Whether you’re excited about Mario Tennis Fever or not largely hinges on your familiarity with the series’ previous installments.
Since 2000, Nintendo’s iconic character Mario has been showcasing his tennis skills in this spinoff created by Japanese studio Camelot. The latest addition, Fever, has hit the shelves for the Switch 2, marking the ninth installment in the series. Mario’s tennis journey dates back to 1984 when he appeared as an official in the Game Boy’s Tennis game.
The core gameplay of Mario Tennis Fever remains solid, offering intense and thrilling tennis matches with a wide range of features and whimsical elements. However, long-time fans might be let down by the lackluster single-player Adventure mode.
Nonetheless, the game fills a crucial spot in the Switch 2’s exclusive game lineup, which has had mixed outcomes since its launch a year ago.
The mechanics of Mario Tennis Fever are accessible to players of all skill levels who grasp the game’s scoring system. Players can select one or two characters from the Mario universe to engage in singles or doubles matches.
The gameplay of running around the court and hitting the ball remains as enjoyable as ever, with responsive controls that require understanding each character’s abilities. The sound of hitting the ball with a racket is impactful, akin to a major tennis event, but with an added burst of energy. The vibrant colors of the arenas reflect the typical Mario style, while the court surfaces like clay or grass provide a realistic tactile experience.
Each character is categorized into styles such as speedy, powerful, or technical. Mario, for instance, is a versatile character suitable for beginners, whereas heavyweights like Donkey Kong and Bowser excel in power but lack speed.
Some characters introduce unique gameplay mechanics, requiring players to adapt. For example, Rosalina from Super Mario Galaxy floats gracefully above the court, unaffected by surface types, while Koopa Troopa maneuvers like a hockey puck on ice using its turtle shell.
Slice, smash … fireball?
The standout feature in Mario Tennis Fever is the Fever rackets, which can trigger special shots during gameplay. These shots range from creating hazards on the opponent’s side, like setting the court on fire or placing slippery banana peels, to enhancing player speed or summoning a temporary AI-controlled clone.
The intensity of matches often escalates into a race to unleash as many Fever shots as possible. However, the strategic twist lies in the shots’ effects activating only upon the ball bouncing on the court, allowing opponents to counterplay.
Matches can turn into exhilarating chaos as players strive to combat the effects of Fever shots through rapid ball exchanges.
Additional Mix It Up modes further enhance the gameplay experience, such as a massive pinball table where bumpers disrupt players and balls, or a Wonder mode that introduces surreal elements from Super Mario Bros. Wonder, like replacing tennis balls with floating hippos.
For a chaotic living room experience, players can try the Swing mode, utilizing Joy-Con controllers as virtual rackets with a touch of imprecision, reminiscent
