The currently revealed roster for upcoming soccer titleMario Strikers: Battle Leaguehas revealed that the game will start with only ten playable characters, and will be lacking some iconic characters from throughout theSuper Mariofranchise. However,Mario Strikers: Battle Leaguecould address this issue by releasing a series of free DLC updates following its launch later this month.
One leaker suggests that a furtherten playable characters will be added as free DLC, ultimately resulting in a total of 20 characters for players to choose from. This free DLC could be a chance to include several popular characters who were snubbed from the initial lineup, including both allies and enemies of the iconic plumber pair. SeveralSuper Mariocharacters could make unique and fun to play additions toMario Strikers: Battle League’splayable cast.
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Daisy
Princess Daisy’s omission was a surprising one, as the character had previously appeared as part of the starting lineup in both previousMario Strikersgames,Super Mario StrikersandMario Strikers Charged.Like her fellow princess, Peach, Daisy was a speedy character who used quick moves and a focus on finesse to make up for her lack of brute strength. Her special finishing move was Torpedo Strike inSuper Mario Strikersand Crystal Smash inMario Strikers Charged.Fans hope to see her join Peach and Rosalina in the lineup of princesses taking to the field inBattle League.
Pauline
This former girlfriend of Mario and captive of Donkey Kong has made her return to the series in a major way, appearing as the Mayor of New Donk City inSuper Mario Odysseyand later becoming a playable character inMario Tennis Aces, Mario Kart Tour,andMario Golf: Super Rush.Her play style in these games is primarily based around her talent as a performer, featuring lots of showy dance moves, and she is often accompanied by “Jump Up, Super Star,” her signature song fromOdyssey.Paulinecould bring her show-stopping style and add another much-needed female playable character toMario Strikers: Battle League.
Bowser Jr. / Koopalings
Bowser’s prank-loving gang of sidekicks could be a great opportunity to add several characters toMario Strikers: Battle Leaguewhile only using up a single DLC slot. In fighting gameSuper Smash Bros. 4and its later sequelSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate,Bowser’s sonBowser Jr. and all seven of the Koopaling squad appear as aesthetic variations on a single fighter. They rely on their flying cars and other gadgets to fight; this could give them a unique play style inBattle Leagueas small, mobile characters who use their Koopa technology to interact with the ball in various ways.
Boo
Previous titles in theMario Strikersseries included a Sidekicks feature in which playable characters such as Mario and Luigi could pick one of Toad, Shy Guy, Boo, and otherSuper Mariofavorites to assist them on the field.Battle Leaguewill not feature the return of the Sidekick system, but some former Sidekicks, including Toad and Yoshi, have been promoted to playable characters. Iconic enemy and sometimes-allyBoocould be a great choice to join these ranks as a DLC addition - especially because it could be quite amusing to see a character who doesn’t technically have legs play soccer.
Diddy Kong
In the currentMario Strikers: Battle Leaguelineup, Donkey Kong is the only representative of his franchise. The ape uses his massive strength to cut a physically imposing presence on the soccer field much as he does on the battlefield. His cheerful relativeDiddy Kongwould make a great secondDonkey Kongrepresentative, and could play a faster and more agility-focused game compared to the larger Kong. Diddy Kong is another previous playableStrikerscharacter, having appeared inMario Strikers Chargedwielding the special move Red Card, which could cause opponents to temporarily disappear.
Characters from Other Properties
MostMario-themed sports games have limited themselves to the plumber and his friends, but there is some precedent for including other Nintendo characters.The Legend of Zelda’sLink previously appeared inMario Kart 8,as didAnimal Crossing’sVillager and Isabelle andSplatoon’sInkling Boy and Inkling Girl.Final Fantasycharacters guest starred inMario Sports Mix,and Mario has frequently appeared alongsideSonic the Hedgehogcharacters in theMario and Sonic at the Olympic Gamesseries. Any of these characters could make a fun addition toBattle League,though Link would be especially interesting if he could bring his bomb-making skills to the soccer field.
Another unique DLC addition would be the ability for players tomake their own Mii avatarsand bring them to the field alongside Mario and his friends. Miis as playable characters previously appeared inMario Kart 8,with several options available for customizing their appearance. Similar to Mario and Luigi themselves, it is likely that Miis would have a fairly balanced play style.
Mario Strikers: Battle Leaguewill release on June 28, 2025 for the Nintendo Switch.
