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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Mario Hoops 3-on-3
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 40 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 15 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Square Enix
Genre(s): Sports, Basketball
Players: 4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: September 11, 2006
Summary
(Also known as "Mario Slam Basketball") Get that magic touch. There are plenty of basketball games out there, but none with the hands-on control of Mario Hoops 3-on-3. Players use the touch screen to get their game on as they execute tricky dribbles, special passes and sweet shots – all with strokes and taps of the stylus. Players choose their teams of three characters from the Mario universe and hit the parquet. Power-ups like Red Shells and Bob-ombs can turn the tide as they chase down coins – they will affect the score, so players collect as many as they can as they drive to the hoop. Whether playing against friends on a local wireless connection, jamming through a tournament or just playing mini-games, there's a mode for everyone. [Nintendo]
Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Hints & Cheats
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
GameBrink
With hours and hours of gameplay in the tournament mode alone this is worth a purchase. Then you add on tons of unlockables including Final Fantasy characters and different basketballs and you've got a instant purchase. Oh yeah then you add on the extra mini-games, the WiFi Basketball, and the WiFi Mario Kart-esque game and you've got a no-brainer must have game of the summer. [JPN Import]
Read Full Review >Games Master UK
Unlike normal basketball, even a massive lead can be reversed in the dying seconds - and losing possession at the wrong moment can make a huge difference. Good work, Mazza. [Oct 2006, p.68]
PGNx Media
It takes a fun and lighthearted approach to the game. If you plan on playing multiplayer or for some reason really enjoy the Mario brand of sports, Mario Hoops will not disappoint.
Read Full Review >Official Nintendo Magazine UK
A fun Mario sports title and the best looking game on the DS. [Dec 2006, p.80]
My Gamer
The game is fun and has lots of replay value. The difficulty keeps it from getting old after a week. Though it could benefit from some more modes of play like other Mario sports games have.
Read Full Review >Extreme Gamer
A fun take on basketball which proudly makes use of the Nintendo DS's best feature, the touch screen.
Read Full Review >NintendoWorldReport
Mario Hoops is an innovative adaptation of the sport, and the multiplayer is worth trying, even with just two players.
Read Full Review >GamePro
With its light-hearted gameplay and silly graphics, Mario Hoops probably won't win over a diehard basketball fan but it's entertaining enough to keep most gamers glued to the on-court action. Nintendo definitely shoots and scores with this one.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
It's a brilliant-looking game, developed by the artists at Square Enix, and it's great fun to boot. Just be ready for something quite different from the NBA.
Read Full Review >Da Gameboyz
Although the control is quite innovative the overall gameplay just manages to make it over that average mark.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
With enough practice against human opponents under your belt, you may eventually find play against the AI opponents to be more manageable. [Nov. 2006, p.85]
Armchair Empire
Each game barely lasts more than five minutes, making it an ideal pick-up-and-play game, and the arcade feel is likely to impress even sports games haters.
Read Full Review >Console Gameworld
If you got some competition in your area, you might want to look into getting a copy of Mario Hoops because the game is tailor made for multiplayer. If not, stick with a rental.
Read Full Review >N-Insanity
It's not so much that using the touch screen to control a basketball game doesn't work, it just didn't come together quite as well as it could have.
Read Full Review >eToychest
If you’re looking for a portable sports title or just like the Mario sports series, you’ll certainly have a good time with Mario Hoops 3-on-3, but the slightly clunky controls and lack of online play firmly cement this title in the rental category for the majority of gamers.
Read Full Review >GameTrailers
Mario Hoops’ single player mode is very fun and very short. But this setup has worked in the past because it was countered by an addicting multiplayer experience. But 3 on 3 for the DS has no online play, or decent downloadable content, which means you’ll probably be shooting solo.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
It's short on modes and asks you to replay the same tournaments on multiple difficulty settings, but the core gameplay in Mario Hoops is pretty good.
Read Full Review >Edge Magazine
A Mario sports title that appeals beyond its ready-installed fanbase - strong, clean visuals and animation certainly help - but one that might not entrance them long enough to turn into major league love. [Oct 2006, p.95]
Cheat Code Central
My only complaint is that a lot of gamers will get bored long before they ever complete the single-player mode. But as long as you’ve got the Wi-Fi mode and some friends to play against, this might not be a questionable purchase.
