Mario Super Sluggers swings for US Wiis

Mascot-themed arcade baseball game coming to Nintendo's console in North America later this year.

SAN FRANCISCO--Earlier this year, Nintendo announced that Super Mario Stadium: Family Baseball would arrive for the Wii in Japan this year, later clarified to be June. A US release for an adaptation of America's cherished pastime seemed like a no-brainer, and the publisher made it official today in a San Francisco press event. With the game sporting the new moniker Mario Super Sluggers, Nintendo promises to build on the baseball minigame in Wii Sports by offering the same level of accessibility but adding a more fully realized baseball experience.

Mario Superstar Baseball finally gets a sequel.

Much in the way that Mario Strikers Charged offered an arcade take on soccer last year, Mario Super Sluggers takes liberties with the basic precepts of baseball. Pitching is handled with a standard throwing motion, but is complicated by a timing mechanic, and the ball can also be curved by twisting the Wii Remote.

While batting, players first charge their swing, and then can either aim for the fences or attempt a bunt. Special moves also factor into pitching and hitting, with pitchers able to turn on the heat by hitting A and B while throwing, and batters adding flame to the ball by hitting the same buttons and making contact.

Unlike baseball in Wii Sports, Mario Super Sluggers also lets players take to the field as in a traditional baseball game. Fielding is done primarily by waggling the remote; players must make a shaking motion to run toward the ball and then a similar motion to throw. On offense, players make a similar waggling motion to run the bases.

Mario and his usual suspects will all make appearances in the game. During the demo, Mario pitched, while Mushroom Kingdom denizens such as Princess Peach, Wario, Bowser, Shy Guy, Baby Mario, Koopa Troopa, Donkey Kong, and others made appearances. Each character appears to have a unique hitting device, with the Koopa wielding a club and Donkey Kong attempting to punch the ball with a big, red boxing glove.

For more from Nintendo, check out GameSpot's coverage of the full press conference.

112 Comments

  • bananaboy396

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 10:43 pm GMT

    God i wish you controlled the players with the stick instead of this waggling crap. For the bases waggling is fine but for fielding? come on!

  • random_dude78

    Posted Jul 13, 2008 10:11 am GMT

    I can't wait! this game looks awesome!

  • k16campbell

    Posted Jul 8, 2008 9:38 am GMT

    there is a character list on wikipedia, but i think they forgot baby wario

  • Sonic7777777

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 10:51 am GMT

    dude this game sounds awesome!! I hope it's a little more interactive than Wii sports though. I mean the outfieldings cool and all, but If it's not realistic like you can catch a ball flying 50ft over your head, that would be kind of stupid.

  • 360-OHIO-Gamer

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 6:04 pm GMT

    I hpe this game can incorporate the motion sensing controls to make it interesting but still fun. The old game had a tendency to get boring mid-way through the game. I will probably buy it because it says mario on the title

  • Gorthin

    Posted Jun 27, 2008 7:03 am GMT

    gravidtron what about pit. he was lost after metroid came out nintendo could feature him
    oh and i would get the game christmas less price and u could get it for free

  • Gravidtron

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 3:21 pm GMT

    SmartOne, most of your points are valid and correct, but Nintendo didn't make No More Heroes and Zach and Wiki, those were from Ubisoft and Capcom respectively. As much as I love the Nintendo Holy Trinity, It would be nice for them to develop some more character-based properties to fill the years between 'true' Mario and Zelda games...

  • SmartOne5792

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 3:05 pm GMT

    i loved the concept of the original and i feel this will be even better using the wiimote

    and to the people who said Ninty doesnt make non-mario/zelda/metroid games (i know someone stated this but restating) games like Pikmin, Brain Age, Animal Crossing, Nintendogs, No More Heroes, and Zack and Wiki

  • kos1085

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 12:53 pm GMT

    Dont think I will be investing in this one. Maybe I will catch it used after a price drop.

  • VGmaster999

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 9:16 am GMT

    woohoo this game is going to rock!!!

  • kjam68

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 3:03 pm GMT

    Yippe!

  • guidedtruth

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 2:46 pm GMT

    this looks like it's coming to be a great game

  • guyguyguy1234

    Posted Apr 14, 2008 1:12 pm GMT

    I hated mario baseball

  • monkeyd_93

    Posted Apr 13, 2008 8:47 am GMT

    the main question in my mind is

    "will this make it to australian shores?"

    looks good by the way

  • rockwii13

    Posted Apr 12, 2008 12:05 pm GMT

    I can't wait! But I thought they would've released a Mario Tennis game before baseball, seeing as the Wii Sports Tennis is still one of the most popular games around.

  • cooldude03

    Posted Apr 12, 2008 8:07 am GMT

    Another edition of Nintendo's Mario Sports genre. That's great news. The Mario Sports are by far the best arcade style sports games and the Wii remote makes the games that much better. Keep the games coming Nintendo. If you make it they will play.

