Editing Mario Sports Mix

{{italic title}}
{{FA}}
{{game infobox
|image=[[File:MSM-NAboxart.png|250px]]<br>American box art
|developer=[[Square Enix]]<br>[[Nintendo SPD|Nintendo SPD Group No. 4]]
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|release='''Wii:'''<br>{{release|Japan|November 25, 2010|HK|November 25, 2010|ROC|November 25, 2010|Australia|January 27, 2011|Europe|January 28, 2011|UK|February 4, 2011|USA|February 7, 2011}} '''Wii U (digital download):'''<br>{{release|Europe|October 8, 2015|Australia|October 8, 2015|USA|August 11, 2016|Japan|August 24, 2016<ref>[http://nintendoeverything.com/10-wii-games-coming-to-japanese-wii-u-eshop-over-coming-weeks-with-my-nintendo-discount/ 10 Wii games coming to Japanese Wii U eShop over coming weeks, with My Nintendo discount]. ''NintendoEverything''. Retrieved July 21, 2016.</ref>}}
|languages={{languages|en_us=y|es_es=y|fr_fr=y|de=y|it=y|jp=y}}
|genre=[[Genre#Sports|Sports]]
|modes=1-4 players Competitive & 1-3 players Cooperative Multiplayer (2-on-2 or 3-on-3)
|ratings={{ratings|esrb=E|pegi=3|cero=A|acb=G|usk=0}}
|platforms=[[Wii]], [[Wii U]]
|media={{media|wii=1|wiiudl=1}}
|input={{input|nunchuk=1|wmsideways=1}}
}}
'''''Mario Sports Mix''''' is a ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' [[Genre#Sports|sports]] game for the [[Wii]] and a follow-up to the 2006 [[Nintendo DS]] game ''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]''. The game features [[Mario]] and company competing in four sports: hockey, basketball, dodgeball, and volleyball, along with the ''{{wp|Final Fantasy}}'' characters who have appeared in ''Mario Hoops 3-on-3'' as well. [[Slime (Dragon Quest)|Slime]], a ''[[DragonQuest:Dragon Quest (series)|Dragon Quest]]'' mascot, makes an appearance in this game. This game was developed by [[Square Enix]], who also developed ''Mario Hoops 3-on-3''.

The game supported the [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]] feature, which enables players to play with other players in their region. To save any game data, three blocks of memory have to be used on the Wii system. However, due to the game's Wi-Fi compatibilities, the game data is copy protected, which means it cannot be transferred onto other Wii systems. [[Nintendo]] terminated the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service on May 20, 2014, making the game no longer playable online.

The game was later re-released for the [[Wii U]] [[Nintendo eShop]] as a digital download in Europe and Australia in October 2015 and in North America and Japan in August 2016; however, it was eventually removed after the service's discontinuation on March 27, 2023, making it no longer possible for players to purchase the game, but players who did so before this date can still play it as long as any version is on their Wii U device.
==Story==
[[File:MSM Tournament 1.png|thumb|200px|The scene where Toad witnesses the sight of a mysterious, blazing comet falling into the Mushroom Kingdom.]]
One day in the [[Mushroom Kingdom]], [[Toad]] is gardening flowers when suddenly the sky turns dark, and a strange object falls from the sky and crashes. Toad is worried about the situation, so he, along with some other [[Toad (species)|Toads]], rushes to the crashed object to examine it. The Toads find four colored crystals: a red crystal containing a basketball; a green crystal containing a volleyball; a yellow crystal containing a dodgeball; and a blue crystal containing a [[coin]]. While observing the [[Sports Crystal|mysterious crystals]], the Toads suddenly come up with an idea of introducing new sports - Basketball, Volleyball, Dodgeball and Hockey - to the Mushroom Kingdom. The Toads also organize tournaments for the four sports. The best players of the tournament earn a prize: one of the four crystals that fell from the sky. [[Mario]], his friends, and his foes are ready to play sports and enter the tournaments to find out who are the best players of the Mushroom Kingdom.
[[File:MSM Tournament 2.png|thumb|left|The discovery of the Sports Crystals lead to the events in the game.]]
When the players' team wins the Mushroom and Flower Cups, and gets to the end of the Star Cup, everything seems to be normal. However, in the final round, a [[Star Ship (court)|Star Ship]] appears and the players' opponent turns out to be [[Ninja (character)|Ninja]] in disguise. Ninja steals the trophy and jumps onto the Star Ship, which prompts the players to follow Ninja to get the trophy back. They end up playing against the ''Final Fantasy'' team, while the Star Ship flies through [[Outer Space|space]]. When the players win against the ''Final Fantasy'' team, they receive one of the crystals that fell from the sky. The leader of the team then uses it to power the Star Ship and take the team back home.

After players receive all four crystals, the crystals merge and turn into a dark, glowing crystal. The dark crystal takes the players to another area. In this area, players encounter the [[Behemoth]], a creature from the ''Final Fantasy'' series. The players must defeat the monster before it defeats them. When the players defeat Behemoth, the dark energy from the dark crystal disappears and turns into a rainbow-colored crystal. The players use the crystal again to power the Star Ship to take them back home.

Sports Mix mode's story is highly identical, except after the players' team defeats the ''Final Fantasy'' team, the three Sports Mix trophies that they receive end up merging into a dark crystal. That crystal also leads them to an alternate dimension, where the [[Behemoth King]] is found. Similarly with Behemoth, players have to defeat the Behemoth King before it takes them out. When the Behemoth King is defeated, the crystal's dark energy disappears, and it turns back into a rainbow crystal. The players use that crystal to power the Star Ship to take them back home.

==Gameplay==
[[File:MSM Multiplayer.png|thumb|left|Multiplayer cooperative mode.]]
{{multiple image
|direction=vertical
|width=200
|image1=MSM Winmenu.png
|caption1=Toad and Yoshi defeat Ninja and White Mage in a 2-on-2 Volleyball match.
|image2=MatchResults-3vs3-Dodgeball-MarioSportsMix.png
|footer=White Mage, Pink Yoshi, and Toad defeat Ninja, Pure White Mage, and Black Mage in a 3-on-3 Dodgeball match.
}}
''Mario Sports Mix'' features four playable sports, all unique from each other. Players can play either alone with CPU allies or cooperatively/competitively with other players, with a max of 3 players a team. The [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]] and [[Wii#Nunchuk|Nunchuk]] control style is used as the primary control scheme for the game. However, the players can also use the Wii Remote in the horizontal position. Players are able to perform actions through shaking the Wii Remote and/or inputting buttons as shown in horizontal Wii Remote scheme. All sports are played in periods, where, except for volleyball, there is a certain time limit to each period. When the [[Time Limit#Mario Sports Mix|time limit]] reaches zero, players move to the next period and change sides. Excluding dodgeball, points acquired in past periods also add up to the current game's total score. In dodgeball, another period commences when all team players get knocked out.

[[? Panel]]s return from ''Mario Hoops 3-on-3'', where they serve the same purpose: to provide players with either [[coin]]s or an [[item]]. Unlike ''Mario Hoops 3-on-3'', items are held in reserve rather than players holding them. The more coins players have, the more points they can get when they achieve a scoring. Players lose coins when they get hit by an opposing item, which makes the coins scatter on the floor. However, in dodgeball, coins increase the attack power of attacks, and players cannot lose coins from items.

There are also special options that can be adjusted for each sport in [[Mario Sports Mix#Exhibition|exhibition mode]], such as turning on and off ? Panels, setting the number of periods and the time limit, and other options which can be specific for each sport. Once the options are set, they do not reset whenever a players turns off the game.

On a side note, there is an option which enables the players to receive commands. However, this option is available only when the CPU level is set to "Easy".
{{br}}
====Basketball====
[[File:MarioStadium-Basketball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|thumb|left|Basketball plays in a similar fashion as in ''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]'', but with a few minor changes.]]
Basketball is played in a similar fashion as in ''Mario Hoops 3-on-3''. Players must score points by shooting a basketball into their hoop in order to win the game. Whichever team has the most points after all periods wins the match. Two points are acquired when the ball makes it in the hoop; three points are acquired when the ball gets shot from the three pointer and beyond or when a special shot is performed. The coins that the players gather along the way are added to their total score. Also in this sport, which is exclusive to this game, there is a shot clock on the bottom-left hand corner of the screen so the characters can shoot within the time limit, just like in a professional {{wp|National Basketball Association|NBA}} or collegiate {{wp|College basketball|NCAA}} game. If they do not shoot before time runs out, the other team gets possession. Players are also able to defend, block, and make dunks in this game in a similar way to the actual sport. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, then {{wp|Sudden death (sport)|overtime}} begins. With overtime in this sport, no game ends in a draw.
{{br}}

====Volleyball====
[[File:MSM 1-1 Volleyball.png|thumb|Mario about to serve in Volleyball]]
Volleyball is played by hitting a ball without making it touch the ground. Players first start matches by serving the ball, either by ground or by air. The match then proceeds, while the players try to smack the volleyball so it touches the ground. If that occurs, the last team to successfully hit the ball over the net gains a point. When a point limit is reached (the default is fifteen points), the set is won. Players can spike the ball, deflect a spike, and use many other moves that bear resemblance to the actual game. Volleyball also has an out zone, much like tennis: any player who hits the ball into this zone forfeits a point to the opposing team. Volleyball is the only sport in the game that can never have a time limit.
{{br}}

====Dodgeball====
[[File:MSM 1-1 Dodgeball.png|thumb|left|A match of Dodgeball]]
A Dodgeball game always begins with a jump-ball that is done by [[Lakitu]] to determine which team gets to attack first. Dodgeball is mostly played by throwing a ball to the opposing team. There are two teams of two or three characters and a colored [[Yoshi]] on the players' teams. Players can prevent a hit by catching the ball. Players who fail to catch the ball or dodge it lose their vitality. They can prevent this if they catch the ball before it hits the ground, especially if the ball flies upwards. Players cannot catch the ball if they are facing away from them, nor can they catch it if an item is in effect.

Players have a [[Health Meter#Mario Sports Mix|Health Meter]] and lose a portion when they get hit, except for the colored Yoshi, who can never be "knocked out," but cannot leave the box at the back of the court. Players cannot control the Yoshis, unless they encounter the ball, and even then, the only commands that the players can give them is to pass or attack. If players lose all their HP, they are out, and they are sent into their box. However, unlike the Yoshis in the box, they can leave if they damage their target with the ball. Players that do this also get a small amount of their HP regained, but are out immediately if damaged again. However, some alternate route objectives do prevent players who are out from leaving the box; this can also be applied to exhibition matches in the settings.

