Sunday, July 1, 2012

Mario Sports Mix

Mario Sports Mix is a Mario sports game for the Wii featuring Mario and company competing in four sports: hockey, basketball, dodgeball, and volleyball, along with the Final Fantasy characters who have appeared in Mario Hoops 3-on-3 as well. Slime, a Dragon Quest mascot, makes an appearance in this game, too. This game is developed by Square Enix, who also developed Mario Hoops 3-on-3.

The game supports the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection feature, which enables players to play with other players in their region. To save any game data, three blocks of memory have to be used on the Wii system. However, due to the game's Wi-Fi compatibilities, the game data is copy protected, which means it cannot be transferred onto other Wii systems.

Story

One day in the Mushroom Kingdom, Toad is gardening flowers when suddenly, the sky turns dark, and a strange object falls from the sky and crashes. Toad is worried about the situation, so he, along with some other Toads, rushes to the crashed object to examine it. The Toads find four colored crystals: a red crystal with a basketball in it, a green crystal with a volleyball in it, a yellow crystal with a dodgeball in it, and a blue crystal with a coin in it. While observing the mysterious crystals, the Toads suddenly come up with an idea of introducing new sports - Basketball, Volleyball, Dodgeball, and Hockey - to the Mushroom Kingdom. The Toads also organize tournaments for the four sports. The best players of the tournament earn a prize: one of the four crystals that fell from the sky. Mario, his friends, and his foes are ready to play sports and enter the tournaments to find out who are the best players of the Mushroom Kingdom.

When the players' team wins the Mushroom and Flower Cups, and gets to the end of the Star Cup, everything seems to be normal, but in the final round, a Star Ship appears and the players' opponent turns out to be Ninja in disguise. Ninja steals the trophy and jumps onto the Star Ship. The players follow Ninja to get the trophy back. They end up playing against the Final Fantasy team, while the Star Ship flies through space. When the players win against the Final Fantasy team, they receive one of the crystals that fell from the sky. The leader of the team uses it to power the Star Ship and take the team back home.

After players receive all four crystals, the crystals merge and turn into a dark, glowing crystal. The dark crystal takes the players to another area. In this area, players encounter the Behemoth, a creature from the Final Fantasy series. The players must defeat the monster before it defeats them. When the players defeat Behemoth, the dark energy from the dark crystal disappears and turns into a rainbow-colored crystal. The players use the crystal again to power the Star Ship to take them back home.

Sports Mix mode's story is highly identical, except after the players' team defeats the Final Fantasy team, the three Sports Mix trophies that they receive will end up merging into a dark crystal. That crystal also leads them to an alternate dimension, where the Behemoth King is found. Similarly with Behemoth, players have to defeat the Behemoth King before it takes them out. When the Behemoth King is defeated, the crystal's dark energy disappears, and it turns back into a rainbow crystal. The players use that crystal to power the Star Ship to take them back home.

Gameplay

Toad and Yoshi defeat Ninja and White Mage in a 2-on-2 Volleyball match.

White Mage, Yoshi, and Toad defeat Ninja, Pure White Mage, and Black Mage in a 3-on-3 Dodgeball match.

Mario Sports Mix features four playable sports, all unique from each other. Players can play either alone with CPU allies, cooperatively with others up to three players, or against one another. Four players can participate; however, they can only participate in Vs. mode, and it is impossible to have all four players team up. The Wii Remote and Nunchuk control style is used as the primary control scheme for the game. However, the players can also use the Wii Remote in the horizontal position. Players are able to perform actions through shaking the Wii Remote and/or inputting buttons as shown in horizontal Wii Remote scheme. All sports are played in periods, where, except for volleyball, there is a certain time limit to each period. When the time limit reaches zero, players move to the next period and change sides. Excluding dodgeball, points acquired in past periods also add up to the current game's total score. In dodgeball, another period commences when all team players get knocked out.

