How to download and play the Mario Strikers: Battle League First Kick demo

Just two weeks out from the release of Mario Strikers: Battle League on June 10, Nintendo went ahead and dropped a surprise demo for the upcoming sports title. The limited-time demo — titled the “First Kick” — will not only allow you to play through Battle League’s tutorial, but you’ll also be able to play online against others until June 5. Thankfully, downloading the demo is a pretty simple affair.

Related: All playable characters confirmed in Mario Strikers: Battle League

To download the demo, open up the Nintendo eShop and go to the search tool. Search “Mario Strikers,” and you should see two results: “Mario Strikers: Battle League” and “Mario Strikers: Battle League First Kick.” Unlike other demos, the First Kick demo isn’t listed on the game’s main store page; it has its own listing. Just select the listing that includes “First Kick,” and you’ll be able to download the demo.

What’s included in the Mario Strikers: Battle League demo?

The demo contains a handful of tutorials, which we recommend checking out before going to play online. These include a variety of both basic and advanced techniques that the character Fútbot will teach you. Toward the end of each training lesson, you’ll also have a chance to test out what you’ve learned against AI opponents. However, you won’t be able to play a full game offline in the demo.

The other main feature of the demo is online play. You can choose to start an online quick battle in the demo, but you won’t be able to play offline or local wireless quick battles. Additionally, while Nintendo is running online tests of Battle League until June 5, you’ll only be able to play during certain time periods.

How to play the Mario Strikers: Battle League demo online

Starting June 3, you will be able to play quick battles online until June 5. However, the demo will only be playable online during six one-hour windows spread out from June 3 to June 5. We’ve listed each of the online play windows below:

• June 3: 8 – 9 PM PT / 11 PM – 12 AM ET
• June 4: 4 – 5 AM PT / 7 – 8 AM ET
• June 4: 12 – 1 PM PT / 3 – 4 PM ET
• June 4: 8 – 9 PM PT / 11 PM – 12 AM ET
• June 5: 4 – 5 AM PT / 7 – 8 AM ET
• June 5: 12 – 1 PM PT / 3 – 4 PM ET

To play online, you just have to make sure you have the demo downloaded, that you log on during one of the above times, and you also must have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. During one of the aforementioned times, simply select ”quick battle” from the main menu, and you’ll be able to join a four-player lobby.

According to Nintendo, players without a membership can claim a seven-day free trial of the service to try out the online demo. If you’re not an NSO subscriber, but you’d still like to play the demo, we recommend you take advantage of this offer.