A New Power-Up

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August 27th, 2008

A New Power-Up

TimThis comic has been in the works for a long time. I thought of it months ago, and was bummed to find that Mario Super Sluggers wouldn’t be released until late August. I’ve only played a few minutes of the game so far, but I’m already upset about the lack of online support. This means that I CAN’T play the game by myself, for fear that I will get so good that no one will want to play against me, or if they do, it just won’t be fair. That’s what happened with the GameCube version. I got all the star characters before ever playing a 2-player game. Needless to say, I never did play many human opponents (then after not playing for over a year, Ray comes down to visit, and proceeds to whoop on me). But despite the lack of online play, it looks to be a typical Mario sports title: good, shallow fun. So what do you say Ray, rematch?

RayI can’t say I enjoy watching a grown man cry, but if you really want to go through that again, Tim, then be my guest.


71 Comments

  1. Hikarusa says:

    Needz moar Weegee.

    Other than that it’s a nice comic guys.

  2. PacoDG says:

    Amusing. And nicely drawn too, Mario’s steroid veins on his face are perfect (unless that is sweat)

  3. billtodamax says:

    wow, the quality of art has really stepped up since the first comics, NCG

  4. Dark_Devin says:

    NCG….I really don’t want to see what Birdo has to do though….we all know Tim will find out for us though, he’ll have all of the characters the month after he gets the game

  5. Rokai says:

    Needz moar Weegee.
    Other than that it’s a nice comic guys.

    I just knew this was /b/ disguised as a website.

  6. Hikarusa says:

    Needz moar Weegee.
    Other than that it’s a nice comic guys.

    I just knew this was /b/ disguised as a website.

    Isn’t it illegal to even think about /b/? I mean seriously, I thought that if you even mentioned /b/ you were destined to be beaten to death by zombie hobos wielding clubs.

    Also, everyone knows that Luigi is OVER 9000!10 times cooler than Mario. 😀

  7. roadjcat says:

    I feel really stupid because I saw the second panel and then scrolled down farther waiting for the punchline…It’s probably not that the comic isn’t funny, it’s just that I’m stupid and don’t get it…meh, maybe it’s because it’s 5 A.M.

    And although the comic looks really nice, is there a reason why Goomba, Koopa, and Birdo, are all in the same pose as their respective comics? XD

    But yeah, I just got the game yesterday too, I played through the tutorial and got Blooper (Spiffiness, Blooper is awesome), played one normal game and then started the single player.

    Oh and with each comic, I like to play a nice game of “Find Ray’s signature” but I can’t find it this time, is it because it’s in the logo?

  8. GX Echidna says:

    I mean not to offend, and it’s an entertaining, yet expected joke, but I feel that after last week’s accidental brilliance, I know you could come up with something a little better.

    The art itself is nice, but it doesn’t compliment the text particularly well.
    Or perhaps, I, myself, am far too desensitized from edgier web comics, that I would expect a completely ridiculous interpretation of Mario on steroids than your personal artistic style.

    At any rate, the use of his signature fireball works well, and the subtle veins in his forehead are a nice touch, but I hope you can think of something clever for next week. I worry that yours is the first of a long line of identical jokes this week.

  9. Gadoink says:

    NSGCG (not so great comic guys)

  10. tustin says:

    Wonderful! 🙂
    The artwork is fabulous and the joke is to the point. I especially like Mario’s pose in the first panel and the 2P START! Logo. I like this comic! GCG!!

    PS. That funky arch in the sky going out from behind Mario… Is that his entry path, when he flew in from another planet? (eg Mario Galaxy) 😀

  11. Ray says:

    PS. That funky arch in the sky going out from behind Mario… Is that his entry path, when he flew in from another planet? (eg Mario Galaxy)

    Ha! No, it’s actually my lame attempt at trying to show the path of the ball as it soars away for a Home Run. I may go with your idea though…..

  12. MetaRidleyR27 says:

    Great comic guys! This is definitely one of my favorites! I feel like I say that a lot, but you guys make a lot of really great comics! The last panel would be perfect for a wallpaper.

  13. Tacos says:

    Meh, there have been better. Its definitly a good concept though. How does he make fire come out of the ball??

  14. Gadoink says:

    I agree with tustin that the 2pstart logo is awesome, but i still dont really like the comic though. sorry guys.

    P.S. btw, i got firefox 3!

  15. steve-ohs says:

    ACG
    adequate comic guys, I didn’t really laugh, but it does look nice!

