Mario Tennis Aces

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"MTA" redirects here. For the canceled Philips CD-i game with the same abbreviation, see Mario Takes America.

Template:Infobox Mario Tennis Aces is a sports game in the Mario Tennis series for Nintendo Switch, initially released on June 22, 2018. It is the eighth installment in the series and is the first Mario Tennis series game since Mario Tennis: Power Tour on the Game Boy Advance to feature a Story Mode.[1]

Gameplay

The base gameplay appears similar to that of Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, featuring different types of shots. Characters have an energy gauge that can be used to perform Zone Shots, Zone Speed, or Special Shots.[2] The energy gauge can be increased by simple rallies or by performing Trick Shots, which require proper timing to hit the ball back. Zone Shots can be performed upon reaching a star point on the ground, and allow the player to aim their shot anywhere on the court using motion controls. The longer they take to aim, the more energy it depletes. Zone Speed allows the player to slow down time to allow them to reach a far-off shot in time. Special Shots are performed like Zone Shots, but require a full energy gauge. Zone Shots and Special Shots are able to damage rackets. Rackets can withstand three Zone Shots or one Special Shot before breaking, and after being broken they are replaced with a new one, forcing the player to retire when they no longer have any usable racket.[1] With proper stroke timing, these shots can be blocked, increasing the character's energy gauge and protecting their racket from damage. In doubles, each pair shares one energy gauge, and if a player's racket breaks during a rally, that player's team immediately loses the point. Also in doubles, each player has their own racket counter. When playing in doubles, the match will end if just one player loses all of their rackets (no matter how many rackets that player's teammate has remaining) and that player's team immediately loses. Exclusive to doubles, the result screen also shows X marks in the sections where a player's racket took damage, and the X marks are colored as appropriate to show which opponent did the damage to that player's racket. Unlike Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, there is a left-handed option for characters.[2]

Other than the base style of gameplay, the game also includes a "simple rules" mode which excludes the new types of shots, as well as "Swing Mode", which allows the player to use motion controls to swing their racket, similarly to Wii Sports. Unlike Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, the game features a traditional Tournament mode where the player can challenge computer opponents in an 8-player bracket. In the COM tournament, the player can play the Mushroom, Flower and Star Cups, each with its own difficulty. The character used for winning one of these cups receives a crown graphic next to their name on the character select screen. Online multiplayer is also supported for up to four players (friends or other players) as well as for online tournaments. Participating in these can provide the player with participation prizes, including special in-game outfits or additional playable characters.[2] However, unlike in the COM tournament, the character that wins the online tournament is not given a crown.

Exclusively in Swing Mode, players can challenge a decision that the ball was shot out of the court.[3]

Adventure Mode

Story

After Mario and Peach beat Bowser and Bowser Jr. in a tennis match and take the championship, Wario and Waluigi arrive with a legendary racket called Lucien, offering it to Mario and co. as a present. After Luigi takes Lucien, Lucien possesses both him, Wario and Waluigi, and causes a big storm on the stadium. Mario and Toad go to Bask Ruins, and after beating a Dry Bones in a tennis match, gain entry to the Temple of Bask. There, a mysterious voice who introduces himself as Aster tells Mario that many years ago, Lucien destroyed the Kingdom of Bask, and its king managed to strip Lucien of its power and divided the power between five Power Stones. Over time, though, the room fell to ruin, and Wario and Waluigi stole Lucien oblivious to its true powers. Aster then tasks Mario to go and get the five Power Stones before Lucien does.

Mario manages to take the Power Stones from Piranha Plant Forest, Mirage Mansion, and Snowfall Mountain; however, the possessed Wario and Waluigi beat him to the Power Stones in Savage Sea and Inferno Island. Lucien then declares a tennis war at Marina Stadium that pits Peach and Daisy against Wario and Waluigi, and Mario against Luigi, which Team Mario wins. Bowser then steals Lucien and returns to the Temple of Bask, where he fuses into Bowcien and challenges Mario to one last battle. Mario wins, destroying Lucien as well as the temple and receiving thanks from Aster before he disintegrates. Everyone then celebrates Mario's victory (though Wario and Waluigi express shame for having to destroy Lucien) as the credits roll.

