Mario Tennis Fever Review: Serving Up Multiplayer Chaos with Fever Rackets
Mario Tennis Fever brings a delightful and competitive twist to the long-running sports series, available now on Nintendo Switch. This game masterfully balances accessibility for newcomers with depth for veterans, making it a must-play for fans of chaotic multiplayer fun.
A Rich History and New Approach
Mario has been swinging rackets for over three decades, starting with the challenging Mario's Tennis on Virtual Boy and evolving through titles like Mario Tennis Aces. In this latest installment, the difficulty is dialed back while introducing a plethora of engaging modes and features. The goal is clear: to entertain everyone from casual players to seasoned pros, all wrapped in Nintendo's signature charm.
Diverse Gameplay Modes
Players are greeted with an almost overwhelming array of options from the start. You can dive into one-off matches with up to three other participants, either human or NPC, or test your skills in structured tournaments for singles or doubles. The standout mode, Mix It Up, offers creative tennis variants that keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.
- Forest Court: Piranha plants emerge to devour any balls that come too close, adding a layer of unpredictability.
- Pinball: Bumpers and barriers pop up dynamically, transforming the court into a lively pinball machine.
- Trial Towers: This mode presents a roguelike challenge, where players must conquer increasingly tough tennis trials. Fail more than three times, and you're sent back to the beginning, demanding precision and perseverance.
Adventure Mode and Core Mechanics
Adventure mode serves as a lengthy tutorial, casting Mario and Luigi as babies who must relearn tennis to rescue Princess Daisy. While it's a bright and silly throwback to earlier games, the narrative is thin, and the gameplay can feel repetitive. However, it effectively teaches the straightforward move-set, including top spin, flat shots, and slices, with timing being key to mastering serves and powerful returns.
The real magic of Mario Tennis Fever lies in its pick-up-and-play nature. Within minutes, players can engage in smooth rallies, learning to read opponents' movements—even when facing off against apes or man-eating plants. The controls are intuitive, with combos enabling lobs and drop shots to outmaneuver foes.
Fever Rackets: Game-Changing Features
The highlight of this release is the unlockable fever rackets, each granting unique special moves that power up during rallies. These can set the court ablaze, cover it in bananas to cause slips, or add extreme swerve to shots. But there's a strategic catch: if an opponent returns the ball before it bounces, and you fail to reciprocate, the effect reverses against you. This mechanic leads to frantic net battles and adds a layer of tactical depth.
Similar to items in Mario Kart, fever rackets are designed to level the playing field, allowing less experienced players to catch up with well-timed special shots. The vibrant cartoon visuals enhance the experience, immersing characters in a spectacle of flaming rocks and icy blasts.
Multiplayer and Online Play
Local multiplayer with friends is where Mario Tennis Fever shines brightest, offering hours of laughter and competition. For those seeking broader challenges, online modes provide ranked and friendly matches. Regardless of how you play, the game exudes a childlike charm while hiding complex layers beneath its chaotic surface.
Players can spend countless hours perfecting drop shots, mastering spin, and experimenting with fever rackets to find their ideal playstyle. In short, Mario Tennis Fever delivers exactly what fans expect from a Nintendo sports title: something for everyone, with extra depth for those aiming to go pro. Priced at £58.99, it's a worthwhile addition to any gaming library.
