Mario Tennis Aces Mirror Boss

Our Verdict

A bizarre coming together of Boom Bros. and Mario Lawn tennis that strangely works, even if the Run a risk mode occasionally frustrates.

For

Fantastic battling additions to tennis gameplay
Looks amazing
Courts are regularly inventive

Confronting

Hazard mode tin can be incredibly frustrating

Mario gets about, doesn't he? In the past year, he'due south been on a globetrotting Odyssey, joined forces with some Rabbids to save the world (again), and now he's donning his sneakers in fourth dimension to surf the astroturf in Mario Tennis Aces. It'due south been 3 years since we last had a Mario Lawn tennis game, and it'southward fair to say that there's been quite the hype around Mario's latest adventure, especially since it's the get-go game since Mario Tennis Ability Bout on the Game Boy Advance to feature a story mode.

And what a story mode that is. Talk about a game that very much moves tennis beyond the ordinary. A magical racket named Lucien, or the Legendary Dissonance of Bask as its formerly known, has been found past Wario and Waluigi and has possessed Luigi. Information technology turns out this racket is capable of destroying entire kingdoms and is basically the Mario Tennis Aces equivalent of the Infinity Gauntlet. If the bad guys manage to collect five Ability Stones, the full power of Lucien will exist restored - a la Avengers: Infinity War (opens in new tab) simply without all that finger clicking. Daisy and Peach are patently also important as diplomats to proceed the adventure, so it's up to Mario and Toad to rails down Wario, Waluigi and the possessed Luigi forth with Lucien.

Dominate battles on a tennis court? Go on then

Of form, information technology's never just a case of wandering directly up to where the baddies are hiding, but rather undertaking numerous challenges forth the fashion as you try to attain the areas containing the power stones. Some of these trials volition simply consist of straightforward matches, simply usually with some funky courtroom activities, such equally piranha plants that swallow your ball or send masts that must exist avoided. They add a lovely element of surprise and additional tactics to the play, and all of the courts tin be brought over to the freeplay modes one time you've defeated your foe. There are fifty-fifty boss battles (yep, you read that correct), with your shots interim in lieu of actual attacks. Meanwhile, other Adventure challenges are more tricksy, such every bit knocking down boards with your balls to score enough points before a timer runs out. Some of them are utterly brilliant, with the difficulty meaning that completion is merely tantalisingly out of reach for that 'just one more go' mentality.

But, the Hazard mode isn't always entirely successful. Some levels require some awkward puzzle solving, or a level of precision that'southward sometimes near impossible using the gyroscope controls, or simply downright fussy. One mirror level about the start was and so obtuse in its instructions and goals that I got shut to lobbing a Joy-Con through the window in frustration, which isn't something that I'd ordinarily say about puzzle solving in a tennis game. However, those frustrations don't detract from the fact that this Adventure style is inventive, adding an extra layer of engagement for an otherwise adequately standard arcade tennis game.

Lawn tennis with a touch of aggression

Pulling off a Zone Shot in Mario Tennis Aces

When I say 'adequately standard' that does come up with a caveat though, as developer Camelot hasn't just stuck to the usual arcade tennis rules for this ane. At that place are still classic moves like lobs, drops, topspins and slice shots but Mario Tennis Aces has a few tricks upwards its sleeve to reinvent the Mario Tennis formula somewhat - although don't wait to come across whatsoever of this lot at Wimbledon this summer.

This game introduces Ability Shots that means you basically get Super Nail Bros x Mario Tennis Aces for experimental, tactical and downright kooky matches every time you starting time swinging. In the top left-hand corner of your screen, you'll encounter an energy guess that controls what special moves you can pull off. You build your energy by returning shots, pulling off trick shots with a quick picture show of the right joystick, or just using charge shots, which are merely just a case of holding down 1 of the face buttons for a bit longer to allow you 'charge' your swing. After that, you lot'll detect your free energy soaring, and so, when a shiny triangle appears, yous can utilize a Zone Shot to unleash a powerful attack that can really damage your opponent's dissonance. Knock plenty health off one and they'll either take to forfeit from your devilish KO, leaving the match in a McEnroe-esque tantrum or swap information technology out for some other if they take one. Knowing that both you and your enemy have these powers to unleash constantly keeps you on your toes, and keeping a watchful center on the peak corners of your screen to cheque how much energy your foe has. If you desire to go old-schoolhouse though, don't fear, y'all tin can turn on simple manner that strips out all the energy and its related powers.

Outside of the Gamble Mode, Mario Tennis Aces has xv playable characters to choose from in the various other modes - Tournament, Complimentary Play and a motion-controlled bit of fun called Swing Mode. Every grapheme has its own distinct playstyle, with Mario taking up the gauntlet for easy all-rounder. There are new characters like Spike and Chain Chomp, who value power over speed on the court, while Yoshi and Toad are very nimble indeed. Waluigi and Bowser Jr. though are more well-nigh defensive tactics. Learning how to employ each i on the court, only also how to work against them is all office of the fun in Mario Tennis Aces.

At the cease of the twenty-four hour period, Adventure Mode is only going to take you so far, and, like Mario Kart 8 Palatial on the Switch, it's really all nearly multiplayer. You can opt in for online or local multiplayer, or only pass a Joy-Con to your pal for instant dissever-screen, which is really where the game shines brightest - and I'm non merely talking graphically, although this game is an absolute stunner. This is a game built for battling confronting your friends, which might seem like a weird plough of phrase for a tennis game, but absolutely works for Mario Tennis Aces.

So tighten those strings for a game of tennis that would terrify Andy Murray, and smash rackets on your way to victory.

Mario Tennis Aces

A bizarre meeting of Boom Bros. and Mario Tennis that strangely works, fifty-fifty if the Adventure mode occasionally frustrates.

More info

Available platforms

Nintendo Switch

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Sam Loveridge is the Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar, and joined the squad in Baronial 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, post-obit the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she's too had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more than. Her experience has seen her encompass console and PC games, forth with gaming hardware, for over vii years, and for GamesRadar, she is in charge of reviews, best lists, and the overall running of the site and its staff. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open up-globe RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. Basically, she loves all games that aren't sports or fighting titles!