Mario Tennis | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Camelot Software Planning |
Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
Director(s) | Haruki Kodera (N64) Shugo Takahashi (GBC) |
Producer(s) | Shinji Hatano Hiroyuki Takahashi Shigeru Miyamoto Shugo Takahashi (GBC) |
Designer(s) | Hiroyuki Takahashi Shugo Takahashi |
Composer(s) | Motoi Sakuraba |
Series | Mario Tennis |
Platform(s) | Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color |
Release | Nintendo 64 Game Boy Color |
Genre(s) | Sports |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Mario Tennis [lower-alpha 1] is a 2000 sports video game developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. Following Mario's Tennis , it is the second game in the Mario Tennis series. The game is known for being the introduction of Luigi's arch-rival, Waluigi, and the re-introduction of Princess Daisy and Birdo.
Camelot developed a Game Boy Color version and it was published under the same title in Western regions and as Mario Tennis GB in Japan.
The N64 version was re-released on the Wii and Wii U Virtual Console, and on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, in 2010, 2015, and 2021 respectively, while the GBC version was re-released on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in 2014, and on the Nintendo Switch Online service in 2024.
The game uses a control system that differs from most other video tennis games on the market. Shots are performed by pressing one, or both, of the two main buttons (A or B), 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, whilst also encouraging advanced players to take advantage of the variety of shots offered to come up with different strategies for winning points. A total of seven types of shot are possible using only the two main buttons of the controller. These gameplay mechanics were later brought to the newer games of the Mario Tennis series.
Marking the sixth Mario game for the Nintendo 64, Mario Tennis brought eleven new characters to the Mario Tennis franchise, including Waluigi (who made his first appearance in this game), Princess Daisy, Wario, Shy Guy, Donkey Kong and Birdo.
The Game Boy Color (GBC) version features a role-playing game mode, which is not in the Nintendo 64 (N64) version. In this mode, players begin as a rookie tennis player at the Royal Tennis Academy, who must build up their skill by leveling up through training and practice matches before entering various tournaments. The aim of this mode is to be crowned champion at the academy, although the second part of the game involves the player competing in a tournament to ultimately face Mario, the best tennis player. The role-playing is playable in singles and doubles (separately), effectively doubling the game's longevity. There are training facilities that can help the player progress. The game also features mini-games such as a tennis version of a shooting gallery where, as Donkey Kong, the player must hit the banana targets on the wall to earn points in a set amount of time. A variety of human and Mario characters are available for the player to use.
Through the use of a Nintendo 64 Transfer Pak, players are able to import their characters from the GBC version of Mario Tennis to the N64 game, as well as the characters' stats. Using these characters, experience points may be earned to transfer back to the GBC version. As the characters go up in levels, the player may send their improved characters to the N64 version to level up again. Linking the two games also unlocks Yoshi, Wario, Waluigi, Bowser and their respective mini-games in the GBC version; completing these mini-games and connecting the two games again will in turn unlock up to six new tennis courts in the N64 version. [1] [2]
All Transfer Pak functionality has been removed from subsequent digital re-releases of both games. Other features, such as the Ring Tournament mode in the N64 version and multiplayer functionality in the GBC version, are also omitted. [2]
At Nintendo's suggestion, Princess Daisy was brought back from obscurity after having only ever appeared in Super Mario Land and NES Open Tournament Golf in order to give Luigi a doubles partner like Mario had Peach. Camelot asked Nintendo if the game could also feature girlfriends for Wario and Waluigi, but Miyamoto said that he "didn't even want to see their girlfriends." [3]
Aggregator | Score | ||
---|---|---|---|
GBC | N64 | Wii | |
GameRankings | 91% [4] | 87% [5] | N/A |
Metacritic | N/A | 91/100 [6] | N/A |
Publication | Score | ||
---|---|---|---|
GBC | N64 | Wii | |
AllGame | [7] | [8] | N/A |
Consoles + | 92% [9] | 95% [10] | N/A |
Edge | N/A | 8/10 [11] | N/A |
Electronic Gaming Monthly | 8.33/10 [12] | 9/10 [13] | N/A |
Famitsu | 30/40 [14] | 32/40 [15] | N/A |
Game Informer | 8.75/10 [16] | 8.25/10 [17] | N/A |
GameFan | N/A | 97% [18] | N/A |
GamePro | [19] | N/A | N/A |
GameSpot | 8/10 [20] | 8.2/10 [21] | N/A |
GameSpy | 90% [22] | 89% [23] | N/A |
Hyper | 9/10 [24] | 91/100 [25] | N/A |
IGN | 9/10 [1] | 9/10 [26] | 8.5/10 [27] |
Nintendo Life | [28] | [29] | N/A |
Nintendo Power | [30] | 9.1/10 [31] | N/A |