In a post-credits scene, Mario does an autograph on the camera, with the marker he is using making the opening seven notes of the Super Mario Bros. overworld theme.

Gameplay

In Adventure Mode, Mario has to travel in a hub world and complete missions. While some of them are regular tennis matches, Adventure Mode has a lot of other missions, such as challanges where Mario needs to return the ball until he gets a certain amount of points. It also features boss battles, where different objects need to be shot on bosses with the tennis racket to defeat them. The player can also unlock rackets with different stats, powers and abillities.

Additionally, the level selection appears to be based on that of the New Super Mario Bros. series, with red circles indicating an unfinished level and blue circles indicating a completed level, with the name of the level being shown when Mario stands on one.

Levels

Bask Ruins
Piranha Plant Forest
Mirage Mansion
Snowfall Mountain
Savage Sea
Inferno Island
Marina Stadium
Temple of Bask Shrine
Ruins of Trials

Co-op Challenge

This mode was added to the game from the version 2.0.0 update. In it, groups of four players (which can be mixed between local and online) participate in a limited-time event to earn coins and unlock alternate costumes. This mode uses Swing Mode controls.

Boo Hunt

King Boo during Frenzy Time in Mario Tennis Aces
When Frenzy Time is activated, King Boo will appear.

In this event, players use tennis balls to hit Boos on the opposing side of the court to eliminate them, earning coins in the process. If the Boos reach the center of the court, they will steal some coins from the group total. Small mirrors that line the center of the court shoot tennis balls for the players to hit. Some Boos have an orange glow, and when a player hits them their next ball will be large, allowing them to hit more Boos at once. There are three stages, and when the group total reaches a certain threshold of coins they can proceed to the next stage when time runs out. Hitting Boos will also increase the Frenzy bar. When the Frenzy bar is filled up, Frenzy Time will activate. King Boo will appear and hover around the court, and all players will continuously receive tennis balls to hit him to earn more coins. He will disappear when either his health bar or the Frenzy bar is depleted.

Different stages have different hazards. Usually, the group of Boos slowly move towards the center of the court. In some stages, they assemble into set formations, and after the players hit the ball at them, they re-assemble into a new formation. Sometimes, the lights turn off, making it hard to see the Boos. One of the players my control a mirror to shine a light at the Boos that will halt them in their tracks. Other times, pieces of furniture will fly around the room, making it hard to hit the Boos, and Golden Mushrooms will appear, which can be hit to earn coins.

Characters

Playable

Mario Tennis Aces differs from prior entries in the series in that there are no traditionally unlockable characters. Rather, only the default characters, Koopa Troopa, Blooper, and Diddy Kong are currently playable, with more characters set to be added in monthly online tournaments.

