- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: Sep 11, 2006
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It's not so much that using the touch screen to control a basketball game doesn't work, it just didn't come together quite as well as it could have.
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If you’re looking for a portable sports title or just like the Mario sports series, you’ll certainly have a good time with Mario Hoops 3-on-3, but the slightly clunky controls and lack of online play firmly cement this title in the rental category for the majority of gamers.
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It's short on modes and asks you to replay the same tournaments on multiple difficulty settings, but the core gameplay in Mario Hoops is pretty good.
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Mario Hoops’ single player mode is very fun and very short. But this setup has worked in the past because it was countered by an addicting multiplayer experience. But 3 on 3 for the DS has no online play, or decent downloadable content, which means you’ll probably be shooting solo.
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Edge MagazineA Mario sports title that appeals beyond its ready-installed fanbase - strong, clean visuals and animation certainly help - but one that might not entrance them long enough to turn into major league love. [Oct 2006, p.95]
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My only complaint is that a lot of gamers will get bored long before they ever complete the single-player mode. But as long as you’ve got the Wi-Fi mode and some friends to play against, this might not be a questionable purchase.
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games(TM)While purists might complain about his increasingly frequent appearances in non-platform games, most of us can simply enjoy what is a tremendous piece of handheld software. [Nov 2006, p.106]
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Fun, frantic, and action-packed, Mario Slam Basketball is a good-looking game that lacks solid opposition.
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The detailed and distinctive visuals are a highlight on the system; the instant entertainment provides quick blast satisfaction; the control system takes full advantage of the DS capabilities.
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Nintendo GamerGood in parts, but disappointingly light on features and poor value for money compared to most other Mario sports games. [JPN Import; Oct 2006, p.60]
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The gameplay just never reaches the presentation's level, and never quite gets up there with the likes of the other Mario sports on Nintendo handhelds and consoles.
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It’s a shame there’s no internet play, and you’ll need to take frequent breaks to avoid hand injuries, but the game definitely passes the time and is enjoyable.
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The idea is great and the execution can be very cumbersome, which is why I'm glad to see that Nintendo decided to allow for traditional controls, but I can see where Nintendo was really stretching on this one, which is sad considering how well designed it is on an artistic level.
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Game InformerI don't doubt that the DS can be a good system for sports, but I really don't think this is the way to go about it. [Oct. 2006, p.113]
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Electronic Gaming MonthlySeriously, this one might as well be called Mario Hoops 1-on-3, as your teammates don't know the first thing about moving without the ball or helping out on D. [Oct. 2006, p.116]
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But the grand experiment of translating stylus swipes into intuitive no-look passes and alley-oops fails more often than it works, and that's the big "if" upon which the whole thing hangs.
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The touch screen controls aren't incredibly responsive and the mini games are about as interesting as the Utah Jazz.
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Mario Hoops betrays the tradition of quality inherent in other Mario sports titles, and proves to be a lot more style than substance. The stylus is not, in fact, perfect for every game type.
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Fast-paced stylus-swiping basketball action best suited to short matches against friends.
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Mario Hoops 3-on-3 is actually a very good simple basketball game, but the simplistic AI and chaos factor often prevent that from shining through.
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The wild combinations of touch-pad and direction keys required to play make this a game you might not wish to use on public transport, and it somehow lacks the charm of previous Mario-themed games. Good, but not great.
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Completely relying on the stylus to handle the ball is a bold design choice, but tends to feel unnecessary and rather gimmicky.
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AceGamezMario Hoops 3-on-3 will go down in the history of the Nintendo DS that's worthy of mention as the first game to push the system to a new presentational level developers that will be working to equal for some time to come.
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It's not without its problems, is far too simple and lacking in features, but as sports games on the DS go, it's one of the best.
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Even though there are special challenges, tournaments, multiplayer options, a whole host of wicked unlockable characters and some intriguing courts to play on, Mario Hoops 3 on 3 seems lacking as a complete package.
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A decent, little game that's a bit too decent and way too little. It's good for a laugh or two, but it fails to capture the fast-paced fun factor of previous Mario sports titles.
Awards & Rankings
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34
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14
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#14 Most Discussed DS Game of 2006
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19
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#19 Most Shared DS Game of 2006
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User score distribution:
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Positive: 43 out of 65
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Mixed: 17 out of 65
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Negative: 5 out of 65
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Mar 3, 2015
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SuperRaterDec 17, 2009
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HarryH.Oct 10, 2007The game is well produced and innovative. also loads of fun.