Mario Tennis Fever: Everything We Know

Nintendo has finally served up the announcement of Mario Tennis Fever for Switch 2, and if you thought it was going to be just another tennis spin-off with Mario and friends, you’d be wrong. This entry brings new mechanics, flashy equipment, and an adventure twist that already has fans buzzing. We’re talking Fever Rackets with insane effects, a wild story that turns our beloved characters into baby versions of themselves, and the biggest roster in the series so far.

The reveal shows a game designed to combine fast-paced fun with real tennis depth. From the reveal, it’s clear Nintendo wants to make this one bigger than any past entry. With its release locked in for next year, it’s time to dive deep into everything we know so far about Mario Tennis Fever.

What is Mario Tennis Fever?

Mario Tennis Fever marks the latest installment in Nintendo’s beloved Mario Tennis series. In a nutshell, it’s a zany, arcade-style tennis game featuring Mario, his friends (and enemies), and a whole lot of Mushroom Kingdom flair. Forget ultra-realistic simulation – Mario Tennis Fever is all about fast-paced matches with cartoonish special moves and power-ups. The game was first unveiled during Nintendo’s September 2025 Direct presentation, immediately hyping fans with its blend of classic tennis action and Mario’s signature whimsy. Notably, this will be the first Mario sports title on the new Nintendo Switch 2, making it something of a showcase for the console’s capabilities.

As the ninth main entry in the Mario Tennis franchise, Mario Tennis Fever seems to build on the foundation of games like Mario Tennis Aces. But it’s also throwing in plenty of new elements to keep even veteran players on their toes. In short, it’s Mario meets tennis in the most chaotic and fun way possible, and it’s coming soon to serve up a fresh dose of sporting mayhem.

Story

Nintendo isn’t just serving up matches; they’ve added a full story mode to Mario Tennis Fever, and it’s one of the wackiest premises we’ve seen in a Mario sports game. Mario and friends find themselves transformed into babies after an encounter with mysterious monsters on a remote island. Yes, you read that right – Baby Mario, Baby Peach, Baby Luigi, and the gang will have to relearn their tennis skills from scratch! Adventure Mode will have you guiding these pint-sized protagonists through a series of challenges to defeat the mischievous monsters and return everyone to normal. It’s an amusing setup that’s expected to give solo players something substantial to sink their teeth into beyond standard tournaments.

Gameplay

When it comes to gameplay, Mario Tennis Fever is taking the familiar tennis formula and cranking it up to 11. Players will still fire off topspins, slices, lobs, and smashes, so the basics remain familiar. The controls should feel instantly familiar to anyone who’s played a Mario Tennis game before. But this time around, there are some new moves and mechanics in play. Characters can execute moves like sliding or diving to reach tough shots.

Moreover, there’s the introduction of the Fever Gauge. As you and your opponent keep a rally going, a meter builds up – once it’s full, you can unleash a powerful Fever Shot. Think of it like an ultimate move or a super smash, as your character powers up and you send the ball blazing to the other side. These Fever Shots can really turn the tide of a match, so managing your gauge and deciding when to fire off a super shot will bring a strategic element to each rally. It’s a bit reminiscent of the special shots in Mario Tennis Aces, but here it’s tied to this new fever mechanic.

Beyond the core mechanics, Mario Tennis Fever is loaded with extra features to keep gameplay fresh. One highlight is the arsenal of Fever Rackets – 30 different rackets you can equip, each with its own wild special effect. This is where the game truly sets itself apart. For example, as shown in the trailer, there’s an Ice Racket that can freeze the court, a Mini Mushroom Racket that shrinks your opponent, and a Shadow Racket that lets you create a duplicate of your character on the court. Plus, mixing and matching rackets with the huge roster of 38 playable characters (the biggest in series history) means a ton of strategic combinations to explore.

Development

Mario Tennis Fever is being developed by Camelot Software Planning, the studio behind every Mario Tennis and Mario Golf game since the Nintendo 64 era. They specialize in sports titles that balance accessibility with depth. Nintendo is publishing and positioning it as a showcase title for the new Switch 2. The game was revealed during Mario’s 40th anniversary, and this alone highlights its importance in the lineup. With Camelot’s experience, players can expect polished mechanics, colorful style, and the signature charm the series is known for.

Trailer

In the trailer, we see a lively preview of Mario Tennis Fever, featuring familiar faces like Mario, Luigi, Pauline, and a large roster of characters jumping into vibrant tennis matches. It highlights various gameplay moments where characters use special Fever Rackets and perform unique shots. There’s also a quick look at different modes, such as tournaments and Mix it Up, and the overall vibe is fun and energetic. Essentially, the trailer sets the stage for a colorful, action-packed Mario Tennis experience filled with beloved characters.

Release Date, Platforms and Editions

Mario Tennis Fever is set to launch on February 12, 2026, so fans won’t have too long to wait before hitting the courts. It will release exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 console – this isn’t coming to the older Switch, so you’ll need the new hardware to play. The game will be available for $69.99 in both physical and digital editions. Pre-orders are now live. So, mark your calendars and get your sweatbands ready, this is one match you won’t want to miss!