Mario Super Sluggers confirmed for the US

Wii Baseball game to put Mario and other characters into an "approachable experience".

At a press event over in the US, recently appointed Nintendo of America executive vice president of sales and marketing Cammie Dunaway announced to gathered press that the Mario baseball title, Super Sluggers, is to be released in North America.

Mario Super Sluggers, already set for a June release in Japan, looks to build on the fun and active gameplay of Wii Sports, creating a larger more complete experience. Nintendo of America's Bill Trinen explained that with Sluggers Nintendo is hoping to put Mario and other characters "into an approachable experience for the broader Wii audience."

The controls for Mario Super Sluggers appear very similar to that of Wii Sports Baseball, only further refined. Pitching features the same motion as the Wii Sports game, only now twists can also be added to put spin on the ball. Unlike Wii Sports Baseball, running, fielding and throwing is now in the control of the player - this will all be controlled by shaking the Wii Remote.

It also looks like each character will feature a special move: Mario's will set the baseball and whoever catches it on fire.

There's currently no word on a European release.