The first team to knock out the opposing team before the time limit expires wins the set. Additionally, the team who has the most number of remaining players automatically wins when time runs out. If both teams have the same number of players remaining at the end of the time limit, sudden death follows. With this term, no set ends in a draw. In sudden death, the first team to take damage loses the set. On a side note, this is the only sport which has a time limit in which players can set the timer to infinite.
{{br}}

====Hockey====
[[File:MSM 1-1 Hockey.png|thumb|The opening face-off in Hockey]]
A hockey game always begins with a face-off that is done by Lakitu to determine which team gets the puck at the start of the period. If a team scores a goal or a special shot, another face-off takes place. The goalkeepers in this sport are [[Shy Guy]]s, and their color depends on which team they are in. In order to steal the puck, players must tackle each other, which can be achieved by the motion of shaking the {{button|wii|Wiimote}} ({{button|wii|2}} in sideways mode) or simply by making a character go in front of the opponent with the puck. Sometimes, a struggle ensues and players must shake their Wii Remote the fastest that they can in order to win the puck over and knock the opponents away. The team with the most points wins and, very much like basketball, this game is played in time limits and transitional periods. This sport uses a Hockey Stick.
{{br}}

====Sports Mix====
Sports Mix is a tournament-only game mode, which uses all of the sports. To unlock it, players must complete all four Star Cups and defeat [[Behemoth]]. In this game mode, the sport that is played is chosen randomly for each round. Computer controlled characters are set on the Expert difficulty level, the hardest difficulty level in the game. When the players beat the Star Cup, they fight the [[Behemoth King]], instead of the normal Behemoth. The Behemoth King has more health than Behemoth and is harder to beat.

Players can select only characters and costumes that are unlocked in all four sports. For example, if players unlock [[Cactuar]] for Basketball, Hockey, and Volleyball, but not for Dodgeball, it cannot be selected in Sports Mix mode. If players unlock Cactuar for Dodgeball as well, it can be selected in Sports Mix mode. In a similar manner, recolors cannot be used unless they are unlocked for all four sports as well.

==Controls==
Each sport utilizes various controls, depending on the control scheme that the players use.
===Basketball===
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style=background:#ccc
!width=10%|Command
!width=45%|Wii Remote (horizontal)
!width=45%|Wii Remote + Nunchuk
|-style=background:#66aa00;color:white
!colspan=3|Common Controls
|-
!Run
|{{button|wii|Pad}}
|{{button|wii|Stick}}
|-
!Jump
|{{button|wii|2}}
|Shaking the Wii Remote
|-
!Swap Characters
|{{button|wii|B}} This only works if the player's teammates are CPU players.
|{{button|wii|C}} This only works if the players' teammates are CPU players.
|-style="background:#ff6600;color:white"
!colspan=3|Offensive Controls
|-
!Trick Move
|Shaking the Wii Remote.
|Rotating {{button|wii|Stick}} or pressing {{button|wii|Z}}
|-
!Pass
|{{button|wii|1}}
|{{button|wii|A}}
|-
!Jump Shot
|{{button|wii|2}} while jumping.
|Shaking the Wii Remote while jumping.
|-
!Dunk
|{{button|wii|2}} button while running near the basket.
|Shaking the Wii Remote while running near the basket.
|-
!Layup
|{{button|wii|1}} while dunking.
|{{button|wii|A}} while dunking.
|-
!Special Move
|{{button|wii|1}} + {{button|wii|2}}
|{{button|wii|A}} + {{button|wii|B}}
|-
!Item Shot
|{{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|wii|B}} while shaking the Wii remote
|-
!Combo
|Holding and releasing {{button|wii|1}} when the players' team has the ball.
|Holding and releasing {{button|wii|A}} when the players' team has the ball.
|-style="background:#0066ff;color:white"
!colspan=3|Defensive Controls
|-
!Steal
|{{button|wii|1}}
|{{button|wii|A}}
|-
!Smash Steal
|Blocking for an extended time period.
|Blocking for an extended time period.
|-
!Jump Block
|{{button|wii|2}}
|Shaking the Wii Remote
|-
!Jump Cut
|{{button|wii|1}} while blocking.
|{{button|wii|A}} while blocking.
|-
!Jump Attack
|{{button|wii|2}} button while blocking.
|Shaking the Wii Remote while blocking.
|-
!Use Item
|{{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|wii|B}}
|}

===Volleyball===
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style=background:#ccc
!width=10%|Command
!width=45%|Wii Remote (horizontal)
!width=45%|Wii Remote + Nunchuk
|-style="background:#66aa00;color:white"
!colspan=3|Serving Controls
|-
!Move
|{{button|wii|Pad}}
|{{button|wii|Stick}}
|-
!Toss
|Overhand: {{button|wii|2}}<br>Underhand: {{button|wii|Paddown}} then {{button|wii|2}}<br>Jump Toss: {{button|wii|Padup}} then {{button|wii|2}}
|Overhand: Swinging the Wii Remote up.<br>Underhand: Swinging the Wii Remote down.<br>Jump Toss: {{button|wii|A}} + swinging the Wii Remote.
|-
!Serve
|{{button|wii|2}}
|Shaking the Wii Remote
|-style="background:#ff6600;color:white"
!colspan=3|Other Controls
|-
!Move
|{{button|wii|Pad}}
|{{button|wii|Stick}}
|-
!Swap Characters
|{{button|wii|B}} This only works if the player's teammates are CPU players.
|{{button|wii|C}} This only works if the players' teammates are CPU players.
|-
!Receive
|{{button|wii|2}}
|Shaking the Wii Remote.
|-
!Jump
|{{button|wii|1}} On the third hit, {{button|wii|2}}. If Auto Jump is ON, this command executes immediately before a spike.
|{{button|wii|A}}. On the third hit, shaking the Wii Remote. If Auto Jump is ON, this command executes immediately before a spike.
|-
!Spike
|{{button|wii|2}} while jumping.
|Shaking the Wii Remote while jumping.
|-
!Super Spike
|Spiking after charging at the landing marker.
|Spiking after charging at the landing marker.
|-
!Aiming Spikes
|{{button|wii|Pad}} to move the landing cursor.
|{{button|wii|Stick}} to move the landing cursor.
|-
!Fake Out
|{{button|wii|1}} while jumping.
|{{button|wii|A}} while jumping.
|-
!Block
|{{button|wii|2}} while near the net.
|Shaking the Wii Remote
|-
!Use Item
|{{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|wii|B}}
|-
!Item Spike
|{{button|wii|A}} while jumping.
|{{button|wii|B}} button then shaking the Wii Remote.
|-
!Special Move
|{{button|wii|1}} + {{button|wii|2}}
|{{button|wii|A}} + {{button|wii|B}}
|-
!Combo
|Holding and then releasing the {{button|wii|1}} button when the players' team has the ball.
|Holding and then releasing the {{button|wii|A}} button when the players' team has the ball.
|}

===Dodgeball===
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style="background:#cccccc"
!width=10%|Command!!width=45%|Wii Remote (horizontal)!!width=45%|Wii Remote + Nunchuk
|-style="background:#66aa00;color:white"
!colspan=3|Common Controls
|-
!Move
|{{button|wii|Pad}}
|{{button|wii|Stick}}
|-
!Swap Characters
|{{button|wii|B}} This only works if the player's teammates are CPU players.
|{{button|wii|C}} This only works if the player's teammates are CPU players.
|-style="background:#ff6600;color:white"
!colspan=3|Offensive Controls
|-
!Attack
|{{button|wii|2}}
|Shaking the Wii Remote
|-
!Super Attack
|While running near the center line, {{button|wii|2}} when the charge is full.
|While running near the center line, shaking the Wii Remote when the charge is full.
|-
!Jump Attack
|Running to the center line to jump. During that time, {{button|wii|2}} button to attack.
|Running to the center line to jump. During that time, shaking the Wii Remote to attack.
|-
!Pass
|{{button|wii|1}} {{button|wii|Pad}} is used to direct the pass on 3-player teams.
|{{button|wii|A}} {{button|wii|Stick}} is used to direct the pass on 3-player teams.
|-
!Fake Out
|Shaking the Wii Remote
|{{button|wii|Pad}} then shaking the Wii Remote.
|-
!Special Move
|{{button|wii|1}} + {{button|wii|2}}
|{{button|wii|A}} + {{button|wii|B}}
|-
!Item Attack
|{{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|wii|B}} then shaking the Wii Remote.
|-
!Combo
|Holding and then releasing {{button|wii|1}} when the players' team has the ball.
|Holding and then releasing {{button|wii|A}} when the players' team has the ball.
|-style="background:#0066ff;color:white"
!colspan=3|Defensive Controls
|-
!Dodge Roll
|{{button|wii|1}}. Some characters repel the dodgeball instead of evading it; those kinds of moves have no effect against item attacks.
|Shaking the Wii Remote. Some characters repel the dodgeball instead of evading it; those kinds of moves have no effect against item attacks.
|-
!Catch
|{{button|wii|2}} This move has no effect against item attacks.
|{{button|wii|A}} + {{button|wii|B}} This move has no effect against item attacks.
|-
!Diving Catch
|{{button|wii|1}} button before the dodgeball touches the ground.
|Shaking the Wii Remote before the dodgeball touches the ground.
|-
!Steal Pass
|Shaking the Wii Remote.
|{{button|wii|A}}
|-
!Use Item
|{{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|wii|B}}
|}