Official Nintendo Magazine | N/A | 92% [32] | N/A |
Video Games (DE) | N/A | 83% [33] | N/A |
64 | N/A | 92% [34] | N/A |
Maxim | N/A | 10/10 [35] | N/A |
Publication | Award |
---|---|
4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards | Console Family [36] |
Mario Tennis received critical acclaim, with critics citing the accessibility and depth of the controls as being very impressive. The game physics and amount of content have also been praised. [21] [26] The Nintendo 64 version received "universal acclaim" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [6] The game was a runner-up for GameSpot's annual "Best Nintendo 64 Game" award, losing to Perfect Dark . [37] Its Game Boy Color version was nominated for the publication's 2001 "Best Game Boy Color Game" award, which went to Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages. [38]
Dutch magazine Power Unlimited gave the N64 version a score of 9.1 out of 10, calling it very addictive, especially with four players. [39]
Mario Tennis sold over 200,000 copies within two weeks of its release. [40] It became the eighth best selling Game Boy Color game in Japan, with 357,987 copies sold. [41]
During the 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences honored Mario Tennis with the "Console Family" award. [42]
Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers is a platform video game developed and published by Ubi Soft for various consoles and Windows-based personal computers. A different game with the same title was first released for the Game Boy Color, as well as on Game Boy Advance, the latter being given the title Donald Duck Advance.
Cruis'n Exotica is a 1999 racing game developed for arcades by Midway Games. The game is a sequel to Cruis'n World and is the third entry in the Cruis'n series.
The Transfer Pak is a removable accessory for the Nintendo 64 controller that fits into its expansion port. When connected, it allows for the transfer of data between supported Nintendo 64 (N64) games and Game Boy or Game Boy Color (GBC) games. By using the Transfer Pak, players can unlock additional content in compatible games; the Pokémon Stadium games, with which the Transfer Pak was initially bundled for sale, also feature the ability to emulate specific Game Boy Pokémon titles for play on the N64.
San Francisco Rush 2049 is a racing video game developed and manufactured by Atari Games for arcades. It was ported to the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, and Dreamcast by Midway Games West. The arcade machine was released in 1999; home versions followed in 2000 on September 7 for North America and November 17 for Europe. It is the third game in the Rush series and the sequel to San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing and Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA. It is the last game in the Rush series to be set in the city of San Francisco and the last released on a Nintendo console. It also serves as the final game for the Atari Games label, which was retired shortly after the arcade release. The Dreamcast version was later re-released as part of Midway Arcade Treasures 3 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube and later for Microsoft Windows as part of Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition.
WWF WrestleMania 2000 is a professional wrestling video game released in 1999 on the Nintendo 64 (N64) console. It was based on the World Wrestling Federation's annual pay-per-view, WrestleMania. Despite the fact that this game is based upon WrestleMania 2000, the game was released five months prior to the actual PPV itself, therefore resulting in the game using the stage design from the 1999 event, WrestleMania XV, instead. Released at the height of the WWF's Attitude Era, WrestleMania 2000 was the first WWF game released by THQ. The wrestling company ended its long relationship with Acclaim Entertainment after witnessing the video game success of its competitor, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), on behalf of THQ. WrestleMania 2000 shares its game engine with the Japan-only release Virtual Pro Wrestling 2: Ōdō Keishō.
Star Wars Episode I: Racer is a 1999 racing video game based on the podracing sequence in the film Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. The game features all of the racers and race course on Tatooine from The Phantom Menace. It adds several new courses, on Tatooine and various planets. It has several single player modes, including a tournament mode. The format of multiplayer mode varies by platform. Jake Lloyd and Lewis MacLeod, who portrayed Anakin Skywalker and Sebulba in The Phantom Menace, reprise their film roles in the game.
Madden NFL 2000 is a football video game. This was the second of the Madden NFL games to not solely feature John Madden on the cover in North America. The only other one was Madden NFL '95. Most versions of the game cover featured Madden prominently in the foreground, and a recognizable Barry Sanders in a background action graphic. The European PAL edition features only Dorsey Levens on the cover.
