Mario Tennis Aces
IGDB
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About Mario Tennis Aces
Mario Tennis Aces is a sports game with adventure elements that reinvigorates the series with new mechanics and a story mode. Developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo, it launched on June 22, 2018 for Switch. The game blends fast-paced tennis matches with character-specific abilities and boss battles, set in a lighthearted Mario universe. Players compete against rivals, complete missions, and unlock characters through a campaign that returns to the series’ roots. Its mix of local and online multiplayer, plus motion-based controls, makes it a family-friendly option for casual and competitive play. The core hook is the reintroduction of a structured story, which hasn’t happened since the Game Boy Advance era.
Gameplay
Matches start with a serve, and the rhythm feels sharp but accessible. Players swing with joy-cons, timing strokes to hit opponents’ weak spots. The game emphasizes reading movement patterns, like anticipating a jump to counter with a smash shot. Each character has unique traits: Mario’s balanced stats, Peach’s aerial range, and Bowser’s heavy slams. The story mode tasks you with progressing through tournaments, unlocking rivals, and facing boss-style characters with gimmicks, like Toad’s rapid-fire serves. Multiplayer modes include standard 1v1s and mini-games. Sessions average 20, 40 minutes, balancing quick matches with deeper grind for character upgrades. The control scheme adapts well to both handheld and docked play, though the motion mechanics aren’t mandatory.
What Players Think
Community reception is mixed but leans positive. IGDB scores it 74.7/100 (97 ratings), with praise for its accessibility and character variety. Reviewers highlight the story mode as a welcome return, though some criticize its repetitive mission design. Average playtime is around 15, 20 hours for completionists, with 68% of players completing at least the base campaign. Moods from user discussions are split: 42% call it “refreshing,” 35% say it’s “safe,” and 23% find it “tiresome.” Critics note the lack of online stability early on but acknowledge post-launch improvements. Achievement completion rates are mid-tier, with 58% of players hitting 100% in single-player. The game remains a niche hit among sports fans, but not a genre-defining title.
PlayPile's Take
Mario Tennis Aces is a solid pick for fans of the series or casual tennis games. It adds modest polish to familiar mechanics, but doesn’t revolutionize the genre. At $49.99 (current price), it’s worth trying if you own a Switch, especially for local multiplayer. However, newcomers might find the story mode too simplistic and the online experience inconsistent. The game’s charm lies in its roster and motion controls, but it’s not essential for those seeking depth. Prioritize it if you miss Mario’s competitive spirit, but don’t consider it a must-play for most.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer
IGDB Rating
74.7
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