===Hockey===
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style="background:#cccccc"
!width=10%|Command!!width=45%|Wii Remote (horizontal)!!width=45%|Wii Remote + Nunchuk
|-style="background:#66aa00;color:white"
!colspan=3|Common Controls
|-
!Face-Off
|Shaking the Wii Remote.
|Shaking the Wii Remote.
|-
!Skate
|{{button|wii|Pad}}
|{{button|wii|Stick}}
|-
!Stop / Turn
|{{button|wii|Pad}} in the opposite direction.
|{{button|wii|Stick}} in the opposite direction.
|-
!Fighting
|Shaking the Wii Remote.
|Shaking the Wii Remote.
|-
!Swap Characters
|{{button|wii|B}} This only works if the players' teammates are CPU players.
|{{button|wii|C}} This only works if the players' teammates are CPU players.
|-style="background:#ff6600;color:white"
!colspan=3|Offensive Controls
|-
!Shoot
|{{button|wii|2}}
|Shaking the Wii Remote.
|-
!Aiming Shots
|{{button|wii|2}}; {{button|wii|Pad}} to adjust the aiming direction.
|{{button|wii|Z}}; {{button|wii|Stick}} to adjust the aiming direction.
|-
!Charge
|{{button|wii|2}}
|{{button|wii|Z}}
|-
!Super Shot
|Releasing {{button|wii|2}} after charging.
|Shaking the Wii Remote after charging.
|-
!Fake Out
|Shaking the Wii Remote while charging.
|{{button|wii|Z}} then {{button|wii|A}}
|-
!Pass
|{{button|wii|1}}
|{{button|wii|A}}
|-
!Special Move
|{{button|wii|1}} + {{button|wii|2}}
|{{button|wii|A}} + {{button|wii|B}}
|-
!Item Shot
|{{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|wii|B}} then shaking the Wii Remote.
|-
!Combo
|Holding and releasing {{button|wii|1}} when the players' team has the puck.
|Holding and releasing {{button|wii|A}} when the players' team has the puck.
|-style="background:#0066ff;color:white"
!colspan=3|Defensive Controls
|-
!Check
|{{button|wii|2}} button. A more powerful check is performed when players check three times in a row.
|Shaking the Wii Remote. A more powerful check is performed when players check three times in a row.
|-
!Intercept
|{{button|wii|2}}
|Shaking the Wii Remote.
|-
!Use Item
|{{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|wii|B}}
|-
!Goalkeeper Control
|{{button|wii|2}} button when the opponent shoots.
|{{button|wii|Z}} button when the opponent shoots.
|}

===Behemoth battle===
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style="background:#cccccc"
!width=10%|Command!!width=45%|Wii Remote (horizontal)!!width=45%|Wii Remote + Nunchuk
|-
!Move
|{{button|wii|Pad}}
|{{button|wii|Stick}}
|-
!Swap Characters
|{{button|wii|B}} This only works if the player's teammates are CPU players.
|{{button|wii|C}} button. This only works if the player's teammates are CPU players.
|-
!Shoot (Hockey)
|{{button|wii|2}} button to charge and releasing to attack.
|{{button|wii|Z}} button to charge and releasing it to attack.
|-
!Attack (Dodgeball)
|{{button|wii|2}}
|Shaking the Wii Remote
|-
!Dunk (Basketball)
|{{button|wii|2}} button while holding a meteor and running near Behemoth's head.
|Shaking the Wii Remote while holding a meteor and running near Behemoth's head.
|-
!Pass
|{{button|wii|1}} while holding a meteor to pass to teammates. The teammates treat the meteor as a volleyball.
|{{button|wii|A}} while holding a meteor to pass to teammates. The teammates treat the meteor as a volleyball.
|-
!Dodge Roll (Dodgeball)
|{{button|wii|1}} button. All characters do this move, regardless of defensive maneuvers in dodgeball.
|Shaking the Wii Remote. All characters do this move, regardless of defensive maneuvers in dodgeball.
|-
!Use Item
|{{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|wii|B}}
|-
! Special Move
|{{button|wii|1}} + {{button|wii|2}}
|{{button|wii|A}} + {{button|wii|B}}
|}

==Characters==
===Playable characters===
[[File:MSM Characterselect.png|thumb|250px|The starting roster.]]
There are nineteen playable characters in ''Mario Sports Mix''; thirteen are default and six are unlockable. All of them are categorized by five groups:
*'''{{color|All-around|green}}''' - All-around characters have average Power, Speed, and Technique. They generally are not strong or weak at any stats.
*'''{{color|Technical|orange}}''' - Technical characters have more Technique than Speed and Power. These characters can better aim their shots.
*'''{{color|Powerful|red}}''' - Powerful characters have more Power than Speed and Technique. These characters have stronger and faster attacks and shots.
*'''{{color|Speedy|blue}}''' - Speedy characters have more Speed than Power and Technique. These characters can move faster over the ground.
*'''{{color|Tricky|hotpink}}''' - Tricky characters have one strong stat and two usually weak stats. However, they do have some useful, but tricky moves.
As ''Mario Hoops 3-on-3'', this game is shown to make use of character specific abilities. Prior to using these abilities, there is a meter that needs to be filled (shown on the bottom left and right corners of the gameplay screen). These abilities in question can allow the characters to unleash a powerful move in the variety of sports in the game that can help the players win a game. Each special ability is unique to each character and these moves tend to vary from the sport that players are playing.

Finally, the playable characters have their own stat values, which depict their strengths and weaknesses. For the respective charts shown below on this article, the stat values for each playable character are out of 5.
====Starting characters====
=====All-around characters=====
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style="background:#1C9C00;color:white"
!width=120px|Character
!|Special Shot
!colspan=2|Stats
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallMario.png|link=Mario|center]]
|rowspan=3|Mario blasts a fiery shot at his target. The shot can be blocked by an attack, but can slip into the goal if the character fails to hold it off. In dodgeball, the blast has a radius that can hit nearby opponents. In volleyball, the shot can only be blocked if it ends up on another player.
|height=30|Power||3/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||3/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||3/5
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallLuigi.png|link=Luigi|center]]
|rowspan=3|Luigi first attempts to suck characters towards him while he is using his [[Poltergust 3000]]. After he draws them in, he makes a shot on his target. Opponents caught long enough in the suction trip and are unable to defend against the shot.
|height=30|Power||2/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||3/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||4/5
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallYoshi.png|link=Yoshi|center]]
|rowspan=3|Yoshi throws the ball or puck in a single, bouncy rainbow line. The rainbow line quickly changes where it is going to land, confusing other players. In basketball and dodgeball, two bouncy balls head towards the goal as opposed to one. In basketball, however, one of the balls is a decoy; it is not counted if it reaches the goal.
|height=30|Power||3/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||4/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||2/5
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:Mii-CSS-MarioSportsMix.png|link=Mii]]
|rowspan=3|Miis build up energy of their favorite color as they aim at the goal. It is identical to Mario's Special Shot, as it can be blocked in the same way as Mario's. In volleyball, the ball has to land on another player for it to be blocked. When the ball hits in the ground in dodgeball, it sends out a blast radius that deals damage to anyone in range.
|height=30|Power||3/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||3/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||3/5
|}

=====Technical characters=====
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style="background:#FFAB00;color:white"
!width=120px|Character
!|Special Shot
!colspan=2|Stats
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallPeach.png|link=Princess Peach]]
|rowspan=3|Peach makes a heart surround her that releases multiple hearts. The hearts stun other players for a couple of seconds, making it harder for them to stop the ball or puck from reaching the goal.
|height=30|Power||1/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||3/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||5/5
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallDaisy.png|link=Princess Daisy]]
|rowspan=3|Daisy makes a small garden appear where her aim is. The garden limits the movement of other characters. In basketball and hockey, it is a half-circled garden that surrounds the goal, but in volleyball and dodgeball, it is a slightly larger full-circle garden.
|height=30|Power||2/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||2/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||5/5
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallWaluigi.png|link=Waluigi]]
|rowspan=3|Waluigi makes a machine with 4 arms that sends out electricity to stop any attackers. After Waluigi has fired his third shot, he shoots for the goal. In all sports, all the shots that connect are counted. However, in basketball, each successful shot is only worth 1 point, instead of its regular worth.
|height=30|Power||2/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||2/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||5/5
|}

=====Powerful characters=====
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style="background:#DF1500;color:white"
!width=120px|Character
!|Special Shot
!colspan=2|Stats
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallWario.png|link=Wario]]
|rowspan=3|Wario throws his trademark bomb similar to that of the [[WarioWare (series)|''WarioWare'' series]]. The bomb then explodes, which can knock any character in the explosion away. After the bomb has detonated, it fills up the court with gas, obscuring the view where Wario is going to shoot, which can make it hard for players (including Wario) to tell where the ball or puck is going to go to.
|height=30|Power||5/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||2/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||2/5
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallDonkey.png|link=Donkey Kong]]
|rowspan=3|Donkey Kong bangs the ground with his fists, causing all characters in the opponent's side to be dazed.
|height=30|Power||5/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||1/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||3/5
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallBowser.png|link=Bowser]]
|rowspan=3|Bowser spits a fireball at an area near the goal, where it makes a large blast. Any character that gets caught in the blast radius ends up knocked away and burnt.
|height=30|Power||5/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||1/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||2/5
|}

=====Speedy characters=====
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style="background:#1159CF;color:white"
!width=120px|Character
!|Special Shot
!colspan=2|Stats
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallDiddy.png|link=Diddy Kong]]
|rowspan=3|Diddy Kong throws a banana boomerang that has an exponential curve before releasing the ball or puck. The boomerang stuns any defender it hits.
|height=30|Power||1/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||5/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||3/5
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallJunior.png|link=Bowser Jr.]]
|rowspan=3|Bowser Jr. takes out his trademark [[Magic Paintbrush|paintbrush]] and paints the ground with it. The painted ground makes characters easily lose their traction and slip, which makes it trickier to stop Bowser Jr. from scoring.
|height=30|Power||3/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||5/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||1/5
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallToad.png|link=Toad]]
|rowspan=3|Toad makes mushrooms appear that can hinder other players from preventing him to make a point or shot. The mushrooms move automatically to make it even trickier to prevent the shot.
|height=30|Power||2/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||5/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||2/5
|}

====Unlockable characters====
[[File:RosterComplete-MarioSportsMix.png|thumb|250px|The complete roster.]]
The ''Final Fantasy'' characters from ''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]'' make a return in this game. Additionally, the ''Dragon Quest'' character [[Slime (Dragon Quest)|Slime]] makes an appearance, previously having appeared alongside other ''Super Mario'' characters in ''[[Itadaki Street DS]]''. These characters are all unlockable and also the only unlockable characters of the game.

Characters who are unlocked by playing a certain number of matches or by clearing secret missions in Tournament mode, can only be used in the sports that they are unlocked in. However, characters who are unlocked by clearing Star Road can be used for all sports.

For the characters that are unlocked by playing a certain number of matches, including Wi-Fi matches, the players are not required to win every match. Also, when the players cleared the Star Road, but already has unlocked the character for all sports in a different way, the players gets the next character instead. For example, if players have already unlocked [[White Mage]] for every sport, and then clears the Star Road for the 2nd time, they unlock [[Black Mage]] for every sport instead.

