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Mario Tennis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Nintendo 64 title. For the series as a whole, seeMario Tennis (series).For the Virtual Boy title, seeMario's Tennis.

Mario Tennis
North American Nintendo 64 box art
Developer(s)Camelot Software Planning
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Haruki Kodera(N64)
Shugo Takahashi(GBC)
Producer(s)Shinji Hatano
Hiroyuki Takahashi
Shigeru Miyamoto
Shugo Takahashi(GBC)
Designer(s)Hiroyuki Takahashi
Shugo Takahashi
Composer(s)Motoi Sakuraba
SeriesMario Tennis
Platform(s)Nintendo 64,Game Boy Color
ReleaseNintendo 64
  • JP:July 21, 2000
  • NA:August 28, 2000
  • PAL:November 3, 2000
Game Boy Color
  • JP:November 1, 2000
  • NA:January 16, 2001
  • PAL:February 2, 2001
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player,multiplayer

Mario Tennis[a]is a 2000sports video gamedeveloped byCamelot Software Planningand published byNintendofor theNintendo 64(N64). FollowingMario's Tennis,it is the second game in theMario Tennisseries.The game is known for being the introduction ofLuigi's arch-rival,Waluigi,and the re-introduction ofPrincess DaisyandBirdo.

Camelot also developed aGame Boy Color(GBC) version, which was published under the same title in Western regions and asMario Tennis GBin Japan.

The N64 version was re-released on theWiiandWii UVirtual Console,and on theNintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack,in 2010, 2015, and 2021 respectively; theGBCversion was re-released on theNintendo 3DSVirtual Console in 2014, and on the Nintendo Switch Online service in 2024.

Gameplay

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The game uses a control system that differs from most other video tennis games. Shots are performed by pressing one, or both, of the two main buttons (A or B), which make the ball spin in different ways. Pressing a button twice strikes the tennis shot with more power and spin. Additionally, pressing the two buttons in a different order can result in a different type of shot altogether, such as alobordrop shot.Both buttons can be pressed at the same time to hit a very powerfulsmashshot. The longer a button is pressed before contact is made with the ball, the stronger the shot will be. The control system allows players of all levels to become familiar with the mechanics of the game within a very short time, whilst also encouraging advanced players to take advantage of the variety of shots offered to come up with different strategies for winning points. A total of seven types of shot are possible using only the two main buttons of the controller. These gameplay mechanics were later brought to the newer games of theMario Tennisseries.Matches support singles or doubles play.

The Nintendo 64 version includes several gameplay modes. Exhibition allows players to compete in a single basic tennis match. In Tournament mode, players compete in singles or doubles elimination tournaments against computer-controlled opponents, with higher difficulties being unlocked each time a tournament is completed; players can unlock new characters and tennis courts by completing certain tournaments with specific characters. Ring Shot features several game types based around hitting the ball through rings scattered around the court. Piranha Challenge is a single-player challenge mode in which threePiranha Plantsrandomly spit out balls that the player must return. Bowser Stage is a bonus mode in which the court tilts based on the players' positions, affecting movement, and the ball can be hit throughMario Kartitem boxes that release items to disrupt opponents. Most modes support multiplayer for up to two players in singles and up to four players in doubles.

In addition to Exhibition mode, theGame Boy Colorversion features an exclusive story mode withrole-playing gamemechanics called Mario Tour. In this mode, players begin as a rookie tennis player at the Royal Tennis Academy, who must build up their skill by leveling up through training and practice matches before entering various tournaments. The aim of this mode is to be crowned champion at the academy, although the second part of the game involves the player competing in a tournament to ultimately faceMario,the best tennis player. The role-playing is playable in singles and doubles (separately), effectively doubling the game's longevity. There are training facilities that can help the player progress. The GBC version also features multiple mini-games, such as controllingDonkey Kongto hit banana targets on a wall within a time limit. Multiplayer for two players is supported via use of theGame Link Cable.

The N64 version ofMario Tennisfeatures 16 playable characters, 10 of which did not appear in thepreviousMario Tennisgame.Notably, the characterWaluigimakes his first appearance in this game, having been created to giveWarioa doubles partner. In addition to the player's created character, the GBC version features 25 playable characters, consisting of nineMarioseries characters and 16 human characters from the game's story mode.