? Panels return from Mario Hoops 3-on-3, where they serve the same purpose: to provide players with either coins or an item. Unlike Mario Hoops 3-on-3, items are held in reserve rather than players holding them. The more coins players have, the more points they can get when they achieve a scoring. Players lose coins when they get hit by an opposing item, which makes the coins scatter on the floor. However, in dodgeball, coins increase the attack power of attacks, and players can't lose coins from items.

There are also special options that can be adjusted for each sport in exhibition mode, such as turning on and off?? Panels, setting the number of periods and the time limit, and other options which can be specific for each sport. Once the options are set, they do not reset whenever a players turns off the game.

On a side note, there's an option which enables the players to receive commands. However, this option is only available when the CPU level is set to "Easy".

Basketball

"Basketball" redirects here. For information about a basketball game for the Nintendo DS, see here.

Basketball is played in a similar fashion as in Mario Hoops 3-on-3. Players must score points by shooting a basketball into their hoop in order to win the game. Whichever team has the most points after all periods wins the match. Two points are acquired when the ball makes it in the hoop; three points are acquired when the ball gets shot from the three pointer and beyond or when a special shot is performed. The coins that the players gather along the way are added to their total score. Also in this sport, which is exclusive to this game, there is a shot clock on the bottom-left hand corner of the screen so the characters can shoot within the time limit, just like in a professional NBA game. If they don't shoot before time runs out, the other team gets possession. Players are also able to defend, block, and make dunks in this game in a similar way to the actual sport. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, then sudden death will commence. With this extra period in this sport, no game ends in a draw.

Volleyball

Volleyball is played by hitting a ball without making it touch the ground. Players first start matches by serving the ball, either by ground or by air. The match then proceeds, while the players try to smack the volleyball so it touches a ground. If that occurs, the last team to successfully hit the ball over the net gains a point. When a point limit is reached (the default is fifteen points), the set is won. Players can spike the ball, deflect a spike, and use many other moves that bear resemblance to the actual game. Volleyball also has an out zone, much like tennis: any player who hits the ball into this zone forfeits a point to the opposing team. Volleyball is the only sport in the game that can never have a time limit.

Dodgeball

A Dodgeball game always begins with a jump-ball that is done by Lakitu to determine which team gets to attack first. Dodgeball is mostly played by throwing a ball to the opposing team. There are two teams of two or three characters and a colored Yoshi on the players' teams. Players can prevent a hit by catching the ball. Players who fail to catch the ball or dodge it will lose their vitality. They can prevent this if they catch the ball before it hits the ground, especially if the ball flies upwards. Players cannot catch the ball if they are facing away from them, nor can they catch it if an item is in effect.

Players have a Health Meter and lose a portion when they get hit, except for the colored Yoshi, who can never be "knocked out," but cannot leave the box at the back of the court. Players cannot control the Yoshis, unless they encounter the ball, and even then, the only commands that the players can give them is to pass or attack. If players lose all their HP, they are out, and they are sent into their box. However, unlike the Yoshis in the box, they can leave if they hit their target with the ball, and successfully damage their target. Players that do this will also get a small amount of their HP regained, but will be out immediately if damaged again. However, some alternate route objectives do prevent players who are out from leaving the box; this can also be applied to exhibition matches.

The first team to knock out the opposing team before the time limit expires, wins the set. Additionally, the team who has the most number of remaining players will automatically win when time runs out. If both teams have the same number of players remaining at the end of the time limit, sudden death follows. With this term, no set ends in a draw. In sudden death, the first team to take damage loses the set. On a side note, this is the only sport, which has a time limit, in which players can set the timer to infinite.

Hockey

"Hockey" redirects here. For information about Ice Hockey, see here.

