Mario Hoops: 3 on 3

 DS
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 65
  3. Negative: 5 out of 65
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  1. Beastprogamer
    Mar 3, 2015
    5
    This game is okay, but the graphics look bad compared to Mario Sports Mix but nice for the DS. I know because I have a broken DS Lite or dead,DSi,and a 3DS. The DS is the oldest in these 3.
  2. HarryH.
    Oct 10, 2007
    9
    The game is well produced and innovative. also loads of fun.
  3. Theblade
    Sep 17, 2006
    10
    Kicks .ss in multiplayer, fun single player. If you like basketball at all you will enjoy this game.
  4. SuperRater
    Dec 17, 2009
    9
    This game is fairly fun. With many different unlockables and super attacks this is a truely fun basketball game. The online aspect of the game isn't to bad either. The only problem with this game is it doesn't gave enough playable modes. Just some exibition games, tournaments, and a few minigames made this game fun, but it didn't make it awsome. This game is defenitally This game is fairly fun. With many different unlockables and super attacks this is a truely fun basketball game. The online aspect of the game isn't to bad either. The only problem with this game is it doesn't gave enough playable modes. Just some exibition games, tournaments, and a few minigames made this game fun, but it didn't make it awsome. This game is defenitally worth buying if you like a game where you jump around and dunk a lot.… Expand
  5. BoKepts
    Jun 18, 2019
    2
    The game that made 2K19 looks like 2K15 all over again. Team A.I: dumb. CPU A.I: dumb but lucky af. Too much bullcrap.
  6. Kreshton
    Apr 26, 2021
    10
    Amazing game about Mario,nice soundtrack,not boring,funny game,if you like sports games then I advise you to play it
  7. TheDude
    Oct 4, 2006
    9
    Frankly, I'm baffled by the harsh criticism this game has received from the professional reviewers. It's terrifically fun with an outstanding presentation. Great graphics and sound effects, great use of the touchscreen, great playability--in short, portable gaming doesn't get much better.
  8. Xuphor
    Jul 30, 2006
    9
    Very good game. I have the imported Japanese version, and even if you don't speak Japanese, it's still very fun.
  9. DrewF.
    Oct 11, 2006
    7
    Solid title that would have REALLY benefited from WiFi. I mean, this game is TAILORMADE for online multiplayer. It's a sin that it doesn't have it, and lowers the score by a full 2 points. Hoops is simply not long enough to warrant a purchase as-is.
  10. BrianC.
    Mar 31, 2007
    9
    I think this game is kinda cooooool! Especially the super attacks, you jump around and slam it in the dunk. There is a lot of unlockable things to unlock.
  11. DeVr33z
    Dec 24, 2010
    7
    It's pretty fun, but no Wi-Fi connection feels like a missed opportunity. Also, it can be frustratingly difficult to beat the higher level tourneys. Still a pretty fun basketball game though.
  12. nathan737
    Feb 7, 2012
    8
    The critics of this game are wrong. Mario Hoops 3 is a fun game. The only flaws are a lack of online multiplayer and a short play-through. The graphics and gameplay are very good and the touchscreen is used well. This is one of the best games for the DS.
  13. luisflopez
    Apr 4, 2017
    8
    Mario Hoops 3 on 3 is a game that provides simple but addictive fun. I played it when I was around 12 years old, and I really got in to it. Nowadays I find it a little bit boring, and I can't tell if it's because i've grown up, or because I already played it too much back in the day. Anyway, this is a game i'd definitely recommend to any DS owner who's looking for a simple but entertainingMario Hoops 3 on 3 is a game that provides simple but addictive fun. I played it when I was around 12 years old, and I really got in to it. Nowadays I find it a little bit boring, and I can't tell if it's because i've grown up, or because I already played it too much back in the day. Anyway, this is a game i'd definitely recommend to any DS owner who's looking for a simple but entertaining title, in the likes of Mario Kart or Mario Party. It's a blast to play in multiplayer, but still manages to hold out well in single player.

    The game offers a good number of stages and characters, both from the Mario series as well as the Final Fantasy series (it was co-produced by Square Enix). There is a good amount of customization, like being able to choose a match's difficulty, lenght, the ball used and so on. A simple progression is present in this game in the form of unlocking new characters and stages to play in, which makes the game even more addictive. Aside from the main mode, there's also training mode and a bunch of special challenges, which were fun enough to keep me interested in them. As for the gameplay itself, the controls are intuitive and worked just fine for me. One thing I really liked is the ability to perform special moves, which differ from character to character.

    So to sum up, Mario Hoops 3 on 3 is a game I can recommend. Good for single player, great for multiplayer. It has a decent level of polish and simple but addictive gameplay that I really enjoyed back in its day.

