Super Mario Spikers

Super Mario Spikers
Developer(s) Next Level Games
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Series Mario Sports
Platform(s) Wii
Release Cancelled
Genre(s) Sports game
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer

Super Mario Spikers is a cancelled video game developed by Next Level Games, planned for release on the Wii video game console. The game was worked on in 2006 and 2007, but never formally announced as a title in development until a prototype was leaked in 2014.

Gameplay

The game was described as a hybrid of volleyball and wrestling, with elements of a game show as well.[1]

Development

Development of the game began in late 2006, shortly after Next Level Games had completed Mario Strikers Charged.[2] As a reward for the success of the prior two Mario Strikers adaptations of the Mario franchise to the world of Soccer, and Nintendo's general success with creating sports adaptations with Mario characters, Nintendo financed Next Level Games efforts to create a pitch for a volleyball game.[2] The title started off as Mario Volleyball, a simple take on Mario characters playing volleyball, similar to Mario Golf or Mario Tennis.[3] Over time, the development team decided to implement elements of wrestling to the game, changing the title to Super Mario Spikers and adding more aggressive gameplay, making it more similar to their two prior Mario soccer games in both title and concept.[2] This move was inspired by Next Level Games' involvement in also developing a cancelled WWE game prior to Super Mario Strikers.[3]

Nintendo, while open to the idea at first, did not green-light the project after seeing the team's pitch.[2] All work on the title ceased in 2007.[1] An unnamed member of the development team stated that the game clashing with Nintendo's "code of honor" was the reason for its rejection.[3]

Aftermath and legacy

The game went entirely unannounced until information on the game was leaked by video game website "Unseen 64" in September 2014.[4] Only test footage and concept art were ever released from the project.[5][6] Despite Nintendo passing on the game, Next Level Games would continue to work with Nintendo with their properties, with the team next developing 2009's Punch-Out!! (Wii),[4] and Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon.[2]

Many video game journalists lamented the game's cancellation due to its original premise.[5][6] IGN included it on its October 2014 feature of "10 Most Heartbreaking Game Cancellations", likening the game's potential to U.S. Championship V'Ball.[7] Other journalists felt that the game's combination was "strange".[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Check Out This Cancelled Mario Volleyball/Wrestling Game - Digital Trends". Digital Trends. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Super Mario Spikers - The Cancelled Volleyball/Wrestling Mashup". IGN. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Super Mario Spikers is a Cancelled Volleyball Wrestling Game Show". Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Super Mario Spikers var under utvikling - ble nedlagt". Gamereactor Norge. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  5. 1 2 "New Details Emerge Regarding Cancelled Mario Sports Title". Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Cancelled Super Mario Spikers Game Brought To Light". The Gamer Headlines. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "B.C.: 15 of the Most Heartbreaking Game Cancellations". IGN Middle East. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  8. ↑ Life, Nintendo (19 September 2014). "Cancelled Mario Volleyball/Wrestling Wii Title Comes to Light".
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