A hockey game always begins with a face-off that is done by Lakitu to determine which team will get the puck at the start of the period. If a team scores a goal or a special shot, another face-off will commence. The goalkeepers in this sport are Shy Guys, and their color depends on which team they are in. In order to steal the puck, players must tackle each other, which can be achieved by the motion of shaking the Wii Remote (Two button in sideways mode) or simply by making a character go next to the opponent with the puck. Sometimes, a struggle ensues and players must shake their Wii Remote the fastest they can in order to win the puck over and knock the opponents away. The team with the most points wins and, very much like basketball, this game is played in time limits and transitional periods. This sport uses a Hockey Stick.

Sports Mix

Sports Mix is a tournament-only game mode, which utilizes all of the sports. To unlock it, players must complete all four Star Cups and defeat Behemoth. In this game mode, the sport that is played is chosen randomly for each round. Computer controlled characters are set on the Expert difficulty level; the hardest difficulty level in the game. When the players beat the Star Cup, they will fight the Behemoth King, instead of the normal Behemoth. The Behemoth King has more health than Behemoth, and is harder to beat.

Players can only select characters and costumes that are unlocked in all four sports. For example, if the players unlock Cactuar for Basketball, Hockey, and Volleyball, but not for Dodgeball, it can't be selected in Sports Mix mode. If the players unlock Cactuar for Dodgeball as well, it can be selected in Sports Mix mode. In a similar manner, Light Blue Yoshi can't be used, unless it's unlocked for all four sports too.

Controls

Each sport utilizes various controls, depending on the control scheme that the players use.

Basketball

Volleyball

Dodgeball

Hockey

Behemoth Battle

Characters

Playable Characters

There are nineteen playable characters in Mario Sports Mix. All of them are categorized by five groups:

  • All-rounder - All-Rounders have average Power, Speed, and Technique. They generally are not weak at any stats, but they are not strong in any either.
  • Technical - Technical characters have more Technique, but less Speed and Power. These characters can better aim their shots.
  • Powerful - Powerful characters have more Power, but less Speed and Technique. These characters have stronger and faster attacks and shots.
  • Speedy - Speedy characters have more Speed, but less Power and Technique. These characters can move faster over the ground.
  • Tricky - Tricky characters have one stronger stat, but the others are usually very low. However, they do have some useful, but tricky moves.

Like Mario Hoops 3-on-3, this game is shown to make use of character specific abilities. Prior to using these abilities, there is a meter that needs to be filled (shown on the bottom left and right corners of the gameplay screen). These abilities in question can allow the characters to unleash a powerful move in the variety of sports in the game that can help the players win a game. Each special ability is unique to each character and these moves tend to vary from the sport that players are playing.

Finally, the playable characters have their own stat values, which depict their strengths and weaknesses. For the respective charts shown below on this article, the stat values for each playable character are out of 5.

Starting Characters

All-rounder Characters
Character Special Ability Stats
Mario blasts a fiery shot at his target. The shot can be blocked by brute force, but can slip into the goal if the character fails to hold it off. In dodgeball, the blast has a radius that can hit nearby opponents. Power 3/5
Speed 3/5
Technique 3/5
Luigi first attempts to suck characters towards him while he is using his Poltergust 3000. After he draws them in, he makes a shot on his target. Opponents caught long enough in the suction will trip and be unable to defend against the shot. Power 2/5
Speed 3/5
Technique 4/5
Yoshi throws the ball in a single, bouncy rainbow line. The rainbow line quickly changes where it is going to land, possibly confusing players. In basketball and dodgeball, it is not one but rather two bouncy balls heading towards their goal, and they must both be blocked or dodged. However, in basketball, one of the balls is a decoy, and is not counted if it reaches the goal. Power 3/5
Speed 4/5
Technique 2/5
Mii-CSS-MarioSportsMix.png The Mii builds up energy as it aims to make its goal. When the ball hits in the ground in dodgeball, it sends out a blast radius than can hit anyone inside the blast radius. Characters can stop the shot in other sports a similar way as how Mario makes a shot. Power 3/5
Speed 3/5
Technique 3/5
Technical Characters
Powerful Characters
Speedy Characters

Unlockable Characters

The Final Fantasy characters from Mario Hoops 3-on-3 make a return in this game. Additionally, the Dragon Quest character Slime makes an appearance, previously having appeared in Itadaki Street DS. These characters are all unlockable and also the only unlockable characters of the game.