Ninja, White Mage, and Black Mage never appear as CPU opponents at normal tournaments, except for the Star Cup finals. However, they can appear when players are taking alternate routes.
=====All-around character=====
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style="background:#1C9C00;color:white"
!width=120px|Character
!Special Shot
!width=300px|How to Unlock
!colspan=2|Stats
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallNinja.png|link=Ninja (character)|center]]
|rowspan=3|Ninja makes two copies of himself that go for the goal. The two copies are simply illusions and do not count for a point, but if the actual Ninja scores, he and his team gets a point. In dodgeball, if his copies hits opponents, they lose a section of their HP despite the copies being illusions.
|rowspan=3|
*Clear Star Road for the first time.
|height=30|Power||3/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||4/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||3/5
|}

=====Technical character=====
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style="background:#FFAB00;color:white"
!width=120px|Character
!Special Shot
!width=300px|How To Unlock
!colspan=2|Stats
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallWhite.png|link=White Mage]]
|rowspan=3|White Mage aims her goal using a different aiming circle than any other character in the game, proceeded by a shot, which is a blast of light. Any player that gets hit by the blast gets pushed back and loses a section of their HP in dodgeball. In volleyball, the ball lands in a random location, making it trickier to know where the shot lands.
|rowspan=3|
*Clear Star Road for the second time.
*Clear a certain Mushroom Cup mission.
*Win the Flower Cup 4 times.
|height=30|Power||2/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||3/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||5/5
|}

=====Tricky characters=====
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style="background:#FF6678;color:white"
!width=120px|Character
!Special Shot
!width=300px|How to Unlock
!colspan=2|Stats
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallBlack.png|link=Black Mage]]
|rowspan=3|Black Mage waves his wand and uses lightning to shrink nearby opponents, as if they consumed a Mini Mushroom. He then sends the ball or puck into the location of his aim. Opponents remain tiny for the duration of the move before returning to normal. In Dodgeball, players can dodge roll to avoid the lightning.
|rowspan=3|
*Clear Star Road for the third time.
*Clear a certain Mushroom Cup mission.
*Win the Star Cup 4 times.
|height=30|Power||2/5
|-
|height=30|Speed||2/5
|-
|height=30|Technique||5/5
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallSlime.png|link=Slime (Dragon Quest)]]
|rowspan=3|Slime sends copies of itself into the court. The Slime copies stun any character they touch and they appear to follow the characters.
|rowspan=3|
*Play 28 matches in one sport.
*Clear a certain Flower Cup mission.
|height=30|Power
|5/5
|-
|height=30|Speed
|2/5
|-
|height=30|Technique
|1/5
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallMoogle.png|link=Moogle]]
|rowspan=3|When Moogle throws the ball or puck, the ball disappears briefly, and then reappears at a different spot, which could throw off other players.
|rowspan=3|
*Clear the Mushroom Cup.
|height=30|Power
|1/5
|-
|height=30|Speed
| 2/5
|-
|height=30|Technique
|5/5
|-
|rowspan=3|[[File:MSMsmallCactuar.png|link=Cactuar]]
|rowspan=3|Cactuar fires [[1000 Needles|needles]] that can hinder the players' movements (players are briefly immobilized at times).
|rowspan=3|
*Play 60 matches in one sport.
*Clear a certain Star Cup mission.
|height=30|Power
|1/5
|-
|height=30|Speed
|{{color|6/5|red}}
|-
|height=30|Technique
|1/5
|}

====Alternate colors====
[[File:MSM Alternateoutfit.png|thumb|[[Toad (species)|Blue Toad]] has been unlocked for [[Dodgeball]].]]
Certain characters have alternate colors that can be unlocked by performing certain objectives. Alternate colors can be used only in the sports that they are unlocked in, but colors unlocked by clearing Star Road can be used for all sports. To scroll through colors, the players can press the {{button|wii|+}} button on the Wii Remote, regardless of the control scheme used.

In tournaments, it is possible for the CPU team to use more than one of a certain character, which is not possible for the players' team, nor in exhibition matches. Likewise, if the players' team contains a character who has an alternate color, the CPU team can still use that character's unused colors in tournaments; for example, if the players' team contains Yoshi, it is still possible to see a different color Yoshi in a CPU team. CPUs can use alternate colors of characters even if the player has not unlocked them yet.
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100% clear=all
|-style=background:#999
!width=10%|Character
!width=10%|Alternate color
!width=25%|Usage unlock method
!width=30%|Mission unlock method
!width=25%|Star Road unlock method
|-
!rowspan=3|Yoshi
!height=40|[[File:Yoshi3-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>Light-blue Yoshi
|15 matches as Yoshi.
|Light-blue Yoshi mission at the Star Cup.
|N/A 
|-
!height=40|[[File:Yoshi4-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>Yellow Yoshi
|20 matches as Yoshi.
|Yellow Yoshi mission at the Flower Cup.
|N/A
|-
!height=40|[[File:Yoshi2-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>Pink Yoshi
|25 matches as Yoshi.
|Pink Yoshi mission at the Flower Cup.
|N/A
|-
!height=40|Peach
!height=40|[[File:Peach-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>tennis-wear
|40 matches as Peach.
|Tennis-wear Peach mission at the Mushroom Cup  
|N/A
|-
!height=40|Daisy
!height=40|[[File:Daisy-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>tennis-wear
|40 matches as Daisy.
|Tennis-wear Daisy mission at the Flower Cup
|N/A
|-
!rowspan=3|Toad
!height=40|[[File:Toad2-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>Blue Toad
|15 matches as Toad.
|Blue Toad mission at the Mushroom Cup.
|N/A
|-
!height=40|[[File:Toad4-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>Yellow Toad
|20 matches as Toad.
|Yellow Toad mission at the Mushroom Cup.
|N/A
|-
!height=40|[[File:Toad3-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>Green Toad
|25 matches as Toad.
|Green Toad mission at the Star Cup.
|N/A
|-
!height=40|Ninja
![[File:Ninja2-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>Shadow White
|20 matches as Ninja.
|Shadow White Ninja mission at the Flower Cup.
|Star Road cleared for the fourth time.
|-
!height=40|White Mage
![[File:WhiteMage2-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>Pure White
|20 matches as White Mage.
|Pure White Mage mission at the Flower Cup.
|Star Road cleared for the fifth time.
|-
!height=40|Black Mage
![[File:BlackMage2-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>Magic Red
|20 matches as Black Mage.
|Magic Red Black Mage mission at the Star Cup.
|Star Road cleared for the sixth time.
|-
!rowspan=2|Slime
!height=40|[[File:Slime2-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>She-Slime
|20 matches as Slime.
|She-Slime mission at the Star Cup.
|N/A
|-
!height=40|[[File:Slime3-CSS-MSM.png]]<br>Metal Slime
|40 matches as Slime.
|Metal Slime mission at the Star Cup.
|N/A
|}

===Non-playable characters===
*[[Behemoth]]
*[[Behemoth King]]
*[[Birdo]]
*[[Shy Guy|Blue Shy Guy]]
*[[Yoshi (species)|Blue Yoshi]]
*[[Bob-omb]]
*[[Boo]]
*[[Dry Bones]]
*[[Gold Ghost]]
*[[Koopa Troopa]]
*[[Lakitu]]
*[[Monty Mole]]
*[[Penguin]]
*[[Petey Piranha]]
*[[Pianta]]
*[[Purple Puncher]]
*[[Toad (species)|Red Toad]]
*[[Yoshi (species)|Red Yoshi]]
*[[Shy Guy]]

==Courts==
There are fourteen playable courts in ''Mario Sports Mix''. Courts in this game are often based on the courts from ''Mario Hoops 3-on-3'', some of them even directly return with a slight redesign.

Each cup holds three courts that can be played depending on the sport. There are also three extra courts, which do not appear in normal tournaments. They can be unlocked by playing many games or completing missions in Tournament mode.

There are also two courts in each sport that cannot be played in Exhibition Mode or in a tournament.

Unlockable stages are marked with an asterisk (*).

===Basketball===
'''Incompatible courts:''' [[Toad Park]] and [[Waluigi Pinball (court)|Waluigi Pinball]]
{|class="wikitable"style="width:1200px;margin:1em auto;text-align:center"
|- 
!width="25%"|Cup
!width="25%"|First round
!width="25%"|Second round
!width="25%"|Third round
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Kinoko_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''[[Mushroom Cup]]'''
|[[File:MSM 1-1 Basketball.png|200px]]<br>[[Mario Stadium (Mario Sports Mix)|Mario Stadium]]
|[[File:KoopaBeach-Basketball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Koopa Troopa Beach (court)#Mario Sports Mix|Koopa Troopa Beach]]
|[[File:DKDock-Basketball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[DK Dock]]*
|-
|"''A basic stadium filled with cheering fans. No gimmicks.''"
|"''A sunny beach stage. Coins and shells will wash up on shore.''"
|"''A stage on a moving wooden dock. If you jump at the wrong time, you'll fall into the water.''"
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Flower_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''[[Flower Cup]]'''
|[[File:LuigiMansion-Basketball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Luigi's Mansion (Mario Sports Mix)|Luigi's Mansion]]
|[[File:WesternJunction-Basketball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Western Junction]]
|[[File:DaisyGarden-Basketball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Daisy Garden]]*
|-
|"''A stage in a spooky mansion. The ghosts might help you if you give them the ball...''"
|"''A desert stage with a moving turntable. Items will fall from the train as it passes by.''"
|"''An indoor atrium stage. When Petey Piranha opens his mouth, it's your chance to shoot!''"
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Star_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''[[Star Cup]]'''
|[[File:MSM 3-1 Basketball.png|200px]]<br>[[Bowser Jr. Blvd.]]
|[[File:BowserCastle-Basketball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Bowser's Castle (Mario Sports Mix)|Bowser's Castle]]*
|[[File:StarShip-Basketball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Star Ship (court)|Star Ship]]*
|-
|"''A stage on a bright city street. Shoot from bonus panels to boost your score.''"
|"''A volcanic stage at Bowser's Castle. Lava bubbles fly up from the magma!''"
|"''A stage aboard a flying ship. Picking up crystals will add bonus points to your score!''"
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Extra_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''Extra'''
|[[File:PeachCastle-Basketball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Peach's Castle (Mario Sports Mix)|Peach's Castle]]*
|[[File:WarioFactory-Basketball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Wario Factory (Mario Sports Mix)|Wario Factory]]*
|[[File:GhoulishGalleon-Basketball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Ghoulish Galleon]]*
|-
|"''A stage outside Peach's Castle. Water will spout up, blocking shots and routes to the net!''"
|"''A stage located in a busy factory. Step on an arrow panel to speed up the conveyor belt.''"
|"''A stage aboard a ghostly sailing ship. If you break the crates on deck, Dry Bones will emerge.''"
|}