  16. lwelyk says:

    Meh. Great in concept, but I think it would have worked better with more. Or with soccer. Mario looks angry and insane in the soccer games.

    Oh wait, I just remembered….

    I MEAN IT’S BRILLIANT! I WORSHIP THE GROUND YOU WALK ON! YOU TWO ARE CLEARLY THE MESSIAH! PRAISE BE! YOU ARE THE GREATEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET! WE ARE NOT WORTHY! I AM NOT WORTHY TO EVEN LOOK AT YOUR COMIC!

  17. Lozaiah says:

    Meh, there have been better. Its definitly a good concept though. How does he make fire come out of the ball??

    I think that’s where the Fire-Leaf power up comes in.. Herbal Steroids??

  18. CKcheeseboy says:

    PS. That funky arch in the sky going out from behind Mario… Is that his entry path, when he flew in from another planet? (eg Mario Galaxy)

    Ha! No, it’s actually my lame attempt at trying to show the path of the ball as it soars away for a Home Run. I may go with your idea though…..

    I honestly had no idea what that was at all…I think maybe having the ball still flying at the end of the trail would have made it clearer.

    The comic is OK…not one of your best, but not bad.

    The logo is awesome, though.

  19. Dominator_101 says:

    Pretty good comic guys! Well, I’ll skip the whole first time poster, you’re awesome, etc. stuff that usually get comment of the week.

    I will say, though, that I’ve looked at the comics for a while now, and listened to some of the more recent podcasts with my brother. He said I should go back and download all the older podcasts and listen to them, and I figured I’m home alone all day with not much to do, so why not. I spent a lot yesterday and a little of today catching up on all the podcasts I hadn’t heard, and I just wanted to say that it was definitely worth the time that I would have spent not really doing anything in particular. I also wanted to thank you for taking the time to do all those podcasts Live, just for me. Thanks.

  20. roadjcat says:

    I MEAN IT’S BRILLIANT! I WORSHIP THE GROUND YOU WALK ON! YOU TWO ARE CLEARLY THE MESSIAH! PRAISE BE! YOU ARE THE GREATEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET! WE ARE NOT WORTHY! I AM NOT WORTHY TO EVEN LOOK AT YOUR COMIC!

    Sorry Tim and Ray, but this made me laugh more than the comic. XD

    You know why this isn’t as good as some of the others? You spent to much time planning the comic. As evident by last week, you have to make the comic at the last possible moment for the ultimate…umm…humor power?

  21. Zantok says:

    Nice. This comic is excellent.

  22. Dark_Devin says:

    Meh, there have been better. Its definitly a good concept though. How does he make fire come out of the ball??

    umm its Mario, he shoots fire balls all the time in the old games, he just used the same power on the ball……wait of all the things to be confused about THAT’S what you choose?

  23. Christian says:

    Online on baseball games never seem to do well. All jittery and laggy. So its probably why it isn’t in Sluggers.

  24. Gadoink says:

    And although the comic looks really nice, is there a reason why Goomba, Koopa, and Birdo, are all in the same pose as their respective comics?

    hint: copy and pasta. its always the copy and pasta.

  25. roadjcat says:

    And although the comic looks really nice, is there a reason why Goomba, Koopa, and Birdo, are all in the same pose as their respective comics?

    hint: copy and pasta. its always the copy and pasta.

    I know. I was being subtle. *shifty eyes*

  26. D3vin says:

    BOOOO! WE need a batter, not a broken ladder…

    swing batter batter batter SWING!!!

    This comic swings for the fences but ultimately strikes out, The art I rate a 9 while the funniness i rate a 2….

    Hopefully things will change before the seventh inning stretch…

    *hotdog vendor guy walks by*
    Hey! What does a guy have to do to get a hotdog out here!

    I like the logo, I have a rare mint signed Ray and Tim ball too! AND the trading cards. 😉

  27. Loooca says:

    This comic is far more amusing than the actual game (sorry, not a baseball fan—fine, I just don’t get it, therefore I’m not buying Mario Super Sluggers). Love the art and straightness. The arch looks a bit odd, though. I got what you meant by it, but a tiny, tiny ball or even a bright glint would have made it clearer.

    But, online? I don’t think it’ll apply well on a baseball game, let alone a sports game.

  28. roadjcat says:

    This comic is far more amusing than the actual game (sorry, not a baseball fan—fine, I just don’t get it, therefore I’m not buying Mario Super Sluggers).

