Get ready to experience tennis like never before! Mario and his friends are back, and they're bringing the heat (and a whole lot of fun) to the Nintendo Switch 2 in Mario Tennis Fever, launching on February 12th! Forget everything you thought you knew about the sport; this isn't your grandma's tennis game.
First off, let's talk about the roster. We're getting a whopping 38 playable characters! That's right, the most in the series' history. Of course, you'll have access to fan favorites like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser. But prepare to be surprised! Goomba, Nabbit, and even a Piranha Plant are making their tennis debuts. And if that wasn't enough, get ready for the adorable, yet mischievous, Baby Wario and Baby Waluigi!
But here's where it gets exciting: it's not just about who you play; it's how you play. You'll still have the classic tennis techniques like Topspin, Slices, and Lobs. But the real game-changer comes in the form of the all-new Fever Rackets. Imagine equipping your character with one of 30 unique rackets, each boasting special abilities that can completely change the match's outcome.
Fancy turning the court into a slippery ice rink with the Ice Racket? Or perhaps shrinking your opponent with the Mini Mushroom Racket? My personal favorite is the Shadow Racket, which lets you create a duplicate of your character, leaving your opponent seeing double and utterly bewildered.
Unleashing these Fever Shots is as simple as filling up your Fever Gauge. But here's a twist: if you're on the receiving end of one of these super shots, you have a chance to send it right back, making your opponent feel the effects instead! Talk about sweet revenge!
Beyond the action on the court, Mario Tennis Fever is bringing a smorgasbord of game modes to keep you entertained. For those who love a challenge, the new Trial Towers mode will have you tackling a series of unique tests as you climb your way to the top. But if you're looking for something truly out-of-the-box, the Mix It Up mode is where the party's at. Think Ring Shot, where precision is key as you aim for balls through rings, or Forest Court Match, where feeding Piranha Plants tennis balls actually expands the court! And inspired by Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the Wonder Court Match introduces some truly unpredictable effects that will keep you on your toes.
Returning modes like Tournament are getting an upgrade with play-by-play commentary from a Talking Flower (yes, you read that right, a talking flower!), adding a delightful layer of personality to your matches. And of course, online play is back and better than ever, with casual Online Rooms boasting customizable rules and intense Ranked Matches for those looking to climb the global leaderboards. If you prefer a more physical experience, the returning Swing Mode lets you gently swing your Joy-Con 2 controller to hit a variety of shots, perfect for getting off the couch and into the game.
And for the solo players, the new Adventure mode offers a compelling single-player campaign. When mysterious monsters turn Mario, Luigi, Peach, Wario, and Waluigi into babies (adorable, yet tragic!), they must re-master their tennis skills and overcome challenges to return to their normal, adult selves. It sounds like a fantastic way to practice techniques and learn new ones in a narrative-driven setting.
But here's a feature that might get your attention: Mario Tennis Fever also supports GameShare functionality. This means if one person owns the game on their Nintendo Switch 2, up to three nearby players can join in the fun using their own Nintendo Switch 2 or even an original Nintendo Switch!
To top it all off, Nintendo is also launching some stylish new colored Joy-Con 2 controllers, Light Purple and Light Green on the same day as the game. So, you can give your Nintendo Switch 2 a fresh new look while you’re serving up aces. Pre-purchase is available now on the My Nintendo Store, so you can be ready to hit the court the moment Mario Tennis Fever drops.
Mario Tennis Fever is shaping up to be a grand slam for the Nintendo Switch! But what do you think? Are you excited about the new characters and game modes? Do you think the Fever Rackets will add a fun new layer to the gameplay? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
