Mario Tennis Fever Review: Serving Up Multiplayer Chaos with Fever Rackets
Mario Tennis Fever, the latest instalment in Nintendo's long-running sports series, delivers a ruthlessly competitive and delightfully chaotic experience that will captivate players from casual newcomers to seasoned veterans. This game masterfully blends accessible gameplay with deep mechanics, ensuring everyone from your grandmother to semi-pros can enjoy setting fire to the court with powered-up fever rackets.
A Rich History and a Fresh Take
Tennis has been a staple hobby for Mario over the past three decades, starting with the headache-inducing Mario's Tennis on the Virtual Boy and evolving into the surprisingly complex Mario Tennis Aces on the Switch. Now, Mario returns in his iconic whites and reds with a charming new approach that dials back the difficulty while introducing a plethora of fun modes and features. This design philosophy aims to appease complete beginners and Djokovic-esque experts alike, creating a balanced and engaging sports title.
Bewildering Range of Game Modes
At first glance, the array of options in Mario Tennis Fever can be almost overwhelming. Players can dive into one-off matches with up to three other participants or NPCs, or enter more structured tournaments for singles or doubles play. The extremely entertaining Mix It Up mode offers a variety of tennis derivatives, including:
- Forest Court: Piranha plants appear to gobble any balls that come close, adding a whimsical twist.
- Pinball: Bumpers and barriers pop up during gameplay, creating a frenetic and unpredictable environment.
Meanwhile, Trial Towers presents a roguelike challenge with increasingly tough tennis obstacles that must be completed to unlock subsequent buildings. Fail more than three times, and you are sent back to the beginning, offering a punishing yet rewarding experience reminiscent of classic roguelike games.
Adventure Mode and Core Gameplay
The least compelling option is Adventure mode, which serves as a glorified four-hour tutorial. In this bright and silly narrative, Mario and Luigi are transformed into babies and must relearn their tennis moves to save Princess Daisy. While it recalls the original Tennis Academy story mode from Mario Tennis on the Game Boy Color, the plot is threadbare, and the gameplay can feel like a grind, especially since the move-set is relatively straightforward.
However, the real appeal of Mario Tennis Fever lies in its intuitive and accessible core mechanics. Within five minutes, players can pick up the basics and start performing well. Top spin, flat, and slice shots are mapped to different buttons, while two-press combos enable lobs and drop shots to expand your arsenal. Skill is primarily about timing—striking serves at the ball's highest point and boosting returns with early button presses to send the ball thundering over the net. As confidence grows, players can mix in slow-mo drop shots to outmanoeuvre opponents, creating smooth and engaging rallies that feel satisfying against a diverse cast of characters, from apes to man-eating plants.
Fever Rackets and Level Playing Field
The standout new feature is the unlockable range of fever rackets, each offering a unique special move that powers up as rallies progress. These rackets can set fire to your opponent's side of the court, cover it in bananas to cause slips, or add mind-bending swerve to shots. There is a strategic catch: if your opponent returns the ball before it bounces and you fail to reciprocate, the special effect reverses against you. This mechanic leads to amusingly frantic net battles as players scramble to avoid cursed powers.
Similar to items in Mario Kart, such as shells and lightning strikes, the design philosophy behind fever rackets is to level the playing field. If you are falling behind or lack experience, a well-timed fever shot can bring you back into the competition. The brashly colourful cartoon-style visuals enhance the appeal, immersing Mario's superstar cast in a cacophony of flaming rocks and icy blasts that add to the chaotic fun.
Multiplayer and Online Play
The most enjoyable experience comes from playing with friends in the same room, where the game's childlike charm and hidden depth shine. However, an online mode offers both ranked and friendly games, catering to competitive and casual players alike. Regardless of how you choose to play, Mario Tennis Fever exudes a playful spirit while concealing layers of strategic complexity beneath its chaotic exterior. Players can spend hours perfecting timed drop shots, mastering spin techniques, optimising positioning, and experimenting with fever rackets to find the best fit for their playstyle.
Final Verdict
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 is available now and promises endless hours of entertainment. Whether you are a novice or a veteran, this game combines accessibility with competitive depth, making it a must-play for sports game enthusiasts and Mario fans alike.