Through the use of a Nintendo 64Transfer Pak,players are able to import their characters from the GBC version to the N64 game, retaining the characters' stats. Using these characters, experience points may be earned to transfer back to the GBC version. As the characters go up in levels, the player may send their improved characters to the N64 version to level up again. Linking the two games also unlocksYoshi,Wario, Waluigi,Bowser,and their respective mini-games in the GBC version; completing these mini-games and connecting the two games again will in turn unlock up to six new tennis courts in the N64 version.[1][2]All Transfer Pak functionality was removed from subsequent digital re-releases of both games, though the additional characters and minigames are unlocked by default in theNintendo Switch Onlinerelease of the GBC version.[3]Other features, such as the Ring Tournament mode in the N64 version and multiplayer functionality in the GBC version, are also omitted from theVirtual Consolereleases.[2]

Development

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At Nintendo's suggestion, Princess Daisy was brought back from obscurity after having only ever appeared inSuper Mario LandandNES Open Tournament Golfin order to give Luigi a doubles partner like Mario had Peach. Camelot asked Nintendo if the game could also feature girlfriends for Wario and Waluigi, but Miyamoto said that he "didn't even want to see their girlfriends."[4]

Reception

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Mario Tennisreceived critical acclaim, with critics citing the accessibility and depth of the controls as being very impressive. The game physics and amount of content have also been praised.[22][27]TheNintendo 64version received "universal acclaim" according to thereview aggregationwebsiteMetacritic.[7]The game was a runner-up forGameSpot's annual "Best Nintendo 64 Game" award, losing toPerfect Dark.[38]Its Game Boy Color version was nominated for the publication's 2001 "Best Game Boy Color Game" award, which went toOracle of SeasonsandOracle of Ages.[39]

Dutch magazinePower Unlimitedgave the N64 version a score of 9.1 out of 10, calling it very addictive, especially with four players.[40]

Mario Tennissold over 200,000 copies within two weeks of its release.[41]It became the eighth best selling Game Boy Color game in Japan, with 357,987 copies sold.[42]

During the4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards,theAcademy of Interactive Arts & ScienceshonoredMario Tenniswith the "Console Family"award.[43]

Notes

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  1. ^Known in Japan asMario Tennis 64(Japanese:マリオテニス64,Hepburn:Mario Tenisu Rokujūyon)