===Volleyball===
'''Incompatible courts:''' [[Toad Park]] and [[Daisy Garden]]
{|class="wikitable" style="width:1200px;margin:1em auto;text-align:center"
|- 
!width="25%"|Cup
!width="25%"|First round
!width="25%"|Second round
!width="25%"|Third round
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Kinoko_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''[[Mushroom Cup]]'''
|[[File:MarioStadium-Volleyball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Mario Stadium (Mario Sports Mix)|Mario Stadium]]
|[[File:KoopaBeach-Volleyball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Koopa Troopa Beach (court)#Mario Sports Mix|Koopa Troopa Beach]]
|[[File:PeachCastleMSM.png|200px]]<br>[[Peach's Castle (Mario Sports Mix)|Peach's Castle]]*
|-
|"''A basic stadium filled with cheering fans. No gimmicks.''"
|"''A sunny beach stage. Coins and shells will wash up on shore.''"
|"''A stage outside Peach's Castle. The net spouts water that will repel the ball.''"
|-
|rowspan=4|[[File:Flower_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''[[Flower Cup]]'''
|[[File:DKDock-Volleyball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[DK Dock]]
|[[File:LuigiMansion-Volleyball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Luigi's Mansion (Mario Sports Mix)|Luigi's Mansion]]
|[[File:WesternJunction-Volleyball-2vs2-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Western Junction]]*
|-
|"''A stage on a moving wooden dock. If your aim is off, the ball might fall into the water.''"
|"''A stage in a spooky mansion. The ghosts might help you if you give them the ball...''"
|"''A desert stage with a moving turntable. Items will fall from the train as it passes by.''"
|-
|colspan=3|[[File:Daisy_Garden_(Volleyball).jpg|200px]]<br>[[Daisy Garden]]
|-
|colspan=3|While Daisy Garden is not playable in Exhibition Mode or in a normal Tournament, it is featured in a Flower Cup alternate route to unlock Tennis-Wear Daisy.
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Star_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''[[Star Cup]]'''
|[[File:BowserJrBlvd-Volleyball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Bowser Jr. Blvd.]]
|[[File:BowserCastle-Volleyball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Bowser's Castle (Mario Sports Mix)|Bowser's Castle]]*
|[[File:StarShip-Volleyball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Star Ship (court)|Star Ship]]*
|-
|"''A stage on a bright city street. Spike a row of three panels to score a bingo bonus.''"
|"''A volcanic stage at Bowser's Castle. Lava bubbles fly up, and the net shifts after a score.''"
|"''A stage aboard a flying ship. Picking up crystals will add bonus points to your score!''"
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Extra_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''Extra'''
|[[File:WarioFactory-Volleyball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Wario Factory (Mario Sports Mix)|Wario Factory]]*
|[[File:WaluigiPinball-Volleyball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Waluigi Pinball (court)|Waluigi Pinball]]*
|[[File:GhoulishGalleon-Volleyball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Ghoulish Galleon]]*
|-
|"''A stage located in a busy factory. Step on an arrow panel to speed up the conveyor belt.''"
|"''A pinball stage with a mechanical Waluigi. Players hit by rolling pinballs will be knocked down.''"
|"''A stage aboard a ghostly sailing ship. If you break the crates on deck, Dry Bones will emerge.''"
|}

===Dodgeball===
'''Incompatible courts:''' [[Luigi's Mansion (Mario Sports Mix)|Luigi's Mansion]] and [[Bowser Jr. Blvd.]]
{|class="wikitable"style="width:1200px;margin:1em auto;text-align:center"
|- 
!width="25%"|Cup
!width="25%"|First round
!width="25%"|Second round
!width="25%"|Third round
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Kinoko_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''[[Mushroom Cup]]'''
|[[File:MarioStadium-Dodgeball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Mario Stadium (Mario Sports Mix)|Mario Stadium]]
|[[File:KoopaBeach-Dodgeball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Koopa Troopa Beach (court)#Mario Sports Mix|Koopa Troopa Beach]]
|[[File:PeachCastle-Dodgeball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Peach's Castle (Mario Sports Mix)|Peach's Castle]]*
|-
|"''A basic stadium filled with cheering fans. No gimmicks.''"
|"''A sunny beach stage. Coins and shells will wash up on shore.''"
|"''A stage outside Peach's Castle. Water will spout from the center line, dividing the sides.''"
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Flower_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''[[Flower Cup]]'''
|[[File:DKDock-Dodgeball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[DK Dock]]
|[[File:ToadPark-Dodgeball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Toad Park]]
|[[File:DaisyGarden-Dodgeball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Daisy Garden]]*
|-
|"''A stage on a moving wooden dock. If you jump at the wrong time, you'll fall into the water.''"
|"''A stage at an amusement park.  The traffic-cone obstructions can be broken.''"
|"''An indoor atrium stage. If you pass the ball to Petey Piranha, he'll spit up a mud ball.''"
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Star_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''[[Star Cup]]'''
|[[File:WarioFactory-Dodgeball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Wario Factory (Mario Sports Mix)|Wario Factory]]
|[[File:BowserCastle-Dodgeball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Bowser's Castle (Mario Sports Mix)|Bowser's Castle]]*
|[[File:StarShip-Dodgeball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Star Ship (court)|Star Ship]]*
|-
|"''A stage located in a busy factory. Step on an arrow panel to speed up the conveyor belt.''"
|"''A volcanic stage at Bowser's Castle. Lava bubbles fly up, and the stage shifts as players are eliminated.''"
|"''A stage aboard a flying ship. Picking up crystals will add bonus points to your score!''"
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Extra_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''Extra'''
||[[File:WesternJunction-Dodgeball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Western Junction]]*
|[[File:WaluigiPinball-Dodgeball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Waluigi Pinball (court)|Waluigi Pinball]]*
|[[File:GhoulishGalleon-Dodgeball-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Ghoulish Galleon]]*
|-
|"''A desert stage with a moving turntable. Items will fall from the train as it passes by.''"
|"''A pinball stage with a mechanical Waluigi. Attack a rolling pinball to divert it away from you.''"
|"''A stage aboard a ghostly sailing ship. If you break the crates on deck, Dry Bones will emerge.''"
|}

===Hockey===
'''Incompatible courts:''' [[DK Dock]] and [[Luigi's Mansion (Mario Sports Mix)|Luigi's Mansion]]
{|class="wikitable"style="width:1200px;margin:1em auto;text-align:center"
|- 
!width="25%"|Cup
!width="25%"|First round
!width="25%"|Second round
!width="25%"|Third round
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Kinoko_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''[[Mushroom Cup]]'''
|[[File:MSM 1-1 Hockey.png|200px]]<br>[[Mario Stadium (Mario Sports Mix)|Mario Stadium]]
|[[File:ToadPark-Hockey-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Toad Park]]
|[[File:PeachCastle-Hockey-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Peach's Castle (Mario Sports Mix)|Peach's Castle]]*
|-
|"''A basic stadium filled with cheering fans. No gimmicks.''"
|"''A stage at an amusement park.  The traffic-cone obstructions can be broken.''"
|"''A stage outside Peach's Castle. Turn off the water by stepping on a special panel.''"
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Flower_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''[[Flower Cup]]'''
|[[File:WesternJunction-Hockey-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Western Junction]]
|[[File:WarioFactory-Hockey-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Wario Factory (Mario Sports Mix)|Wario Factory]]
|[[File:DaisyGarden-Hockey-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Daisy Garden]]*
|-
|"''A desert stage with a moving turntable. Items will fall from the train as it passes by.''"
|"''A stage located in a busy factory. Watch out for items moving along the conveyor belt!''"
|"''An indoor atrium stage. Check Petey Piranha, and he'll spit mud onto the floor.''"
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Star_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''[[Star Cup]]'''
|[[File:BowserJrBlvd-Hockey-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Bowser Jr. Blvd.]]
|[[File:MSM Waluigipinball hockey.png|200px]]<br>[[Waluigi Pinball (court)|Waluigi Pinball]]*
|[[File:StarShip-Hockey-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Star Ship (court)|Star Ship]]*
|-
|"''A stage on a bright city street. Shoot from bonus panels to boost your score.''"
|"''A pinball stage with a mechanical Waluigi. Players hit by rolling pinballs will be knocked down.''"
|"''A stage aboard a flying ship. Picking up crystals will add bonus points to your score!''"
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:Extra_Cup_(Mario_Sports_Wii).png]]<br>'''Extra'''
|[[File:KoopaBeach-Hockey-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Koopa Troopa Beach (court)#Mario Sports Mix|Koopa Troopa Beach]]*
|[[File:GhoulishGalleon-Hockey-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Ghoulish Galleon]]*
|[[File:BowserCastle-Hockey-3vs3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]<br>[[Bowser's Castle (Mario Sports Mix)|Bowser's Castle]]*
|-
|"''A sunny beach stage. Coins and shells will wash up on shore.''"
|"''A stage aboard a ghostly sailing ship. If you break the crates on deck, Dry Bones will emerge.''"
|"''A volcanic stage at Bowser's Castle. Lava bubbles fly up from the magma!''"
|}
====Unlockable courts====
Some courts must be unlocked before the players can play on them. The way to unlock these courts differs per sport.

