- “Baseball season in the Mushroom Kingdom... is back!”
- ―TV commercial and box art description for the backside
Mario Ultimate Sluggers (also known as スーパーマリオアルティメット野球 (Super Mario Ultimate Baseball) in Japan) is a baseball video game for the Nintendo Switch. It is the third baseball video game in the Mario Baseball series and is the sequel to Mario Super Sluggers for the Nintendo Wii. This video game has been released on January 3, 2020. Because this video game was developed by Bandai Namco Games, it now features exclusive characters from the Pac-Man franchise.
Gameplay[]
Mario Ultimate Sluggers can be played using two different control methods:
- Joy Con
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Before the player starts the game for the first time, he or she must first pick a baseball icon (or a Mii) in order to travel around the Baseball Kingdom. If the player is connected to the internet, online players appear for the player to interact with them in the Baseball Kingdom, too. The player may also play any game mode or visit shops by entering booths and tents.
Before a game starts, a roulette will start in order to show which team will be batting first. This is different from the previous game, in which the player could choose which team would be batting first.
Assuming that players are using the Joy Con or the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, in order to bat or pitch, players must hold the A Button and it must be swung at the appropriate time. The more precise the hit/pitch, the further/faster the ball will go. To charge up a pitch or swing, players must press and hold the A button. They can also do curve balls as well by holding the up button on the D-Pad, while pitching. Once the ball is in a fielder's hand, the A button must be pressed so that the fielder can pitch the ball at one of the basemen.
In the outfield, players can create special moves if there is chemistry between outfielders:
- One outfielder tackles the ball and the ball rolls towards the outfielder with chemistry. The outfielder that holds the ball can then throw a very fast ball towards a base from the outfield.
- When a possible home run is hit, players can initiate a Buddy Jump. Upon jumping around another outfielder's head and pressing A Button twice, one of the players will jump incredibly high to catch home run balls. This must be done with precise timing.
Superstar Matchups return; however, it is set for captains only and occurs when the team captain is not batting first and when one runner is on second or third and two or all three runners on base (only when the runs exceed to 4 or more on the scoreboard). This also applies to RBI Chance screens.
While pitching, however, players will have to pay attention to the pitcher's stamina. If the character that's pitching is showing signs of fatigue (depicted by a water droplet in a bubble), their pitches will start to behave in an erratic manner. When the current pitcher is exhausted, players will have to decide to adjust the defense so that a new character plays pitcher instead. On a side note, pitchers can get exhausted even quicker if the batting team manages to make a lot of successful Home Runs. Even a Grand Slam can cause a pitcher to become fully fatigued right off the bat.
Star Skills reappear in this game as well. Any player can pitch or bat using Star Skills, however only Team Captains can use special hits/pitches. Team Players can only use Star Skills that will make the ball go faster or slower. Both teams can store up to five Star Skill attempts; they are earned as a result of well executed plays.
At the end of each game, the character who has had the most potential for their team will win the MVP award, which will be recorded in the Records menu. Characters can earn MVP points by striking out opponents, executing nice plays on defense, successful hits while batting (the batter has to make it to 1st base without getting out), stealing bases, close plays, and even for error item usage. The character with the most MVP points will win the award. Also, it is possible for more than one character to win MVP if at least two characters have the same amount of points.
Ghost Baseball[]
Mario Ultimate Sluggers features a new mode called Ghost Baseball mode where the player must defeat CPU-Controlled Ghost teams created by online players in a three-inning game. Players can create their own team name by customizing their own team and post them online. An internet connection and a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required to play this mode online. Although, it is possible for players to play this mode without being connected to the internet and having a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, but the sampled ghost teams will still be shown causing the player to earn the lesser number of coins. Defeating a ghost team rewards the player with coins to spend at the shop. The player can win the number of times to unlock lots of characters and stadiums without having to purchase their icon at the Slugger Shop.
