The level of excitement you have for Mario Tennis Fever may vary based on your familiarity with past installments of the enduring sports series.
Nintendo’s iconic plumber has been showcasing his tennis skills in this spinoff created by the Japanese third-party studio Camelot since 2000. Fever, the ninth installment, is now available for the latest Switch console. (Mario has had a passion for tennis almost as long as his plumbing career, first appearing as an official in 1984’s Tennis for Game Boy.)
The core of the game remains robust: intense and thrilling tennis matches, offering a wide range of options and imaginative elements. However, longtime fans might be let down by the lackluster single-player Adventure mode.
Nevertheless, it serves as a valuable addition to the exclusive games lineup of the new Switch console, which has had mixed outcomes in its first year on the market.
The fundamentals of Mario Tennis Fever are accessible to nearly everyone who can grasp the game’s scoring system. Players can select one or two characters from the expansive Mario universe for singles or doubles matches.
The gameplay of running around the court and hitting the tennis ball remains as enjoyable as ever. The controls are precise and responsive, provided you understand your character’s strengths and weaknesses. The sound of hitting the ball with a racket is as impactful as a major shot at a Grand Slam, amplified with a touch of excitement. The vivid colors of the arenas, typical of a Mario game, create a realistic and engaging atmosphere on the clay or grassy court surfaces.
Each character fits into several basic styles — speedy, powerful, technical, and more.
For instance, Mario is a versatile character suitable for newcomers. Heavyweights like Donkey Kong and Bowser possess potent overhead smashes but are slower in their movements. On the other hand, some characters present unique challenges that require skillful adaptations from players. Rosalina, the mystical character from Super Mario Galaxy, floats gracefully above the court regardless of the surface type. Koopa Troopa, the diminutive character, slides and maneuvers on its turtle shell akin to a hockey puck on ice.
Slice, smash … fireball?
The highlight in Fever rackets this time around are the fever shots: Players can select a racket that occasionally triggers special fever shots when returning the ball.
These shots often introduce hazards onto the opponent’s side of the court, such as setting parts of the court on fire or spreading slippery banana peels. Some shots enhance speed, create clones for additional players, or offer other unique effects.
Matches often turn into a competition to unleash as many fever shots as possible. Interestingly, the effects of these shots activate only upon the ball’s bounce on the court, allowing opponents to counteract the power.
This mechanic can lead to exhilarating rallies, with players scrambling to keep up with the fever shot’s effects.