Characters who are unlocked by playing a certain number of matches or by clearing secret missions in Tournament mode, can only be used in the sports that they're unlocked in. However, characters who are unlocked by clearing Star Road can be used for all sports.

It should be noted that for the characters that are unlocked by playing a certain number of matches, the players aren't required to win every match. Also, Wi-Fi matches do count as well. Also, when the players cleared the Star Road, but already has unlocked the character for all sports in a different way, the players gets the next character instead. For example, if players have already unlocked White Mage for every sport, and then clears the Star Road for the 2nd time, they'll unlock Black Mage for every sport instead.

All-rounder Character
Technical Character
Tricky Characters

Alternate Outfits

Certain characters have alternate outfits that can be unlocked by performing certain objectives. Alternate outfits can only be used in the sports that they are unlocked in, but outfits unlocked by clearing Star Road can be used for all sports.

The players should note that they do not actually have to win the matches to be counted, and the minimum requirement for unlocking is at least having the characters in the players' team. Matches also get counted by playing Wi-Fi. To select another outfit, the players have to press the Plus button button on the Wii Remote, regardless of the control scheme used.

Oddly, in tournaments, it is possible for the CPU team to use more than one of a certain character, which is not possible for the players' team, nor in exhibition matches. Likewise, if the players' team contains a character who has an alternate outfit, the CPU team can still use that character in tournaments; Ex.: If the players' team contains Yoshi, it'll still be possible to see Yoshi with a CPU team.

Character Alternate Outfit Usage Unlock Method Mission Unlock Method Star Road Unlock Method
Yoshi Light Blue Yoshi 15 matches as Yoshi. Complete a certain mission at the Flower Cup. N/A
Yellow Yoshi 20 matches as Yoshi. Yellow Yoshi mission at the Flower Cup. N/A
Pink Yoshi 25 matches as Yoshi. Pink Yoshi mission at the Flower Cup. N/A
Peach Tennis-wear 40 matches as Peach. Tennis-wear Peach mission at the Mushroom Cup. N/A
Daisy Tennis-wear 40 matches as Daisy. Tennis-wear Daisy mission at the Flower Cup. N/A
Toad Blue Toad 15 matches as Toad. Blue Toad mission at the Mushroom Cup. N/A
Yellow Toad 20 matches as Toad. Yellow Toad mission at the Mushroom Cup. N/A
Green Toad 25 matches as Toad. Green Toad mission at the Star Cup. N/A
Ninja Shadow White 20 matches as Ninja. Shadow White Ninja mission at the Flower Cup. Star Road cleared 4 times.
White Mage Pure White 20 matches as White Mage. Pure White Mage mission at the Flower Cup. Star Road cleared 5 times.
Black Mage Magic Red 20 matches as Black Mage. Magic Red Black Mage mission at the Star Cup. Star Road cleared 6 times.
Slime She-Slime 20 matches as Slime. She-Slime mission at the Star Cup. N/A
Metal Slime 40 matches as Slime. Metal Slime mission at the Star Cup. N/A

Non-Playable Characters

Courts

There are fourteen playable courts in Mario Sports Mix. Courts in this game are often based on the courts from Mario Hoops 3-on-3, some of them even directly return with a slight redesign.

Each cup holds three courts that can be played depending on the sport. There are also three extra courts, which do not appear in normal tournaments. They can be unlocked by playing many games or completing missions in Tournament mode.