Here is what the sampled ghost teams (that match the ones from Mario Superstar Baseball) look like shown below:
| Sample Name | Characters |
|---|---|
| Sample A: Mario's Squad | Mario Luigi Pianta (Blue) Pianta (Yellow) Pianta (Pink) Noki (Blue) Noki (Red) Noki (Green) Monty Mole |
| Sample B: Peach's Squad | Peach Daisy Toad (Red) Toad (Blue) Toad (Yellow) Toad (Green) Toad (Purple) Toadsworth Toadette |
| Sample C: Yoshi's Squad | Yoshi Birdo Baby Mario Shy Guy (Red) Shy Guy (Blue) Shy Guy (Yellow) Shy Guy (Green) Shy Guy (Black) Baby Luigi |
| Sample D: Donkey Kong's Squad | Donkey Kong Diddy Kong Koopa Troopa (Green) Koopa Troopa (Red) Koopa Paratroopa (Red) Koopa Paratroopa (Green) Goomba Paragoomba Dixie Kong |
| Sample E: Wario's Squad | Wario Waluigi Magikoopa (Blue) Magikoopa (Red) Magikoopa (Yellow) Magikoopa (Green) Boo King Boo Petey Piranha |
| Sample F: Bowser's Squad | Bowser Bowser Jr. Dry Bones (White) Dry Bones (Blue) Dry Bones (Green) Dry Bones (Dark) Hammer Bro Boomerang Bro Fire Bro |
Beating these sample teams above will reward the player with a Bronze Uniform which can be brought at the Uniform Tent for 150,000 coins.
List of Game Modes[]
- Exhibition (1-4 players)
- Ghost Baseball
- Toy Field
- Mini-Games (1-4 players)
- Training
Playable Team Captains and Team Players[]
All of the characters from the Mario Superstar Baseball and Mario Super Sluggers games make a return appearance in Mario Ultimate Sluggers. Additionally for this game, there are new participants as well. Once again, as of Mario Super Sluggers, it is now possible to put more than one of the same character on the team in Exhibition Mode, as long as they are different colors. However, it is no longer possible to choose which hand that the characters will bat and pitch with; for example, players can no longer make Mario a left-handed batter.
Players are given the choice to play as their Miis as well, whose stats are all 6/10. Players cannot choose to have a whole team of nine Miis, but they can put one captain and up to eight other Miis.
When characters become Star Players, their abilities are boosted by one point each. However, characters can only become Star Players by purchasing their icon in the Shop.
If one counts the alternate team players, Mario Ultimate Sluggers has the most playable characters of any Mario game, with all of Yoshi's colors returning from Mario Super Sluggers. Also, Boomerang Bro, Fire Bro and Ice Bro counts as Hammer Bro's palette swaps. Birdo in this game now has different colors to unlock in Ghost Baseball games by winning the number of games. Pac-Man and many other characters from that franchise join the roster when the player unlocks him and the others by winning Ghost Baseball games as well.
Team Captains and team players who have unlock conditions and are highlighted in bold are hidden characters and must be unlocked by winning Ghost Baseball games in Ghost Baseball mode or purchasing their icons in the Slugger Shop to make them become star players. Although, the player can still unlock Pac-Man by using and scanning his Super Smash Bros. amiibo.
Team Captains[]
All team captains listed below in this section are available to be selected in the game's Exhibition Mode.
Returning Team Captains[]
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New Team Captains[]
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Team Players[]
Returning Team Players[]
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New Team Players[]
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Alternate Costume & Color Characters[]
Every alternate costume and color characters have different abilities since Mario Super Sluggers, but now their abilities (except for Boomerang, Fire and Ice Bros who appear as palette swaps of Hammer Bro) from the sequel are now the same as their default costume and color.
Mario[]
Yoshi[]
Birdo[]
Pac-Man[]
Toad[]
Pianta[]
Noki[]
Koopa Troopa[]
Shy Guy[]
Dry Bones[]
Koopa Paratroopa[]
Magikoopa[]
Kritter[]
Sprixie Princess[]
Character Unlock Trees[]
This is a list of character unlock trees in which they can be seen below. Each set of two characters as team captains have their own unlock tree. These characters in each set of unlock trees can be unlocked by playing Ghost Baseball mode. Characters can also be unlocked to become star players by purchasing their icon for the price number of coins. Default characters can become star players by purchasing their icon, too. Ice Bro (who appears as a palette swap for Hammer Bro) is the only hidden character NOT to be included in any of these unlock trees, but rather being unlocked by hitting a total of 20 home runs. So far, the unlock trees for Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Birdo, Wario, Waluigi, Bowser and Bowser Jr. have a total of six hidden characters to unlock, while Peach, Daisy, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong's unlock trees remain with five.
