Mixing Mario with sports is definitely not a new thing. He's had a flirtation with all sorts of non-Goomba-stomping activities in the past, including baseball, tennis, soccer, kart racing, and golf. But there is a sort of charm that Mario brings to everything he gets involved in. He's like that friend who is always recommending new things you think you won't like, and ends up being right an obnoxiously high percentage of the time. The newest Mario title, Mario Sports Mix, attempts to spread Mario's charm to four sports at once. While they all share the common Mario elements, like familiar characters and over-the-top powerups, each game is its own unique beast. Mario Sports Mix Screenshot Basketball is a very satisfying and well-paced game that is simple to get into yet has some complex nuances. You'll have a blast right out of the gate, but the game continues to get more interesting as you get more into the strategic aspect. For instance, on slam dunks, timing is extremely important. You'll also have to choose carefully when to go for a layup, when to attempt a combo move, when to fake out your opponent, or when to go for the shot. There is an almost rock-paper-scissors element to close-range shooting, as every type of shot has a countermove to block it.
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