    Then how do you know it’s bad? XD

    I think it’s fun, but it could use a few more options, oh and I hate watching baseball. If Mario is in a game, it’s probably good (yes, I know some of those NES games were bad).

  29. Tacos says:

    Meh, there have been better. Its definitly a good concept though. How does he make fire come out of the ball??

    umm its Mario, he shoots fire balls all the time in the old games, he just used the same power on the ball……wait of all the things to be confused about THAT’S what you choose?

    You have to put the correct emphasis. It’s kinda how I talk, yet it doesn’t translate over to text well at all.

    how DOES he make fire come out of the ball?

  30. Loooca says:

    Then how do you know it’s bad? XD
    I think it’s fun, but it could use a few more options, oh and I hate watching baseball. If Mario is in a game, it’s probably good (yes, I know some of those NES games were bad).

    Because I don’t like baseball? Um, I don’t really like to associate Mario with sports in general. But I’m a football fan, so I got Mario’s football game… *shifty eyes* That probably made no sense, sorry.

    And which NES games?

    how DOES he make fire come out of the ball?

    You know when things fly in super speed? Take meteors for example. And this is Mario, who normally shoots fire, WITH steroid — I bet a volcano would have erupted if he felt like it.

  31. Lanna says:

    I loved this comic. There’s been so much talk about steroids lately that this just made me burst into laughter.
    I’m sure that Mario needs that little extra kick. I mean he’s got to be what, 80? lol
    I love the comics.. all of them.. I saw them all… today. {no life}
    Well I’ll be checking for more soon.
    ~*~

  32. FluffyPanda says:

    Wasn’t he reading last week? Spinach, man, SPINACH!

    Though I have to say that for someone who lives in land where you can grow to double your size by eating a perambulatory magic mushroom, steroids just seem a little… tame.

    I’d like to see this comic win Joystiqs weekly wrapup, but I think you might be missing a pop culture reference. Just a hunch.

  33. FluffyPanda says:

    Oh yeah, forgot to add:

    Wallpaper of the last panel please (the word ‘steroids’ needs to stay)

  34. roadjcat says:

    Because I don’t like baseball? Um, I don’t really like to associate Mario with sports in general. But I’m a football fan, so I got Mario’s football game… *shifty eyes* That probably made no sense, sorry.

    I don’t like baseball either, but I think the game is fun.

    And which NES games?

    I dunno, wasn’t Mario is Missing one?

  35. Gadoink says:

    And although the comic looks really nice, is there a reason why Goomba, Koopa, and Birdo, are all in the same pose as their respective comics?

    hint: copy and pasta. its always the copy and pasta.

    I know. I was being subtle. *shifty eyes*

    I know. I was having fun. *happy laugh*

  36. tustin says:

    *hotdog vendor guy walks by*
    Hey! What does a guy have to do to get a hotdog out here!

    How about Lemonade? There’s this vender guy at PNC Stadium, Pittsburgh (where I live) who sells lemonade and the way he promotes it (“LEMONAAAAAAAIIIIDEE!!!!”) is just absolutely hilarious. Like he says it really fast, but the streaches out the ending, and he’s got this high-pitched scratchy voice…. Obviously, typing it does not do it justice. 😀 🙂

    PS. That funky arch in the sky going out from behind Mario… Is that his entry path, when he flew in from another planet? (eg Mario Galaxy)

    Ha! No, it’s actually my lame attempt at trying to show the path of the ball as it soars away for a Home Run. I may go with your idea though…..

    I honestly had no idea what that was at all…I think maybe having the ball still flying at the end of the trail would have made it clearer.

    Agreed. 🙂

  37. shadowkid92 says:

    no no no you did it all wrong you were supposed to make a demented fire flower and have sonic and mario smoking it!

  38. Gadoink says:

    no no no you did it all wrong you were supposed to make a demented fire flower and have sonic and mario smoking it!

    [blink]
    [/blink]

  39. Dark_Devin says:

    Meh. Great in concept, but I think it would have worked better with more. Or with soccer. Mario looks angry and insane in the soccer games.
    Oh wait, I just remembered….
    I MEAN IT’S BRILLIANT! I WORSHIP THE GROUND YOU WALK ON! YOU TWO ARE CLEARLY THE MESSIAH! PRAISE BE! YOU ARE THE GREATEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET! WE ARE NOT WORTHY! I AM NOT WORTHY TO EVEN LOOK AT YOUR COMIC!

    someones trying to get comment of the week… btw guys I’ve been playing starfox adventures on gamecube recently and tim and ray seriously need a retro black doom section

  40. Mark says:

    heheh… I knew it. a plumber can’t stay THAT fit on his own and still be that fat.