List of Unlock Trees[]
| Unlock Tree | Hidden Characters |
|---|---|
| Mario and Luigi | Pac-Man Pauline Nabbit Geno Blinky Patra |
| Peach and Daisy | Rosalina Baby Rosalina Sprixie Princess Pom Pom Cylindria |
| Yoshi and Birdo | Ms. Pac-Man Baby Wario Baby Waluigi Ludwig Spiral Roger |
| Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong | Donkey Kong Jr. Boom Boom Spike Woofa Clyde |
| Wario and Waluigi | Sumo Bro Sledge Bro Pinky Inky Wendy Morton |
| Bowser and Bowser Jr. | Dry Bowser Larry Iggy Lemmy Roy Betrayus |
Mii Uniforms[]
As of October 25, 2019, Mario Ultimate Sluggers has a new feature where players can obtain Mii uniforms for the Miis. These uniforms can be brought from the uniform tent using coins. Should players unlock various uniforms without having to follow another method and while using amiibos unlocks designed uniforms for them. Using any compatible amiibo with any uniform unlocked rewards players with the number of coins to spend at the shop. Only five amiibos can be used once every day. To help celebrate the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 uniform can be unlocked when the game is updated to version 1.5.0, while the exclusive Major League Baseball (MLB) uniform, the Los Angeles Dodgers uniform can be unlocked when the game is updated to version 2.0.0. Here is a list of all the uniforms that are compatible within this game which can be seen below.
List of Mii uniforms[]
| Uniform Name | Color | Design | How to Unlock | Shop Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Crossing Uniform | Plaid Chartreuse | Animal Crossing logo | Use any amiibo based on any Animal Crossing character. | Free |
| Birdo Uniform | Magenta | Diamond pattern | Win 10 Ghost Baseball games using Birdo as a team captain. | 15,000 coins |
| Bowser Uniform | Dark Green | Bowser emblem (with meteor pattern) | Win 10 Ghost Baseball games using Bowser as a team captain or use any amiibo based on him. | 10,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Bowser Jr. Uniform | Chartreuse | Bowser Jr. emblem (with rainbow splats) | Win 10 Ghost Baseball games using Bowser Jr. as a team captain or use his Super Smash Bros. amiibo. | 15,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Bronze Uniform | Bronze | Solid Color | Defeat all of the sample teams in Ghost Baseball mode. | 100,000 coins |
| Captain Falcon Uniform | Red and Blue | F-Zero logo | Use Captain Falcon's Super Smash Bros. amiibo. | Free |
| Champion's Uniform | Light Blue | Sheikah emblem | Use either Link or Zelda's amiibo from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. | Free |
| COVID-19 Uniform | Light Blue | Solid color | Available as of the version 1.5.0 update on April 3, 2020. | Free |
| Daisy Uniform | Orange and Yellow | Flower pattern | Win 10 Ghost Baseball games using Daisy as a team captain or use any amiibo based on her. | 15,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Diddy Kong Uniform | Dark Red and Brown | Banana pattern | Win 10 Ghost Baseball games using Diddy Kong as a team captain or use any amiibo based on him. | 10,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Donkey Kong Uniform | Brown | DK logo | Win 10 Ghost Baseball games using Donkey Kong as a team captain or use any amiibo based on him. | 10,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Dry Bowser Uniform | White | Dry Bowser emblem | Complete 50 missions. | 20,500 Coins |
| Duck Hunt Uniform | Orange | Dog and Ducks pattern | Use Duck Hunt's Super Smash Bros. amiibo | Free |
| Fire Emblem Uniform | White and Black | Fire Emblem logo | Use any amiibo based on any Fire Emblem character. | Free |
| Gold Uniform | Gold | Solid Color | Collect 1,000,000 coins or defeat 50 Ghost Baseball teams (excluding sample teams) in Ghost Baseball Mode. | 300,000 coins |
| Inkling Boy Uniform | Blue and White | Splatoon logo (with blue squid pattern) | Use any amiibo based on the Inkling Boy. | Free |
| Inkling Girl Uniform | Orange and White | Splatoon logo (with orange squid pattern) | Use any amiibo based on the Inkling Girl. | Free |
