Mario Hoops 3 on 3

"Slam Dunk! 3-on-3 a Masterpiece!"

Before you start rolling your eyes at another seemingly mediocre Mario Sports game, take a closer look. This time around, the big N gets some much-needed help from long-time rival Square-Enix to create this gem. With distinctive Mario flair, extravagant presentation, tight controls, and solid gameplay, this game is for Mario fans and basketball fans alike.

Gameplay 9/10
Right of the bat, you get four different play options. You can test your b-ball skills for some nice unlockables in the 3-round Tourney mode. Brush up on your shots and practice passing in Challenges. Exhibition mode is great for passing idle time with quick one-round games. And let your friends join in for some minigames and 3-on-3 matches with Matchup mode.

The game starts out pathetically easy, but the AI really heats up after a while. They'll get more shots in, block your own, and weave around the court hoarding coins. You'll need to use your whole team to you advantage. Pass often, keep the ball moving, rack up coins, and don't miss any opportunities to shoot! The game isn't perfect, but it's pretty close. And for sports game, it blows the competition away!

Controls 9.5/10
I've always found sports games awkward to play, because pressing a bunch of button combos feels so unnatural, and you don't feel like you're playing golf, or hockey, or whatever, at all.

However, Nintendo and Square-Enix take advantage of the DS' hardware. Dribbling becomes as simple as tapping the touch screen. Swipe left or right to pass, up to shoot, down to steal. With the flick of the wrist, the game is set in motion, making it a great pick-up-and-play for the casual gamer looking for a good way to kill time. But the game's controls offer so much variety, it'll take time if you want to truly master the game. Depending one where you tap, you can control where your player dribbles, great for guarding the ball and nabbing some coins. And mastering all the special shots will enough challenge even without your opposing team at your heels. All in all, the game doesn't cater. It's controls are simple enough for your little brother to play, but when you get all the flicks and tweaks down, it becomes an immersive gaming experience that'll have you up all night.

Sometimes the game may be slow to register your stylus movements, which is frustrating when someone's running at you with a bob-omb and you're trying to pass the ball. But you get used to it, and they delay is only noticeble in rare cases. My only other beef is my hand gets sore from all the tapping, but its a small price to pay.

Graphics 10/10
Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! The DS is pushed it it's absolute limit, pumping out beautifully detailed character models, lush backgrounds, bright graphics and more. Each court has it's own theme, whether it be the metallic gear-grinding Wario's factory, or the sunny and calm Koopa Beach.

Music 10/10
Bright and upbeat, the soundtrack features old and new song alike. Classic themes like the Starman song are remixed nicely, and the new tracks will really get you in the mood for some major b-ball action.

All in all, Mario Hoops 3-on-3 is a great game. Customizable, easy to play, and it offers a lot. It should be on anyones wishlist.

Final Score: 9.7

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/11/07