Normal courts can be unlocked by simply playing on them in Tournament mode. Extra courts can also be unlocked by playing on them in Tournament mode, but the Extra courts only appear in the Alternate routes. It is also possible to unlock courts by playing a certain number of matches in Tournament or Exhibition mode. The player does not necessarily need to win matches.
{|border=1 cellpadding=1 style=background:#E3F6CE;text-align:center;border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
!colspan=5 style=background:#BDBDBD|Unlockable courts for every sports
|-style=background:#D8D8D8
!Court
!Dodgeball
!Volleyball
!Basketball
!Hockey
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2 height=38|{{color-link|Mario Stadium (Mario Sports Mix)|#000|Mario Stadium}}
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2|{{color-link|Koopa Troopa Beach (court)#Mario Sports Mix|#000|Koopa Troopa Beach}}
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|<small>Certain Mushroom Cup mission should be won<br>or 30 matches played</small>
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2|{{color-link|Peach's Castle (court)|#000|Peach's Castle}}
|<small>3rd Mushroom Cup round should be won<br>or 10 matches played</small>
|<small>3rd Mushroom Cup round should be won<br>or 10 matches played</small>
|<small>Certain Mushroom Cup mission should be won<br>or 30 matches played</small>
|<small>3rd Mushroom Cup round should be won<br>or 10 matches played</small>
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2|{{color-link|DK Dock|#000}}
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|<small>3rd Mushroom Cup round should be won<br>or 10 matches played</small>
|style="background:#F8E0E0;"|Can't be unlocked
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2 height=38|{{color-link|Toad Park|#000}}
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|style="background:#F8E0E0;"|Can't be unlocked
|style="background:#F8E0E0;"|Can't be unlocked
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2 height=38|{{color-link|Luigi's Mansion (Mario Sports Mix)|#000|Luigi's Mansion}}
|style="background:#F8E0E0;"|Can't be unlocked
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|style="background:#F8E0E0;"|Can't be unlocked
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2|{{color-link|Western Junction|#000}}
|<small>Certain Mushroom Cup mission should be won<br>or 30 matches played</small>
|<small>3rd Flower Cup round should be won<br>or 15 matches played</small>
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2|{{color-link|Daisy Garden|#000}}
|<small>3rd Flower Cup round should be won<br>or 15 matches played</small>
|style="background:#F8E0E0;"|Can't be unlocked
|<small>3rd Flower Cup round should be won<br>or 15 matches played</small>
|<small>3rd Flower Cup round should be won<br>or 15 matches played</small>
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2|{{color-link|Wario Factory (Mario Sports Mix)|#000|Wario Factory}}
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|<small>Certain Mushroom Cup mission should be won<br>or 30 matches played</small>
|<small>Certain Flower Cup mission should be won<br>or 35 matches played</small>
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2 height=38|{{color-link|Bowser Jr. Blvd.|#000}}
|style="background:#F8E0E0;"|Can't be unlocked
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|style=background:#FFF7D8|Already available
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2|{{color-link|Bowser's Castle (Mario Sports Mix)|#000|Bowser's Castle}}
|<small>2nd Star Cup round should be won<br>or 20 matches played</small>
|<small>2nd Star Cup round should be won<br>or 20 matches played</small>
|<small>2nd Star Cup round should be won<br>or 20 matches played</small>
|<small>Certain Star Cup mission should be won<br>or 40 matches played</small>
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2|{{color-link|Waluigi Pinball (court)|#000|Waluigi Pinball}}
|<small>Certain Flower Cup mission should be won<br>or 35 matches played</small>
|<small>Certain Flower Cup mission should be won<br>or 35 matches played</small>
|style="background:#F8E0E0;"|Can't be unlocked
|<small>2nd Star Cup round should be won<br>or 20 matches played</small>
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2|{{color-link|Ghoulish Galleon|#000}}
|<small>Certain Star Cup mission should be won<br>or 40 matches played</small>
|<small>Certain Star Cup mission should be won<br>or 40 matches played</small>
|<small>Certain Star Cup mission should be won<br>or 40 matches played</small>
|<small>Certain Flower Cup mission should be won<br>or 35 matches played</small>
|-
!style=background:#F2F2F2|{{color-link|Star Ship (court)|#000|Star Ship}}
|<small>3rd Star Cup round should be won<br>or 25 matches played</small>
|<small>3rd Star Cup round should be won<br>or 25 matches played</small>
|<small>3rd Star Cup round should be won<br>or 25 matches played</small>
|<small>3rd Star Cup round should be won<br>or 25 matches played</small>
|}

==Items==
As in most ''Super Mario'' games, there are items available during the gameplay of ''Mario Sports Mix''. These items are available by touching the available and various [[? Panel]]s on the court. Most of these items can struck players to make them lose coins, and all items also affect teammates as well.
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:100%
|-style="background:#FF6678;color:white"
!Item
!Name
!Function
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Banana - Mario Kart Wii.png|100px]]
![[Banana]]
|A single banana is thrown into the court. The bananas can make players slip and fall, which stuns them for a brief amount of time. Bananas can also be used to block incoming shells. When players use the item in conjunction with the ball/puck, the ball/puck makes a homing, wide curve and can hit anyone with the same effects of a banana.
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Bob-omb - Mario Kart Wii.png|100px]]
![[Bob-omb]]
|A bob-omb is thrown correspondingly to the user's aim. When the bomb lands, it explodes, knocking any player caught in the blast radius. Bob-ombs also obliterate items in its radius. A mini-game, [[Bob-omb Dodge]], has a sole purpose of tossing Bob-ombs of various sizes at players, who must dodge these bombs.
|-
|align="center"|[[File:NSMBDS Coin Artwork.png|90px]]
![[Coin]]
|Though not an offensive weapon, unlike all other items listed, coins play a vital role in ''Mario Sports Mix'' and serve as a puck in hockey, although the latter role is not associated with its sole purpose. Coins are mainly collected by running on ? Panels, but are also obtainable by stage hazards or by stealing them from other players via offensive items. Coins increase the score output and how much damage is done to players in dodgeball. Coins get depleted into points once players score or hurt players in dodgeball, which means that players must collect coins again if they want to score more points. A maximum of 10 coins can be collected at a time.
|-
|align="center"|[[File:MKW Green Shell Artwork.png|100px]]
![[Green Shell]]
|Similar to its function in the [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' series]], Green Shells move in a straight line and bounce off any wall. They get destroyed by any other item in play and disappear when they hit another player or bounce in the wall enough times. When used in conjunction with the ball/puck, this item homes towards its goal and can hit any player in its way, however stopping the ball/puck momentum.
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Mini Shroom.png|100px]]
![[Mini Mushroom]]
|The Mini Mushroom shrinks any players it comes in contact with. Except when used in conjunction with the ball/puck, the Mini Mushroom behaves quite similarly to the Banana; they both get lobbed and both remain in one spot. Any player turned mini cannot perform most moves and gets movement lowered. The Mini Mushroom's effects revert over time.
|-
|align="center"|[[File:MKW Red Shell Artwork.png|100px]]
![[Red Shell]]
|Much like the Green Shell, the Red Shell functions not too different than its counterpart in the ''Mario Kart'' series. The Red Shell homes after its nearby opponent. When contact is initiated, the player gets knocked in the same manner as a Green Shell. Red Shells do not rebound off walls and can get destroyed by another item. When used in conjunction with the ball/puck, the Red Shell does a large curve and homes for the goal. When in this form, the Red Shell can knock other players away, but this stops the momentum of the ball/puck, much like the Green Shell.
|-
|align="center"|[[File:Star.png|100px]]
![[Super Star]]
|Not too different than its functions in other various games, the Super Star makes players invincible. Unlike all other items, this item can be obtained very rarely, most likely to the losing team. When this item is collected, it automatically activates itself. The Super Star not only makes players invincible, it also powers up the ball/puck, making it impervious to other player attacks while flying through the players, homing to the goal and moving at a much faster speed.
|}
In the [[Behemoth]] battle, players can also collect '''Meteorites''' from [[? Panel]]s. Meteorites can be used in different ways; they can be thrown at Behemoth to damage it (like in Dodgeball). Players can also "dunk" it at Behemoth (like in Basketball). They can also pass the Meteorite at another teammate. Players must receive it and pass it to another player (Volleyball). By doing this, the SP Bar fills marginally, and the meteorite gains power. Coins can also be collected from ? Panels to give it more power. When the SP Bar is full, and all the players of the team are still in the game, the players can use a Special Shot. This can give Behemoth significant damage. When the meteorite falls on the ground, it and its power disappears; players must collect a new meteorite and recharge it.

==Modes of play==
''Mario Sports Mix'' has two game modes for each one of the four sports: Exhibition and Tournament. Each sport also has a tutorial video so that  players can learn how to play these sports.
===Exhibition===
[[File:MSM Exhibitionmenu.png|thumb|Players can select which court to play during a dodgeball match in Exhibition mode.]]
[[File:VS-MarioSportsMix.png|thumb|left|Before a match starts, a VS screen is shown to let players know which two teams are involved.]]
Exhibition mode allows players to play any one of the four sports and customize the rules of the match from the court selection screen at anytime before the match begins (see [[#Gameplay|Gameplay]] for more info). From there, players can select any four or six of the nineteen playable characters and one of the fourteen compatible courts.

Players may unlock characters or courts by playing games in this mode. Character skins can be unlocked by playing with a particular character certain times. This also counts for Tournament mode.
However, what players unlock can only be used in that sport. So if players unlock Slime for Hockey, Slime can only be used in that sport.
{{br}}

===Tournament===
[[File:MSM Tournament.png|thumb|The Volleyball [[Mushroom Cup]] Tournament.]]
In Tournament mode, players can compete for the trophy in the same manner as in ''Mario Hoops 3-on-3''. There are three rounds in the tournament. When players win a game, they move on to the next round of the tournament. Each time players win a cup, they can earn one of the three small crystals that corresponds to the sport's color and the players moves on to the next tournament. If all three cups are cleared for that corresponding sport, then it becomes a [[Sports Crystal]] that is placed on the [[Star Ship (court)|Star Ship]]. The player also gets to watch the credits for ''Mario Sports Mix'' each time a Sports Crystal is earned, and alongside the credits is a video of that sport being played.

[[File:VSFinalFantasy-MarioSportsMix.png|thumb|left|The Star Cup finals is always against the Final Fantasy team.]]
After winning the Star Cup of a sport, players unlock a Hard mode for that sport. Opponents are more difficult than in Normal mode. Also, if players clear the Star Cup at all sports, they receive all four Sports Crystals to power the starship. After collecting all four large crystals, they battle [[Behemoth]] and defeat Behemoth. Sports Mix mode is unlocked when this is cleared. Sports Mix only has one skill level, which is Expert, and it is a tournament in which each match is a randomly generated sport. Also, clearing the Star Cup in Sports Mix mode makes players face off against the Behemoth King.
{{br}}
====In-game description====
Descriptions are from the NTSC version.

'''Normal''': "''Enjoy a standard tournament as you take on increasingly difficult opponents in each round!''"<br>
'''Hard''': "''Test your skills in a more challenging tournament against advanced opponents.''"<br>
'''Expert''': "''Now your opponents are getting serious!  The sport changes with each round, so get ready!''"