white white white
MTA Models Mario.png MTA Models Luigi.png MTA Models Wario.png
Playing Type All-Around Playing Type All-Around Playing Type Powerful
Trick Shots Hand Spin
Vault
Trick Shots Racket Twirl
Slide
Trick Shots Total Typhoon
Power Dive
Special Shot Blazing Wall Jump Special Shot Pipe Cannon Special Shot Glorious Garlic Bomber
Unlocking Criteria Default Unlocking Criteria Default Unlocking Criteria Default
Alternate Costumes Classic
Tennis outfit, with Lucien Replica (unlocked by clearing Last Trial Boss Challenge)
Alternate Costumes N/A Alternate Costumes N/A
white Template:Color-link-piped Template:Color-link-piped
MTA Models Waluigi.png MTA Models Peach.png MTA Models Daisy.png
Playing Type Defensive Playing Type Technical Playing Type All-Around
Trick Shots Twisted Jump
Moonwalk
Trick Shots Twirl
Ribbon Fling
Trick Shots Parry
Sabre
Special Shot Showtime Special Shot Heart Shot Special Shot Bloom Blast
Unlocking Criteria Default Unlocking Criteria Default Unlocking Criteria Default
Alternate Costumes N/A Alternate Costumes N/A Alternate Costumes N/A
white white white
MTA Models Rosalina.png MTA Models Toad.png MTA Models Toadette.png
Playing Type Tricky Playing Type Speedy Playing Type Technical
Trick Shots Galaxy Warp
Satellite Shift
Trick Shots Toad Jump
Toad Roll
Trick Shots Cutesy Turn
Cheerful Skip
Special Shot Star Combo Special Shot Super Toad Dive Special Shot Hop Step Jump
Unlocking Criteria Default Unlocking Criteria Default Unlocking Criteria Default
Alternate Costumes N/A Alternate Costumes N/A Alternate Costumes N/A
white white white
MTA Models Bowser.png MTA Models Jr.png MTA Models Boo.png
Playing Type Powerful Playing Type Defensive Playing Type Tricky
Trick Shots Dive Bomb
Shell Spin
Trick Shots Wild Ride
Jet Boost
Trick Shots Roundabout
Through It All
Special Shot Fire-Breath Barrage Special Shot Armed and Dangerous Special Shot Illusion Shot
Unlocking Criteria Default Unlocking Criteria Default Unlocking Criteria Default
Alternate Costumes N/A Alternate Costumes N/A Alternate Costumes Visor (clear bonus for the "Boo Hunt" co-op challenge):
  • Blue (earn 2,500 coins)
  • Yellow (earn 10,000 coins)
  • Purple (earn 20,000 coins)
white white white <span style="color:(new);background:none">white
MTA Models Yoshi.png MTA Models DK.png MTA Models Spike.png
Playing Type Speedy Playing Type Powerful Playing Type Powerful
Trick Shots Spin Turn
Egg Roll
Trick Shots Kong Roll
Ground Pound
Trick Shots Somersault
Flip Fly
Special Shot Flying Rainbow Special Shot Barrel Cannon Chaos Special Shot Spike Strike
Unlocking Criteria Default Unlocking Criteria Default Unlocking Criteria Default
Alternate Costumes N/A Alternate Costumes N/A Alternate Costumes N/A
white <span style="color:(new);background:none">white white white <span style="color:(new);background:none">white
MTA Models ChainChomp.png MTA Models KoopaTroopa.png MTA Models Blooper.png
Playing Type Powerful Playing Type Speedy Playing Type Tricky
Trick Shots Vertical Whirl
Side Whirl
Trick Shots Power Play
Groundwork
Trick Shots Lucky Leap
Surfin' Slider
Special Shot Unleash Special Shot Spin Break Special Shot Wave Rider
Unlocking Criteria Default Unlocking Criteria Participation bonus for July 2018 online tournament, otherwise available from August 1, 2018 Unlocking Criteria Participation bonus for August 2018 online tournament, otherwise available from September 1, 2018
Alternate Costumes Hat (unreleased) Alternate Costumes N/A Alternate Costumes N/A
white white white
MTA Models Diddy.png MTA Models Birdo.png MTA Models Paratroopa.png
Playing Type Speedy Playing Type All-Around Playing Type Technical
Trick Shots Acrobatics
Diddy Roll
Trick Shots Unknown Trick Shots Unknown
Special Shot Jungle Swing Special Shot Unknown Special Shot Unknown
Unlocking Criteria Participation bonus for September 2018 online tournament, otherwise available from October 1, 2018 Unlocking Criteria Obtainable in Fall 2018 (EST) from version 2 Unlocking Criteria Obtainable in Fall 2018 (EST) from version 2
Alternate Costumes N/A Alternate Costumes N/A Alternate Costumes N/A
white white
MTA Models ShyGuy.png MTA Models PeteyPiranha.png
Playing Type Technical Playing Type Powerful
Trick Shots Unknown Trick Shots Unknown
Special Shot Unknown Special Shot Unknown
Unlocking Criteria Obtainable from version 2 Unlocking Criteria Obtainable from version 2
Alternate Costumes Light-Blue Shy Guy[4] (unreleased)
Pink Shy Guy[5] (unreleased)
Orange Shy Guy[6] (unreleased)
Yellow Shy Guy[7] (unreleased)
Blue Shy Guy[8] (unreleased)
Green Shy Guy[9] (unreleased)
Alternate Costumes N/A

Adventure Mode opponents

Unlike their playable versions, they cannot perform Trick Shots and Special Shots. Wario, Waluigi, and Luigi can perform Trick Shots and Special Shots.

