Mario Tennis
Due for N64 September 2000
Camelot, the team that brought you Mario Golf, looks to have another sleeper hit on their hands with Mario Tennis, a four player party game unlike anything else in that growing Nintendo genre. Considering the games that were at E3, I was at first bewildered to see huge lines for what initially looked like an updated version of the Atari 2600’s “Tennis”. Then again, I guess tennis is tennis however you want to look at it. Anyway, with two and four player capability (as well as a much less interesting one player mode), the game is a sure sell to gamers whose girlfriends don’t get much out of Quake, families who are sick of (and bruised from) Mario Party, as well as the Nintendo owner who is always in desperate need of quality titles.
Although the gameplay is basically, as you might expect, based on the idea of bouncing the ball back and forth, Camelot has done a good job putting a lot of play possibility into the thing. Swing options such as long lobs, backhands, and spin varieties make the in-game action more complex than simple button pushing, and more strategic than just moving back and forth. The control is straightforward and intuitive, with little to complain about and a lot to enjoy. Over and above that, the game is freakishly addictive when played against friends (or people who used to be your friends anyway), and the strategic aspects of play make a win feel like more than just a coincidence. Although I did see one major fight break out, overall people seemed to just be having a mind-numbingly good time with this cartoony little sports title.
Speaking of cartoony, the game of course brings back Mario and his familiar cast of friends, all well animated and seemingly comfortably in their new sports arena. Various players have different “stats” if you will—varying levels of speed, spin, strength, maneuverability, and cuteness. Like Mario Golf, the game features (barely) hidden unlockable characters, for a total of “more than a dozen”. The game apparatus—modes, options, cut-scenes, etc—while not phenomenal or exceptional in any particular way, are enough to keep your interest for quite a while. The replay value of the game lies solely in the solidly constructed, well integrated multi-player mode that I’m sure a lot of people will be familiar with by Christmas.
With Nintendo still reigning as the multi-player system to beat, Mario Tennis will do nothing if not make its claim to the title stronger. An enjoyable, all-ages sports game that anyone can pick up and get competitively good at is certain to find a large market very quickly. With this game, Zelda, and Hey You, Pikachu due out this fall, Nintendo looks to have a great fiscal year despite the fierce competition.