It seemed like it was only a matter of time before Nintendo served up another "Mario Tennis" game for its flock -- and the timing is just right, especially now that the Nintendo Switch is shaping up to be the company's most successful console to date. During a recent Nintendo Direct Mini broadcast, the company announced "Mario Tennis Aces" for the Nintendo Switch.
The tennis we know and love
Fans of the "MT" games already know what to expect from any sequel at this point, though Nintendo is including something fairly new for this latest installment (more on that later).
But so far, the usual trapping the series is known for are all there. Players can expect crazy tennis tournaments featuring a roster of Nintendo All-Stars armed with patented power-ups straight out of the Mushroom Kingdom. So far, the characters covered in the gameplay trailer are Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi. Although the content seems routine, Nintendo has also added something fairly new to this latest entry.
Something new...sort of
Despite the usual content, "MTA" will feature a story mode starring Mario alongside its more competitive modes. While this doesn't mark the debut of such a mode in an "MT" game -- the honor goes to "Mario Tennis Power Tour" for the Game Boy Advance -- it's a first for a Nintendo console outing.
Details contained in the gameplay trailer reveal that the story mode will feature a map for the titular plumber to explore, challenges to complete, and even boss fights to win.
A brief history of 'Mario Tennis'
Nintendo launched the first ever but indirectly titled "Mario Tennis" on the Virtual Boy back in 1995 to mixed reviews.
Then in 2000, Nintendo released a tried and true "MT" game for the N64 console aptly titled "Mario Tennis 64." The N64 title sold 200,000 copies in its first two weeks on sale; consequentially greenlighting a highly successful franchise spanning several follow-ups across various Nintendo consoles and handhelds. The last game, called "Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash" was launched on the Wii U in late 2016, but received mixed reviews from critics due to a lack of content, which was considered unorthodox for an entry in the franchise.
When can we start smashing?
Nintendo plans to launch "Mario Tennis Aces" for the Nintendo Switch as early as Spring 2018. This slot puts its release alongside "Donkey Country: Tropical Freeze" and "Dark Souls Remastered," both of which were also announced for the Nintendo Switch during the Nintendo Direct Mini broadcast.
