Dangers lurk on the fields, from flying cows caught in a tornado on Thunder Island (seriously) to Thwompers smashing down on players in a sandy desert. The stages look great, with a lot happening on the sidelines and small, noticeable details scattered throughout. The frame rate holds up nicely, only breaking up during online matches (more on that later) and in up-close camera replays.

The animation also deserves a mention. The chosen player completes the motion, jumps several hundred feet into the air and executes a sweet-looking effect, such as Donkey Kong's electrical charge or Mario's "Sun God" kick. They really add a lot of drama to the game, but without taking away from its light-hearted tone. The music doesn't really hold up that well in contrast, consisting mostly of cute little background tunes. At least it doesn't get aggravating.

The various modes and options give Mario Strikers Charged added replay value. Players unfamiliar with how the game works can enroll in Strikers 101, tuning in to Striker TV and getting the tips necessary to win. Some of the scenarios are tougher than others, but that just comes with the territory in learning the ropes. A Road To the Striker Cup mode gives players the chance to achieve victory by earning different championship cups, facing off against opponents and notching important wins. This unlocks further content in the game, including additional players and a myriad amount of playing fields. A quick exhibition mode and various Striker Challenges also await eager soccer fans.

The real weight of the game, however, rests in multiplayer. Up to four players can compete in an off-line match or they can go online via the Wi-Fi Connection. Nintendo finally brings Mario Strikers into the online arena with positive results. Players hop on the connection and get into a quick Ranked match against mystery opponents, going after the more casual player or taking on someone more extreme. Furthermore, friend codes get registered with ease. The online play does get a little jumpy at times, but in general, it runs very well. Kudos to Nintendo for finally coming through on its promise of online play – it took long enough.

Mario Strikers Charged features enough modes to keep players entertained, as well as a top-notch presentation that really shows off what the Wii can do. Anyone looking for a quality sports game for the Wii should play it immediately.