If you’ve wanted to shoot hoops on your Wii U, you may soon be in luck with the Australian Classification Board today rating Square Enix’s 2006 DS title, Mario Slam Basketball.
Known as Mario Hoops 3-on-3 in North America and Mario Basketball 3on3 in Japan, this is the first time the game will receive the Virtual Console treatment.
The title was the first in which Mario and the Final Fantasy characters appeared together as playable cast, and the second game to be developed by Square Enix following Super Mario RPG on the SNES, The Nintendo DS release was also the very first time Mario ever starred in his own basketball game.
While we wait on a release date, take a look at an old Japanese commercial for the game below, and tell us in the comments if you’re looking forward the title's digital revitalisation on the eShop.
[source classification.gov.au]
Comments 38
Loved this game. Insanely hard, but very rewarding.
If you have to tap the screen to dribble the ball as it implies in that video it looks horrible, if not neat.
Oh I loved this game!
@SetupDisk nope it utilizes traditional control setups
I wasn't familiar with the European name of the game, so when I first read the title of the article I got a little excited, thinking another new Mario sports game was headed to Wii U... Oh well.
I still have the original game. There are a few DS games I'd like to own on the VC as well aside from owning them on a cartridge, but this isn't one of them. Still a wonderful game regardless, I should play it again sometime!
@faint
Good stuff!
I got so excited thinking this was a new Mario basketball game! Alas, just the European title for Hoops 3-on-3.
oh something not "golf' or "tennis" huh.
never really got to try looking forward (surely it well come NA, its Mario )
This game is the truth. Not a fan of basketball, or sports for that matter, but you can't go wrong with some Mario sport spin-offs.
Loved the Ds game!
We need a Mario hoops game for Wii U.
@mineralrich
I'd prefer a good Mario Golf game on Wii U utilizing the Wiimote and Gamepad like Wii Sports Golf, or a new Mario Strikers.
Not so much into the tennis or basketball...
This actually looks like a great DS game to release for the VC. No real touch controls, and the second screen is just for menus/reference. That's what works best on a TV. Plus it's one I don't already own. I may be interested if this comes to North America.
Gosh, it turns 10 next year. I clearly remember getting my copy back in the day. Memories...
@JaxonH Actually, now I want Mario Hockey too .
Edit: I forgot about "Mario Sports Mix," which includes hockey, but a dedicated game to one sport for added depth would be nice.
@mineralrich
"Mario Hockey"
Yes. I could definitely get on board with that.
@mineralrich
That would be BEAST!
Loved this game, perfect for doing quick matches on the Handheld, I lost the count for how long I played this game on the train.
Having it on a home console could kill a bit its longevity I'm afraid, but it's always great to see new titles getting easy again to retrieve, in Italy this was a game not easy to find in stores even at launch if I remember well.
I don't think it's the first time this has happened with the VC and it doesn't matter at all since I get why they do what they do, but Australia originally got the American release so seeing the Euro title makes me feel weird haha.
EVERYBODY GET UP
IT'S TIME TO SLAM NOW
Wait there were Final Fantasy characters in this? Well, I haven't played this game in years, so I really don't remember seeing characters I didn't recognise, though maybe that was because I wasn't even completely familiar with all the Mario characters back then.
I always thought this was a really fun game, but I lost my copy a long time ago. Will probably pick it up on the VC.
There was a Mario Hockey on Mario Sports Mix for Wii. There was 5 sports altogether, volleyball, hockey and 3 more I can't remember.
@Tman
Volleyball, Basketball, dodge ball and hockey the four games in Mario Sports Mix
The Mario Golf and Tennis games are fun, but they are made by Camelot. Not played this one, but it could be fun. Slam dunk FTW!
Now where is "Super Princes Peach"? That game is awesome and underrated.
"HE'S ON FIII.." oops wrong game, was having jam on toast, so...ahem
Looks interesting, but I'm more curious as to whether this means we'll finally start to see Square's games on the Wii U VC (outside of Japan).
This game was great fun back when I played it. The local multiplayer was also a blast, just like many DS games at the time.
Given Square-Enix developed can Super Mario RPG be far behind?
Wow i've never even heard of this. Final fantasy x Mario x basketball? I'm keen!!
The only Mario sport spin-off that I like,outside of Mario Kart.
I'd love to think it would mean some SE games are coming, but then it is Mario licensed so Nintendo can pretty much do what they want with it (Although it has FF characters so they'd most likely had to get the okay from SE for that part).
At the very least, perhaps this will mean we'll get Super Mario RPG at some point?
@RadioShadow oh yes!! You're SO right. Many wrote the brilliant Super princess peach game off as just for little kids. But it was really challenging.
In fact it was only a year or so ago that I finally unlocked Perry dream final! Haha
Love that game!!
Not really all that interesting but ok. Just so many more N64 VC titles they could be releasing. Bring on F-Zero X!
Come on and slam! And welcome to the jam!
I wish they'd make a mario basketball game that doesn't use the touch screen. Buttons only
I love that theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TJF0elsgTw
One of my favourite DS games! I'll buy this for sure!
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