I Hope the Switch 2 Brings Back the Best Mario Sports Game After 17 Years

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For decades, Mario sports games have been a reliable and popular part of what Nintendo offers. While many are great, one in particular is long overdue for a return. Nintendo has been making sports games since the original NES, and over time, Mario characters became the main stars. They’ve even teamed up with Sonic the Hedgehog in games like Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.

The Mario sports games have consistently been popular for Nintendo, offering a refreshing change from the typical Mario platformers and party games. A standout title launched on the Wii in 2008, featuring a huge roster of characters and diverse game modes that blended traditional sports with classic Nintendo fun. Now feels like the perfect time to bring the series back, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 would be the perfect platform for it.

How Mario Superstar Baseball Brought Mario To The Diamond

I first played Mario Superstar Baseball when it came out on the GameCube back in 2005, and it was a really fun addition to all the other Mario sports games. It was similar to games like Mario Golf and Mario Tennis – it took a normal sport and gave it that classic Mario twist. But unlike some other Mario sports titles, like Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, this one didn’t just slap a Nintendo skin on things. Superstar Baseball really blended the baseball rules with cool Mario elements, like mini-games and quests where you could unlock new characters. It felt much more integrated and creative!

Released in 2008, Mario Super Sluggers for the Wii was a particularly memorable Nintendo sports game. It took the baseball concept and added special abilities for each character, complete with unique animations and effects. The game’s baseball fields weren’t just standard diamonds – they included fun obstacles like rolling barrels, lava eruptions, and even manhole covers to keep gameplay interesting.

Features like the Toy Field in Mario Super Sluggers dramatically altered how the game played, making matches more unpredictable and focused on using items. A key reason for releasing the game on the Wii was the motion controls – players physically swung the bat and pitched the ball. This made the game much more immersive, and hitting a home run felt especially rewarding because it required real physical effort.

Why Mario Baseball Is The Most Underrated Nintendo Sports Series

Although only two Mario Baseball games were released, they’re still considered among the best in the Mario Sports lineup. Unlike many sports games that just feature Mario characters, these titles – particularly Mario Super Sluggers – successfully blended Nintendo’s classic charm with fun, arcade-style baseball gameplay. They were easy to pick up and play, but also offered surprising depth for those who wanted to master the game’s mechanics.

Both games are carefully designed so that every successful move feels rewarding. The precise controls create a consistent experience, while Nintendo’s signature flair adds exciting and unexpected moments. In Mario Super Sluggers, the diverse roster of characters – each with their own special abilities – lets players customize their team and adapt their strategy for both fielding and hitting.

Playing against others made the game even more fun. Instead of sticking to just a couple of characters, players experimented with full teams of beloved Nintendo heroes in surprising pairings. The game cleverly expanded the world of Mario, packed with hidden details and nods to its long history.

Players had to carefully plan their teams in Mario Super Sluggers because pitchers got tired, forcing strategic choices about balancing fielding, pitching, and hitting strengths to win. The biggest downside was the lack of online multiplayer, which limited its reach. However, this was common for many Wii games at the time, and modern consoles have fixed this issue – making a revisit to this game worthwhile.

Mario Baseball Would Be Great On The Switch 2

A new Mario Baseball game on the Nintendo Switch 2 would be fantastic. It could really shine with online play and the new controllers. The upgraded Joy-Cons could work like the Wii Remote and Nunchuck, but with more precision, letting players make their throws and hits even more powerful.

Okay, so I’m really hyped for the Switch 2. From what I’ve heard, it’s gonna be way more powerful than the Wii, meaning we’re talking seriously upgraded graphics, bigger levels, and a ton more characters to choose from. The online stuff seems solid too – they’ve already got Super Mario Kart World running smoothly with loads of players, so a baseball game should run perfectly. We could still have those classic 1-on-1 matchups, but imagine being able to play with a whole team, each person controlling a different position! That would be amazing.

With online connectivity, it would be simple to add downloadable content, like more characters or game modes. Recent changes in Major League Baseball, such as the pitch clock, could also be included, challenging players to react quickly. This has already boosted the sport’s popularity, making another game in the series appealing to a wide audience. Fans have been waiting 17 years for a sequel to Mario Super Sluggers, and Nintendo is in a great position to deliver it.

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2025-10-26 00:15