Mario Tennis Aces

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 143 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Mario Tennis Aces Game Cover
A bizarre coming together of Smash Bros. and Mario Tennis that strangely works, even if the Adventure mode occasionally frustrates.
Starting at $49.99Buy now

Mario Tennis Aces is a sport game on Nintendo Switch, offering both multi-player and single-player options. The game features 15+ characters with unique abilities, bringing a strategic layer to tennis gameplay. A story mode, not seen since Mario Tennis: Power Tour, is also included, offering various missions and boss battles. Up to four players can compete locally, and online play is available as well.

  • Nintendo Switch
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 143 reviews
gameplay38 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The gameplay mechanics are engaging and add depth to the traditional tennis experience, making it fun for both casual and competitive players.
  • The Adventure Mode provides a humorous and challenging way to learn the game's mechanics, with various mini-games and boss battles.
  • The multiplayer experience, both online and local, is highly enjoyable and offers a variety of modes, making it a great party game.
  • The single-player content is limited and can feel repetitive, with a short Adventure Mode that lacks replay value.
  • Certain characters are overpowered, leading to an unbalanced online experience that can frustrate players.
  • The game lacks customization options for matches and has a cumbersome menu interface, making it less user-friendly.
  • gameplay62 mentions

    The gameplay in Mario Tennis Aces is widely praised for its depth and engaging mechanics, offering a fun and competitive experience, especially in multiplayer modes. While the adventure mode serves as a helpful introduction to the game's new features, many players feel that the overall content is lacking, with a short campaign and minimal customization options. Despite these shortcomings, the core mechanics are considered some of the best in the series, making it an enjoyable experience for both casual and hardcore players.

    • “The adventure mode is a welcome addition (although limited) and I recommend all new players play the adventure mode prior to heading into the online tournament because the adventure mode teaches the player how to execute the new moves and gameplay additions.”
    • “From a pure gameplay standpoint, this game truly shines and earns its subtitle, 'Aces'.”
    • “Mario Tennis Aces features excellent gameplay, a solid single-player mode, and a lot of fun characters, but it's at its best in multiplayer.”
    • “It's not that I am terrible at standard mode; I simply lost interest in the mechanics. Lastly, the online tournament mode does not rank you accurately.”
    • “Basically, the entire game revolves around a monotonous, overly drawn-out campaign with 'leveling mechanics' that are poorly fleshed out.”
    • “However, the campaign is incredibly short and easy; there is minimal to no customization for online mode, and the online mode itself is minimal in design and gameplay.”
  • story43 mentions

    The story mode in the game is largely criticized for being unengaging and overly simplistic, often described as a glorified tutorial that can be completed in just a few hours. Players find the narrative cheesy and poorly written, with many feeling that it lacks depth and meaningful content, making it feel like a rushed addition rather than a substantial feature. While it serves to introduce gameplay mechanics, the overall consensus is that the story mode detracts from the experience, especially for those seeking a more immersive single-player adventure.

    • “The story is ridiculous and insane, but suspend your belief and it becomes a charming Mario bananas-fun thing.”
    • “The story mode of the game is a nice addition that we haven't seen since Mario Tennis Power Tour for the GBA; all in all, this game is a blast and is a must-buy for any Mario Tennis fan.”
    • “If you are familiar with Mario Tennis, then this is just like the others with one key difference: now we have story mode.”
    • “The story mode was lacking and the online multiplayer felt repetitive and unrewarding.”
    • “Absolutely no substantial single player content; the story mode is just a few hours long.”
    • “Story mode is so boring and unengaging.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    Overall, the graphics in the game are praised for their beauty and solid visuals, contributing to an enjoyable gameplay experience. However, some users noted a lack of attention to detail, such as missing graphics for certain items, which detracted from the overall polish. Despite this, the vibrant and cohesive art style, along with the introduction of new mechanics, has been well-received.

