Arcade football from Next Level Games under the Mario licence, a violent street vibe with wild tackles. Snappy matches, explosive special shots and gold-standard local multiplayer. No Pro Evolution but a brilliantly cathartic blast. A Nintendo gift too often overlooked.
Your verdict
Category
Sports4 players3+
Description
Mario and friends compete in football matches in this Nintendo GameCube Super Mario Strikers, Japanese version. Published by Nintendo, released in Japan in January 2006. Japanese version of Mario Smash Football with Nintendo characters, explosive pitches and game rules.
Super Mario Strikers review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Football with no referee and no mercy: electric tackles, blazing super-shots and a fence that hurls opponents into the scenery. Everything is fast, everything hits, and the slightest play can swing the score. The twitchy handling and unashamed aggression make it a perfect group blow-off. Brutal, funny and fiercely addictive.
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Easy"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾0,39 GB📅19/01/2006
Published by Nintendo
Super Mario Strikers (GameCube) price, value & rarity
The Japanese version of Super Mario Strikers, the frantic arcade football developed by Next Level Games, released late in the console's life. Its collecting interest lies in that Japanese pressing, with more contained local distribution, and the title's place as the first entry of a well-liked sports spin-off series. Mario collectors seek the original Japanese edition for its regional case and relative scarcity against the Western versions.
Is Super Mario Strikers still worth playing in 2026?
A super-charged arcade football from Next Level Games, Mario Smash Football swaps the classic rules for refereeless five-a-side matches where vicious tackles, items and super shots rule. The frantic pace, the clarity and the bite of the clashes make it a fearsomely effective sports party game, especially in multiplayer. The solo content is limited and the tactical depth modest. A festive, edgy outlet that has aged very well, recommendable without reservation to fans of arcade sport with friends.
