Mario Power Tennis (Gamecube) Review

Mario is an odd character. While being the traditional platforming hero hes also a golfer, doctor, kart racer and tennis player. It seems Mario can be successful at whichever genre he chooses. In the light of such new Mario Sports projects being announced such as Mario Baseball, we have the release of Mario Power Tennis. The original game on the N64 was a big hit in the later stages of the machines life. So the main question posed is Does the sequel live up to its predecessor? Mario Power Tennis could well be a graphically souped up version of the original, or a title worthy of classification with such other great Nintendo party games as Smash Bros. Read on and youll see.

Gameplay

One of the great things about the original game was how easily it was to pick up and play right off the bat, and this has fortunately been carried over to the sequel. The controls are simplistic enough, and even those who havent had the pleasure of playing the original can learn to play in less than half an hour. The A and B buttons are used to hit the ball, with either topspin or slice respectively. Pressing both in unison activates the powerful smash shot. More powerful shots can be used by double tapping the relevant button allowing your character to charge their shot. Movement and shot trajectory, unsurprisingly, is controlled with the control stick. However there have been a few more new additions to the gameplay since the original. Eliminating one of the annoying errors in the first game is the introduction of the lunge system. Players can now choose to have their characters lunge by holding the L Button in place of the distressing auto lunge system. The final, and perhaps most important addition to gameplay are the power shots. The very reason in fact why the game is called power tennis. Each character has their own unique attack and defence power shot which they can access when their racquet begins to glow. Defensive shots can hit the ball no matter where it is on the court and attack shots are super fast, with added effects such as paralysis and slow movement to send your opponents reeling. Either shot can be accessed at the press of the button; X for the attack, Y for defence. While the concept sounds zany at first, with the potential to ruin an actually decent game, they dont inhibit play at all, but rather adds to the fun. Once youve got the gist of the gameplay its really just tennis with added zing.

Structurally the games play modes havent changed much. Tournament mode returns giving single players the chance to challenge other characters in singles or doubles in the numerous tournaments and cups. There is also the inclusion of a new type of tournament. The gimmick masters. Courts in this cup are tripped out with traps and tricks to keep you on your toes. Youll face everything from ghosts in Luigis mansion, to Klaptraps in DKs jungle court. Completing the cups can also trigger the unlocking of various secrets including new cups, courts and characters. Exhibition mode returns where up to 4 players can battle it out in the court and conditions of your choosing. A brand new mode called special games is included this time around where you can test your mettle against a variety of tennis-themed min games. Everything from painting a picture with paint balls, feeding hungry chain chomp and battling against mecha bowser is included. Mini games can be challenged as a solo character or as a group allowing for complete madness alone or as a group. Mario Power Tennis offers more solid gameplay that its N64 counterpart, and will keep you enthralled for hours, more if you have friends to join the fray.

Graphics

The character design is very nice. Animation during gameplay is always top notch, with never a hint of the frame rate slowing down. Each characters power shots are also beautifully animated and the pure craziness of how some of them look is enough to make you chuckle each time you see them. The environments and backgrounds are all very well done. The gimmick courts by far look the best. Locales such as the jungle, factory and resort are quite aesthetically pleasing to the players eye without detracting from the intense gameplay. The dome courses (grass, clay, composition) however suffer from the age-old problem of the two dimensional audience. Where each randomly generated member of the audience looks like a Super Nintendo Sprite. Although you dont see the audience that much when youre playing, so overall the graphics are of a high level.

Sound

The sound is above average but not by much. Most of the court them tunes are nothing out of the ordinary, and wont have you jumping out of your seat. The variations of some classic Nintendo tunes on some of the themed courses will be enough to please most. To tell the truth most of the time you wont notice the music, or if you do the ball will gracefully sail right past your head. The sound effects are basically what youd expect. The ball hitting the racquet sounds, well like a ball hitting a racquet. The character catch phrases are nice, pretty much the same as in most of Marios other games. From an overall standpoint the sound is good; nothing more, nothing less.

Final thoughts

Without a doubt, Mario Power tennis is one fun game. Its everything you loved about the original plus more. The addition of mini-games and new play modes also makes it a great game to play with your friends. Even if you dont like real tennis youll enjoy this game. Of course theres plenty to keep single players busy, with a huge number of unlockable secrets for players to find. Plus theres also the challenge to beat every tournament with every character. Mario Power tennis is a game anyone can pick up and play thanks to the simplistic gameplay style. What we have is a very fun game, with everything you like about Nintendo.

Graphics 9.0

Gameplay 9.0

Sound 9.0

Tilt 9.9

Value 9.0