Roland-Garros and Wimbledon are a thing of the past: now, the top tennis stars battle it out in Mario Tennis Fever, the latest sports game from the iconic Mario Bros. franchise. This title was launched exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on February 12, 2026. Check out the brand-new, explosive trailer for this highly anticipated game, and get ready to sweat!
" Take to the court with 30 frenetic rackets with their own special abilities, and 38 playable characters (a series record!), and string together lifts, chops and lobs alongside new defensive maneuvers."
Mario Tennis games are a Nintendo tradition: the first one dates back to 1995, on Virtual Boy. There has been a Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Switch version... Now it's the Nintendo Switch 2' s turn to have its own Mario Tennis. And this time, the plumber and his friends have a few surprises in store...
The big news in this opus are the Fever rackets: special tennis rackets, each with its own power and special feature. There are 30 of these rackets, which can split into two on the court, set the court on fire or freeze it, send out mini mushrooms to reduce the size of opponents...
This title features 38 playable characters: your challenge is to find the perfect mix of characters and rackets to dominate the court. As you progress, you'll unlock 20 of these characters along the way.
Several game modes are available in Mario Tennis Fever: the classic modes, but also a Tournament mode with commented matches, a mode with technical challenges, a mode where the rules of the game can change mid-match, and an online multiplayer mode, to take on players from all over the world.
The game also features a special Adventure mode, where characters take on their childlike appearance. In this mode, players use their tennis skills to take on classic Mario game enemies. A sort of game within a game, which we can't wait to discover.
Mario Tennis Fever offers versatile multiplayer options, whether you're playing locally with up to four players on a single screen or linking multiple consoles via local wireless. Thanks to the "game share" feature, you can enjoy multiplayer fun with just a single copy of the game.
Our Take on Mario Tennis Fever:
Four-hour review on Switch 2
Nintendo is no stranger to the sports and multiplayer game scenes, and Mario has long been a staple in these lively, party-oriented titles. With Mario Tennis Fever, the franchise sticks to its proven recipe, recycling familiar formulas. In that sense, the latest game on Switch 2 feels quite traditional, with few surprises. It offers a multiplayer mode, both local and online, along with classic tournaments to challenge friends, a solo campaign to hone your skills, unlock characters and racquets, and some mini-games and challenges to spice things up.
So, is it a bit too predictable? Mario Tennis Fever leans on a familiar formula, making it easy to jump in and play based on your mood. But don’t mistake familiarity for boredom — the game still delivers engaging moments and unexpected twists!
Mario Tennis Fever is genuinely fun, easy to pick up, smooth, and vibrant... Everything you need to energize your game sessions with friends and family.
In single-player mode, it performs well: all game modes are accessible solo. We explored each one, faced various challenges and frustrations, and appreciated the new features introduced in this edition. When playing co-op, the game provides an AI partner that’s quite competent at backing you up during matches. The partner is reliable, doesn’t make major mistakes, and reacts to your moves. Still, you shouldn’t rely on it entirely: after some exchanges, it can slip up and miss the ball too.
The adventure mode is charming but not groundbreaking. It gradually levels up your skills, revisiting tennis basics on a console through different mini-games. The gameplay can become somewhat repetitive, and the dialogue tends to be overly verbose. That said, you won’t have to endure all the chatter — you’ll be quizzed on your tennis knowledge along the way!
Mario Tennis Fever features a variety of courts, each with unique characteristics that influence gameplay. Likewise, the frenetic rackets — a new addition — grant special powers. Every racket has its own trait: launching bananas onto the court, raining fire, freezing the surface... Choose wisely: with a bit of skill, you can send effects back to your opponent, turning their advantage into a disadvantage. Be careful, though — some powers are more useful than others, and some can be downright irritating... We’ve lost matches because of the Inkjet racket, which obscures half the screen...
Not all characters are equal on the court either. The game allows for 18 different characters. Some are faster, others more technical or more powerful... Like in Mario Kart, you’ll want to pick a character that matches your style. However, a few characters seem noticeably weaker compared to others.
Regarding challenges and mini-games, they add a fresh variety to gameplay and are a welcome change — though they can quickly become repetitive. Overall, Mario Tennis Fever lives up to expectations: it’s well-crafted, fun, and provides some intense moments. Solo, you can enjoy beating your personal records and exploring all modes. But in the long run, multiplayer is what will keep bringing you back, with sessions designed for multiple players.
Mario Tennis Fever is a solid addition to Nintendo’s family-friendly lineup. Accessible for all ages, it promises many hours of fun on Switch 2.
Head over to the court for this lively and family-friendly new sports game!
The first trailer for Mario Tennis Fever is here:
Dates and Opening Time
Starts February 12, 2026
Prices
€69.99
Recommended age
From 7 years old
Official website
www.nintendo.com