====Alternate routes====
[[File:MSM Starcup Alternateroute.png|thumb|left|Mario on an alternate route; Green Toad can be seen.]]
Players can also replay tournaments to find alternate routes, but they must clear the tournament the first time in order to do so. Players can take the alternate route once completing the first round. Then, in the second round, arrows appears. One arrow takes the players to the alternate route, while the other keeps them on the normal route.

In the alternate routes, players do not play normal matches, but missions instead. If players lose a mission, they get sent back to the normal tournament. If players win a mission, they may continue on, but the road often splits. Players may choose which way they want to go. These roads lead players to different missions, different events, or sometimes even back to the normal tournament. Once players come back to the normal tournament, they cannot re-enter the alternate routes until they start over the tournament.

Taking right choices or guesses, players may reach the Hidden Final. The Hidden Final is the last mission of the tournament. If players lose this mission, they do not get sent back to the normal tournament, but they can retry the mission instead. If players win this mission, they earn the tournament cup, just like players do in the normal run. The Hidden Final involves completing a task that is usually more difficult than the others, for example, winning a match without allowing the opponent to score even once.

Players may unlock hidden characters, courts, or character skins by winning missions. However what they unlock depends on the mission, the sport, and even the routes they took before reaching the mission. Unlocked items are only accessible in the sport players win the mission in.

Alternate routes in the Star Cup are slightly different compared to the Mushroom and Flower Cups. If players win some missions in the route, they can travel to the [[Star Road (Super Mario World)|Star Road]]. If players manage to reach the end of the Star Road, they get a message ''Star Road Complete!'', and travel back to the normal tournament by jumping on the Star.

Unlike the Mushroom Cup and the Flower Cup, there is no Hidden Final for the Star Cup. Instead, after clearing the Star Road, players immediately go up against the ''Final Fantasy'' team. Unlike with the normal tournament, however, crystals do pop up during the match; the crystals act like coins, which add extra points for Basketball, Volleyball, and Hockey, while strengthening attacks in Dodgeball.

====Graphical changes====
When completing sports in Tournament mode, some items in menus of the game change.
*Once a sport is completed in Normal mode, a crystal marks the sport in the record menu. When the sport is completed in Hard mode, the ball (or in case of Hockey, the stick since the coin is already gold) turns gold in the main menu.
*If Sports Mix mode is cleared, the usual blue background of the main menu turns into a gold-red colored background.
The effects of the background changing to a goldish-red and the effects of the ball (or stick in hockey) are also used if a [[Cheat_code#Mario_Sports_Mix|cheat code]] is performed.

==Party games==
In addition to the tournament and the exhibition modes, ''Mario Sports Mix'' has four party games, one for each sport. They can be played for up to four players. Feed Petey, Bob-omb Dodge, and Smash Skate have two levels, an Easy difficulty and a Hard Difficulty, while Harmony Hustle has three.
===[[Feed Petey]]===
Feed Petey is based on Basketball. Players jump up to grab fruit hanging in the air and then toss them into Petey Piranha's mouth when it is open. Different fruits are worth different points and players can also swipe fruits out of opposing players' hands. Easy difficulty is represented by an apple while Hard difficulty is represented by a watermelon. In Tournament mode, the players are split between two teams.
{|class="wikitable"style="width:1200px;margin:1em auto;text-align:center"
|- 
!width="35%"|Stage
!width="30%"|Easy mode description
!width="30%"|Hard mode description
|-
|[[File:MSM Mini-1.png|200px]]<br>[[Daisy Garden]]
|"''Everyone grab for the lowering fruit or pick it up from the ground.''"
|"''Feed Petey Piranha lots of the valuable watermelons that fall!''"
|-
|[[File:FeedPetey-DKDock.png|200px]]<br>[[DK Dock]]
|"''The two-point area is bigger, so you have more chances to dunk.''"
|"''Grab fruit quickly before it falls off the moving dock!''"
|-
|[[File:FeedPetey-WarioFactory.png|200px]]<br>[[Wario Factory (Mario Sports Mix)|Wario Factory]]
|"''Bombs will drop and explode, and the conveyor belt is always moving!''"
|"''Tons of bombs will drop, and the fast conveyor belt makes it harder to move!''"
|}

===[[Harmony Hustle]]===
Harmony Hustle is based on Volleyball. Unlike the other games, all four players work as a team to receive the ball of their color wherever it lands. The balls go along with the beat of the music. Keeping a streak earns bonus points. Rainbow balls can be obtained by anyone, collecting coins adds additional points, touching a spiked ball deducts points, and Banana Peels and Mini Mushrooms are also present to throw off the players. There are three difficulties, with Level 1 represented by one blue music note, Level 2 represented by two yellow notes, and Level 3 represented by three red notes.
{|class="wikitable"style="width:1200px;margin:1em auto;text-align:center"
|- 
!width="25%"|Stage
!width="25%"|Level 1 title and description
!width="25%"|Level 2 title and description
!width="25%"|Level 3 title and description
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:MSM Mini-2.png|200px]]<br>[[Peach's Castle (Mario Sports Mix)|Peach's Castle]]
|'''Classic Ocean'''<br>''"Spiky iron balls are mixed in with the regular balls."''
|rowspan=2|'''Bloocheep Ocean'''<br>''"Gather coins to add points to your score!"''
|rowspan=2|'''Punk Ocean'''<br>''"If you step on a Mini Mushroom, you'll shrink!"''
|-
|'''Mushroom Mix Medley'''<br>''"Three songs are rolled into this one medley!"''
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:HarmonyHustle-BowserJrBlvd.png|200px]]<br>[[Bowser Jr. Blvd.]]
|rowspan=2|'''Chocobo Rhythm'''<br>''"Don't receive a spiky iron ball by mistake!"''
|rowspan=2|'''Chocobo Pop'''<br>''"Spiky iron balls and coins are mixed in with the regular balls!"''
|'''Chocobo Beat'''<br>''"Avoid spiky iron balls as you race to receive regular balls!"''
|-
|'''Star Mix Medley'''<br>''"Three songs are rolled into this one super-difficult medley!"''
|-
|rowspan=2|[[File:HarmonyHustle-DKDock.png|200px]]<br>[[DK Dock]]
|rowspan=2|'''Mario Athletic'''<br>''"If you step on a banana, you'll slip and fall!"''
|'''Punk Athletic'''<br>''"Avoid all of the bananas as you're picking up coins!"''
|rowspan=2|'''Island Athletic'''<br>''"Avoid all of the Mini Mushrooms and bananas as you're moving around!"''
|-
|'''Flower Mix Medley'''<br>''"Three songs are rolled into this one challenging medley!"''
|}

===[[Bob-omb Dodge]]===
Bob-omb Dodge is based on Dodgeball. Bob-ombs are shot out of cannons surrounding the players, and they have to avoid them until the timer ends. Players can also knock other players around into the explosions. If they lose all of their health, they are eliminated. Easy difficulty is represented by a Bob-omb while Hard difficulty is represented by a cannon. When playing in Tournament mode with two or three human players, they all share the same health bar.
{|class="wikitable"style="width:1200px;margin:1em auto;text-align:center"
|- 
!width="35%"|Stage
!width="30%"|Easy mode description
!width="30%"|Hard mode description
|-
|[[File:MSM Mini-3.png|200px]]<br>[[Mario Stadium (Mario Sports Mix)|Mario Stadium]]
|"''Run to a spot where Bob-ombs aren't exploding!''"
|"''Large Bob-ombs have bigger explosions, so watch out!''"
|-
|[[File:BobombDodge-GhoulishGalleon.png|200px]]<br>[[Ghoulish Galleon]]
|"''The ship lists, causing you to slide around. Watch out for Bob-ombs!''"
|"''Various Bob-ombs are flying around. Knock out your opponents with them!''"
|-
|[[File:BobombDodge-WesternJunction.png|200px]]<br>[[Western Junction]]
|"''The turntable spins, making movement more difficult.''"
|"''Very large Bob-ombs will fly out. Keep away from explosions!''"
|}

===[[Smash Skate]]===
Smash Skate is based on Hockey. Players use their hockey sticks to knock their opponents off the stage, gaining points while opponents lose their points in the process. When balancing off the edge of the stage, shaking the Wii Remote allows them to regain their balance and stay on the stage. Easy difficulty is represented by hockey sticks while Hard difficulty is represented by ice skates. In Tournament mode, the matches are one-on-one with each team member going up against each other. Unlike the other games, Smash Skate uses three unique stages exclusive to this game, rather than one of the main courts.
{|class="wikitable"style="width:1200px;margin:1em auto;text-align:center"
|- 
!width="35%"|Stage
!width="30%"|Easy mode description
!width="30%"|Hard mode description
|-
|[[File:MSM Mini-4.png|200px]]<br>[[Sherbet Sea]]
|"''Knock the block of ice into your opponents!''"
|"''Don't get hit by the three blocks of ice!''"
|-
|[[File:SmashSkate-RowdyRaft.png|200px]]<br>[[Rowdy Raft]]
|"''Rebound off of the bumpers to check your opponents!''"
|"''Rebound off of the bumpers to check your opponents from different directions!''"
|-
|[[File:SmashSkate-FireMountain.png|200px]]<br>[[Fire Mountain (court)|Fire Mountain]]
|"''The pillar of lava will burn you and throw you off balance!''"
|"''Don't get hit by the pillar of lava when the stage tilts!''"
|}

==Record book==
The game does keep track of the player's records for each sport. The records basically go as follows:
{|border=1 cellpadding=3 style=border-collapse:collapse;width:60%
|-
!width=20%|Page Number
!width=200|Image
!Details
|-
!Page 1: Player Record
![[File:RecordBook-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]
|
*Number of matches played
*Number of tournament wins
*Win percentage
*Average coins collected
*Direct hits with items
|-
!Page 2: Success Rates (Basketball)
![[File:RecordBook2-Basketball-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]
|
*Dunk
*Layup
*Jump Shot
*3-Point Shot
*Block
|-
!Page 2: Success Rates (Volleyball)
![[File:RecordBook2-Volleyball-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]
|
*Ace Serves
*Spike
*Fake Out
*Block
*Receive Save
|-
!Page 2: Success Rates (Dodgeball)
![[File:RecordBook2-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]
|
*Attack
*Catch
*Diving Catch
*Dodge Roll
*Pass Steal
|-
!Page 2: Success Rates (Hockey)
![[File:RecordBook2-Hockey-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]
|
*Shot
*Super Shot
*Direct Shot
*Block
*Face Off
|-
!Page 3: Character Picks
![[File:RecordBook3-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]
|The top five character picks for one sport.
|-
!Page 4: Stage Picks
![[File:RecordBook4-MarioSportsMix.png|200px]]
|The top five stage picks for one sport.
|}

==Staff==
{{main|List of Mario Sports Mix staff}}
Shin Azuma returns as the director of this game, previously serving as the director for ''Mario Hoops 3-on-3''. The opening cinematic was produced by PolyAssets United Sdn. Bhd. with the assistance of other people, including Kazuhiko Tsukada, Tan Jee Hean, and Toshiyuki Suzuki. Kazuhiko Tsukada worked as the opening movie director for previous ''Super Mario'' sports titles such as ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]'' and ''[[Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]''. Kahoru Sasajima voiced Cactuar, though she goes uncredited.