  • Dry Bones (tutorial) - opponent in A Bone to Pick.
  • Donkey Kong - opponent in Pipe Gripe.
  • Toad - opponent in Rally Challenge (Beginner).
  • Spike - opponent in Sure Shot Challenge (Beginner).
  • Koopa Troopa - opponent in Battle Boat.
  • Boo - opponent in Malicious Mirrors and Rally Challenge (Intermediate).
  • Shy Guy - opponent in One versus...One? and Sure Shot Challenge (Intermediate).
  • Blooper - opponent in The Sort-Of Sea Monster.
  • Kamek - opponent in Rally Challenge (Advanced).
  • Boom Boom - opponent in Mechakoopa Crisis.
  • Chain Chomp - opponent in Sure Shot Challenge (Advanced).
  • Wario and Waluigi - opponents in Lucien Cup Finals.
  • Luigi - opponent in Lucien Cup Finals.

Bosses

Non-playable characters

Audience members

Possible future playable characters

In a reported datamine of the demo, Boom Boom, Kamek, Dry Bones, and Dry Bowser were listed as playable characters.[10] Additionally, the latter’s emblem can be seen on a few of the in-game advertisments.

Courts

Like in Mario Power Tennis, some courts contain hazards that can be toggled on or off.

Demo and pre-launch online tournament

Prior to the game's release date, a free demo was released on the Nintendo eShop on May 24, 2018. This demo included a pre-launch online tournament, as well as the ability to practice with CPU players. The tournament allowed players to play as Mario, Peach, Yoshi, and Bowser, with Waluigi, Toad, Spike, Rosalina, and Chain Chomp[11] becoming available as players earned points, for a total of nine playable characters. All tournament participants could receive an alternate costume for Mario that dresses him in his usual clothes (effectively making him appear identical to his appearance in Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash), usable in the full game.

Character unlock criteria

Reception

Critical reception

Mario Tennis Aces received generally positive reviews from critics. Praise was directed at the visuals and many welcomed new additions of gameplay, but minor criticism was directed at customization and the story mode, with some considering the latter not being rewarding or satisfying enough. The Swing Mode also received mixed reception, with points of contention directed at its responsiveness. The game currently holds a score of 75 on Metacritic based on 81 reviews,[12] and a score of 73.38% on GameRankings based on 37 reviews.[13]

Tristan Ogilvie of IGN gave the game a score of 7.5/10, praising the visuals, the court gimmicks, and the multiplayer mode, but criticized the story mode (considering it bare-bones, with nothing making it a fresh and satisfying experience), and also criticized the way local multiplayer works, stating "The biggest problem with Mario Tennis Aces'[s] Adventure mode is how poorly it incentivises you to keep playing. I had completed all 27 of its levels and unlocked all of its courts and rackets by the time I was on level 34, which was around a half a dozen hours of game time. Out of curiosity, I replayed a number of the challenges and boss fights several more times over to grind my way up to level 55, but was rewarded with absolutely nothing aside from incremental boosts to Mario's stats, thus making the existing challenges even easier. With no New Game+ or more challenging versions of its levels to unlock, or even the option of playing through it with a different character, Mario Tennis Aces'[s] Adventure mode becomes increasingly simple and repetitive the more time you put into it."[14] In a more positive review, Mike Diver of Nintendo Life gave the game an 8/10, praising what he believed to be vast improvements over its Wii U predecessor Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, stating "Where [Mario Tennis:] Ultra Smash's extras were a pure Monkey Island's worth of living without that particular piece of junk – here's your context, kids – [Mario Tennis] Aces stuffs its kit bag with activities until the zip's positively pinging off across the locker room like a smartly volleyed can of energy drink. Not everything is evenly fleshed out, but whatever your preferential way to play, there's plenty to get stuck into, both solo and with pals."[15] In a slightly more lukewarm review, Justin Clark of GameSpot gave the game an 7/10, praising the game's new playing mechanics over past games as well as the story mode's incentive to teach players of the new mechanics, but had mixed to somewhat positive feelings about the story mode, stating "The story itself is ridiculous, but ridiculous in that very specific, quirky way Nintendo has been getting away with for decades. During the Mushroom Kingdom's annual tennis tournament, an evil tennis racket--yes, really--named Lucien takes possession of Luigi and flies off to find five Power Stones that will help him take over the world." He was also more critical of the online play, panning a stark lack of features as his main issue.[16]

