Game Info
Game Name: Mario Tennis Open
Developer(s): Camelot Software Planning
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Platform(s): 3DS
Genre(s): Sports
Release Date(s): May 20, 2012 (US)/May 24, 2012 (Japan)
ESRB Rating: E
So if you face Boo how come he doesn’t freeze in place?
String up your rackets, get your tennis balls, and head out to courts! Mario and his friends (and enemies) are having an ultimate throwdown and the aces are flying! With the Mushroom Kingdom on the line, play the net or lob the ball…but watch out for a Super Smash!
Mario Tennis Open (マリオテニス オープン or Mario Tenisu Ōpun) is a comic sports game for the Nintendo handheld 3DS. Following the Game Boy Advance game Mario Tennis: Power Tour in 2005, the game was developed by Camelot Software Planning and released by Nintendo. It was met with positive reviews.
Tennis is one of those sports games I enjoy playing. I had Super Tennis for the Super NES and played the game into the ground. It helps having played tennis when a game gets the play and feel as right as it can when translated to a handheld device. Mario Tennis Open is a fun, quick game.
The Black Hole…I’d be really impressed if Maximilian came flying out
The gameplay has Mario and friends entered in multiple tiered tournaments. The tournaments are relatively short, but in many ways they are predictable. Oddly enough it almost always seems like the second to last tier is harder than the final guy…but maybe that is just me. The game can also be played one-on-one games (sans tournament) or doubles. The game also carries online play which allows up to four people to play.
The game is loaded with characters. They fall into six categories All-Around (basic characters), Technique (more skilled), Speed (fast characters), Power (strong characters), Defense (easier to volley), and Tricky (lots of unpredictable shots). The playable characters are Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Yoshi, Diddy Kong, Donkey Kong, Wario, Bowser, Waluigi, Boo, Bowser Jr., and a Mii character. Luma, Baby Mario, Baby Peach, and Dry Bowser are unlockable.
Unfortunately your princess is in another castle…or on another court
In addition to the standard play, the game features some mini-games which can be fun. They provide a bit of a different challenge and change up the gameplay for something new to do with the game if you tire of just hitting the ball back and forth (plus, they help unlock some of the characters).
Mario Tennis Open is a solid game. The 3D graphics work well with the gameplay and the look and feel of the game is strong. If you want a quick and easy sports game for trips or pick-up-and-put down playing, this is one of the better 3DS entries in that vein. The game was followed by the very disappointing Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash for the Wii U in 2015.
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