Courts and compatible sports
Court Dodgeball Volleyball Basketball Hockey
Mario Stadium Mushroom Cup
1st round
Mushroom Cup
1st round
Mushroom Cup
1st round
Mushroom Cup
1st round
Koopa Troopa Beach Mushroom Cup
2nd round
Mushroom Cup
2nd round
Mushroom Cup
2nd round
Extra
1st round
Peach's Castle Mushroom Cup
3rd round
Mushroom Cup
3rd round
Extra
1st round
Mushroom Cup
3rd round
DK Dock Flower Cup
1st round
Flower Cup
1st round
Mushroom Cup
3rd round
Incompatible
Toad Park Flower Cup
2nd round
Incompatible Incompatible Mushroom Cup
2nd round
Luigi's Mansion Incompatible Flower Cup
2nd round
Flower Cup
1st round
Incompatible
Western Junction Extra
1st round
Flower Cup
3rd round
Flower Cup
2nd round
Flower Cup
1st round
Daisy Garden Flower Cup
3rd round
Partly Incompatible
Flower Cup alternate route only
Flower Cup
3rd round
Flower Cup
3rd round
Wario Factory Star Cup
1st round
Extra
1st round
Extra
2nd round
Flower Cup
2nd round
Bowser Jr. Blvd. Incompatible Star Cup
1st round
Star Cup
1st round
Star Cup
1st round
Bowser's Castle Star Cup
2nd round
Star Cup
2nd round
Star Cup
2nd round
Extra
3rd round
Waluigi Pinball Extra
2nd round
Extra
2nd round
Incompatible Star Cup
2nd round
Ghoulish Galleon Extra
3rd round
Extra
3rd round
Extra
3rd round
Extra
2nd round
Star Ship Star Cup
3rd round
Star Cup
3rd round
Star Cup
3rd round
Star Cup
3rd round

Unlockable courts

Some courts must be unlocked before the players can play on them. The way to unlock these courts differs per sport.

Normal courts can be unlocked by simply playing on them in Tournement mode. Extra courts can also be unlocked by playing on them in Tournament mode, but the Extra courts only appear in the Alternate routes. It's also possible to unlock courts by playing many matches in Tournament or Exhibition mode. The player doesn't necessarily need to win matches.

Unlockable courts for every sports
Court Dodgeball Volleyball Basketball Hockey
Mario Stadium Already available Already available Already available Already available
Koopa Troopa Beach Already available Already available Already available Certain Mushroom Cup mission shoud be won
or 30 matches played
Peach's Castle 3rd Mushroom Cup round should be won
or 10 matches played
3rd Mushroom Cup round should be won
or 10 matches played
Certain Mushroom Cup mission shoud be won
or 30 matches played
3rd Mushroom Cup round should be won
or 10 matches played
DK Dock Already available Already available 3rd Mushroom Cup round should be won
or 10 matches played
Can't be unlocked
Toad Park Already available Can't be unlocked Can't be unlocked Already available
Luigi's Mansion Can't be unlocked Already available Already available Can't be unlocked
Western Junction Certain Mushroom Cup mission shoud be won
or 30 matches played
3rd Flower Cup round should be won
or 15 matches played
Already available Already available
Daisy Garden 3rd Flower Cup round should be won
or 15 matches played
Can't be unlocked 3rd Flower Cup round should be won
or 15 matches played
3rd Flower Cup round should be won
or 15 matches played
Wario Factory Already available Certain Mushroom Cup mission shoud be won
or 30 matches played
Certain Flower Cup mission shoud be won
or 35 matches played
Already available
Bowser Jr. Blvd. Can't be unlocked Already available Already available Already available
Bowser's Castle 2nd Star Cup round should be won
or 20 matches played
2nd Star Cup round should be won
or 20 matches played
2nd Star Cup round should be won
or 20 matches played
Certain Star Cup mission shoud be won
or 40 matches played
Waluigi Pinball Certain Flower Cup mission shoud be won
or 35 matches played
Certain Flower Cup mission shoud be won
or 35 matches played
Can't be unlocked 2nd Star Cup round should be won
or 20 matches played
Ghoulish Galleon Certain Star Cup mission shoud be won
or 40 matches played
Certain Star Cup mission shoud be won
or 40 matches played
Certain Star Cup mission shoud be won
or 40 matches played
Certain Flower Cup mission shoud be won
or 35 matches played
Star Ship 3rd Star Cup round should be won
or 25 matches played
3rd Star Cup round should be won
or 25 matches played
3rd Star Cup round should be won
or 25 matches played
3rd Star Cup round should be won
or 25 matches played