  41. Truth says:

    Haha, I seriously thought the second panel was gonna be about “Dancing with the Stars”.

  42. Lanna says:

    Haha, I seriously thought the second panel was gonna be about “Dancing with the Stars”.

    ha ha, That would be something new, and original. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone were to put Mario in some type of dancing game now.
    ^-^

    ~*~

  43. roadjcat says:

    I wouldn’t be surprised if someone were to put Mario in some type of dancing game now.

    Is that a joke? There is a Mario DDR.

  44. RedVinnie777 says:

    what the heck do i gotta do to make onto suggestion box, guys?! Although this comic is the best one ive seen in a long while. i find it funny because i spent $50 on this, and was a little disappointed after beating it 100% in one night! online play would have been nice. USE MY DARN COMMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  45. Rokai says:

    what the heck do i gotta do to make onto suggestion box, guys?! Although this comic is the best one ive seen in a long while. i find it funny because i spent $50 on this, and was a little disappointed after beating it 100% in one night! online play would have been nice. USE MY DARN COMMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    **** off

  46. Lilguitarist says:

    I didn’t find this funny.

    The comic looks really great, but I think the concept was really hard to get from the dialogue and the art.

    Sorry guys, swing and a miss (see what I did there 😉 )

  47. D3vin says:

    what the heck do i gotta do to make onto suggestion box, guys?! Although this comic is the best one ive seen in a long while. i find it funny because i spent $50 on this, and was a little disappointed after beating it 100% in one night! online play would have been nice. USE MY DARN COMMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    **** off

    I Agree with Rokai, STFU or GTFO

    Your choice pal, I don’t try to get the comment of the week, it just happens or not. It is not a contest, it is just another section of the podcast. Now ‘trivia for you’, THAT was a contest…. that people COMPETED IN. what next? people trying to do stupid things gaming-wise to get a black doom award? People doing things TTTTopic of the week-worthy? I think the suggestion box section should be temporary removed until things calm down. Ray and Tim can still have their favorite comments, they can just keep it to themselves so things like that don’t happen. AGGREED?

    note: this was no way to be offensive, I’m just sick of people doing things like that to try to get selected for the Comment box thing…
    it
    is
    not
    worth
    it.

    -D3vin out

  48. Rokai says:

    I Agree with Rokai, STFU or GTFO

    See dragonblader? This IS 4chan. Or maybe 2chanSTART.

    And you were in the suggestion box once if I’m correct with the dragon joke but in the end you were really tired of it.

    So anyone who wants to be in a suggestion box, should make dragon jokes.

  49. Lilguitarist says:

    I think I must have been like the first person to get the suggestion box for writing an ubsurdly nice comment.

    This is all a shame really ’cause when I originally did it I actually meant it all and it was my first comment and everything. 2pstart was the first ever webcomic I got into and the podcast was the first ever I’d subscribed to etc. I never expected to get in suggestion box. I just wanted to show my appreciation.

    I remember before I got the suggestion box all the suggestion boxes were for a joke or something particularly funny and it was actually enjoyable to hear these jokes that people had made and stuff.

    Just sucks that not only do we have to put up with seeing all the attempts people make to get it but Ray and Tim are picking them. I’m not placing the blame on Ray and Tim as I understand that it’s nice for them to get these comments when they’re genuine and stuff but it’s just getting out of hand.

    No more brown-nosing suggestion boxes Tim and Ray? Please?
    I know I started a dreadful thing and I’m sorry to you all.
    Obviously I fail, but we must work to wrong my right!!

  50. Rokai says:

    This is so going to be T-T-Topic of the Week.

  51. steve-ohs says:

    Don’t blame yourself Lilguitarist, especially when there is so many other people blaiming you…Just kidding. Its nobody’s fault, everyone should just post funnier comments.

  52. Lilguitarist says:

    Oh Steve-ohs you always know just the right thing to say to make me feel better.

    I don’t think this will be T-T-T-Topic of the Week per say.
    I like to think they’ll start to talk about something then sidetrack off into this topic using dreamy far away voices.

