Mario Strikers Battle League

Mario Strikers Battle League Football is a sports action game and the latest in the Mario Strikers series. Like the previous games, it offers a five-on-five battle sport that combines football and ice hockey with Nintendo characters. It looks chaotic and like a kid's game, but actually, it's a highly competitive experience that requires cunning, skill and quick reactions to win.

CONTENT RATING

Violence

PLATFORMS

Nintendo Switch

POSITIVE GAMEPLAY

Competition

Good Challenge

Quick Reactions

5-20 min Rounds

PLAY STYLE

Competitive Local

Competitive Online

Co-Op Local

Co-Op Online

Go Online With Multiple Players On One Console

Multiplayer With Portable Devices In The Same Room

Shared-Screen

While many sporting events injected with Nintendo-ness fare less well, this game came to life with clever play mechanics and surprisingly deep levels of skill required. Each of the characters has special abilities that need to be used intelligently and you can also specify different tactical locations for each of your team.

Although themed around football, the game feels more like ice hockey as players whip, curl and smack the ball to each other. Also, you are allowed to tackle, attack and knock out your opposing team's players.

To this is added the ability to charge up the ball as you pass it from player to player and make it easier to score. You also get Mario Kart-style power-ups that offer special abilities. Finally, you can go for a Hyper Strike that enables you to score multiple goals in one go.

This latest iteration provides greater customisation of your team by equipping them with gear that changes not only their appearance, but also their stats like speed, strength, and pass accuracy. The game also expands how many players can compete with up to 8 players battling in two teams of 4.

GAMEPLAY TRAILER

Good to know

Insights to ensure your child's gaming experience remains safe and enjoyable

Healthy competition

These games often involve competition, either against AI opponents or other players. This can be enjoyable and promote healthy competition. However, sometimes it can lead to frustration and anger, which might be a sign to take a break. Talk to your child about recognising these feelings and taking breaks when the game is no longer fun.

Improve sports skills

Video games based on sport can help children develop an interest and greater understanding of rules within the sport. Explore the sport outside of the video game to support their interests and develop their skills.

Balance with Other Activities

Children often play sport video games because of interest in the sport itself. Balance their gaming time with playing the real sport together.

Skill level age

Suggested by Family Gaming Database

Younger players need to be able to cope with the full-contact sport where players attack each other as much as the ball. Quick reactions are important to shoot at the right time. Playing in a team with more experienced players can ease frustrations.

Content rating

Rated PEGI 7 for Violence. Players may use sliding tackles, kicks and punches against other players. They may also collect power-ups which allow them to shoot shells, bananas and other objects. Violence is mild and unrealistic, as are reactions to it. Characters are not visibly harmed.

PEGI rating explained?