Items

As in most Mario games, there are items available during the gameplay of Mario Sports Mix. These items are available by touching the available and various ? Panels on the court. Most of these items cause struck players to lose coins, and all items also affect teammates as well.

Item Name Function
MKwii Banana.jpg Banana A single banana is thrown into the court. The bananas can make players slip and fall, which stuns them for a brief amount of time. Bananas can also be used to block incoming shells. When players use the item in conjunction with the item, the ball/puck makes a homing, wide curve and can hit anyone with the same effects of a banana.
MKwii Bob-omb.jpg Bob-omb A bob-omb is thrown correspondingly to the user's aim. When the bomb lands, it explodes, knocking any player caught in the blast radius. Bob-ombs also obliterate items in its radius. A mini-game, Bob-omb Dodge, has a sole purpose of tossing Bob-ombs of various sizes at players, who must dodge these bombs.
Coin.jpg Coin Though not an offensive weapon, unlike all other items listed, coins play a vital role in Mario Sports Mix and serve as a puck in hockey, although the latter role is not associated with its sole purpose. Coins are mainly collected by running on?? Panels, but are also obtainable by stage hazards or by stealing them from other players via offensive items. Coins increase the score output and how much damage is done to players in dodgeball. Coins get depleted into points once players score, which means that players must collect coins again if they want to score more points.
MKwii Greenshell.jpg Green Shell Similar to its function in the Mario Kart series, Green Shells move in a straight line and bounce off any wall. They get destroyed by any other item in play and disappear when they hit another player or bounce in the wall enough times. When used in conjunction with the ball/puck, this item homes towards its goal and can hit any player in its way, however stopping the ball/puck momentum.
Mini Shroom.png Mini Mushroom The Mini Mushroom shrinks any players it comes in contact with. Except when used in conjunction with the ball/puck, the Mini Mushroom behaves quite similarly to the Banana; they both get lobbed and both remain in one spot. Any player turned mini cannot perform most moves and gets movement lowered. The Mini Mushroom's effects revert over time.
MKwii Redshell.jpg Red Shell Much like the Green Shell, the Red Shell functions not too different than its counterpart in the Mario Kart series. The Red Shell homes after its nearby opponent. When contact is initiated, the player gets knocked in the same manner as a Green Shell. Red Shells do not rebound off walls and can get destroyed by another item. When used in conjunction with the ball/puck, the Red Shell does a large curve and homes for the goal. When in this form, the Red Shell can knock other players away, but this stops the momentum of the ball/puck, much like the Green Shell.
Star.PNG Super Star Not too different than its functions in other various games, the Super Star makes players invincible. Unlike all other items, this item can be obtained very rarely. When this item is collected, it automatically activates itself. The Super Star not only makes players invincible, it also powers up the ball/puck, making it impervious to other player attacks while flying through the players, homing to the goal and moving at a much faster speed.

In the Behemoth battle, players can also collect Meteorites from ? Panels. Meteorites can be used in different ways; they can be thrown at Behemoth to damage it (like in Dodgeball). Players can also dunk it at Behemoth (like in Basketball). They can also pass the Meteorite at another teammate. Players must receive it and pass it to another player (Volleyball). By doing this, the SP Bar fills marginally, and the meteorite gains power. Coins can also be collected from?? Panels to give it more power. When the SP Bar is full, and all the players of the team are still in the game, the players can use a Special Shot, but only when the meteorite is at full power. This can give Behemoth significant damage. When the meteorite falls on the ground, it and its power disappear; players must collect a new meteorite and recharge it.

