EDIT – in my excitement, I posted this story at the same time as John. But it’s big news, so what the hell…

In the absence of Pro Evolution Soccer and FIFA, us Wii owners have been left speculating how football games might make use of the console’s controls. But the wait for a footy game will soon be over.

Nintendo has announced that Mario Strikers: Charged Football will be out on 25th May, and better still, it’ll have online play via the Wii’s Wi-Fi connection. Back of the net!

The game features a host of Ninty’s famous characters, and yes, it DOES use the Wiimote’s motion-sensing capabilities. Read on to find out how.

The action is five-a-side, with each team’s captain having special powers, so Mario can grow huge and stomp on opponents, while Princess Peach can freeze the other team by taking a photo. Meanwhile, the players all have their own special abilities too.

So how is the Wiimote used? You use the nunchuk’s analogue stick and the Wiimote’s buttons to control the usual passing, shooting and tackling, but a flick of the Wiimote will body check an opponent and try to steal the ball, while you also wave the controller about to control your goalkeeper’s diving. This will rule.

Meanwhile, there’ll be plenty of Mario Kart-style power-ups to collect and use, so this won’t be a game for footballing purists (i.e. sulky Pro Evo heads who get mardy when put off their shots by exploding red shells).

Up to four players can play on one Wii, but there’ll also be an online multiplayer mode using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, which will include global league tables. I am literally dribbling at the prospect – poor my keyboard…

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007 at 3:27 pm by Stuart Dredge
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