Which Mario sports game should Nintendo make next? | Team Talk

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Everybody’s favourite plumber has tried an awful lot of sports over the years – kart racing easily being the most popular – and although he’s heading back to the fairway for Mario Golf: Super Rush, we say why stop there?

We’ve had main games encompassing the likes of tennis, baseball and even football (well, they call it soccer). Then there’s Mario Sports Mix and the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series that give players access to a wide range of sports and events. But still, there are plenty more sports which Mario and co. could yet turn their hands to.

What would you go for? Maybe something obscure that hasn’t been done justice before? Perhaps something totally off-the-wall (like squash)?! Let us know in the comments.

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by James Michael Parry

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@James_Parry

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by Team PTC

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@pass_controller

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Basketball | James

Being later in the Wii’s lifespan, Mario Sports Mix passed me by, but the fundamentals of a basketball game lend themselves to some brightly-coloured arcadey action which only the Mushroom Kingdom can provide.

First, games are broken into manageable chunks, so you aren’t caught up for too long before getting to start another match and mix up the teams. Also, being on a single court means that, as long as the camera behaves, everyone can be on-screen at once, maintaining that Smash Bros. chaos which makes these sorts of multiplayer experiences so much fun.

Then there’s items. While we probably don’t want Mario Kart levels of carnage (let’s leave the blue shells for the road), a few bananas or other hazards on a specific mode could add a nice bit of variety.

Then there’s trick shots. As well as being a potential mode all of its own – think HORSE with increasingly elaborate obstacles - the power of the Switch (or even the Switch Pro, if rumours are to be believed), could be an opportunity for some almost anime-esque power moves.

One potential challenge for the development team could be how the various heights and sizes of the characters play into the game, but a bit of careful balancing here and there should avoid any major arguments over Yoshi and his ridiculous flutter jump.

You know it's not a proper Mario sports game when they can't be bothered to wear the appropriate attire.

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Pro Wrestling | Sam

Mario sports titles are all about taking a sport and dialling it up to eleven by injecting an over-the-top, arcadey presentation. Professional wrestling in its base form fits that description already, so the Mario cast could get really crazy on this occasion.

Although not a “real” sport in many peoples’ eyes, the game could settle beef in hilarious fashion. Mario and Luigi battle Wario and Waluigi in a volatile tag team match, observed by a baying crowd of Mushroom People. Picture the titular plumber’s nipples returning to screens as he and his brother head to the ring in colourful speedos, then Wario emerges in a leotard flanked by Waluigi rocking a mankini.

Characters could pull power-ups out from under the ring, in place of weapons, emerging in new costumes to inflict extra damage on opponents for a limited time. Settings from throughout the entire franchise could appear as nostalgic arenas, each with crowds befitting the location. Bonkers finishing maneuvers, slow motion replays and all manner of overly indulgent pomp would add to the experience instead of annoying.

Nintendo would also have the perfect means to justify this more “violent” take on the Mario property - it’s just simulated violence. The roster of rasslers collaborate to put on a show without hurting one another, though, disclaimer, kiddies shouldn’t try it at home. Problem solved!

We didn't fancy googling 'Waluigi + mankini' so this will have to do.

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Skateboarding | Liam

There’s a skateboarding event in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, but it looks rather simple and I think a full-fledged Mario skateboarding game could be a lot more exciting, especially if it took some inspiration from the Mario Kart series.

For example, while a Mario skateboarding game would of course have a free roam mode with levels based on some of the Mario games’ most iconic locations (Peach’s Castle, Donut Plains, New Donk City, etc.) it could also have its very own race mode, complete with skateboard-based obstacles, such as ramps and stair sets.

Imagine weaving through traffic in the classic Mario Kart 64 track Toad’s Turnpike, but instead of simply dodging the trucks and cars in a race to the finish line, you could grind along them, chaining tricks together as you hop from one vehicle to the next to boost your score and ranking. The verticality and competitiveness of Mario Kart’s Balloon Battle mode would also lend itself well to a skateboard game.

To keep things interesting, it wouldn’t have to be an entirely 3D affair, either – you could easily have 2D levels inspired by classic Super Mario Bros. titles, complete with a grindable flagpole at the end of each level.

All the character assets already exist, they just need their own proper game.

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What sport would you like to see Mario take on next?