SquareEnix Developing Mario Basketball game for Nintendo DS

Cain Highwind · 10-08-2005, 07:57 PM

Yes you read that right. Revealed at the previously mentioned Nintendo DS WiFi conference in Japan. Square Enix went to Nintendo with an idea for the game and Nintendo basically said "Go for it!"

More at 1up
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3144371

Rumors are already spreading that Booster, Geno, and Mallow will be secret characters.

T.G. Oskar · 10-08-2005, 09:14 PM

WTF????? Squeenix has gone nuts now? I know Nintendo likes to, ahem, "lend" the production of some games to another companies (like when Capcom made the GBC Zelda games), but Square-Enix, more focused on RPGs than other stuff, making a Mario Sports game? That little share with EA made Squeenix mad, yep.

Ok, so SE has made some nice games that are non-RPGs (like Bushido Blade, Tobal, and a PS2 racing game), and also some decent ones (Ehrgeiz?). But they hadn't ever made a b-ball game. And what with the Mario Sports team?

I guess Nintendo will eventually press SE to make a Mario RPG port for the GBA or DS, right? Something on the lines of "well, you made a game for us, made a game from our main mascot, so I guess you owe us something, right? How about..." and then next Mario/Paper Mario game suddenly gets the SE treatment. Hey, who knows: maybe Mike P.'s dream comes true, and a MRPG sequel will follow...

Oh, and if they do make Geno a secret char, he'll be broken. As in the game.

2ndPower · 10-10-2005, 11:48 AM

I'm kind of scared of this one, to be honest. I've never really liked any of Square's non-RPG games, with the exception of The Bouncer, and as far as sports games go, basketball seems to be the one designers have the most trouble actually making good.

Nintendo does keep tabs on companies when they're using Nintendo's franchises, so they may be able to help if things go awry, but Nintendo's never made a basketball game either, at least to my knowledge, so.... I dunno.

This whole concept seems kind of iffy, but it would be good for Square as a company to branch out beyond RPGs. It's going to be something I need to check out before I actualy make a purchase, I'm quite wary of this game.

Sean · 10-10-2005, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndPower

I'm kind of scared of this one, to be honest. I've never really liked any of Square's non-RPG games, with the exception of The Bouncer, and as far as sports games go, basketball seems to be the one designers have the most trouble actually making good.

Nintendo does keep tabs on companies when they're using Nintendo's franchises, so they may be able to help if things go awry, but Nintendo's never made a basketball game either, at least to my knowledge, so.... I dunno.

This whole concept seems kind of iffy, but it would be good for Square as a company to branch out beyond RPGs. It's going to be something I need to check out before I actualy make a purchase, I'm quite wary of this game.

Eww. The bouncer was the most horrible thing I've ever played. Lame storyline, too short, lame fighting system, and the game was incredibly easy.

I doubt I'll get this Mario Basketball game. I dont' even have a DS, anyways.

FFIII on DS is looking to be very appealing, though, as are the ports of IV V and VI for GBA. Too bad I don't have any idea where my GBA is at.

Jin · 10-10-2005, 04:23 PM

I don't get it....why does SE want to make a basketball game? Another Mario RPG I could understand, but not a basketball game. I'm definately out on this one.

Sean · 10-10-2005, 05:49 PM

You know what I don't get?

Everyone's saying this is going to suck because Square Enix is making it. That's a really ****ing shallow statement to be making.

That's just as bad as people saying that anything Square is automatically good.

Jin · 10-11-2005, 01:25 PM

I never said it would suck because SE is making it. I think it will suck because I don't enjoy any basketball games. =P I just don't understand why SE is making it. It's not exactly one of thier specialties.

10-21-2005, 07:10 PM

Maro Basketball, eh? Sounds interesting. It'll be better than many of the normal ones, if they get the characters done right.

Shiendar · 10-26-2005, 10:42 AM

I hope they get the gameplay right.... not that I'll be playing it... I'd rather be playing a PSP....

ShinRa · 10-30-2005, 05:15 PM

Mario Basketball? Well, you can trust Nintendo to screw it up. Square Enix MIGHT be able to fix any damage Nintendo makes...

Skai · 10-31-2005, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jintatsu

I never said it would suck because SE is making it. I think it will suck because I don't enjoy any basketball games. =P I just don't understand why SE is making it. It's not exactly one of thier specialties.

Why not? Square Enix is a company that produces video games and while it is famously known for its role-playing games, it is not limited to just role-playing games. I don't see why Square Enix shouldn't try making video games other than RPG. Square has made racing, sports, and shooting games before. As I previously read in certain old interviews and articles, I remembered that the president of Square Enix, Youchi Wada, said that Square Enix aims to be the Disney of video games. I believe that Square delving into a genre other than RPG is a good idea (as for the interviews/articles where Wada mentioned about Square being Disney, forgot where I got it).

I personally am a basketball fan and particularly enjoys it more than any other sports. Of course, being a dog of Square Enix, I would take any games from it with utmost interest and excitement, so I'll look closely to how this game will turn out. We'll see how it goes. . . .

Jin · 10-31-2005, 05:50 AM

First of all, I never said that they shouldn't make other games. I just find it odd. But if I must lay down a reason why they shouldn't then fine. The more they try to be the 'disney' of video gaming, the less attention their RPGs will get. The less attention they get, the more they will suck. I would much rather them put out quality RPGs than a bunch of mediocre games of all genres.

Sir Kenneth · 10-31-2005, 08:45 AM

Mario Basketball! Yay! When is Mario Curling and Mario Synchronized Swimming coming out?! I love my Cube, but as a developer/publisher Nintendo is almost as bad as EA nowadays...