| Kid Icarus Uniform | Gold and White | Kid Icarus logo | Use any amiibo based on any Kid Icarus character. | Free |
| Kirby Uniform | Pink | Kirby logo (with Warp Star pattern) | Use any amiibo based on any Kirby character. | Free |
| Link Uniform | Green | The Legend of Zelda logo (with Triforce pattern) | Use any amiibo based on either Link, Young Link or Toon Link. | Free |
| Little Mac Uniform | Black and Green | Punch-Out!! logo | Use Little Mac's Super Smash Bros. amiibo | Free |
| Los Angeles Dodgers Uniform | Dark Blue and White | Los Angeles Dodgers emblem | Available as of the version 2.0.0 update on July 31, 2020. | Free |
| Luigi Uniform | Green | L Logo (with green fire pattern) | Win 10 Ghost Baseball games using Luigi as a team captain or use any amiibo based on him. | 15,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Mario Uniform | Red | M Logo (with fire pattern) | Win 10 Ghost Baseball games using Mario as a team captain or use any amiibo based on him. | 10,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Master's Uniform | Gold | King's Crown emblem | Unlock all of the uniforms. | 500,000 coins |
| Ms. Pac-Man Uniform | Yellow and Black | Ms. Pac-Man Maze pattern | Complete 100 missions. | 38,000 coins |
| Pac-Man Uniform | Yellow and Black | Pac-Maze pattern | Complete 75 missions or use Pac-Man's Super Smash Bros. amiibo. | 30,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Peach Uniform | Pink | Heart pattern | Win 10 Ghost Baseball games using Peach as a team captain or use any amiibo based on her. | 10,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Pikmin Uniform | Pale Yellow | Pikmin logo (with Pikmin pattern) | Use Olimar's Super Smash Bros. amiibo or the Pikmin amiibo. | Free |
| Pokémon Uniform | Yellow and White | Pokémon logo (with Poké Ball pattern) | Use any amiibo based on any Pokémon. | Free |
| Rosalina Uniform | Aquamarine | Luma Pattern | Complete 25 missions or use Rosalina & Luma's Super Smash Bros. amiibo. | 20,500 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Samus Uniform | Orange | Metroid logo and emblem | Use any amiibo based on Samus. | Free |
| Silver Uniform | Silver | Solid Color | Unlock all of the team captains and team players. | 150,000 |
| Star Fox Uniform | Pale Brown, White and Black | Star Fox logo (with Arwings and the Great Fox) | Use any amiibo based on any Star Fox character. | Free |
| Toad Uniform | White and Blue | Mushroom Pattern | Get a total of 30 hits using Toad or use any amiibo based on him. | 12,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Waluigi Uniform | Purple | Γ Logo (with Laser Pattern) | Win 10 Ghost Baseball games using Waluigi as a team captain or use any amiibo based on him. | 15,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Wario Uniform | Yellow | W Logo | Win 10 Ghost Baseball games using Wario as a team captain or use any amiibo based on him. | 10,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used) |
| Xenoblade Chronicles Uniform | Carmine | Xenoblade Chronicles Logo (w/ Monado pattern) | Use Shulk's Super Smash Bros. amiibo | Free |
| Yoshi Uniform | Green | Rainbow & Eggs | Win 10 Ghost Baseball games using Yoshi as a team captain or use any amiibo based on him. | 10,000 coins (free, if amiibo is used). |
Stadiums[]
There are a total of sixteen stadiums (with Toy Field counting and making the total to seventeen) in all. This time, all team captains has a stadium which is based on his or her character's unique persona. Most of the seventeen stadiums can be played in daytime or nighttime. Mario Stadium is the only baseball stadium to NOT feature any gimmicks in the field, making for the most realistic baseball experience. Bowser Jr. Museum is only accessible during the day, while Luigi's Mansion, Bowser's Castle and Dry Bowser Ruins can only be accessed at night. Stadiums highlighted in bold are hidden stadiums and must be unlocked by either winning Ghost Baseball games in Ghost Baseball mode or purchasing their background for 50,000 coins at the Slugger Shop.