  • mergirox

    Posted Apr 11, 2008 8:21 pm GMT

    Can someone ban 09231991

    stop posting in wii related articles, goddamn

  • Spyhunter_101

    Posted Apr 11, 2008 12:54 pm GMT

    the wii needs a good baseball game, i hope its good, to bad the baseball sim games like mlb 2k8 were a let down

  • MonkishGamer

    Posted Apr 11, 2008 11:55 am GMT

    I'm usually not one that goes for the sports games, that is besides Nintendo sports games, they're in a league of their own. So whimsical. I didn't pick up the first one, I might/might not pick up this one, depending on its critical reception and word of mouth.

  • odpr

    Posted Apr 11, 2008 10:25 am GMT

    another mario game?!

  • EdwardoMario16

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 10:27 pm GMT

    Mario Superstar Baseball with Wii controls.

    That's what this game will be in a nutshell basically. Nothing wrong with that of course. MSB was a fun game.

  • 99skylinegtr

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 9:23 pm GMT

    nice im excited

  • getoconnection

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 8:50 pm GMT

    Erebyssial

    I would have to agree with you there. They (Ninty) may feel since they are clearly in the driver's seat, they don't really have to show their hand. They could be forcing Sony and to a lesser extent MS to show everyone just what they intent to do in 08. Then they can gauge just what they have to do to combat both.

  • Erebyssial

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 8:30 pm GMT

    Nintendo should announce at least one of their non-Mario games.. everyones getting the wrong ideas of Wii's 08 plans.

    I guess we'll have to wait until E3.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 8:18 pm GMT

    09231991

    You know whats funny, most of those 360/ps3 games are the same games that have been around since the PS1 stepped on the scene. How many times are you going to play Takken? Grand Tourismo? SOCOM? Call of Duty? GTA? GOW.... both of them? These companies, ALL these companies, milk their franchises. Very rarely does a game like BioShock get the green light and even still that game is a first person shooter, the same kind of game I've played since PD on the N64. I had a moral choice to shoot innocents/unarmed guards in that game too. Simply put most of the games Nintendo makes are fun for everyone which is why they keep selling. Period. SMG was a pure video game. Nothing more. Nothing less. It didn't try to wow you. It's purpose was to entertain. As far as difficulty, try playing with Luigi, Purple Coin, 8 bit Mario Fresco stage with no second player then come complain about how easy the game is. I beat Call of Duty 4 in one day. I enjoyed the game but the Experience is over. I'm still trying to beat SMG with Luigi. As far as graphics, even Sony sells PSP games on the PS2. Chew on that one.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 8:18 pm GMT

    09231991

    You know whats funny, most of those 360/ps3 games are the same games that have been around since the PS1 stepped on the scene. How many times are you going to play Takken? Grand Tourismo? SOCOM? Call of Duty? GTA... both of them? These companies, ALL these companies, milk their franchises. Very rarely does a game like BioShock gets the green light and even still that game is a first person shooter, the same kind of game I've played since PD on the N64. I had a moral choice to shoot innocents/unarmed guards in that game too. Simply put most of the games Nintendo makes are fun for everyone which is why they keep selling. Period. SMG was a pure video game. Nothing more. Nothing less. It didn't try to wow you. It's purpose was to entertain. As far as difficulty, try playing with Luigi, Purple Coin, 8 bit Mario Fresco stage with no second player then come complain about how easy the game is. I beat Call of Duty 4 in one day. I enjoyed the game but the Experience is over. I'm still trying to beat SMG with Luigi. As far as graphics, even Sony sells PSP games on the PS2. Chew on that one.

  • 09231991

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 7:38 pm GMT

    Okay, basically this is how I see it with Nintendo from this gen on with their games. Their gonna milk the sh!t outta everything related to Mario, Link, Metroid, etc. I hate how the mario games of TODAY get more praise then the mario games of yesterday. Super Mario 64 (SM64) and Super Mario Sunshine (SMS) were definitely great games. Mario galaxy (SMG) took super mario 64 and placed him in space with an even more generic story and even easier gameplay. SMS was definitely a little more unique because of the new gameplay mechanic they added into it making it more challenging. but SMG just ruined the mario 3-D adventure outlook for me. The most unique and probably best Mario game I've ever played is definitely Super Mario RPG or Mario & Luigi. Ever heard of'em? Course not cuz the good stuff gets left in the dust while the crap sells. The story was the exact same, save princess peach but at least is was different and actually good gameplay for once and definitely introduced new characters that were just plain cool and fun. Wheres a new Super Mario RPG, Nintendo? Oh yeah thats right, your making more Mario rehash crap to get what money you can cuz your fresh out of ideas. Same for LOZ. LOZ: Ocarina of Time, A Link to the past, Minish Cap, and Wind Waker were all very fun games that added little things to the gameplay to make it fun and original a little bit. And finally for once in the wind waker you didn't have to save princess zelda, You had to save your sister. So as you can see that by this comment that I'm basically fed up with Nintendo. Now on the other hand, I will always be grateful to them for getting me into gaming so I really am grateful to them for that. But the originality train has just left the building a long time ago. If you gamers really want original and interesting new games, then buy a PS3 or 360 because thats where a lot (or damn near all) developers are making their original ideas at cuz they can't really do much with the wii. -PEACE

  • jsrock_on54

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 5:56 pm GMT

    so what about mario tennis?
    & did the mario golf die or just not show on the cube?

