‘Mario Strikers: Charged’Console: WiiNintendo4.5 out of 5 stars

Not everyone enjoys sitting alone in a dark room for hours on end playing against the computer in video games. Some just go for the occasional game with a few friends to get away from studying and have some fun.

‘Mario Strikers: Charged’ for Wii is the answer for both groups: excellent for those casual gamers as well as serious players that love to be challenged.

Yes, it is a soccer game – but get off your high horse. ‘Strikers’ is nothing like the MLS.

First of all, when was the last time David Beckham warded off defenders by laying a stream of farts in his wake? And even though most people don’t watch the soccer highlights on ESPN, they probably would have noticed if Landon Donovan shot fire out of his mouth to clear a path for a five-goal shot.

‘Strikers’ is more like a Wii version of ‘NFL Blitz,’ only with the real futbol. All the ‘Mario’ superstars are there, and they love to beat the hell out of one another.

As soon as the Princess slips past your defense, fire a shell at her pretty little head. If Bowser Jr. is getting a little too cocky playing against daddy Bowser, put the little guy back in his place by dropping bombs on him. Nothing says family bonding like pure, unadulterated violence.

OK, so it sounds complicated managing all the weapons and playing soccer, but the beauty of ‘Strikers’ is in its simplicity. It takes about two or three games to grasp the controls, which is no time in comparison to the millions of intense shooter games out there.

This opens up the world to some seriously competitive multiplayer games. Everyone has that friend who can’t be beat at ‘NHL ’08’ – I hate you Craig – but that is not an issue in ‘Strikers.’ The best games actually come at 3 a.m. after you and your friends spent a night out at the bars drinking. Try playing ‘Madden’ after double-digit drinks and see how that goes.

The drawback for this version of ‘Strikers’ is that the tournament style has gone by the wayside. With all the multiplayer perks, allowing gamers to set up a tournament would have been a plus. Then again, there’s always the makeshift option: Just set up a bracket on a piece of paper and play it out on your own.

With ‘Strikers,’ you won’t really be challenged to think philosophically, but you will have to worry about things like flying cows and giant Luigis. When it comes down to it, video games are supposed to be activities where you can forget about thinking. ‘Strikers’ lets you have fun with your friends. What could be better than that?

Published on October 3, 2007 at 12:00 pm