Reviews
Release Reviewer, Publication Score Comment
Nintendo Switch Tristan Ogilvie, IGN 7.5/10 "Despite some single-player shortcomings, Mario Tennis Aces is still a lot of frantic tennis fun with friends."
Nintendo Switch Mike Diver, Nintendo Life 8/10 "We're used to seeing Wii U games transfer to Switch, but for Ultra Smash to have moved across without a substantial makeover would have been disastrous. Aces, wonderfully, is anything but that – it's a superb arcade sports game that's generous with its suite of player options and only occasionally guilty of being a little cheap in its Adventure Mode. The presentation is spot on, and the core tennis action is absorbing whether you're trading simple strokes or firing off special shots. Some animations and voice overs are identical to Ultra Smash's, but everything around them has been overhauled to quite splendid heights. This is something of a Switch Port Plus, then – not quite a whole new experience, but so improved as to be near unrecognisable next to its preceding title."
Nintendo Switch Justin Clark, GameSpot 7/10 "It speaks volumes that even the multiplayer limitations don't entirely dampen my enthusiasm for Aces. The Tetris Effect is in full swing here; days after the credits rolled, I still crave the satisfying thwack from a Power Shot, mentally replay matches and imagine how I might do things differently given a bit more focus and know-how. Mario Tennis Aces does what this series has done best, and for the most part, improves what it's rarely gotten right prior."
Aggregators
Compiler Platform / Score
Metacritic 75
GameRankings 73.38%

Sales

By June 30, 2018, the game had sold 1.38 million units worldwide [17].

Pre-release and unused content

A comparison of the Ultra Smash in Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash (left), its counterpart in the preliminary version of Mario Tennis Aces (center) and the Zone Shot in the final version (right).
Pre-release version
Daisy's pose in the pre-release version of the game
Daisy's pose in the final game

The Special Chance Shot markers from Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, needed to perform the Ultra Smash, were featured in the announcement trailer. The animation Mario performed there was also the same one used for those kinds of shots. In the final game, however, those Chance Shot markers were rather replaced with a rotating star marker, similar to the ones featured in Mario Tennis and Mario Power Tennis, and Zone Shots replaced Ultra Smashes, while retaining their character animations at least in the case of Mario.

The HUD icons for Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi originally used their traditional outfit. The Ancient Altar court used in Forest Monster was originally a selectable court.[18]

Originally, Daisy's final entrance pose showcased her with her mouth closed via a Nintendo Treehouse Log post. In the final game, her mouth is open.

Staff

Main article: List of Mario Tennis Aces staff

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Mario Tennis Aces.

