Following its initial reveal during last September’s Nintendo Direct, the Switch 2 exclusive Mario Tennis Fever is finally gearing up for its debut. With the February 12 launch fast approaching, Nintendo has released a comprehensive overview trailer, providing nearly six minutes of high-octane gameplay and showcasing the most extensive roster in the franchise’s history.
The game features a massive lineup of 38 playable athletes, ranging from legendary icons like Mario and Luigi to more eccentric choices like Dry Bones and Baby Waluigi. Beyond the characters, the title introduces 30 “Fever Rackets”—a brand-new mechanic designed to add strategic depth. These rackets grant unique environmental and status effects; for instance, the Ice Racket transforms portions of the court into a slippery frozen tundra, while the Mini Mushroom Racket can shrink your adversary to a manageable, bite-sized scale.
Success on the court hinges on the Fever Gauge. Once fully charged, players can execute a devastating “Fever Shot.” However, the match isn’t over just because a special move is triggered; savvy defenders can attempt to return these powerful strikes before they land, reflecting the effects back onto the attacker. This counter-play is essential when facing equipment like the Shadow Racket, which disorients opponents by creating illusory duplicates of the player.
Watch the full Mario Tennis Fever overview trailer below:
For those seeking a solo experience, the Adventure Mode offers a whimsical campaign where mysterious entities transform the veteran roster into infants. Players must help Mario, Luigi, Peach, Wario, and Waluigi reclaim their skills and overcome various trials to return to their adult forms. Competitive players can also tackle the Trial Towers, a mode focused on ascending through increasingly difficult challenges.
The “Mix It Up” mode brings a chaotic twist to standard matches with unconventional rules. You might find yourself aiming for precision in “Ring Shot” or feeding tennis balls to Piranha Plants to expand the boundaries of the court in “Forest Court Match.”
Traditional modes return with extra flair, including a Tournament mode featuring play-by-play commentary from Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s colorful Talking Flower. Multiplayer enthusiasts can jump into “Online Rooms” for customized casual sessions or climb the global leaderboards in “Ranked Matches.” Additionally, “Swing Mode” returns for those who prefer the tactile feel of motion controls using the Joy-Con 2.
Mario Tennis Fever arrives exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 on February 12.