    • “The controls are excellent and the graphics are beautiful.”
    • “A great entry into an already beloved franchise, Mario Tennis Aces introduces a brand new tennis mechanic that, although difficult to master, features superb visuals and a brand new adventure mode.”
    • “+ cute, colourful visuals.”
    • “They even skimped on regular things like 'why don't you even see the power stones after you acquire them?' They were too rushed to even make the graphic for the power stones!”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unenjoyable, as retrying events involves repetitive conversations and a lack of basic UI features like a simple "retry" button. This detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than a challenge.

    • “Retrying events is very tedious.”
    • “I don't really enjoy it; it didn't feel like a challenge and just felt tedious.”
    • “The game lacks basic UI features, such as a simple 'retry' button, forcing you to click through tedious and repetitive conversations in the campaign.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers limited replayability after completing the single-player campaign, which can become tedious quickly, providing only a few hours of enjoyment. However, its focus on multiplayer modes, including local and online play, as well as a tournament mode for unlockables, adds some value for those seeking competitive play. Overall, while the single-player experience may lack depth, the multiplayer aspects can enhance replay potential for players.

    • “The replay value is low after you've completed the single-player campaign, as this game is very multiplayer (local and online) focused. There's also a tournament mode, which allows you to go through a gauntlet of CPU opponents for unlockables and in-game trophies. Overall, it's a fun arcade tennis game that will test your twitch reflexes and snap decision-making.”
    • “The multiplayer experience is where this game truly shines, offering endless fun and competition with friends. The variety of modes keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, making you want to come back for more.”
    • “With different characters and play styles to explore, each match feels unique, encouraging players to experiment and find their favorite strategies. This adds a layer of depth that enhances replayability.”
    • “The replay value is low after you've completed the single-player campaign as this is very multiplayer (local and online) focused. There's also a tournament mode, which is what you expect going through a gauntlet of CPU opponents for unlockables and in-game trophies. Overall, it's a fun arcade tennis game that'll test your twitch reflexes and snap decision-making.”
    • “For starters, while the single-player mode is creative and mostly enjoyable, it falls into tedium fast and offers no replay value when you inevitably reach its end only a handful of hours in.”
  • music2 mentions

    The music in the game has received criticism for its limited soundtrack, which can become repetitive and frustrating over time. Reviewers noted that the tracks do not effectively match the themes of the levels, often feeling out of place and reminiscent of low-quality games from the early 2000s.

    • “My only complaint is that the limited soundtrack of the game will drive you nuts after a while.”
    • “The music was surprisingly bad, with every stage failing to capture the spirit of each level's respective themes, feeling more at home in a cheap early 2000s off-brand tennis game.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for feeling like a rushed cash grab, particularly due to its lackluster story; however, it does not include any microtransactions.

    • “The game has no microtransactions, which is a refreshing change in today's gaming landscape.”
    • “I appreciate that there are no paywalls or hidden costs; everything is accessible through gameplay.”
    • “The absence of monetization tactics allows for a more immersive and enjoyable experience.”
    • “The lackluster story just seems like a rushed cash grab.”
    • “Microtransactions: none.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Overall, users report minimal optimization issues, experiencing only occasional stuttering without significant input delay during matchmaking.

    • “The only lag I run into is stuttering; I never find matches with input delay.”
    • “The optimization is terrible; the game frequently drops frames and feels unresponsive.”
    • “I experience constant performance issues, making it hard to enjoy the gameplay.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Users express frustration with the emotional impact of the game's single-player mode, highlighting a lack of effective teaching and the need to unlock maps for multiplayer play. This has led to feelings of annoyance and discouragement, particularly regarding the transition to online play.

  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted as a key element, particularly in the adventure mode, which is described as fun and funny. Players appreciate the engaging game mechanics and the variety of characters, contributing to an enjoyable multiplayer experience.

    • “The adventure mode is fun and funny, making every playthrough a delightful experience.”
    • “The humor in the game adds a unique charm that keeps you engaged and entertained.”
    • “Playing with friends in multiplayer is a blast, filled with hilarious moments and unexpected surprises.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

Buy Mario Tennis Aces

Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
6hMain story
9hCompletionist
4-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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