Sutajiamu Famirī Bēsubōru)

References

  1. ↑ Redmond, Wash (2008-04-10). "Nintendo Hits a Home Run with Mario Super Sluggers". https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/ZIBZcdUwxgUsho3bxypsWZkrzRhscFPk. 
  2. ↑ "Chemistry" (in en). 2021-08-30. https://www.mariowiki.com/Chemistry. 
  3. ↑ Higginbotham, James (2008-09-09). "Mario Super Sluggers event at SafeCo Field" (in en-US). https://purenintendo.com/mario-super-sluggers-event-at-safeco-field/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Mario Super Sluggers for Wii". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/945802-mario-super-sluggers/index.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Mario Super Sluggers for Wii Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mario-super-sluggers/critic-reviews/?platform=wii. 
  6. ↑ North, Dale (September 4, 2008). "Destructoid Review: Mario Super Sluggers". http://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-mario-super-sluggers-102479.phtml. 
  7. ↑ Biessener, Adam (October 2008). "Mario Super Sluggers: Overly Simplistic Controls Result in a Barely-Interactive Affair". Game Informer (186). http://www.gameinformer.com/games/mario_super_sluggers/b/wii/archive/2009/09/23/review.aspx. Retrieved January 24, 2015. 
  8. ↑ Rudden, Dave (August 29, 2008). "A swing and a miss for Mario Super Sluggers!". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/206837/a-swing-and-a-miss-for-mario-super-sluggers/. Retrieved January 24, 2015. 
  9. ↑ Hunt, Geoff (September 30, 2008). "Mario Super Sluggers Review". GameRevolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/mario-super-sluggers. 
  10. ↑ Watters, Chris (August 27, 2008). "Mario Super Sluggers Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mario-super-sluggers-review/1900-6196919/. 
  11. ↑ Villoria, Gerald (August 27, 2008). "GameSpy: Mario Super Sluggers". GameSpy. http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/mario-superstar-baseball-wii/906061p1.html. 
  12. ↑ "Mario Super Sluggers Review". GameTrailers. September 23, 2008. http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/ogg9pq/mario-super-sluggers-review. 
  13. ↑ Aceinet (September 2, 2008). "Mario Super Sluggers Review - Wii". GameZone. http://wii.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r35168.htm. 
  14. ↑ Davis, Ryan (September 26, 2008). "Mario Super Sluggers Review". Giant Bomb. http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/mario-super-sluggers-review/1900-60/. 
  15. ↑ Bozon, Mark (August 26, 2008). "Mario Super Sluggers Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/08/26/mario-super-sluggers-review. 
  16. ↑ "Mario Super Sluggers". Nintendo Power 233: 87. October 2008. 
  17. ↑ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2009 Press Kit | Nominees". 2009-02-06. http://www.nickkcapress.com/2009KCA/nominees.php. 
  18. ↑ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2009 Press Kit | Winners Release". 2009-03-28. http://www.nickkcapress.com/2009KCA/winners.php. 
  19. ↑ 2020CESAゲーム白書 (2020 CESA Games White Papers). Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association. 2020. ISBN 978-4-902346-42-8. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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