Mario
A balanced all-rounder who is easy for beginners to use.
Documented for this version
Control Stick | Move the player |
|---|---|
A | Hit a topspin shot |
B | Hit a slice shot |
Z | Hit a drop shot |
Start | Pause the match |
AB | Hit a lob shot Press the buttons together when returning the ball. |
|---|
Shot strength and direction depend on timing, positioning, and the Control Stick.
Button functions can vary slightly by situation, such as serving or returning.
How it plays
Matches use a third-person court view. Players move into position, return the ball, and choose between different shot types to exploit an opponent's location or weaknesses. Serving, charging shots, lobbing, and dropping the ball are central to effective play.
The game includes singles and doubles competition, practice, and tournament-style progression. Character attributes affect speed, power, technique, and control, while successful tournament play can unlock additional content and playable characters.
Plan your run
Watch the opponent's position before choosing a shot. A lob can punish an opponent near the net, while a drop shot is useful when the opponent is deep in the court.
In doubles, cover the center and communicate your movement with the partner's position. Charge returns when there is enough time, but avoid charging when the ball is aimed toward the opposite side.
Meet the cast
A balanced all-rounder who is easy for beginners to use.
Agile and mobile, well suited to quick repositioning and baseline play.
Light on her feet, ideal for defense and controlled counterattacks.
A power-focused player with strong shots but slower movement.
Fast and covering a lot of court, great for retrieving tough balls.
Before you begin
Use angled shots to move opponents away from the center.
Mix flat, slice, lob, and drop shots instead of repeating one option.
Practice serves and returns before entering longer tournaments.
Mario Tennis is a Nintendo 64 sports game developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo. It presents accessible tennis with Mario characters, colorful courts, varied player attributes, and several competitive formats. Players can enter singles or doubles matches, practice specific skills, and progress through tournament-oriented modes. The game emphasizes timing, positioning, and shot selection rather than complex simulation controls, making it approachable while retaining strategic depth. Its responsive play, strong multiplayer focus, and polished presentation received positive contemporary attention, and it helped establish the Mario Tennis series as a long-running Nintendo sports franchise.
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