Hands-on with Mario Tennis Aces – in pictures
Mario may just have served up another ace for the Nintendo Switch
Hands-on with Mario Tennis Aces – in pictures
The Mario Tennis series is back – and just in time for the mustachioed plumber to get a Wimbledon invitation. Instead of simply replacing the likes of Murray and Nadal with Mario’s wacky cast of pals, this Switch title has put a typically Ninty spin on the sport. With a plethora of super-charged moves and a story mode packed with oddball mini games and boss battles, Aces is as delightfully Nintendo as they come.
What a racket!
In typical Mario fashion, the game’s story mode sees Luigi being kidnapped by an evil tennis racket. At least Peach gets a day off being the damsel in distress. In order to save him you must complete various challenges that often stray from your typical tennis match: you’ll launch balls at fire-spitting piranha plants against the clock and dodge boss attacks using somersaulting trick shots. It’s a fun respite from standard multiplayer matches and a great way to master all the new abilities that Aces introduces.
A whole new ball game
In previous Mario Tennis entries you’d mostly rely on the same moves your average tennis player has up their sleeve: lobs, slices topspins and power shots. These all make a welcome return in Aces, each providing rewarding methods of defeating your opponent. Now though, Mario and co have also gained a slew of super-powered skills that even an at-his-prime Roger Federer wasn’t capable of. They can momentarily pause time to aim their shots, slow down the ball to make it easier to hit or even trigger a ‘special shot’ that’s so powerful it can shatter the opponent’s racket and get them disqualified.
Block party
Don’t think you can just spam these special moves though – they all use up a chunky portion of your energy gauge, which makes it ridiculously rewarding when you’ve finally maxed out your energy to execute a match-winning power slam. Still, your special move isn’t quite an ‘instant win’ button. They’re actually possible to counter with a perfectly timed block, although you risk your racket in doing so, so matches are as much about wits as they are reflexes.
Meet your match
But multiplayer is the star attraction here, with each character’s unique traits adding a layer of typically Nintendo variation to each match. Previously, the only difference between the likes of Mario and Bowser would be their power, speed and ability, but they now have their own special moves too. For example, with the trick shot Mario will vault into the air, while Bowser tucks up into his shell and spins across the court.
Moves like Bowser
Not a fan of the new special moves? You can turn them off and have a straightforward game of the tennis, but that kind of defeats the object of playing a Mario game, doesn’t it? There are also doubles matches that allow you to play with three friends, or you can get all nostalgic for Wii Sports by turning on the Joy-Cons’ motion controls. Just mind that lampshade this time, OK?
Mario Tennis Aces Initial Verdict
With its combination of super-tight controls and zany Nintendo personality, Mario Tennis Aces is shaping up to be a real winner. The new special moves turn the familiar back-and-forth into a frantic high-speed chess match, and if the story mode can maintain the tempo, it’ll be an absorbing way to hone your skills when playing solo. If first impressions are anything to go by, Mario Tennis Aces looks set to join the Switch’s ever-growing list of essential purchases.