Read Full Review >games(TM)
While purists might complain about his increasingly frequent appearances in non-platform games, most of us can simply enjoy what is a tremendous piece of handheld software. [Nov 2006, p.106]
Pocket Gamer UK
Fun, frantic, and action-packed, Mario Slam Basketball is a good-looking game that lacks solid opposition.
Read Full Review >Total Video Games
The detailed and distinctive visuals are a highlight on the system; the instant entertainment provides quick blast satisfaction; the control system takes full advantage of the DS capabilities.
Read Full Review >NGamer UK
Good in parts, but disappointingly light on features and poor value for money compared to most other Mario sports games. [JPN Import; Oct 2006, p.60]
IGN
The gameplay just never reaches the presentation's level, and never quite gets up there with the likes of the other Mario sports on Nintendo handhelds and consoles.
Read Full Review >GameShark
It’s a shame there’s no internet play, and you’ll need to take frequent breaks to avoid hand injuries, but the game definitely passes the time and is enjoyable.
Read Full Review >Deeko
The idea is great and the execution can be very cumbersome, which is why I'm glad to see that Nintendo decided to allow for traditional controls, but I can see where Nintendo was really stretching on this one, which is sad considering how well designed it is on an artistic level.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
I don't doubt that the DS can be a good system for sports, but I really don't think this is the way to go about it. [Oct. 2006, p.113]
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Seriously, this one might as well be called Mario Hoops 1-on-3, as your teammates don't know the first thing about moving without the ball or helping out on D. [Oct. 2006, p.116]
GamerFeed
The touch screen controls aren't incredibly responsive and the mini games are about as interesting as the Utah Jazz.
Read Full Review >1UP
But the grand experiment of translating stylus swipes into intuitive no-look passes and alley-oops fails more often than it works, and that's the big "if" upon which the whole thing hangs.
Read Full Review >Games Radar (in-house)
Mario Hoops betrays the tradition of quality inherent in other Mario sports titles, and proves to be a lot more style than substance. The stylus is not, in fact, perfect for every game type.
Read Full Review >Sydney Morning Herald
Fast-paced stylus-swiping basketball action best suited to short matches against friends.
Read Full Review >Times Online
The wild combinations of touch-pad and direction keys required to play make this a game you might not wish to use on public transport, and it somehow lacks the charm of previous Mario-themed games. Good, but not great.
Read Full Review >Eurogamer
Mario Hoops 3-on-3 is actually a very good simple basketball game, but the simplistic AI and chaos factor often prevent that from shining through.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
Completely relying on the stylus to handle the ball is a bold design choice, but tends to feel unnecessary and rather gimmicky.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
Mario Hoops 3-on-3 will go down in the history of the Nintendo DS that's worthy of mention as the first game to push the system to a new presentational level developers that will be working to equal for some time to come.
Read Full Review >VideoGamer
It's not without its problems, is far too simple and lacking in features, but as sports games on the DS go, it's one of the best.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
A decent, little game that's a bit too decent and way too little. It's good for a laugh or two, but it fails to capture the fast-paced fun factor of previous Mario sports titles.
Read Full Review >WHAM! Gaming
Even though there are special challenges, tournaments, multiplayer options, a whole host of wicked unlockable characters and some intriguing courts to play on, Mario Hoops 3 on 3 seems lacking as a complete package.
Read Full Review >Nintendojo
The controls, combined with the difficulty level, make the single-player game mind-numbingly frustrating.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 15 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Harry H. gave it a9:
The game is well produced and innovative. also loads of fun.
Brian C. gave it a9:
I think this game is kinda cooooool! Especially the super attacks, you jump around and slam it in the dunk. There is a lot of unlockable things to unlock.
Drew F. gave it a7:
Solid title that would have REALLY benefited from WiFi. I mean, this game is TAILORMADE for online multiplayer. It's a sin that it doesn't have it, and lowers the score by a full 2 points. Hoops is simply not long enough to warrant a purchase as-is.
The Dude gave it a9:
Frankly, I'm baffled by the harsh criticism this game has received from the professional reviewers. It's terrifically fun with an outstanding presentation. Great graphics and sound effects, great use of the touchscreen, great playability--in short, portable gaming doesn't get much better.
The blade gave it a10:
Kicks .ss in multiplayer, fun single player. If you like basketball at all you will enjoy this game.
Xuphor gave it a9:
Very good game. I have the imported Japanese version, and even if you don't speak Japanese, it's still very fun.
