Mario Sports Mix to reach Australia first

Nintendo has announced the Australian release date for the Square Enix-developed Mario Sports Mix, pipping the UK and US at the post by over a week for a January 27 launch.

The compilation of four sports will release in Europe the following day, with the UK forced to wait for February 4 and the US trailing behind until February 7.

Up to four players can take part in Mario Sports Mix's offering of volleyball, hockey, basketball, and dodgeball, ditching the Wii Sports conservative Mii's to step into the shoes of almost everyone of note in the Mushroom Kingdom.

Also thrown out is any attempt at realism, with frantic arcade-style power ups more the norm.

Released in Japan last November, the naturally Wii-exclusive Mario Sports Mix scored well with reviewers, although its probable lifespan was questioned.