Mario Power Tennis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mario Power Tennis |
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North American GameCube box art
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| Developer(s) | Camelot Software Planning |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Director(s) | Haruki Kodera |
| Producer(s) | Shinji Hatano Hiroyuki Takahashi Shugo Takahashi |
| Designer(s) | Hiroyuki Takahashi Shugo Takahashi |
| Composer(s) | Motoi Sakuraba |
| Series | Mario Tennis |
| Platform(s) | GameCube, Wii |
| Release date(s) | GameCube
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| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Mario Power Tennis is a fun sports game featuring characters from the Mario series. It was made by Camelot Software Planning and released by Nintendo. This game is the fourth in the Mario Tennis series. It came out for the GameCube in 2004 and 2005.
Later, in 2009, the game was also released for the Wii console. This version was part of the New Play Control! series. It let players use the Wii Remote to swing like a tennis racket. A similar game for the Game Boy Advance, called Mario Tennis: Power Tour, also came out around the same time.
Mario Power Tennis mixes regular tennis with special Mario twists. It has different courts and unique moves for each character. The game received good reviews for its many features. However, some players wished they could skip the special move animations.
Contents
Playing the Game: What to Expect
Mario Power Tennis offers many ways to play tennis. You can choose from different characters, courts, and game types. All of these are inspired by the exciting world of Mario.
Different Courts and Rules
The game has standard tennis courts, but it also features "Gimmick" courts. These special courts are themed after different Mario games. For example, on the Luigi's Mansion court, ghosts might slow you down! These themes don't just look cool; they change how you play the game.
Besides regular tennis, there are unique game modes:
- Ring Shot: In this mode, you earn points by hitting the ball through rings. The smaller the ring, the more points you get! You win by reaching a certain score.
- Item Battle: Here, characters can use items from the Mario universe. These items can help you or mess with your opponent's game.
Game Modes to Explore
The main part of the game is Tournament Mode. You play through a series of matches that get harder as you go. Winning tournaments helps you unlock new characters. You can play tournaments by yourself (singles) or with a partner (doubles).
Another fun option is Special Games. These are unique challenges on the Gimmick courts. For instance, "Tic-Tac-Glow" asks you to hit water balls to clean up dirt. This is a nod to the game Super Mario Sunshine.
If you want to play with friends, Exhibition Mode is perfect. Up to four players can join in. You can choose your opponents, the court, and how many games or sets you want to play.
Characters and Their Special Moves
Mario Power Tennis has 18 characters from the Mario series. Many familiar faces like Wario are here. Some characters, like Wiggler, even made their first playable appearance in this game!
Each character fits into one of six playing styles:
- All-around: Good at everything.
- Technical: Precise shots.
- Power: Strong hits.
- Speed: Fast movement.
- Defensive: Great at returning shots.
- Tricky: Shots that are hard to hit back.
Every character also has two special moves called Power Shots. When you use a Power Shot, you'll see a cool animation. These powerful moves can help you score a point or defend against a tough shot. You can only use them at certain times during a match. Of course, you can also use regular tennis moves like slices and lobs anytime.
How the Game Was Made
Mario Power Tennis was created by Camelot Software Planning. A team of about 30 people worked on it. The game was first shown in a Japanese magazine in 2002. Then, it was featured at the E3 gaming event in 2004.
Working on the Game
The team at Camelot had started another Mario Tennis game for the GameCube. But they decided to stop that project. Instead, they used ideas and technology from Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, which they were making at the same time. The creators wanted to make sure the game wasn't just better looking. They also wanted new and exciting ways to play. They felt it was important for a Mario game to be fresh and original.
Nintendo helped with things like voice acting and animations. This made the game look even better. The creators decided not to include the role-playing game (RPG) elements from the handheld Mario Tennis game. They felt RPG parts were better suited for games on portable consoles.
Creating Special Courts and Avoiding Lag
The ideas for the themed courts came from long brainstorming sessions. The goal was to include courts that would remind players of older Mario games. They also wanted to introduce new players to games they might not have played before.
Making the opening videos, special games, and animations was a big challenge. It made it hard to finish the game on time. Some people wondered if the game would have online play. However, the creators decided against it. They were worried about lagging problems, which could make online tennis frustrating.
Promoting the Game
In 2005, Nintendo worked with the Lawn Tennis Association in the United Kingdom. They promoted Power Tennis at tennis events like Wimbledon. The LTA's ACE Magazine also advertised the game and offered it as a prize.
In 2008, Nintendo announced they would re-release the game for the Wii. This new version let players use the Wii Remote to swing like a tennis racket. It came out in 2009. Later, in 2012, it was re-released again in North America as a Nintendo Selects title.
Images for kids
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North American GameCube box art
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Petey Piranha in the Tic-Tac-Glow Special Game
See also
In Spanish: Mario Power Tennis para niños
