Mario Strikers Charged - hands-on

In a turtle shell - and on the evidence of an extended multiplayer training session - the mustachioed mascot's soccer sequel runs pretty close in line with GameCube's Super Mario Strikers, but takes advantage of the kinetically-enhanced remote by throwing some shaky bits into the kit bag.

After selecting a team captain from one of Mushroom Kingdom's famous faces (Mario, Bowser, Peach etc) and picking your squad (made up of Boos, Toadies, Koopas and the like) and style of play, it's on to the crazy stadium of your choice for kick-off.

On-the-pitch action is as unlike real soccer as you'd expect, having received the Nintendo treatment. Power-ups are a vital part of play, captains have hefty mega-strike shots in their arsenal and the pitches themselves present their own hazards, such as electric fences around the perimeter and sheer drops that any player can suddenly find themselves careening down.