Mario Power Tennis

"Flawed by its own Genius"

As the crowds line up to watch the second game in this already amazing tournament we await to see what Mario will pull out to win this time, the tensions hot, the pressure is on. As Mario raises his racket, pumping the ball up and down to get a good feel he finally makes his move on the opponent. My oh my a stunner it was. Mario has aced it. The crowds go Wild. But can Mario keep up the play?

Mario Power Tennis, at first seems outstanding. Nintendo really pulled it off to create a worthy sequel without ripping the original while touching up a few polygons here and there. To a certain extent this has been achieved, But they game in play isn't going to attract all.

Starting off with a quick match the controls are easy to latch onto. A for Topspin, B for Slice. Then a few timed combo's between the two of them for Lobs and Drop shots etc. Moving around the court with the Analogue stick, then using it to aim your shot when returning a hit. After about 4 or 5 returns our racket will start to glow, another 3 successful returns and you're up for a power shot. Combining L with either A or B will then lead to a lengthy animation leading to power shot, Either offensive or Defensive Letting you either jumping across the court to hit a ball you'd usually miss, or really forcing it into your opponents face. Adding a whole new depth to the regular game of tennis.

Unfortunately this fails to enchant its full potential. The animations soon become tedious, after a 5 second clip of Mario wielding a massive hammer to then watch Waluigi swim across the court will soon become more of an annoyance rather than a tactical weapon; 'power' tennis becomes little more of a gimmick than an integral part to the game play.

This is not to say it hinders Mario tennis completely, and is sure to say this is not the only new addition to the game. Some of the greatest pleasures from the game are hidden away in the depths and this is where Nintendo's creativity really shines through the murky water of exhibition and standard mode.

We see such elements as Item Battle and Gimmick Courts make a fine return, with improved playability and even more cheeky gimmicks (which are actually meant to be there). These styles of play actually embrace the 'power' quite well and become far more challenging than most of the game.

Though perhaps the greatest of the features being the 'special games', a collection of stand alone mini games ranging from Painting a picture by hitting the right coloured balls of paint at certain parts of the wall to Tic-Tack Glow in which you have to aim the ball at certain parts of the court to clear piles of sludge (Such will feel very familiar to those who played Super Mari Sunshine). These game modes are not only fun, but do require a great amount of skill to become good at. The fun factor is increased fold over when you introduce some of your friends to the mix and you have two to four of you playing. It's most likely to distract you from the usual matches.

This leads on to the soul of Mario Tennis, the multi-player. As soon as you plug in the second controller the game is transformed, it comes alive. You really feel you are on the court giving a fine sliding backhand yourself. The presence of a CPU using its power moves at any opportunity is vanquished. Real tactics can be focused on. Putting to full use the range of characters the games offers, each with his or her special attributes and unique playing styles. Giving off a game that is truly worth your hard earned cash.

The game encases Nintendo's general graphical style, big, bright and bold. Everything appears well, the court are varied and certainly give you a different environment to each match, but the different types of court (cement, grass, hard etc.) really wont change the play of the game. The models are well animated; each person's different antics feel solid, although nothing too special is expressed even in the 'power' animations. People of the previous game may remember the koopa cam, and it is my regret to say that it didn't make it into the cut. Something I feel will be sorely missed by players. Some of the greatest little touches that really built the game last round have failed to make an impressionable recovery and leaves the game as any standard sports game just with a few more eccentric characters.

It is sure to say the game is not lacking in playable characters. With over 20 different personalities to choose from each gamer is sure to find a personality and style to fit them. Although categorised under 3 basic attributes (either having Strength, Technique, or a all rounder) each persona has a few tweaks, although they may just be clones at least Nintendo have gone to the effort of changing the power shot, and the animations for all of them. So far to say that some wouldn't classify them as clone. But to heart there is no drastic change to sway you from one character with a certain style to another with that touch apart from personal choice.

The games sound carries on Nintendo's general style with the odd tunes to fit the mood. Though the characters voices are nothing impressive. Sound could rarely add anything to a tennis game, but it does what it does. There is no argument in that.

Despite the (what I feel to be) dodgy CPU. The game shines a great new layer, and Nintendo have really managed to bring a good, fresh new touch to Mario tennis. Though looking at it on paper will never give you the true feel of the game. To me there is still something missing. It's just not the game I wanted o spend £30 on. Though you may very well embrace the new additions. I miss the good clean games of standard tennis Mario used to play. Ultimately flawed by its own genius.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 04/08/05