Mario Tennis Fever is the first sports spin-off featuring the Mario IP on the Nintendo Switch 2. Like its predecessor, Nintendo seems to be bringing modern versions of these sports games to the Switch 2, and Mario Tennis Fever is the first example. As a follow up to Mario Tennis Aces, it feels like the most content-rich and expansive game in the series so far, and easily one of the best entries in the Mario sports genre.
The game offers a wide range of modes at launch, including an Adventure mode, Joy-Con 2 mode, a survival tower with a variety of challenges, online multiplayer, and traditional versus modes. The Adventure mode is short, but it gives a detailed tutorial for almost every mechanic in the game. It works more like an extended tutorial with a light story attached to it. Mario and the others are trying to save a sick Princess Peach before a major tennis tournament. Wario and Waluigi tell them about a magical golden fruit that can cure her. When they try to take the fruit, they fall under a curse that turns everyone into their baby forms.
It is an interesting setup, supported by a gorgeous animated opening cutscene. The story sets the goal for Adventure mode, where Baby Mario and Luigi must relearn tennis from the beginning, while the main antagonists appear as Baby Wario and Waluigi. This mode is barely five hours long and requires some patience, as players have to go through repetitive minigames and different versions of similar challenges. After some time, the mode opens up, and this is where the story shines with tennis-based puzzles, boss fights, and more. The narrative becomes the main driving force, as Baby Mario looks for a way to break the curse. I really enjoyed my time with it.
The game is content-rich at launch, offering around 38 playable characters. Not all of them are available from the start, as they are gradually unlocked by playing different modes. The same applies to the Fever Rackets, which are new gameplay mechanics. These are rackets with special powers, such as a Fire Racket, Ice Racket, or Shadow Racket. There are 30 unique rackets to collect, giving players a wide range of options.
The core gameplay remains mostly the same, with some variations, but the Fever Rackets change the basics in a big way. They activate when the Fever meter fills up and unlock special abilities during a match. These can include turning the opponent’s side of the court into ice or fire, or creating a shadow copy of the player to act as a doubles partner in a singles match. They add both offensive and defensive advantages, making each match feel fresh without becoming too complicated.
Each playable character has a unique edge in matches, mostly based on their stats. Characters are generally unlocked by playing regular matches, so unlocking the full roster is not very difficult. The skill ceiling is not too high, but players who invest time can explore many options that affect the outcome of a match. Top spin, volley, lob, and slice shots can all be performed using different button combinations. While casual players can rely on simple placement and standard shots, those who take the time to learn the mechanics can fully use the depth the game offers.
As a sports game, it supports multiplayer, along with single and doubles matches. There is also a tournament mode with many brackets for both singles and doubles. The tower-based challenge mode is slightly more difficult and requires a mix of skill and luck to complete, but it feels rewarding, especially if you unlock the optional achievements. In addition to offline play, the game includes online multiplayer. However, it is somewhat of a mixed experience, with average matchmaking and netcode.
Even though I really enjoyed the Adventure mode, the game offers much more beyond it. Local multiplayer is a lot of fun with friends and family, and players can also use Joy-Con motion controls. They are not very deep, but they are designed for lighthearted fun. Because the game is easy to pick up, it can appeal to almost everyone. It reminds me of Super Mario Party, which faced criticism at launch but later became one of the better Mario Party games on the Nintendo Switch. I believe this game could follow a similar path and grow in popularity over time.
In terms of visuals and performance, the game looks great with bright colors and lively character models. It runs close to 60 FPS, and the overall presentation is polished with no noticeable visual issues. It performs smoothly in both portable and handheld modes and looks better than its predecessor, Mario Tennis Aces, with more particle effects visible on screen at once. The game also supports game share, so only one copy is needed to play between the Switch 2 and the original Switch.
Mario Tennis Fever Game Information
- Price: $69.99
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Camelot
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
