Nintendo has officially pulled the curtain back on Mario Tennis Fever, the next entry in its long-running sports series, with a new overview trailer confirming the game’s exclusive launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on February 12, 2026. The latest installment promises a more chaotic and feature-rich take on Mario’s tennis outings, introducing new characters, mechanics, and modes designed to push the series further into over-the-top territory.
Mario Tennis Fever boasts the largest roster in the franchise’s history, featuring 38 playable characters. Alongside familiar faces, the lineup introduces several newcomers making their series debut, including Goomba, Nabbit, Piranha Plant, Baby Wario, and Baby Waluigi. Core tennis mechanics such as topspin, slices, and lobs return, forming the foundation for matches that blend traditional play with signature Mario-style twists.
A major addition in this entry is the introduction of Fever Rackets, which dramatically alter how matches unfold. Players can choose from 30 different rackets, each equipped with unique abilities that affect opponents and the court itself. Examples include rackets that freeze sections of the court, shrink opposing players, or create character duplicates to cause confusion. These effects are triggered through Fever Shots, which are activated by filling a Fever Gauge during play. Players on the receiving end are not entirely defenseless, however, as well-timed returns can reflect Fever Shots back to the opponent.
The game also expands its selection of modes, offering a mix of new experiences and returning favorites. Trial Towers challenges players to complete a series of progressively tougher objectives, while Mix It Up mode introduces unconventional rule sets such as Ring Shot and Forest Court Match, where environmental elements actively influence gameplay. Wonder Court Matches incorporate unpredictable effects inspired by Super Mario Bros. Wonder, adding another layer of surprise to each rally.
Traditional options like Tournament mode return with new flair, including live commentary delivered by a Talking Flower. Online play is supported through modes such as Online Room for customizable casual matches and Ranked Matches for competitive players looking to climb global leaderboards. Mario Tennis Fever also includes Swing Mode, allowing players to use motion controls by swinging the Joy-Con 2 controller to perform shots.
For solo players, Adventure mode offers a story-driven experience focused on skill development. In this campaign, mysterious creatures transform several characters into their baby forms, forcing them to relearn their tennis abilities through a series of challenges as they work toward restoring themselves to normal.
Nintendo also confirmed support for GameShare functionality. If one player owns Mario Tennis Fever on Nintendo Switch 2, up to three nearby players can join matches using either a Nintendo Switch 2 or the original Nintendo Switch system.
Alongside the game’s release, Nintendo will introduce new Light Purple and Light Green Joy-Con 2 controllers on February 12. These are the first new color variants for the updated controllers and will be available through the My Nintendo Store and select retailers, with pre-orders already open.
Mario Tennis Fever launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on February 12, bringing a bold new spin to the series just as Nintendo prepares to expand its next-generation hardware lineup.
