Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64): Difference between revisions

'''''Mario Tennis''''', known in [[Japan]] as '''''Mario Tennis 64''''', is a [[Nintendo 64]] video game. It features [[Mario]] and his friends playing tennis, and is the second installment in the [[Mario Tennis (series)|''Mario Tennis'' series]] (although the first in the modern incarnation of the series) and the follow-up to ''[[Mario's Tennis]]'' for the [[Virtual Boy]]. This game introduced [[Waluigi]] as a rival of [[Luigi]], and also [[Princess Daisy]] and [[Birdo]]'s re-entries into the [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'' franchise]]. The [[Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color)|Game Boy Color counterpart]] is [[Transfer Pak]] compatible with ''Mario Tennis''.

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==Introduction==

[[File:MT64 TitleScreen.png|thumb|left|200px|The game's title screen.]]

===Participants===

Including all the characters that can be transferred from the [[Game Boy Color]] version of ''[[Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color)|Mario Tennis]]'', the Nintendo 64 version of ''Mario Tennis'' features a total of 20 playable characters. Of these characters, 14 characters are default, 2 characters (marked with a double asterisk) are unlockable through playing the Nintendo 64 game, and 4 characters (marked with a triple asterisk) can be transferred from the Game Boy Color game. Aside from the transferable characters, characters are divided into 5 different play styles, listed below. Waluigi (marked with an asterisk) makes his first appearance in the [[Mario Tennis (series)|''Mario Tennis'' series]] and the overall [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'' franchise]]. Short Game and Tiebreaker are the only modes that can be played with the same characters. When two of the same character is selected, the second player to select said character will have an alternate palette swap of the character. All of the returning cast from ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]'' retains a returning palette from that game. Alex, Nina, Harry, and Kate are not playable in the [[Virtual Console]] versions of the game due to the [[Wii]] and the [[Wii U]] lacking an equivalent to the [[Nintendo 64]]/[[Game Boy Color]] Transfer Pak.

<gallery caption="All-Around">

Mario Colors.png|[[Mario]]

====Charging stances====

Depending on both the position and the trajectory of the ball when a charge is started, the character will assume one of three stances while charging the shot, influencing both the leaps that the character is able to make to reach the ball, the speed and preferred direction of the following shot and, in the case of Flat Shots, the actual type of shot.

!Type of shot

!Right-handed stance

==Modes==

In addition to the straight tennis matches offered in ''Mario Tennis'', several special play modes are also available which are playable both individually or with another CPU or Player. These modes offer a variety of different matches and [[minigames]] that differ from standard tennis, or pre-created tournaments.

===Exhibition===

[[File:Matchup.PNG|thumb|left|A one set versus match.]]

*''3 Sets:'' Play three sets of six games each.  

*''5 Sets:'' Play five sets of six games each.  

Once the players have selected the number of games they like to play, an opponent is determined, if playing a one-player contest. The difficulty of the opponent can be adjusted too.

*''Novice:'' Easy difficulty, Triangle marks

*''Pro:'' Intense difficulty, Star marks

*''Ace:'' MAX difficulty, same as Pro. (Unlocked by beating every cup in singles, including the Star Tournament, by every player except the GBC characters)

After the players' foe has been determined, they must select a court to compete on. If they have unlocked any of the special courts, the courts are displayed here.

Bowser Stage takes place on a floating court suspended by chains above a lake of lava. This game is a nod to the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series, where the player can collect and use power-ups against the player's opponent. The court pitches and shifts throughout the match, and the player will have to contend with the weird gravity as a result. Running up it will take the player more time, and the down slope will pull them down toward the lava. The ball also reacts differently to the surface angle.

The other major difference between this and normal tennis are the power-ups that are collected and used. They hover near the center of the net in glowing cubes (similar to the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' games) and become useable when a player sends a ball through one. The power-up then appears in the corner of the screen and can be used by pressing the {{button|n64|Z}} button.

====Power-ups====

*'''Banana Peel:''' When the player uses this power-up, a banana peel attaches itself to the ball, then deposited on the court when the ball bounces. This puts a potential slipping spot on the court, forcing the players opponent to play around the peel, lest they slip and fall. However, if the ball does not hit the ground, but is volleyed, the banana has the potential to be placed on the other side of the court.

===Special Games===

Special Games is a special mode including Short Game, Tiebreaker, Ring Tournament, and Demo Mode.

====Short Game/Tiebreaker====

Short Game is a multiplayer mode where the character or team must score up to 5 points (with no two point requirement) to win the match. Tiebreaker is equivalent to Short Game, except it goes up to 7 points and players must win by two points. Short Game and Tiebreaker are only for two players for a Singles Match and four players for a Doubles match, with no AI opponents.

In Wii U Virtual Console re-release, Ring Tournament was fully implemented again.

;Codes

|-

!Code

==Courts==

Every court plays a bit differently. Each court can be selected for Exhibition matches once unlocked. Like with the characters, the courts which require the Game Boy Color version of ''Mario Tennis'' cannot be unlocked in the Virtual Console releases.

===Starter courts===

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|[[File:MT64 Open court.png|150px]]

===Unlockable courts===

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|[[File:MT64 Mario Bros. court.png|150px]]

==Trophy celebrations==

This is a list of all the trophy celebrations a player can get for winning a tournament with certain characters.

*'''Mario:''' Mario jumps around happily with the trophy until a pipe sprouts out of the platform. Wario emerges from the pipe, and takes the trophy before slowly descending into the pipe. Mario attempts to retrieve the trophy.

*'''Luigi:''' Luigi, trophy in hand, runs around in circles, but falls down, leaving the trophy on the ground. A nearby Lakitu takes the trophy while a disappointed Luigi stands and watches.

==Reception==

In ''{{wp|Electronic Gaming Monthly}}''{{'}}s review of the game, the magazine gives it a Gold Award, meaning its average score among the three reviewers is a 9.0 or higher.<ref>''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' issue 135, page 180.</ref> They praise the solid gameplay and the variety of game modes.

|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"

|Release

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|N64

|8/10

|align="left"|"''With Mario Tennis, the portly plumber proves once again that he can make any sport more entertaining. The game later received a sequel on the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] and [[Wii]], which, despite mostly being very similar, introduced some questionable gameplay elements that many did not particularly enjoy. If you were one of those people and would rather have a pure, unspoiled Mario Tennis experience, look no further: this is his best outing so far.''"

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|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"

|colspan=2|Compiler

==Pre-release and unused content==

==Names in other languages==

==External links==

{{MT N64}}

{{Mario games}}