Quotes

Main article: List of Mario Tennis Aces quotes

References to other games

  • Super Mario Bros.: A cutscene after the credits shows Mario drawing his cap on the camera lens with a marker pen. The rubbing sounds are the first few notes of the overworld theme.
  • Super Mario Bros. 3: Boom Boom's running animation is flailing his arms while facing the opponent, mirroring his sprite animation from this game.
  • Mario's Tennis: This is the first time in the Mario Tennis series since this game that Mario and Luigi wear short-sleeved T-shirts and shorts and athletic shoes instead of their standard overalls. However, here they wear visor versions of their signature caps while in Mario's Tennis they wear their usual caps.
  • Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS: The design of Snow Ogre highly resembles that of Eyerok. Also, the music that plays while battling Bowcien is a remix of Bowser's battle theme and the Bowser levels from this game.
  • Super Mario Sunshine: The sounds that Piranha Plants make are reused from this game.
  • Mario Power Tennis: The sound Chain Chomp makes is reused from this game. Many characters' voice clips from this game are reused for their Special Shot animation.
  • Mario Party 6: Mario's artwork from this game is reused on one of the large banners.
  • Mario Party 8: Chain Chomp's artwork on the character select screen is from this game.[19]
  • Mario Party DS: Wario's artwork from this game is reused on one of the smaller banners.
  • New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Boo’s artwork from this game is reused on one of the smaller banners.
  • Mario Party 9: Koopa Troopa's artwork on the character select screen is from this game.
  • New Super Mario Bros. U: The Koopalings' airships from this game appear flying in the background of Savage Sea. The large claw arm Bowser Jr. uses for his Special Shot also returns from this game.
  • Super Mario 3D World: Several enemies from this title appear in the background of the courts, such as Piranha Creepers and Conkdors. Rabbits also appear and retain their design from this game.
  • Mario Golf: World Tour: Several of Rosalina's voice clips, provided by her former voice actress (Kerri Kane) are taken from this game.
  • Mario Party 10: The artwork on the character select screen for Rosalina, Spike and Toadette are from this game.[19]
  • Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition: Artwork of Luigi and Yoshi from this game are reused on one of the smaller banners.
  • Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash: Marina Stadium bears a striking resemblance to the stadium found in this game. Character models, animations, and voice clips are reused from this game. Yoshi's artwork is also recycled from this game.
  • Mario Party: Star Rush: The artwork on the character select screen for Luigi, Waluigi, Daisy, and Blooper, as well as the artwork for King Boo (used for Boo), are from this game.[19]
  • Mario Sports Superstars: Character shield emblems are inspired and derived off this game.
  • Mario Party: The Top 100: Wario's artwork on the character select screen is from this game.[19]

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese マリオテニス エース[20]
Mario Tenisu Ēsu
Mario Tennis Ace
Chinese 瑪利歐網球 (Traditional)
马力欧网球 (Simplified)
[?]

Mǎlìōu Wǎngqiú
Mario Tennis
Korean 마리오 테니스 에이스[?]
Mario Teniseu Eiseu
Mario Tennis Ace

External links

References

  1. ^ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named direct
  2. ^ a b c K., Roxanne (April 19, 2018) Nintendo Treehouse Log - Mario Tennis Aces - Are you a Speedster or a Trickster? Tumblr. Retrieved 3 June, 2018.
  3. ^ Nintendo (June 7, 2018) Mario Tennis Aces - The Match of the Century - Nintendo Switch YouTube. Retrieved June 8, 2018
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ [2]
  6. ^ [[3]
  7. ^ [4]
  8. ^ [5]
  9. ^ [6]
  10. ^ [7]
  11. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5BUIycx8iE
  12. ^ Metacritic score of Mario Tennis Aces. Metacritic. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  13. ^ GameRankings score of Mario Tennis Aces GameRankings. Retrieved June 21, 2018
  14. ^ Ogilvie, Tristan (June 20, 2018) Review of Mario Tennis Aces IGN. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  15. ^ Diver, Mike (June 20, 2018) Mario Tennis Aces Review: Super Grand Slam Brothers Nintendo Life. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  16. ^ Clark, Justin (June 20, 2018) Mario Tennis Aces Review: Aim High GameSpot. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  17. ^ Nintendo's IR Information Website (July 31, 2018). Top Selling Sales Unit. Nintendo Co. LTD. Retrieved July 31, 2018
  18. ^ Nintendo. (March 8, 2018). Mario Tennis Aces - Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Direct 3.8.2018. YouTube. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  19. ^ a b c d Nintendo. (April 4, 2018). A family journey with Nintendo Switch. YouTube. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  20. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named JP

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