Under the Microscope: Mario Hoops 3-on-3 Review

1UP has recently posted a review of Mario Hoops 3-on-3 on their website, and the game’s overall score was a rather disappointing 6 out of a possible 10. Now, you may be wondering, “Why did this happen? This is Mario!” One word: controls. Mario Hoops 3-on-3 uses a unique control system designed with the DS’s stylus in mind.

Everything – taking shots, stealing the ball, blocking, and passing – is done using the stylus. While in theory, the optional touch-screen control system (you can still use conventional controls) work much better, what 1up found is that in reality, stylus-based control is just not that hot.

Let’s take passing for example. Here’s what they had to say: “Passing is, in theory, as simple as stroking the screen in the direction of the teammate you want to pass to, and when it works, it works well. “When” is the operative word,  though.” The control issue becomes more of a factor at later levels, where the AI starts to kick things up a notch and becomes something that “borders on criminally efficient.”

Not everything about the game is as gloomy, though. The review also stated that Mario Hoops 3-0n-3‘s wireless multiplayer action alleviates the situation slightly, as multiplayer basically puts everyone on an even playing field. Another big draw for the game is the addition of some Final Fantasy characters (ike a White Mage, a Ninja and a Black Mage) to the usual Mario gang.

Have you guys played the game? Do you agree with the review? Do you disagree? Please let us know your thoughts and opinions by clicking on the comment link. For the full review, click on the ‘read’ link below.

1UP has recently posted a review of Mario Hoops 3-on-3 on their website, and the game’s overall score was a rather disappointing 6 out of a possible 10. Now, you may be wondering, “Why did this happen? This is Mario!” One word: controls. Mario Hoops 3-on-3 uses a unique control system designed with the DS’s stylus in mind.

Everything – taking shots, stealing the ball, blocking, and passing – is done using the stylus. While in theory, the optional touch-screen control system (you can still use conventional controls) work much better, what 1up found is that in reality, stylus-based control is just not that hot.

Let’s take passing for example. Here’s what they had to say: “Passing is, in theory, as simple as stroking the screen in the direction of the teammate you want to pass to, and when it works, it works well. “When” is the operative word,  though.” The control issue becomes more of a factor at later levels, where the AI starts to kick things up a notch and becomes something that “borders on criminally efficient.”

Not everything about the game is as gloomy, though. The review also stated that Mario Hoops 3-0n-3‘s wireless multiplayer action alleviates the situation slightly, as multiplayer basically puts everyone on an even playing field. Another big draw for the game is the addition of some Final Fantasy characters (ike a White Mage, a Ninja and a Black Mage) to the usual Mario gang.

Have you guys played the game? Do you agree with the review? Do you disagree? Please let us know your thoughts and opinions by clicking on the comment link. For the full review, click on the ‘read’ link below.