6. Mario Strikers
With all of his varied interests, it was only a matter of time before our fella in red tried his hand at the beautiful game, and in true Mario fashion, he has managed to do it in a way that is so chaotically ugly, you’ll find yourself delighted by the savagery. ‘Bravo!’, you’ll cry, as small children and friendly animals are thrown into the electric fence.
Truly, Mario Strikers features some of the more brutal violence in the franchise, and it is absolutely side-splitting to experience. Soccer balls set aflame, explosions sending players sprawling, and cheap shots resulting in power ups for the opposition. Both the team captains and their band of minions feature unique abilities and techniques, making team building a fun experience. In the Wii version, a well-timed Mega Strike can yield up to six goals at the one time, tipping the balance in one fell swoop.
Needless to say, there is no diving. Anyone caught faking an injury will likely receive a red shell to the face, a suitable punishment that should be considered for the next World Cup.
