Mario Tennis has almost become an institution for Nintendo, in a way.  First introduced years ago on the Nintendo 64, it has since become an infatuation with Nintendo players, an accessible tennis game with multiplayer appeal and plenty of mini-games to keep players intrigued.  Now that tradition continues in the 3D realm, as Nintendo is bringing the series to the 3DS this May.

As with previous entries in the series, Mario Tennis introduces a familiar cast of characters from the Mario realm, including the plumber, his brother Luigi, his faithful dino friend Yoshi and many others.  Each have their own advantages on the court, some being speedy and others being powerful.  Choosing the right one could make a difference in winning a match, though they’re all worth trying out.

From there, it’s a matter of hitting the court and keeping the ball in play long enough to make your shot.  The 3DS version is introducing several play options, including the ability to use the touch screen for return shots, or the traditional button set-up.  Both work rather well, as you can line up your shot and make your opponent pay for it if they’re unprepared.

New to the game this time around are little icons that appear on the court with each returned shot.  If you manage to hit the idea return button with the shot that’s suggested (like a lob or a top spin), you’ll have a better chance of winning that round.  The best part is that the icons aren’t that distracting from what’s happening on the court.

About the Author

Robert Workman

Senior Writer/Editor

Robert has years of experience in the video game industry, writing for such sites as AOL GameDaily, PlanetXbox360 and Comic Book Resources.  He can also outdrink you any day of the week.  And twice on Sunday.  Follow him at www.twitter.com/thedcd.