Mario is Nintendo’s best-known character for sure. Because of this, the company likes to create a lot of Mario game, games like Super Mario Odyssey prove that the character is still able to surprise gamers worldwide. Besides the main games, there are plenty of spin-offs like Mario Kart or the Mario Tennis franchise. Since you can already play Mario Kart on you Nintendo Switch, it’s time for Mario Tennis Aces to take you by surprise.
Return of the Adventure Mode
First things first, yes, this Mario Tennis features an Adventure Mode! This mode went missing for a couple of years but we couldn’t be happier with its return. For those unfamiliar with this mode, it’s meant for the solo players. In Adventure Mode, Mario will go head to head with Wario and Waluigi in the quest to grab the most powerful tennis racket. It’s a light story but it offers the perfect excuse to begin your quest.
Depending on where you land on the world map (in Super Mario style), you’ll have to clear a certain challenge. What I like the most in adventure mode is the wide variety of missions. Some missions will ask precision of your shots while other will demand strategic thinking and fast reflexes, especially in the boss battles. Adventure Mode isn’t just an afterthought, it’s an important segment of the game and I’m sure a lot of gamers will enjoy every minute with it. I won’t spoil too much but it’s great to see how the developers transformed tennis into some extremely creative challenges. Boss battles are for sure the highlight of the Adventure Mode but it goes way deeper than just that. You can level up to gain more power or tweak your stats to be more fit for the task that lies in front of you. Everything about the Adventure Mode feels right and although the story is extremely light and even worth ignoring, it doesn’t affect the actual gameplay, which is stellar.
New tricks
Of course, a new Mario Tennis game is more than just the inclusion of an Adventure Mode. You’ll be able to play matches against CPU characters, your friends or others online and that’s what it’s really about. Nintendo was kind enough to add some new characters to the roster (with more releasing as DLC) while welcoming back some veterans. Just like before, characters are divided into categories. Powerful characters like Spike can deliver devastating blows but are a little slower while defensive characters like Waluigi can counter your shots with ease. At first sight, this is just another party tennis game but once you get to know the character and their strengths/weaknesses, things get a bit more tactical.
That being said, the game also introduces us to new trick shots, including the zone shot. This is the most powerful shot that ever appeared in the franchise, aside from your special move. A zone shot is triggered when you stand on a glowing star and push the shoulder button of your controller. After that, your character jumps high into the air and delivers a powerful shot across the net. You can even aim this shot using the motion controls of your controller or Switch console but those are optional. The zone shots really are a fun way to change the course of a match since you can really alter the score rather fast. If you hit the ball, you’ll get a small percentage of your meter, this is used for zone shots and eventually even your special shot.
This wouldn’t be a Mario game if a powerful attack like this couldn’t be countered. If you time your move precisely right, you’re able to block zone shots and even special moves. Timing is crucial here and it won’t be easy. If you miss your timing, you’ll break your racket due to the impact and if that happens three times, you’re forced to exit the match. Again, it comes with an entirely new layer of strategy that the fans will absolutely love. These are some fun innovations to the franchise.
Play it your way
Having zone shots is great but perhaps it’s a bit too much. There still are Mario Tennis players who want to test their skills without the luck factor of special moves. Mario Tennis Aces got you covered too. You can choose to play with simple rules, taking away all the trick shots and focussing on your true tennis skills. I’m sure this is something the more hardcore fans will appreciate.
The way Mario Tennis Aces lets you decide how you want to play is just perfect. The Swing Mode is another perfect example of this. This mode is played using the Joy-Con as virtual rackets, similar to what Wii Sports Tennis did. This mode offers a lot of fun for more casual sessions during parties or fun gaming nights but it’s not that easy. Mastering the controls and keeping track of the small ball in handheld mode isn’t easy but you can enlarge the ball too to make it a bit better. Whatever you pick, I’m sure this game has a mode that’s just right for you and that’s perhaps even the biggest plus of this entry in the Mario Tennis franchise.
Conclusion:
Mario Tennis Aces is a nice addition to the franchise and your Nintendo Switch library. The inclusion of an Adventure Mode was a smart move for those who are seeking for a fun solo adventure. Besides that, the tennis action is just as crazy as you would hope and even if you don’t like all those special shots, you can easily switch them off. The game has something to offer for everybody looking for a fun sports title that isn’t trying to mimic the real deal too much.
