Whether you’re excited about Mario Tennis Fever largely hinges on your familiarity with the franchise’s previous installments.
Since 2000, Nintendo’s iconic plumber has been engaging in tennis matches in this spinoff series developed by Japanese third-party studio Camelot. The latest release, Fever, is the ninth in the series. Mario’s involvement in tennis dates back to 1984 when he made a cameo as an official in Tennis for Game Boy.
The core gameplay of Mario Tennis Fever remains solid, offering intense and thrilling tennis matches with a wide range of options and fantastical elements. However, veteran players may find the single-player Adventure mode lacking.
Despite its flaws, the game is a valuable addition to the exclusive lineup of games available for the Switch 2, which has had mixed success since its launch.
Mario Tennis Fever is designed to be accessible to players of all skill levels who understand the basics of tennis scoring. Players can select one or two characters from the Mario universe to compete in singles or doubles matches.
The gameplay involves running across the court and hitting tennis balls, which remains as enjoyable as ever. The controls are responsive and precise, provided players are familiar with their chosen character’s abilities. The visuals feature vibrant colors typical of Mario games, with courts that feel realistic, whether they are clay or grass.
Each character in the game falls into a specific play style category, such as speedy, powerful, or technical.
For instance, Mario is a versatile character suitable for new players, while heavier characters like Donkey Kong and Bowser excel in power but lack speed. Some characters, like Rosalina and Koopa Troopa, have unique attributes that require players to adapt their strategies.
Slice, smash … fireball?
In Mario Tennis Fever, the standout feature is the Fever rackets. Players can choose a racket that occasionally triggers special shots during gameplay.
These shots can create hazards on the court for opponents, such as setting the court on fire or causing slippery banana peels. Additionally, some shots provide speed boosts or summon a temporary computer-controlled player. The matches often revolve around utilizing these powerful shots strategically.
Unique Mix It Up modes add variety to the gameplay, introducing unconventional challenges like a pinball table court or replacing tennis balls with floating hippos.
For a more dynamic experience, Swing mode allows players to use Joy-Con controllers as virtual rackets, reminiscent of the gameplay in Wii Sports.
A brief, bizarre story mode
The single-player Adventure mode offers tutorials and mini-games akin to Mario Party, but the overall story is short-lived and lacks depth.
The nonsensical storyline involves Princess Daisy falling ill, Mario and Luigi transforming into babies, and a quest to regain their tennis skills to combat magical attacks. While it may amuse younger players, the narrative feels like a mere diversion.
Mario Tennis Fever remains a solid title best enjoyed with friends on the couch, though online play is also available. Its unique gameplay stands out in a market with limited tennis video game options.
However, the game’s shortcomings, such as the Adventure mode’s potential and the limited Mix It Up modes, may not justify its higher price point of $100 Cdn on the Switch 2, especially for dedicated fans.
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