Mario Tennis Fever looks like a super weird, chaotic party game and I’m so here for it

During the Nintendo Direct event today, as part of Mario’s 40th anniversary celebration, a new sports game featuring Mario was announced for the upcoming Nintendo Switch console: “Mario Tennis Fever.” This latest installment in the series introduces a unique feature called “Fever Rackets” that can unleash powerful abilities and court hazards. The Direct showcased numerous games today, including other announcements honoring Mario’s anniversary. Among all the games shown, “Mario Tennis Fever” appears to be a lively, outrageous party game that promises to deliver lots of fun, which I’m excited about. “Mario Tennis Fever” is scheduled for release on the new Nintendo Switch console on February 12th, 2026.

Mario Tennis Fever leans into the chaotic party game weirdness, and I’m here for it

As per the announcement video, the upcoming game titled “Mario Tennis Fever” boasts an impressive lineup of playable characters, making it the Mario Tennis series’ game with the greatest character roster. This time around, there are a total of 38 characters to choose from. The usual favorites are present, but there are also some surprising entrants, much like the expansive cast seen in Mario Kart World. In the trailer, Blipper and Spike make an appearance, and there’s even speculation about the debut of “Baby Wario and Baby Waluigi” for the first time.

In addition to numerous characters, there are also 30 specialized rackets, each with distinct powers showcased in the trailer. Rackets were seen causing parts of the court to freeze, setting specific zones on fire, generating miniature mushrooms to shrink opponents, and even producing a second player on your team temporarily. This variety of rackets, combined with multiple game modes, hints that Mario Tennis Fever is likely to embody the fun-filled, chaotic spirit of a party game rather than a serious, realistic tennis simulation. Additionally, there’s a mode where you can snatch the Wonder Flower item from Super Mario Bros., which adds even more chaos and excitement to the matches.

In Mario Tennis Fever, the storyline introduces a twist where Baby Wario and Baby Waluigi become significant characters. The game has undergone a unique transformation, turning all major characters into babies who must learn to play tennis again. However, these newfound tennis skills aren’t just for traditional matches; they are crucial in battling monsters that resemble a top-down 3D platformer setup rather than a typical tennis court.

In essence, it seems that Mario Tennis Fever is shaping up to be a fantastic new title for the Switch 2’s burgeoning collection of games. Given its appearance, I envision it offering a lot of fun when played in a group or with local multiplayer (couch co-op). What’s more, it’s promising that there seems to be some sort of single-player mode as well. All told, the game’s chaotic action, variety of modes, and diverse combinations make it appear that Mario Tennis Fever will bring a fresh wave of excitement to the Mario Tennis series.

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2025-09-13 02:32