Have you ever noticed the unusual number of sports simulation video games in the bargain bins at your local games store? You can bet that Mario Tennis won't find its way into those bins any time soon. This game should never be dismissed as yet another run-of-the-mill sports game. What appears on the surface to be a simple concept turns out to be an absorbing and extremely fun little gem of a game.
Up to four players choose from a whole crew of popular Mario characters — each with abilities unique to them — and play the game in either singles or doubles competitions in a variety of game modes. All of the finer points of the game of tennis are here. If a player serves the ball when it is at its highest point above the character's head, for example, the speed of their serve will be faster. Players can vary the shot strength by hitting the ball at different heights and by moving forward as they hit. Depending on what is done, players can produce a top spin, smash, or slice. As well, different courts will produce different conditions — for example, selecting a clay court will result in a slower ball speed and weaker bounce.
For some especially fun Mario-style fantasy elements, players can select Bowser mode. Here, players need to collect and use any of 6 power-ups as they play the game — they can use the mushroom power-up to speed up their character for a short time, employ a banana peel to slip their opponent, and use the red shell item to freeze their competitor for a few moments. When a more involving game is desired, players can select Tournament mode with the ultimate goal of winning the Star Cup in mind. Ring Shot mode requires players to attempt to hit the ball through hoops appearing on the screen, with the challenging goal of clearing the rings.
With 4 different difficulty levels to choose from, the whole family can play Mario Tennis — and they probably will. It is possible for two friends or siblings to play cooperatively as a doubles team against computer opponents, which is a very refreshing option! While this video game won't assist players on a physical level, younger children will receive an excellent introduction to the rules of tennis and learn, over time, how to effectively employ different strategies. As with most Mario games, the fact that the characters have different abilities adds extra strategy elements to the game - Peach is great down the line, Boo has a wicked spin shot, and Donkey Kong's legendary strength means tremendous force is behind all the shots he makes. The more children play and progress, they are rewarded with new courts and characters.