    Much like they did with Brawl constantly.
    Ahh, nostalgia, how I love thee…

  53. D3vin says:

    Oh Steve-ohs you always know just the right thing to say to make me feel better.
    I don’t think this will be T-T-T-Topic of the Week per say.
    I like to think they’ll start to talk about something then sidetrack off into this topic using dreamy far away voices.
    Much like they did with Brawl constantly.
    Ahh, nostalgia, how I love thee…

    Like everything segways into a Brawl discussion eh?
    Sonic is in brawl,
    Fanboys find out charactors by looking closely at things most other people look at,
    Other fan-made theories and hopes don’t happen *COUGHmegamanCOUGH*,
    Olimar sucks as a fighter,
    FALCON PUNCH!

    I think that is enough for today 😉
    My black doom award goes to Ray, He doesn’t give Tim enough credit (or screentime).

  54. Ray says:

    Olimar sucks as a fighter

    Take that back! I’ve seen some pretty excellent Olimar players. In fact, I’ve stopped doubting any of the characters….

    My black doom award goes to Ray, He doesn’t give Tim enough credit (or screentime).

    Screentime as in podcast time? Well… if that’s the case, just let Tim know he needs to step in more often.

    Hey Tim, step in more often, please?

  55. Noodle says:

    Good comic.

    Try screen capturing making one of the comics one week and speeding it up and putting it on youtube. I’d really like to see your processes.

    Or a tutorial on how to draw the landmaster. 😛

  56. Lilguitarist says:

    My black doom award goes to Ray, He doesn’t give Tim enough credit (or screentime).

    I don’t wanna sound like an ass or anything ’cause I’ve never met the guys, but from what I can hear in the podcast Ray just sounds generally more of an outgoing character than Tim. I don’t think it’s the amount of “screentime” Ray has given Tim, I just think Ray is more enthusiastic and voices his opinion more.

    No offense either way ’cause both the guys sound like awesome lads and I wouldn’t mind buying either of them a drink if I ever met them.

    Oh farts, now I’m gonna be in suggestion box 😛

  57. Rokai says:

    I don’t wanna sound like an ass or anything ’cause I’ve never met the guys, but from what I can hear in the podcast Ray just sounds generally more of an outgoing character than Tim. I don’t think it’s the amount of “screentime” Ray has given Tim, I just think Ray is more enthusiastic and voices his opinion more.
    No offense either way ’cause both the guys sound like awesome lads and I wouldn’t mind buying either of them a drink if I ever met them.
    Oh farts, now I’m gonna be in suggestion box

    Yeah and Ray can even act!

  58. dr.mario says:

    this year’s Michel report is going to be GOOD!

  59. Lilguitarist says:

    Wait, wait, wait…was that bit that said steroids in the corner always there :S

  60. steve-ohs says:

    @ LilGuitarist
    yep!

  61. Rokai says:

    Wait, wait, wait…was that bit that said steroids in the corner always there :S

    Oh the comic’s even funnier if you ignore that.

  62. Lilguitarist says:

    Hello palm. Meet face!

  63. D3vin says:

    My black doom award goes to Ray, He doesn’t give Tim enough credit (or screentime).

    Screentime as in podcast time? Well… if that’s the case, just let Tim know he needs to step in more often.
    Hey Tim, step in more often, please?

    That, but I really meant as in appearances in the comic…
    Also, Ray’s character has more development than Tim…
    let me demonstrate:

    Ray:
    Sonic freak
    fanboy to the max
    plays with dolls action figures (or at least puts them on display)
    Has a girlfriend that doesn’t like to be shown his pokemans
    Plays the ‘pink version’
    Mario visits him in his sleep to discuss How his latest game went.

    Tim:
    likes Dr Pepper( “It’s Liquid Vitamins!”)
    has a hot wife
    slightly mischievous (takes Ray’s Credit Card # and spends a lot of crap on it)
    Is a TRAITOR!
    Has a Mii version of him that is used.

  64. Rokai says:

    Hello palm. Meet face!

    I freaking KNEW this from the beginning. Hello /b/!

  65. Lilguitarist says:

    You knew what Rokai? I are confused?

  66. Rokai says:

    You knew what Rokai? I are confused?

    It’s OK I just spend too much time on 4chan recently.

  67. Gadoink says:

    Wait, it’s Wednesday! Where’s the new comic?

  68. Ashitaka says:

    I found your conversation even funnier than the comic itself 😀

  69. chriskatching says:

    Lol … oh yeah…. TAKE THAT 🙂

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