Nintendo fans have been able to hit the fairway for the first time in years withMario Golf: Super Rush, and so far the experience has been a big return to form for theMariosports series. The Switch overall has seen the gradual return of strongMariosports games, and it’s become an encouraging sign for fans that remember the stellar titles of the GameCube and Wii era. There are some gamers that are already looking forward towhat sports are going to come to the Switch next, and there are some candidates that shine brighter than others.
Mario’s mascot status has had him play almost every major sport known to man, from baseball to Olympic sprinting, but one of the stand-out sports ventures from the Italian plumber has come from the world of soccer. TheMario Strikersseries hasn’t had many entries, but the popularity of the soccer games has lasted to this day. There are many Nintendo fans that have been asking specifically for a newMario Strikersgame, andMario Golf: Super Rushmay have provided the perfect template for the series' return.
RELATED:Mario Golf Super Rush: 10 Characters We Want Added To The Game As DLC
The Return Of Mario Sports
One of the biggest ways thatMario Golf: Super Rushoffers up a great opportunity for a newMario Strikersis how it brings back some legitimacy to theMariosports series. Before the Switch pulled Nintendo back from the Wii-U’s lack of success,Mariosports games were also in a rather unfavorable place with fans. There weren’t many during the Wii U era, and the one major game that did come out,Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash,received very mixed reviews. Ever since the Switch has come out though,Nintendo has been mounting aMariosports comeback.
The first major sports game on the Switch,Mario Tennis Aces, received much better reviews thanUltra Smash, and nowMario Golf: Super Rushis maintainingtheMariosports games' high level of quality. IfMario Strikersis going to come back, it would be best to do it now while Nintendo has a firm focus on its sports titles.Super Rushhas set a good precedent, and a newMario Strikerswould just need to follow up on it.
The Wild Side Of Mario Sports
Mariosports games will usually fall into one of two categories: faithful recreations of the sport they are representing or zany interpretations of the sport that provide a new twist on a classic game.Mario Golf: Super Rushsucceeds in delivering a mix of both approaches, by giving players the option of a traditional golf experience with someMarioantics spread throughout. Between the simulation-style modes andthe frantic energy of Speed Golf,Mario Golf:Super Rushmanages to be a successful single-player sports game and a capable party game for the whole family.
This blend of simulation andsensational action inMario Golfwould be a perfect fit for a newMario Strikers. The series is already known for its arcade-like elements, with flashy power moves and soccer balls that are hit so hard they catch fire, and a new game could take a lot of pages fromMario Golf:Super Rush.
A mode inspired by Speed Golf, in particular, would be excellent for a newMarioStrikersgame, as it could see players attempt to make as many goals as possible while using crazy special moves to tackle players or send the ball flying at ludicrous speeds. It would have the potential to give players more of what they’ve come to expect from theMarioStrikersseries, while also evolving it towardswhat Nintendo has been doing with its sports gameslately.
RELATED:7 Mistakes Everyone Makes While Playing Mario Golf: Super Rush
The Potential Of Adventure Mode in Mario Strikers
In addition to the templateMario Golf: Super Rushhas offered with modes like Speed Golf, the game’sGolf Adventure modeprovides some excellent opportunities for a newMario Strikers. It harkens back to similar adventure modes from previousMario Golftitles, while giving players some interesting new RPG mechanics and gameplay moments that are unique to it. It might not have the longest story in the world, but it still does some interesting things with theMariosports formula, while also giving players another reason to use their Miis in a game.
A newMario Strikerscould build on this kind of adventure mode in a plethora of different ways. The RPG elements have already set a good foundation, and they could easily be translated to the soccer world with upgrades to things like speed and kicking strength. As far as a story is concerned, a newMarioStrikerscould have players go through an extensive soccer tournament similar to past games, but with some new features reminiscent of whatMario Golf:Super Rushhas. The template is all there already, so a newMario Strikersgame would just need to replicate it while learning fromMario Golf: Super Rush’s mistakes.
It might be some time before Nintendo fans get anotherMariosports game, butMario Strikersstill seems like the fan-favorite for whenever Nintendo dives into the sports world again. The series has certainly become a cult classic, especially for those that played the first game onGameCube, so hopefully, Nintendo will give fans something they’ve been patiently waiting for. If the time ever does come,Mario Golf: Super Rushhas already given a newMario Strikersa great template to work off of.
Mario Golf: Super Rushis available now on the Nintendo Switch.
MORE:8 Easter Eggs Only True Fans Caught In Mario Golf: Super Rush
