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Nintendo serves an ace with Mario tennis game

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Mario Tennis Aces

R809 at Takealot.com

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If breaking your opponents’ rackets and slamming them with body shots while still maintaining a great tennis strategy and shot selection is your thing, Mario Tennis Aces is for you. The next evolution in the Mario franchise for the Nintendo Switch – the hand-held gaming console – is a move into the fantasy sports arena.

The gameplay is smooth and the excitement of a new game will have you playing shots never before seen in any real life tennis match, but isn’t that the point? The sheer shower of shots you can rain down upon your opponent is an indulgent feast. From drop shots to slice shots to zone shots, all produce a spectacle that will have you screaming like John McEnroe.

The problem is trying to remember which buttons control which shot, and when to use a trick shot over a slice shot, keeping in mind the power you have accumulated. There’s also the ability to slow a shot or speed up your movement, depending on your power gauge. Added to this is the fact that Mario isn’t the only character you can play as. Each character from the Mario universe has unique traits that can enhance your chances during a match. For example, Browser is slow but his shots pack a better punch, while Princess Peach is more adept at finding the best strategy to defeat an opponent.

The game boasts various modes ranging from adventure mode to multiplayer mode, a tournament mode and more.

The story line is premised around an evil racket that takes control of Luigi and, as usual, Mario and his Mansour Bahrami moustache have to save the day. What it might lack in unbridled excitement it makes up for in complexity that forces you to master combination shots and
power moves.

The annoying part comes after you lose, as every time you have to sit through an ego-piercing taunt from whichever character beat you. If the litany of double faults dampens your spirit, detach the controllers and add another human to the mix.

Overall, the graphics are great, the gameplay is fluid and the power shots are satisfying. Nintendo did a really good job of creating a fantasy, action-based game based on tennis.

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