Get ready for everyone's favourite crazy football game to make a return, as Mario Strikers Battle League was announced at Nintendo Direct.
It's been 15 years since we saw Mario Strikers Charged come out on the Wii, so we're thrilled Nintendo is revisiting the game with a third incarnation for the franchise.
Check out everything we know about the new Mario Strikers game below, including its release date, gameplay, trailer, and when you can pre-order.
Release Date
Mario Strikers Battle League will be coming to Nintendo Switch on Friday, 10 June, and it already looks like it is many Nintendo fans' most anticipated title of 2022.
First Kick
Nintendo has announced that the Mario Strikers: Battle League First Kick event will take place on Saturday, 4 June, and Sunday, 5 June.
There are three windows per day for players to access the game, each with a one-hour time slot.
The windows are the same on both Saturday and Sunday, with the timings as follows:
- 04:00 - 05:00 BST
- 12:00 - 13:00 BST
- 20:00 - 21:00 BST
You can already download and play the tutorial ahead of the event so you won't be going in blind on the day!
Pre-order
Mario Strikers Battle League is available for pre-order now on the Nintendo E-Shop with a pricetag of $59.99, so you can secure your copy now for Nintendo Switch!
The game's file size clocks in at 3GB, so you may need to clear some hard drive space before picking the game up.
Platforms
Mario Strikers Battle League is available on the Nintendo Switch, though (while unlikely) other platforms may be revealed closer to the game's launch later this year.
It will be available for online and local multiplayer, but online play will require Nintendo membership.
Gameplay & New Features
The reveal trailer for Mario Strikers Battle League showed off some of the gameplay we are used to from previous releases, as well as a few new features brought in to give it a fresh lease of life.
A return of the frantic, chaotic play on the pitch was highlighted with the classic roughhousing we all know and love, with crunching tackles sending the opposition into the electric fence that surrounds the pitch.
New character customisation has been introduced, where the gear you pick for your player will affect their stats on the field, including strength, speed, shooting, passing, and technique.
On the pitch, there will also be new special moves, items and Hyper Strikes, which will just add to the chaos!
Multiplayer will be available both online and locally, allowing up to 8 players to play at the same time.
Check out the new Mario Strikers Battle League trailer in full below:
Online Clubs
A great inclusion for the game is Online Clubs, where up to 20 players can join a team and battle it out with others online for points.
Whether you choose to form a club with your mates or look to join an elite team, you will amass points for your side throughout the season, climbing the rankings with the aim to finish at the top of the table.
For players that want to join together on the pitch for the same team, the game will support up to 8 players with 4 allowed per team in individual matches.