List of Stadiums[]
| Stadium Name | Description | Corresponding Mini-Game |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Stadium | Mario's very own baseball stadium that does NOT feature any gimmicks. | Bob-omb Derby |
| Luigi's Mansion | A scary and frightening baseball stadium filled with ghosts from the mansion. | Ghost K |
| Peach's Castle Courtyard | Peach's own baseball stadium set in her garden, with giant invisible blocks revealing themselves when hit. | Wall Ball |
| Daisy Cruiser | A baseball stadium that takes place on Daisy's Cruise Ship where a giant blooper turns the tide. | Blooper Baserun |
| Yoshi Park | Yoshi's baseball stadium that takes place in an amusement park. Beware of Piranha Plants and the Yoshi Train! | Piranha Panic |
| DK Jungle | Donkey Kong's baseball stadium that takes place in a jungle, where a DK barrel starts rampaging throughout the stadium after it gets shot out of a cannon. | Barrel Basher |
| Wario Coliseum | Wario's baseball stadium filled with traps that are found inside this ball park. | Gem Catcher |
| Birdo Village | A baseball stadium created by Birdo where Wingo starts attacking the fielders. | Balloon Bombers |
| Diddy Kong Temple | An amazing temple that was considered to be a baseball stadium where dragons start rampaging throughout the temple. | Fruit Rush |
| Waluigi Factory | Waluigi's baseball stadium where hammerheads start attacking everyone when near. | Panel Randomizer |
| Bowser's Castle | Bowser's own baseball stadium that takes place outside his castle. Watch out for Thwomps! | Bowser Pinball |
| Bowser Jr. Museum | A baseball stadium where Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings built this museum of paintings. | Graffiti Runner |
| Rosalina Crystal Dome | A crystal cavernous baseball stadium where icicles start dropping after the gong crashes. | Crystal Chaos |
| Dry Bowser Ruins | A baseball stadium that takes place in a wasteland filled with portals. | Totem Terror |
| Toy Field | A hidden baseball stadium where possessed toys begin rampaging throughout the field. | N/A |
| Pac-World | Pac-Man's baseball stadium where evil spirits threatening to take over the entire planet. | Ghostly Grab |
| Pac-Land | A classic baseball stadium filled with balloons and traps. | Star Dash |
Error Items[]
All of the error items return from Mario Super Sluggers.
- Green Shell
- Red Shell
- Fireball
- Mini-Boos
- Bob-omb
- POW Ball
- Banana Peel
- Lightning Bolt
Gallery[]
.png "MXS Character Select (for Minigames and Toy Field).png (903 KB)")
Trivia[]
- In E3 2019, Mario Ultimate Sluggers was previously known as Mario X-Treme Sluggers on June 20, 2019 before the video game's release, but the word "X-Treme" was changed to "Ultimate" because of everyone returning from the previous Mario Baseball games.
- Because the Mario Baseball series belongs to Bandai Namco Games, this third installment features characters from the Pac-Man franchise.
- With Luigi's Mansion, Daisy Cruiser and Bowser Jr. Museum being shown as home stadiums for Luigi, Daisy and Bowser Jr., Birdo, Diddy Kong and Waluigi now have their own home stadiums in this game.
- Yoshi, Birdo and Pac-Man are the only three team captains to have alternate costumes/colors.
- This is the first installment to feature various types of shops where it can be found around the Baseball Kingdom so that the player can unlock hidden items without having to complete missions in several modes.