  • kcwsk8

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 5:24 pm GMT

    i want this game

  • supreuph

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 4:19 pm GMT

    @ willripyouanew1

    Yea, just like Brawl and Mario Kart. How have those been working out?

  • jeffokiecorry2

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 4:12 pm GMT

    Sounds fun!

  • getoconnection

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 4:11 pm GMT

    "Oh nooos not another Mario game!!!"

    Lol. Zelda, Mario and Metroid sit alone at the top of the Game Ranking sites. Numbers 1,2,3....

  • guppieface

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 4:04 pm GMT

    why would you bunt. never bunt.

  • lamprey263

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 4:00 pm GMT

    well, though I point out that they're basically remaking GC games, I never owned a GameCube, a lot of people didn't, they only sold like 20 million worldwide

    after getting a Wii, I got a bunch of GC controllers and some older GC games like Eternal Darkness, and the Resident Evil and Metroid series, Viewtiful Joe 1 & 2, but I could never find new affordable copies of the Mario soccer, tennis, and baseball games, so I don't mind they're remaking them... though, I just hope they offer GC controller support, I don't want to play everything with motion controls, and I think I'm not alone

  • willripyouanew1

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:55 pm GMT

    Just another Game Cube port with wiimote support .
    Go ahead and hate on me you know im right!

  • Serbine

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:54 pm GMT

    This game is going to rock, also what all the crap about Nintendo not making any new games(Example: Pikmin, Animal Crossing, Odama, Elite Beat Agents, Brain Age, Nintendogs, and Excite Truck to name a few).

  • AddictedGamer50

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:53 pm GMT

    I'll wait till a friend gets it, play it at their house, and decide to get it or not.

  • gamerguy845

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:44 pm GMT

    Meh, not that impressed

  • ArchAngel2284

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:39 pm GMT

    i think ill pass on this one.

  • WolfWatch

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:38 pm GMT

    @gunpoint_ and landau492

    If Nintendo made a game without mario or metroid or zelda in the title then after it's succession you would just complain about them expanding on the newer title. Who are they to use if not their own (Nintendo's) characters? Mario baseball was fun to me but still room for improvement. If this game makes practical use of the Wiimote and leaves room for replay value (which it should). They might add Mii usage which would be pretty cool but even if not it should be a fun game. I'll definitely check this one out.

  • WolfWatch

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:38 pm GMT

    @gunpoint_ and landau492

    If Nintendo made a game without mario or metroid or zelda in the title then after it's succession you would just complain about them expanding on the newer title. who are they to use if not Nintendo's characters?

    Mario baseball was fun to me but still room for improvement. If this game makes practical use of the Wiimote and leaves room for replay value (which it should) I'll definitely check this one out.

  • fiercedeity901

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:36 pm GMT

    hmmm...i see people dogging on another mario game...but if it's that bad...why do all of u keep buying them???

    they must be doing something right with them, right?

    oh, that's right...they must be fun, lol

    and yes...idc how many mario games there are...most of them are just really great games

  • GUNpoint_

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:26 pm GMT

    wow, more of this mario garbage. i can't believe the masses continue to buy this crap. just as landau492 said, nintendo is incapable of making a decent game without mario, metroid, or zelda.

  • CheddarLimbo

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:25 pm GMT

    On the whole, it sounds like fun, but I don't like waggling so much... I'll give it a rent first.

  • Natdaddy

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:21 pm GMT

    Oh landau, it sounds like someone is jealous.

  • landau492

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:20 pm GMT

    itll take nintendo at least 35 more years to come up with a decent game that doesnt have the word mario, metroid or zelda in it.

  • ocdog45

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:19 pm GMT

    don't know about this

  • gundowner

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:16 pm GMT

    oh and by the way phazonblazer you don't have a ps3 so don't judge a console you don't have. I play my ps3 A LOT more than my wii and your saying it sucks???

  • NinjaFoot

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:15 pm GMT

    YAWN......Nintendo really is out of ideas. Big surprise there.

  • vbdevpro

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:06 pm GMT

    ROFL... Nintendo's milking Mario for everythinghe's worth.

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