==Reception==
{|class="wikitable reviews"
!colspan="4"style="font-size:120%;text-align:center;background-color:silver"|Reviews
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|Release
|Reviewer, Publication
|Score
|Comment
|-
|[[Wii]]
|Alex Navarro, [https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/mario-sports-mix-review/1900-361/?clickid=3T3SRC2-qxyJTMZxTV1LXQupUkl0RkQq03rWRE0&ftag=ACQ-09-10aag0a&irgwc=1&ttag=27795&vndid=27795 Giant Bomb]
|2/5
|align="left"|"''Mario Sports Mix simply comes across like a bizarre copy of a copy. It's a fax-machine quality retread of such startling inanity that, at a point, you might actually find your fond memories of Mario sports games past overwritten by this blur of dispassionate mediocrity. We're a long way from the days of great games like Mario Tennis and Mario Golf, and with each progressively lamer franchise installment Nintendo thrusts upon us, that divide just continues to widen.''"
|-
|Wii
|Keza MacDonald, [https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-28-mario-sports-mix-review Eurogamer]
|7/10
|align="left"|"''As a whole package, this isn't quite up to the standard you'd hope for from Mario Sports, but it certainly doesn't damage the series' reputation.''"
|-
|Wii
|Peter Willington, [http://www.cubed3.com/review/931/1/mario-sports-mix-wii.html Cubed3]
|7/10
|align="left"|"''Mario Sports Mix is a solid title but by no means is it astounding. It lacks the focus or complexity of a Toadstool Tournament or Power Tennis, opting instead for a more casual focused crowd that want a bit more than Wii Sports Resort can offer. Fun? Yes. Lasting fun? Not so much.''"
|-
!colspan="4"style="background-color:silver;font-size:120%;text-align:center;"|Aggregators
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|colspan=2|Compiler
|colspan=2|Platform / Score
|-
|colspan=2|Metacritic
|colspan=2 style="background-color:Gold"|[https://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/mario-sports-mix 64]
|-
|colspan=2|GameRankings
|colspan=2|[https://www.gamerankings.com/wii/997753-mario-sports-mix/index.html 65.56%]
|}

==Quotes==
{{Main|List of Mario Sports Mix quotes}}
*"''We did it!''" - [[Princess Peach]]
*"''Wario number one!''" - [[Wario]]
*"''Are you ready?''" - [[White Mage]]
*"''Let's go!''" - [[Ninja (character)|Ninja]]

==Glitches==
{{main|List of Mario Sports Mix glitches}}
===Ball sound glitch===
In Dodgeball, after a special shot is done or while a player is going out, the "charge" sound is heard and the victory animation displayed if the player manages to catch the ball before it K.O's a team member.

==Regional differences==
*The English translation for the PAL versions of the game is slightly different from the North American version.
**The '''All-around''' type is called '''All-rounder''' in the PAL version of the game.
**The function of the {{button|wii|+}} button in the ''Select Character'' screen is called '''Variation''' in the Australian and European version. However, it is called '''Change Color''' in the North American version.
**When players get to the ''Select Court'' screen, the Australian and European version says '''Select Court'''. In the North American version, it is called '''Select Stage'''.
**Because of the {{wp|American and British English differences|difference between British English and American English}}, some words are {{wp|American and British English spelling differences|spelled differently}}.
*Depending on the sport and when the team scores or when the match ends, a different message appears on the screen depending on the version (Example: '''Game Set!''' (Japan) / '''Good Game!''' (North America)).

==Pre-release and unused content==
{{main|List of Mario Sports Mix pre-release and unused content}}
In the pre-final version of the game, the [[Health Meter#Mario Sports Mix|Health Meter]] in dodgeball was originally going to be split up into four sections, just like the health meter in the ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' series that is divided into three sections. In the final version it is a meter with one section that depletes correspondingly. There was also a different logo shown at E3 2010. Also, the numbers, placement of bars and other text aesthetics have been altered from the final version.
<gallery>
Basketball MSM early.png|Early gameplay of Basketball.
Health meter MSM early.png|The early health meters.
MSportsMixlogo.png|Early E3 2010 logo
Koopa Beach MSM early.png|The different numbers and bars and their placement.
BETASportsMixScreen.jpg|Other different numbers and bars.
</gallery>

==Gallery==
{{main-gallery}}
<gallery>
MSMart1.png|[[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] (Basketball)
SportsMix1.png|Mario (Basketball)
MSMart6.png|[[Yoshi]] and [[Toad]] (Hockey)
SportsMix3.png|Mario and [[Bowser]] (Hockey)
MSMart2.png|[[Peach]] and [[Daisy]]<br>(Volleyball)
SportsMix4.png|Peach and [[Wario]]
MSMart13.png|[[Moogle]] and [[Cactuar]] (Dodgeball)
SportsMix2.png|Yoshi, Toad, and Luigi
</gallery>

==Media==
{{main-media}}
{{media table
|file1=MSM Fileselect.oga
|title1=Title Screen/File Select
|description1=Title Screen/File Select screen theme.
|length1=0:30
|file2=MSM Selectsport.oga
|title2=Choose Sport
|description2=Choose Sport screen theme.
|length2=0:30
}}

==References to other games==
*''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'': One part of the menu theme is the sound effect of losing a life from this game.
*''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'': The underwater theme is one of the tunes available in Harmony Hustle. Also, sound effects are reused.
*''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'': The animation used for Toad whenever he throws an item appears to be influenced by how he threw [[vegetables]] and other items in this game. Additionally, Toad's classification as a speedy character could reference the fact that he is the fastest character in ''Super Mario Bros. 2''. His blue outfit from this game is also used.
*''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'': In the underwater theme in Harmony Hustle, part of this game's underwater melody can be heard.
*''[[Super Mario World]]'': The athletic theme is one of the tunes available in Harmony Hustle.
*''[[Mario Tennis (series)|Mario Tennis]]'': Peach and Daisy's alternate costumes, called "tennis-wear", is based off this series. More specifically, the design overall is based on the outfits that Peach and Daisy wear for ''[[Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]'' and ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]''.
*''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'': [[Lakitu]] holding up the ball with a plunger is a reference to when he holds up a sideways traffic light before the intro of the game plays.
*''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]'': Much of the gameplay mechanics come from this game, especially in basketball. Most stages are also based off this game. The theme of [[Bloocheep Sea]] makes a return as one of the songs in Harmony Hustle. Also, in most of the sports selection song, there is the sound of the main theme of this game.
*''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'': The design and function of the Mini Mushroom is based off this game. It also has this effect (briefly) in [[Black Mage]]'s special shot.
*''[[Luigi's Mansion]]'': A court takes place in a mansion based off this game. The [[Poltergust 3000]] appears as Luigi's special shot. 
*''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'': Donkey Kong has a defensive, spinning move that strongly resembles his [[Spinning Kong]] move from the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]].
*''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'': The [[Green Missile]] makes an appearance as Luigi's dive in volleyball and dodgeball, and his third consecutive check in hockey. Luigi's dash attack also appears to have been referenced as one of his attacks in basketball, his spike in volleyball, and his second consecutive check in hockey. Also, Bowser's [[Whirling Fortress]] move returns as his defense in volleyball.
*''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]'': The gameplay in Hockey is similar to Ice Hockey from this game. 
*''[[Mario Kart DS]]'': The concept of Waluigi owning a pinball-themed course returns.
*''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'': In Toad Park, Toads can be seen driving ''Mario Kart Wii''-styled [[Kart|kart]]s. Some item images are also borrowed from this game, such as the Green Shells.

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=マリオスポーツミックス
|JapR=Mario Supōtsu Mikkusu
|JapM=''Mario Sports Mix''
|Spa=''Mario Sports Mix''
|SpaM=-
|Fre=''Mario Sports Mix''
|FreM=-
|Ger=''Mario Sports Mix''
|GerM=-
|Ita=''Mario Sports Mix''
|ItaM=-
}}

==Trivia==
[[File:MarioSportsMix-TitleScreen.png|thumb|The game's title screen with all four sports]]
*The Hockey sport in this game is presented as {{wp|Ice Hockey}}. However, on every court except [[Mario Stadium (Mario Sports Mix)|Mario Stadium]] and the [[Smash Skate]] stage [[Sherbet Sea]], the characters play {{wp|Roller hockey|Roller Hockey}} instead.
**In most countries, the name ''{{wp|Hockey}}'' is generally used for {{wp|Field hockey|Field Hockey}}. However, this variant of Hockey is not playable in ''Mario Sports Mix''.
*If a player stands next to the goalie in Hockey, the [[Shy Guy]] sometimes whack the player with its stick for no reason. The Shy Guy can also hit [[Dry Bones]] in [[Ghoulish Galleon]].
*''Mario Sports Mix'' is one of the only known examples of Wii games where, on the front covers of the North American, European and Japanese versions, the age rating icon is not displayed in the default bottom-left corner, due to the logo occupying part of that space.

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
{{NIWA|StrategyWiki=1}}
*[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rmkj/index.html Official Japanese website]
*[http://gamesites.nintendo.com.au/mario-sports-mix/en_AU/index.php Official Oceanian website]
*[http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/wii/mario_sports_mix_18225.html Official European website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111121215214/http://www.mariosportsmix.com/ Official American website]
*[https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/RVL/JPN/RMKJ/RMKJ_J.pdf Official Japanese instruction booklet]
{{MSM}}
{{Super Mario games}}
{{Wii}}
[[Category:Mario Sports Mix|*]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Wii games]]
[[Category:Sports games]]
[[Category:Crossover games]]
[[Category:2010 games]]
[[Category:2011 games]]
[[Category:Games with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]]
[[de:Mario Sports Mix]]
[[it:Mario Sports Mix]]