Mario Tennis (series): Difference between revisions

|parent=''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]''

'''''Mario Tennis''''' (マリオテニス ''Mario Tenisu'') is a brand of [[wikipedia:Sports game|sports games]] that features tennis matches incorporating the characters, themes, and locations of the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' franchise. Though preceded by several earlier tennis games featuring the Mario character, the series was created for [[Nintendo]] by its partner [[Camelot Software Planning]] (which also created the ''[[Mario Golf (series)|Mario Golf]]'' series), and saw its first installment on the [[Nintendo 64]] console in 2000. Since the series made its initial debut, each successive generation has featured a console and a handheld version. The ''Mario Tennis'' series' first game was the second project developed by Camelot for a Nintendo system, and saw three sequels in total (with the original game and the first sequel also being ported to their consoles' respective handheld companions).

''Mario Tennis'' includes variations of tennis matches consisting of characters, courts, and scenarios based on the ''Mario'' franchise. The selection of courts varies, ranging from the standard three types of tennis court, to those themed upon ''Mario'' games, which adopt the aesthetic styles of the games on which they are based and feature thematic elements that influence how the match will be played on that surface (some of which manifest themselves as obstacles that hinder character movements or otherwise interfere with gameplay). In addition to standard tennis, ''Mario Tennis'' can feature variants of the sport that adopt different rules and methods of victory.

The control system differs significantly from other tennis video games. Shots are performed by pressing one or both of the controller's two main buttons, 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 a lob or drop shot. Both buttons can be pressed at the same time to hit a very powerful smash shot. 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, while also encouraging advanced players to take advantage of the variety of shots on offer to come up with different strategies for winning points. In addition to generic tennis moves, later on the series began to feature special "[[Power Shot]]s," unique moves that incorporate the specific qualities of the characters that use them; ''Power Tour'' specifically categorizes them as either "offensive" shots (those that power up the ball and put various side effects on players with whom they make contact) or "defensive" shots (those that negate the secondary effects of offensive shots and reach balls that would normally be out of reach).

Many game modes have appeared throughout the ''Mario Tennis'' series. The central mode of play is "Tournament Mode," which comprises a set of events with accumulating difficulty, where players play tennis matches in either doubles or singles, needing to win two games to win a set, and unlock playable characters if they finish successfully. Another major mode of play is "Exhibition Mode," where up to four players can play matches of their own, with players being able to choose opponents for computer control, and the conditions of the match such as the difficulty of opponents, the court used, and the number of games and sets required to win. Later games introduced modes like "Ring Shot," where players can earn points by hitting the ball through rings of varying sizes; "Item Battle," where characters use items based on the ''Mario'' universe to interfere with each other's game and gain an advantage; and special minigames where the player can meet a tennis-related objective, incorporating themes from past Nintendo games.

''Mario Tennis'' games feature a selection of playable characters from the ''Mario'' franchise, including [[Mario]], [[Luigi]], [[Princess Peach]], [[Princess Daisy]], [[Yoshi]], [[Birdo]], [[Wario]], [[Waluigi]], [[Donkey Kong]], [[Bowser]], and several others. Characters are categorized into six groups that reflect their playing style: all-around, technical, power, speed, defensive, and tricky. Many of the player-characters in ''Mario Tennis'' recur as playable throughout the various series of ''Mario'' spin-offs; sometimes, games feature characters for whom a tennis game marks their first playable appearances altogether, such as [[Shy Guy]] and [[Wiggler]]. For Waluigi, the original ''Mario Tennis'' was his first appearance, and for Daisy and Birdo, that game marked their re-introductions and (in Daisy's case) permanent establishment into the recurring cast roster of the ''Mario'' franchise.

||'''''Mario Tennis''''' is a [[Nintendo 64]] video game. It features [[Mario]] and his friends playing a classic game of tennis, with a few ''Mario'' twists. This game marked the debut of [[Waluigi]], and also [[Princess Daisy]] and [[Birdo]]'s re-entries into the ''Mario'' series. It is also the first playable appearance of [[Boo]], [[Koopa Paratroopa|Paratroopa]], and [[Shy Guy]].

||'''''Mario Tennis''''' is a tennis game for the [[Game Boy Color]]. The game features [[Mario]] and other characters. It also introduced a RPG-like story mode, where the player controlled [[Alex]] or [[Nina (Mario Tennis series)|Nina]] on a tennis adventure to beat the best of all players, Mario.

The game was rereleased for [[Nintendo 3DS]] through Virtual Console, initially in 2013.

||'''''Mario Power Tennis''''' is a game for the [[Nintendo GameCube]]. It is the sequel of ''[[Mario Tennis]]'' for the [[Nintendo 64]]. In this game, [[Mario]] and his various friends (and enemies) meet up to play a few rounds of tennis. Like previous ''Mario'' sports titles, all the playable characters have [[Power Shot]]s. Additionally, there are courts in the game that have special effects and events during the game. Also, for each court, there are special games to play. The game introduces [[Diddy Kong]], [[Bowser Jr.]], [[Fly Guy]], [[Petey Piranha]], and [[Wiggler]] as playable characters to the series.

|[[File:MTA boxart.png|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{release|2=June 22, 2018}} [[Nintendo Switch]]  

||'''''Mario's Tennis''''' is a [[Virtual Boy]] game, the first tennis-related ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' game. It features [[Mario]] and the other playable characters from ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' (except [[Bowser]]) playing a classic game of tennis. The game was one of the first Virtual Boy games to be released and is one out of the only three ''Mario'' games to be released on the Virtual Boy.

In the eight installments of the ''Mario Tennis'' series, many ''Mario'' characters have been playable. Human characters unique to the ''Mario Tennis'' series, such as [[Clay]], appear in dark cells.

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