Mario Tennis Fever Review: A Mixed Bag on Nintendo Switch 2
Mario Tennis Fever marks the debut of a Mario sports spin-off on the Nintendo Switch 2, delivering a visually stunning yet flawed experience that often prioritises quantity over quality. Developed by Camelot Software, this entry in the long-running series leverages the new hardware's enhanced horsepower to present the Mushroom Kingdom cast in their best light while holding tennis rackets or golf clubs.
Gameplay and Core Mechanics
The core gameplay of Mario Tennis Fever strikes a solid balance between technical and arcade styles, playing as well as ever. However, the new Fever Racket gimmick introduces a fun but disruptive element that can break the game. Fever Rackets allow players to unleash elemental-powered Fever Shots, such as Fire or Ice, which slow down opponents or remove them from matches temporarily. While this adds chaos reminiscent of Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros., it often reduces the technical depth, though purists can disable it in most modes.
Modes and Content Variety
Mario Tennis Fever features the largest character roster in the series, with 38 players including Baby Waluigi. It offers a generous array of modes, from one-on-one and doubles matches to unique options like the Mortal Kombat-esque Trial Tower and Tournament mode. The standout is the Mix it Up mode, particularly the Wonder Court match, inspired by Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which introduces unpredictable hazards and Wonder Seeds for chaotic fun. Despite this variety, many modes lack replay value, feeling one-and-done upon completion.
Adventure Mode Shortcomings
Where Mario Tennis Fever falls short is its Adventure mode, which lasts roughly four hours but is hampered by a tedious two-hour tutorial section. Players control Baby Mario and Luigi in a charming island adventure, but the slow start at a tennis academy, practising shots against a Piranha Plant robot, can bore even young audiences. The mode picks up with appearances from Baby Wario and Waluigi, who add humor as Team Rocket-style foils, but ends too soon, with some levels over in under a minute if executed perfectly.
Visuals and Presentation
Visually, Mario Tennis Fever is a triumph, showcasing the Nintendo Switch 2's capabilities with vibrant graphics and detailed character models. The game runs smoothly, enhancing the overall experience, though this cannot compensate for its gameplay imbalances and content issues.
Final Verdict
Mario Tennis Fever is a mixed bag: it excels in core tennis mechanics and offers creative modes like Wonder Court, but is let down by an unbalanced Fever Racket system and a short, tedious Adventure mode. It's not an outright smash, but remains a fun, if flawed, addition to the series.