    Score: 8.2    … Expand
  14. GamecubeLover
    Jul 28, 2016
    9
    Mario Hoops 3 on 3 is how a basketball game SHOULD be. Well the game is flawed still but OTHER basketball games have very little variety and repetitive gameplay.
  15. ashketchum
    Jul 30, 2017
    6
    Mario Hoops: 3 on 3 is a game that looks great at first glance. It has a lot of colorful stages, that give great variety in stage designs, though they are all essentially the same. There is a lot of characters to choose from, some even from the Final Fantasy series, which is a nice touch, as it allows for different ways to play games. This can be done as each character has a unique specialMario Hoops: 3 on 3 is a game that looks great at first glance. It has a lot of colorful stages, that give great variety in stage designs, though they are all essentially the same. There is a lot of characters to choose from, some even from the Final Fantasy series, which is a nice touch, as it allows for different ways to play games. This can be done as each character has a unique special move shot, which somewhat reflects their traits in the other games. This allows the game to feel a lot less boring than it is, due to it's extremely repetitive gameplay. Later on, though, the execution of the special shots feels tedious, as some take a while to complete, even though they are required on higher difficulties. Also, the game's difficulty is unbalanced. The CPU characters are generally overpowered, and this can lead to frustrating gameplay. And though the game does well in partly making up for it's repetitive gameplay, it can't cover up all of it. All in all, though, it is a good game that performs well, espescially for a spin-off sports game.… Expand
  16. MarioBrax
    Nov 18, 2017
    7
    Decent game. Multiplayer is fun, Final Fantasy characters are playable, and the art-style is neat. It's not great, but it's certainly fun for fans of both basketball and Mario.
  17. tafixalfa
    May 17, 2018
    9
    Muy bueno, unas mecanicas bien marcadas, facil de entender y con un reto mas que decente en las dificultades mas altas.
  18. turitz
    Nov 18, 2019
    3
    Pretty bad game, the Ai gets way too strong, the controls are bad and clunky, most of the games mechanics aren't thought trough.

    Don't play it its not worth it
  19. Bruterake
    Nov 23, 2021
    8
    Mas eu me diverti horrores com esse jogo, o esquema de ter que fazer as letras no ds pra jogar o especial era incrível.
  20. IloveSuperMario
    Apr 21, 2021
    10
    The character selection is so diverse! The courts are pretty cool as they have alot of different things in them. I love the concept of this game with items...etc. Also, the game is quite hard to master all the techniques it has built under the hood which is great and rewarding
  21. NTG07
    May 10, 2021
    10
    When I first played this game back when I was 6 I absolutely loved this game this was the first time Square Enix made a sports game with Mario characters and it was a success and this game I do not think it’s bad it’s still a good game but not the best it’s just an amazing basketball game in my opinion and it was on Nintendo’s best selling console in history and I wish there was anotherWhen I first played this game back when I was 6 I absolutely loved this game this was the first time Square Enix made a sports game with Mario characters and it was a success and this game I do not think it’s bad it’s still a good game but not the best it’s just an amazing basketball game in my opinion and it was on Nintendo’s best selling console in history and I wish there was another Mario basketball game for a strong trilogy but I’m happy on what we got and once again in my opinion it’s an awesome game of Mario’s attempt on a basketball game on the DS.… Expand
  22. YanPeidoso
    Oct 26, 2022
    10
    MELHOR JOGO JA EXISTENTe MUITO IMPRESSIONANTE E PICA DEMAIS ADORO MUITO MESMO
  23. Yojimbo2015
    Jun 5, 2023
    5
    AKA Mario Slam Basketball. An attempt to do for basketball what Mario Kart did for racing but it's all a little too simplistic for veteran gamers. Younger players might get some kicks out of the multiplayer mode but as a solo game it gets old fast.

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best DS Game of 2006
14
#14 Most Discussed DS Game of 2006
19
#19 Most Shared DS Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 40
  3. Negative: 1 out of 40
  1. GameBrink
    95
    With hours and hours of gameplay in the tournament mode alone this is worth a purchase. Then you add on tons of unlockables including Final Fantasy characters and different basketballs and you've got a instant purchase. Oh yeah then you add on the extra mini-games, the WiFi Basketball, and the WiFi Mario Kart-esque game and you've got a no-brainer must have game of the summer. [JPN Import]
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  2. NintendoWorldReport
    80
    Mario Hoops is an innovative adaptation of the sport, and the multiplayer is worth trying, even with just two players.
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  3. Games Master UK
    83
    Unlike normal basketball, even a massive lead can be reversed in the dying seconds - and losing possession at the wrong moment can make a huge difference. Good work, Mazza. [Oct 2006, p.68]
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