A Bug's Life is a video game based on the Disney/Pixar 1998 film of the same name. It was released for various systems in 1998 and in 1999. The game's storyline is similar to that of the film, with a few changes. After completing levels the player can unlock clips from the film. The PlayStation version was released on the PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable on July 27, 2010.
BattleTanx is a 1998 action game released for the Nintendo 64, produced by The 3DO Company. The game was followed by a 1999 sequel, titled BattleTanx: Global Assault.
The Virtual Console is a defunct line of downloadable video games for Nintendo's Wii and Wii U home video game consoles and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
Mario Tennis: Power Tour, known as Mario Power Tennis in Europe, is a 2005 sports game developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. It is the sequel to the Game Boy Color version of Mario Tennis. While it is the handheld companion to Mario Power Tennis, released on GameCube, with the European release sharing its title, Power Tour lacks connectivity with Power Tennis, unlike how its predecessor features connectivity with its console counterpart on Nintendo 64. Power Tour was re-released on the Wii U's Virtual Console in 2014.
Mario Golf is a 1999 sports game developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. Mario, his friends, and his enemies play golf on a variety of Mario-themed courses. Following NES Open Tournament Golf, it is the second game in the Mario Golf series. Camelot also developed a Game Boy Color version, which adds role-playing elements.
Mickey's Speedway USA is a Disney racing game for the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color, developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo under license from Disney Interactive. It is styled after other kart racers such as Mario Kart 64 and Diddy Kong Racing, and features characters from the Mickey Mouse universe racing across the United States. It is Rare and Nintendo's second Disney-themed racing game following Mickey's Racing Adventure (1999).
All Star Tennis '99 is a simulation tennis game for the Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and Game Boy Color released in 1999, that was developed by Smart Dog and published by Ubi Soft. The featured player on the US and Europe versions is Michael Chang while in the French version the featured player is Yannick Noah who has his name above the title as Yannick Noah All Star Tennis '99. It was one of the first tennis games for the N64 and the only one for that system in the USA until Mario Tennis. It was preceded by Let's Smash/Centre Court Tennis in Japan and Europe, for the Nintendo 64, while being one of many tennis games on PlayStation and Game Boy Color.
Magical Tetris Challenge is a puzzle game by Capcom for the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, and PlayStation. It is a version of Tetris featuring Disney characters. It is one of the few Nintendo 64 games to be entirely in 2D, in addition to being Capcom's first game for the console.
NBA Jam 99 is a basketball game for the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color, released in 1998 by Acclaim Entertainment's Acclaim Sports label and developed by Iguana West. New Jersey Nets forward Keith Van Horn appeared on the cover. Acclaim was unable to secure the license to use Michael Jordan's name or likeness, and as such he was not available as a player for the Chicago Bulls. A player named Roster Guard is available in his place. Rosters are accurate as of July 1, 1998. The game also features Kevin Harlan on play-by-play with Bill Walton as the color commentator. The Utah Jazz' Dan Roberts provides the arena announcing.
Scooby-Doo! Classic Creep Capers is an adventure game published by THQ for the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color, based on the Hanna-Barbera cartoon Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!. The Nintendo 64 version, developed by Terraglyph Interactive Studios, was released in November 2000, while the Game Boy Color version was developed by Digital Eclipse Software, and released in February 2001. A PlayStation version, identical to the Nintendo 64 version, had been in development by Terraglyph Interactive Studios but was later cancelled.
The Japanese multinational consumer electronics company Nintendo has developed seven home video game consoles and multiple portable consoles for use with external media, as well as dedicated consoles and other hardware for their consoles. As of September 30, 2021, in addition to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo has sold over 863.07 million hardware units.
Army Men: Air Attack is a third-person shooter video game developed and published by The 3DO Company for PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color and Microsoft Windows. The game focuses on aerial combat and features the same protagonist, Cpt. William Blade. It is one of the first Army Men games to be powered by a 3D engine where terrain and units are rendered in real-time.
Tarzan is a 1999 platform game based on the 1999 film of the same name. Versions were released in North America for the Game Boy Color on June 28, 1999, PlayStation and Microsoft Windows on June 30, 1999, and Nintendo 64 in February 15, 2000. In 2012, the PlayStation version was made available on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation Vita.