Mario Tennis Fever Swings onto Switch 2 with Fiery New Rackets
Mario Tennis Fever, the latest mainline entry in Nintendo's long-running sports series, has launched for the Nintendo Switch 2 at £58.99. This marks approximately the eighth or ninth core release since the franchise debuted in 2000, raising the inevitable question: what fresh innovations does it bring to the court?
Fever Rackets Ignite Gameplay
Thankfully, the answer lies in the game's standout feature: 'fever' rackets. These special-powered pieces of equipment inject delightful chaos and new strategic depth into matches. In true Mario fashion, they enable players to unleash fireballs across the court or summon lightning bolts from the air. By charging them sufficiently, competitors can let rip with devastating effects.
It's a brilliant addition that feels surprisingly overdue for the series. These rackets not only create unpredictable moments but also introduce tactical choices. For instance, players might manoeuvre opponents into a muddy sump created on their side of the court or aim away from it to catch them off guard. The complexity is heightened by the ability for quick-wristed opponents to deflect these powers back, adding a layer of skillful counterplay.
Multiplayer Excellence vs. Thin Solo Modes
Mario Tennis Fever truly shines in multiplayer settings. It is at its absolute best when played against real people, whether locally on the sofa or online across the internet. The gameplay boasts an accessible ease that makes it more welcoming to all skill levels compared to 2018's Mario Tennis Aces, though professional players might miss some of the earlier title's subtleties.
By contrast, the single-player options, particularly the story mode, are disappointingly thin. They are unlikely to hold anyone's attention for more than a couple of hours. However, as the game cheekily implies, who really wants to play tennis alone? Certainly not Mario, and certainly not most players seeking social, competitive fun.
Romeo Is A Dead Man: A Bloody, Confused Space Opera
Romeo Is A Dead Man, available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC for £41.99, is a title that lives up to its literal name. The protagonist, Romeo Stargazer, is indeed dead—munched by a zombie in the game's opening. Resurrected by cosmic cops to combat crime and the zombie threat, he embarks on a dimension-hopping slashfest filled with gore and gags.
Lacking Substance Beneath the Style
Created by the eccentric Japanese designer Suda51, known for titles like No More Heroes and Lollipop Chainsaw, this game swaps precision for quantity. Beneath its razzle-dazzle, it's a pretty standard third-person action game that throws endless baddies at players. The frenetic shifts between graphics styles—from retro-pixel to early 2000s polygons and anime—often feel disjointed rather than fun, leaving players questioning the purpose.
Ultimately, Romeo Is A Dead Man feels like a Frankenstein's monster with loose stitching, dead on arrival despite its chaotic energy.
Code Vein II: A Bloody, Complicated Sequel
Code Vein II, priced at £54.99 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, is the sequel to a 2019 game that quietly built a cult following. Set in a sci-fi world ravaged by multiple apocalypses, players control a sorta-good sorta-vampire battling other sorta-bad sorta-vampires against a greater threat, with time-travel elements adding to the confusion.
Enjoyable Vibes Marred by Overwhelming Complexity
The gameplay blends anime-style RPG elements akin to Final Fantasy with punishing action reminiscent of Dark Souls. If players can overlook the convoluted story and mechanics, there's an enjoyable experience here. The time-hopping mechanic makes actions feel consequential, and the combat is frequently exquisite.
However, Code Vein II insists on its complexity, overwhelming players with systems like Blood Codes, Traits, Jails, and Formae. Menu screens are cluttered with numbers, leading to exhaustion rather than engagement. For those undaunted by deep customization, it offers rewards, but many may find the 18th apocalypse more trouble than it's worth.
