Nintendo’s mascot, Mario, has conquered countless worlds and challenges, from kart racing to classic soccer. Now, the Italian plumber steps onto the tennis court for the tenth time in Mario Tennis Fever, a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. But these spin-offs face a recurring challenge: after decades of iterations, perfecting their formula, they must still offer something modern. Mario Tennis Fever largely solves this problem by returning to its roots after some experimental detours.
What is Mario Tennis Fever About?
The premise, dating back to 1995, is delightfully simple: it’s tennis, but with Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and the whole Mushroom Kingdom crew. In other words gameplay isn’t solely about hitting the ball past your opponent; it incorporates items, special abilities, and unique obstacles on the court.
Each new Mario Tennis installment typically introduces a new gimmick to differentiate itself. In Fever, the rackets themselves are the biggest innovation. As players charge up a special shot, they can unleash a hazard onto their opponent’s side of the court – anything from a tornado to a mini-volcano. For a limited time, this makes life difficult for the opponent, who must contend with electric shocks, ice, or fire while trying to return shots. A quick reaction can deflect the attack, sending it back to the sender.
What We Liked: A Focus on Unlockables and Engaging Gameplay
Mario Tennis Fever marks a welcome return to form for Mario multiplayer games, offering reasons to enjoy the experience even in single-player mode. Unlike recent titles like Mario Tennis Aces or the latest Mario Kart installments, Fever provides a satisfying sense of progression through unlockables. A wealth of characters, rackets, and courts are available, encouraging players to invest time and effort into mastering the game.
The joy of unlocking content – characters, courts, and specialized rackets – is a key element. The best Mario spin-offs have consistently delivered both hours of couch co-op fun and motivating challenges for solo players. Nintendo had somewhat neglected this aspect in recent years, prioritizing immediate multiplayer variety. Mario Tennis Fever rectifies this, offering genuine motivation to explore the game’s diverse modes. Beyond standard matches and multiplayer, the game features a story mode, mission towers, and special challenges.
What We Didn’t Like: The Luck Factor and Short Story Mode
The new racket system is likely to divide Mario Tennis fans. It introduces an element of luck that is even more pronounced than the infamous blue shells in Mario Kart. While landing a well-placed tornado strike on an opponent is incredibly satisfying, losing an entire set because of a tornado that makes it nearly impossible to reach the ball can be frustrating.
The chaos created by the rackets is a boon in multiplayer, fostering laughter and friendly trash talk during a casual gaming session. However, in single-player, it can lead to frustrating defeats, especially in the later stages of mission towers, where NPC opponents may benefit from fortunate timing. The story mode, while present, feels surprisingly short. It begins as a parody of a Nintendo tutorial, with every type of shot explained at length and tested through mini-games.
Mario Tennis Fever: A Verdict
Which Mario Kart, Mario Tennis, or Mario Sports title resonates most deeply often depends on the stage of life in which it’s played. The game enjoyed as a child or teenager often remains a lifelong favorite. While Mario Power Tennis on the GameCube may always hold a special place for some, Mario Tennis Fever has the potential to become a new generation’s favorite. The latest installment gets much right and improves upon many aspects of previous Mario sports titles. The new rackets are a gimmick, but not a detrimental one. Mario Tennis Fever offers variety, challenge, and a compelling reason to play beyond casual gatherings with friends.
Mario Tennis Fever is available now for the Nintendo Switch 2, released on February 12, 2026. The game is rated E for Everyone and retails for approximately $70.
Transparency Note: A review copy of the game was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review. This did not influence the scoring or content of this review.
INFORMATION
Buying Guide
Who will enjoy Mario Tennis Fever?
Multiplayer Fans: The matches are fast-paced, fun, and chaotic – perfect for couch co-op sessions with friends.
Mario Single-Player Enthusiasts: After a long wait, a Mario spin-off once again offers challenges and variety beyond multiplayer.
Mario Fans: They’ll likely buy the game anyway, and even a less-than-stellar entry with the mustachioed hero is still enjoyable.
Fairness Purists: The new rackets introduce a significant element of luck. Those who prioritize fairness may prefer previous installments.
With 38 playable characters – the most in series history – and 30 different rackets to unlock and master, Mario Tennis Fever offers a deep and engaging experience for both casual and dedicated players. The integration of elements from Super Mario Bros. Wonder, such as the Talking Flower providing live commentary, adds a delightful touch of familiarity for long-time Nintendo fans.
The game’s Adventure mode, where the Mario cast has been transformed into babies and must relearn how to play tennis, provides a unique and charming narrative backdrop. Whether you’re a seasoned tennis pro or a newcomer to the sport, Mario Tennis Fever delivers a fun and accessible experience that’s sure to entertain.
Looking ahead, Nintendo will likely continue to support Mario Tennis Fever with post-launch updates and additional content. Players can expect new characters, rackets, and courts to be added over time, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting. Stay tuned to Archysport for further coverage of Mario Tennis Fever and other Nintendo Switch 2 titles.
What are your thoughts on Mario Tennis Fever? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below!
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