References

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  1. ^abHarris, Craig (January 24, 2001)."Mario Tennis GBC".IGN.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  2. ^abThomas, Lucas M. (June 30, 2010)."Mario Tennis Review".IGN.RetrievedDecember 20,2022.
  3. ^Life, Nintendo (March 13, 2024)."Camelot's Ace Little Tennis RPG Is Hard To Fault".Nintendo Life.RetrievedJuly 11,2024.
  4. ^"Mario TennisInterview ".Nintendo Power.No. 135. United States:Nintendo.2000.
  5. ^"Mario Tennis for Game Boy Color".GameRankings.CBS Interactive.RetrievedOctober 29,2018.
  6. ^"Mario Tennis for Nintendo 64".GameRankings.CBS Interactive.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  7. ^ab"Mario Tennis for Nintendo 64 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  8. ^Frankle, Gavin."Mario Tennis (GBC) – Review".AllGame.Archived fromthe originalon November 14, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  9. ^Melville, Bryan."Mario Tennis (N64) – Review".AllGame. Archived fromthe originalon November 14, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  10. ^Niiico (February 2001)."Mario Tennis".Consoles +(in French). No. 109. p. 97.RetrievedJuly 29,2021.
  11. ^Gia."Mario Tennis".Consoles+(in French). No. 105. pp. 76–78.RetrievedJuly 29,2021.
  12. ^Edge staff (October 2000). "Mario Tennis (N64)".Edge.No. 89.
  13. ^EGM staff (March 2001)."Mario Tennis (GBC)".Electronic Gaming Monthly.Archived fromthe originalon March 9, 2001.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  14. ^"Mario Tennis".Electronic Gaming Monthly.2000.
  15. ^"ゲームボーイ – マリオテニスGB".Famitsu.Vol. 915. June 30, 2006. p. 111.
  16. ^"ニンテンドウ64 – マリオテニス64".Famitsu.Vol. 915. June 30, 2006. p. 30.
  17. ^"REVIEW for Mario Tennis (N64)".GameFan.2000.
  18. ^Brogger, Kristian (February 2001)."Mario Tennis (GBC)".Game Informer.No. 94. Archived fromthe originalon December 30, 2002.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  19. ^McNamara, Andy; Helgeson, Matt; Reiner, Andrew (October 2000)."Mario Tennis – Nintendo 64".Game Informer.No. 90. Archived fromthe originalon December 10, 2000.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  20. ^Jake The Snake (January 5, 2001)."Mario Tennis Review for Game Boy Color".GamePro.Archived fromthe originalon March 19, 2005.RetrievedJanuary 20,2015.
  21. ^Davis, Ryan (January 26, 2001)."Mario Tennis Review (GBC)".GameSpot.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  22. ^abProvo, Frank (August 30, 2000)."Mario Tennis Review (N64)".GameSpot.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  23. ^Quigley, Shawn (February 7, 2001)."Mario Tennis (GBC)".SportPlanet.Archived fromthe originalon February 23, 2001.RetrievedMarch 20,2017.
  24. ^Ballerine, Bill (September 12, 2000)."Mario Tennis (N64)".SportPlanet. Archived fromthe originalon December 27, 2004.RetrievedApril 28,2016.
  25. ^Fish, Eliot (April 2000)."Mario Tennis".Hyper.No. 90. p. 80.RetrievedJuly 29,2021.
  26. ^Shea, Cam (November 2000)."Mario Tennis".Hyper.No. 85. pp. 50–51.RetrievedJuly 29,2021.
  27. ^abCasamassina, Matt (August 18, 2000)."Mario Tennis 64 [sic] (N64) ".IGN.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  28. ^Thomas, Lucas M. (June 30, 2010)."Mario Tennis Review (Wii)".IGN.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  29. ^Latshaw, Tim (January 2, 2014)."Mario Tennis (3DS eShop / Game Boy Color) Review".NintendoLife.RetrievedJanuary 20,2015.
  30. ^van Duyn, Marcel (June 22, 2010)."Mario Tennis (Wii Virtual Console / Nintendo 64) Review".NintendoLife.RetrievedJanuary 20,2015.
  31. ^"Mario Tennis (GBC)".Nintendo Power.Vol. 141. February 2001. p. 124.
  32. ^"Mario Tennis (N64)".Nintendo Power.Vol. 135. August 2000. p. 116.
  33. ^"Mario Tennis".Official Nintendo Magazine.No. 98. November 2000. pp. 26–31.RetrievedJuly 28,2021.
  34. ^Christian (December 2000)."Mario Tennis".Video Games(in German). p. 119.RetrievedJuly 29,2021.
  35. ^"Mario Tennis".64.No. 44. September 2000. pp. 50–53.RetrievedJuly 29,2021.
  36. ^Boyce, Ryan (August 28, 2000)."Mario Tennis (N64)".Maxim.Archived fromthe originalon August 10, 2001.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  37. ^"The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences:: Awards".Interactive Achievement Awards.Archived fromthe originalon October 6, 2008.RetrievedMarch 31,2008.
  38. ^"Best and Worst of 2000".GameSpot.January 5, 2001. Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2002.
  39. ^GameSpot VGStaff (February 23, 2002)."GameSpot's Best and Worst Video Games of 2001 ".GameSpot.Archived fromthe originalon August 3, 2002.
  40. ^van de Ven, Boris (November 2000). "Mario Tennis".Power Unlimited.8(11): 68–69.
  41. ^IGN staff (August 3, 2000)."Mario Tennis Takes Japan".IGN.RetrievedJanuary 19,2015.
  42. ^"【GBC20 đầy năm xí họa (2)】いちばん bán れたゲームボーイカラー chuyên dùng ソフトは『 du ☆ hí ☆ vương DM4』! では2 vị は? GBC chuyên dùng ソフト buôn bán ランキングTOP10!".Famitsu(in Japanese).Enterbrain.October 21, 2018. p. 1.RetrievedOctober 21,2018.
  43. ^"D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Mario Tennis".Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.RetrievedJuly 24,2023.
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