Modes of Play

Mario Sports Mix has two game modes for each one of the four sports: Exhibition and Tournament. Each sport also has a tutorial movie so players can learn on how to play these sports.

Exhibition

Exhibition mode allows players to play any one of the four sports and customize the rules of the match from the court selection screen at anytime before the match begins (see Gameplay for more info). From there, players can select any four or six of the nineteen playable characters and one of the fourteen compatible courts.

Players may unlock characters or courts by playing games in this mode. Character skins can be unlocked by playing with a particular character certain times. This also counts for Tournament mode. However, what players unlock can only be used in that sport. So if players unlock Slime for Hockey, Slime can only be used in that sport.

Tournament

In Tournament mode, players can compete for the trophy in the same manner as in Mario Hoops 3-on-3. There are three rounds in the tournament. When players win a game, they move on to the next round of the tournament. Each time players win a cup, they can earn one of the three small crystals that corresponds to the sport's color and the players moves on to the next tournament. If all three cups are cleared for that corresponding sport, then it becomes a Sports Crystal that is placed on the Star Ship.

After winning the Star Cup of a sport, players unlock a Hard mode for that sport. Opponents are more difficult than in Normal mode. Also, if players clear the Star Cup at all sports, they receive all four Sports Crystals to power the starship. After colleting all four large crystals, they battle Behemoth and defeat Behemoth. Sports Mix mode is unlocked when this is cleared. Sports Mix only has one skill level, which is Expert, and it is a tournament in which each match is a randomly generated sport. Also, clearing the Star Cup in Sports Mix mode makes players face off against the Behemoth King.

Alternate Routes

Players can also replay tournaments to find alternate routes. Players can find alternate routes by performing some actions in a tournament match, for example scoring a point with a Special Shot.

In the alternate routes, players do not play normal matches, but missions instead. If players lose a mission, they get sent back to the normal tournament. If players win a mission, they may continue on, but the road often splits. Players may choose which way they want to go. These roads lead players to different missions, different events, or sometimes even back to the normal tournament. Once players come back to the normal tournament, they cannot re-enter the alternate routes until they start over the tournament.

Taking right choices or guesses, players may reach the Hidden Final. The Hidden Final is the last mission of the tournament. If players lose this mission, they do not get sent back to the normal tournament, but they can retry the mission instead. If players win this mission, they earn the tournament cup, just like players do in the normal run. The Hidden Final involves completing a task that is usually more difficult than the others, for example, winning a match without allowing the opponent to score even once.

Players may unlock hidden characters, courts, or character skins by winning missions. However what they unlock depends on the mission, the sport, and even the routes they take before reaching the mission. Unlocked items are only accessible in the sport players win the mission in.

Alternate routes in the Star Cup are slightly different compared to the Mushroom and Flower Cups. If players win some missions in the route, they can travel to the Star Road. If players manage to reach the end of the Star Road, they get a message Star Road Complete!, and travel back to the normal tournament by jumping on the Star.

There is no Hidden Final for the Star Cup, but after clearing the Star Road, players immediately go up against the Final Fantasy team. Unlike with the normal tournament, however, crystals do pop up during the match; the crystals act like coins, which add extra points for Basketball, Volleyball, and Hockey, while strengthening attacks in Dodgeball.

If players beat the team (and Behemoth if all the sports are cleared), they unlock a Final Fantasy character for every sport.

Graphical changes

When completing sports in Tournament mode, some items in menus of the game change. Once a sport is completed in Normal mode, a crystal marks the sport in the record menu. When the sport is completed in Hard mode, the ball (or in case of Hockey, the stick since the coin is already gold) turns gold in the main menu. If Sports Mix mode is cleared, the usual blue background of the main menu, turns into a gold-red colored background.

Party Games

In addition to the tournament and the exhibition modes, Mario Sports Mix has four party games, one for each sport. They can be played for up to four players.

