Your level of excitement for Mario Tennis Fever is likely influenced by your history with previous titles in the enduring sports series. Nintendo’s iconic character Mario has been showcasing his tennis skills in this spinoff game by Japanese third-party studio Camelot since 2000. Fever, the ninth installment, has just been released for the Switch 2. Mario’s interest in tennis dates back to his cameo as an official in 1984’s Tennis for Game Boy.
The core of the game remains robust, offering intense and thrilling tennis matches with a wide range of options and imaginative elements. However, longtime players may find the single-player Adventure mode lacking. Despite this, the game is a valuable addition to the Switch 2’s exclusive game library, which has had mixed success since its launch.
The fundamentals of Mario Tennis Fever are accessible to players of all skill levels who understand the game’s scoring system. Gamers can select one or two characters from the expansive Mario universe for singles or doubles matches.
The gameplay involves running around the court and hitting the tennis ball, which continues to be enjoyable. The controls are precise and responsive, provided players are familiar with their character’s abilities. Hitting the ball with a racket feels impactful, and the vibrant colors of the arenas, resembling typical Mario settings, create an immersive experience.
Each character falls into distinct styles such as speedy, powerful, or technical. For instance, Mario is versatile and suitable for beginners, while heavyweights like Donkey Kong and Bowser excel in power but are slower in movement.
Some characters present unique challenges, requiring players to adapt. For example, Rosalina from Super Mario Galaxy floats gracefully above the court, unaffected by surface types, while Koopa Troopa slides around on its shell like a hockey puck.
Slice, smash … fireball?
The highlight of Fever rackets is their ability to trigger special shots during gameplay, such as setting the opponent’s court on fire or creating obstacles like banana peels. These shots add a strategic element to matches, as players aim to utilize them effectively while countering their opponent’s moves.
Matches often become intense as players compete to unleash as many fever shots as possible, leading to chaotic rallies where quick reactions are essential to avoid the effects of these powerful shots.
Additional Mix It Up modes provide further variety, including a pinball table setting and a Wonder mode inspired by Super Mario Bros. Wonder. These modes add fun and unpredictability to the gameplay experience.
For a lively gaming session, Swing mode allows players to use the Joy-Con controllers as virtual rackets, reminiscent of the gameplay style in Wii Sports, offering a nostalgic touch for long-time fans.
A brief, quirky story mode
The single-player Adventure mode offers a quirky storyline with tutorial elements and mini-games resembling Mario Party. While the mode introduces some entertaining challenges, its short duration and repetitive nature may limit its appeal.
The storyline, involving Princess Daisy’s illness and transformations of Mario and Luigi into babies, adds a whimsical touch to the game but may not resonate with all players.