Nintendo reveals “Naval Battle Mode” in Steel Diver, supports download play

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Everyone is underestimating Steel Diver. The gameplay looks slower than Mario Kart or Kid Icarus: Uprising, but everyone’s always whining that Nintendo isn’t trying anything new and this is something new. But if the trailer hasn’t sold you, then maybe you’ll be swayed by recently revealed “Naval Battle Mode” found in the game, which pits two players against each other in a Battleship-esque turn-based strategy game.

Each player is given a set of submarines, freighter ships and escort ships. The point of the mode is to destroy each other’s freighters, which are unable to engage in combat. To do this you direct your submarines towards enemy territory and guess where they may be hiding. “As you approach, the map will be marked in pink and yellow indicating areas that might have enemy ships,” but there’s also the option of using sonar. If you do this, though, your opponent will be aware of your location, which could result in unwanted combat. This combat will mostly take place with escorts, whose sole purpose is to destroy enemies subs in their territory.

And the beauty of all of this is that the mode supports download play so you can use a single cartridge to engage in a match with two players. Maybe Steel Diver will be a flop, but it sounds like it has that quirky Nintendo magic we all know and love. People just don’t realise it yet.