Record Book

The game does keep track of the player's records for each sport. The records basically go as follows:

Media

For the complete list of media for this subject see Mario Sports Mix/Media.

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Mario Sports Mix.

Beta Elements

Main article: Mario Sports Mix/Beta Elements

Staff

Main article: Mario Sports Mix/Staff

Differences Between Versions

  • The English translation for the PAL versions of the game is slightly different from the North American version.
  • Depending on the sport and when the team scores or when the match ends, a different message will appear on the screen and it varies depending on which version (Example: Game Set! (Japan) / Good Game! (North America)).

References to Other Games

  • Mario Bros.: One part of the menu theme is the sound effect of losing a life from this game.
  • Super Mario Bros.: The underwater theme is one of the tunes available in Harmony Hustle.
  • Super Mario Bros. 2: The animation used for Toad whenever he throws an item appears to be influenced by how he threw vegetables and other items in this game. Additionally, Toad's classification as a speedy character might reference the fact that he is the fastest character in Super Mario Bros. 2.
  • Super Mario Bros. 3: In the underwater theme in Harmony Hustle, part of this game's underwater melody can be heard.
  • Super Mario World: The athletic theme is one of the tunes available in Harmony Hustle.
  • Mario Tennis: Peach and Daisy's alternate costumes, called "Tennis-Wear", is based off this series. More specifically, the design overall is based on the outfit that Peach wears for Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour and Mario Power Tennis.
  • Mario Hoops 3-on-3: Much of the gameplay mechanics come from this game, especially in basketball. Most stages are also based off this game. The theme of Bloocheep Sea makes a return as one of the songs in Harmony Hustle. Also, in most of the sports select song, there is the sound of the main theme of this game. The Final Fantasy characters are also reused from this game.
  • New Super Mario Bros.: The design and function of the Mini Mushroom is based off this game.
  • Luigi's Mansion: A court takes place in a mansion based off this game. The Poltergust 3000 appears as Luigi's special shot.
  • Super Smash Bros.: Donkey Kong has a defensive, spinning move that strongly resembles his Spinning Kong move from the Super Smash Bros. series.
  • Super Smash Bros. Melee: The Green Missile makes an appearance as Luigi's dive in dodgeball and his third consecutive check in hockey; similar graphics appear when Luigi jumps up to block in basketball. Luigi's dash attack also appears to have been referenced as the second consecutive check in hockey.
  • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games: The gameplay in Hockey is similar to Ice Hockey from this game.
  • Mario Kart: Double Dash!!: Toad Park court is somewhat similar to the Baby Park racetrack.
  • Mario Kart DS: The concept of Waluigi owning a pinball-themed course returns.
  • Mario Kart Wii: In Toad Park, Toads can be seen driving Mario Kart Wii-styled karts. Some item images are also borrowed from this game, such as the Green Shells.

Names in Other Languages

Language Name Meaning
Japanese ????? ?????? ???[1]
Mario Sup?tsu Mikkusu
Mario Sports Mix
Spanish Mario Sports Mix -
French Mario Sports Mix -
German Mario Sports Mix -
Italian Mario Sports Mix -

Trivia

  • The Hockey sport in this game is presented as Ice Hockey. However, on most of the courts, the characters play Roller Hockey.
    • In most countries, the name Hockey is generally used for Field Hockey. However, this variant of Hockey is not playable in Mario Sports Mix.
  • None of the unlockable characters are Mario characters, but only Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest characters.
    • Skins of Mario characters can be unlocked, however.
    • There are no Tricky characters available from the start, which means there are no Tricky Mario characters in this game.
  • Ninja, White Mage, and Black Mage never appear as CPU opponents at normal tournaments, except for the Star Cup finals. However, they can appear when players are taking alternate routes.
  • Daisy, Waluigi and Black Mage all have the same stats.

References

  1. ^ Wii

External Links

Source: http://www.mariowiki.com/index.php?title=Mario_Sports_Mix&diff=1289230&oldid=1286127

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