Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash

Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash
	; For alternate box art, see the related gallery.
Developer	Camelot Software Planning
Publisher	Nintendo
Platform	Wii U
Release dates	November 20, 2015; November 20, 2015; November 21, 2015; January 28, 2016;
Languages	English (United States); English (United Kingdom); Japanese; Dutch; French (Canada); French (Europe); German; Italian; Portuguese (Europe); Russian; Spanish (Latin America); Spanish (Europe);
Genre	Tennis
ESRB:	- Everyone[?]
CERO:	- All ages[?]
PEGI:	- Three years and older[?]
USK:	- All ages[?]
ACB:	- General[?]
FPB:	- Parental guidance[?]
Modes	Single player; Multiplayer (2-4 players, local and online)
Format	Wii U: Optical disc
Input	Wii U: Wii U GamePad Wii Remote (horizontal) Wii U Pro Controller
Serial code	WUP-AVXE-USA;

"Ultra Smash" redirects here. For the kind of Chance Shot introduced in this game, see Chance Shot.

Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash is the sixth direct installment of the Mario Tennis series, released for the Wii U in 2015. It introduces new mechanics to the gameplay including Jump Shots, an ability that enable players to leap into the air to perform faster and longer-ranged shots; and the titular "Ultra Smash", a special kind of shot that can be performed when the opposing player loses form while returning a shot, allowing the player to perform an extremely fast and powerful shot. The game also includes new modes such as Mega Battles and Knockout Challenge, in addition to different courts with various unique gimmicks.

The game features worldwide online multiplayer, with up to four players (including an amiibo) could use the game's online capabilities to play Singles and Doubles with people around the world (via Nintendo Network until the service's termination on April 8, 2024^[5]^[6]).

The software required 888 MB to be downloaded and installed from the Nintendo eShop until the game was eventually removed after the service's discontinuation on March 27, 2023.

Gameplay[edit]

A screenshot from Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash

Mario serving with a Peach amiibo character.

The game is played similarly to previous entries of the Mario Tennis series, and follows the basic rules of tennis. Players serve and hit the ball back and forth until one side misses the ball. Players earn 15 points for each successful shot, and win a game point if a player scores in their 40th point. If players are tied after the 40-point mark, a deuce commences, and either player has to score two consecutive points to win a game point. Winning a number of game points makes the player victorious in a set or a match. Matches can be divided into sets. If two players tie in a set, a Tiebreaker commences, where one player must reach seven points to win the set or match.

Players can use the Wii U GamePad, Wii Pro Controller, or Wii Remote on its side to play the game. The game does not support motion controls for the Wii Remote, so the Wii Remote on its side is the only control option for it.^[7]

The Wii U GamePad can take advantage in two-player singles as the first player can use its screen for their perspective, allowing the second player to use a separate screen for the perspective of their character.^[8]

The game works with amiibo. When a compatible amiibo is scanned into the game, that character appears in the game as a computer partner that can be trained,^[8] similar to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. After every five matches in Knockout Challenge, it earns a random stat boost, and the amiibo character can get 10 in total. Players can access the amiibo training menu to change up stats, however, by spending coins to alter stat slots.^[9] amiibo partners make it possible to play on 2 vs. 1 matches, though only with CPU opponents, making it the first and only Mario Tennis game where 2 vs. 1 matches are possible.^[10]

Unlike other installments, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash does not provide a left-handed option.

Controls[edit]

Menus

Action	Wii U GamePad Wii U Pro Controller Wii Classic Controller Wii Classic Controller Pro	Wii Remote (sideways)
Navigate menus	/
Confirm selection		/
Cancel		/

Tennis matches

Action	Wii U GamePad Wii U Pro Controller Wii Classic Controller Wii Classic Controller Pro	Wii Remote (sideways)
Move character Control shot direction	/
Topspin
Slice
Simple shot		N/A
Flat	/ + (together)	+ (together)
Lob	→	→
Drop shot	→	→
Cancel charge	/
Leap shot	/
Look around	(before serving)	N/A
Pause game	(before serving)	(before serving)

Types of shots[edit]

The types of shots in Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash. From left to right: Topspin, Flat, Slice, Lob, and Drop Shot.

All of the main five types of shots can be charged, in order to increase their power, by pressing the button or button combination before the ball arrives. While charging, movements are slower, so if the player needs it, the charge can be canceled by pressing . All of the main five type of shots also have a Chance Shot version, activated by going in a colored area and executing the shot of the respective color.

A Jump Flat. Note how the trail is different from that of the standard Flat.

Furthermore, Topspins, Slices, and Flats, in both the standard and Chance Shot version, can be performed as Jump Shots, executed by tapping the button corresponding to the shot twice, in which the character leaps before hitting the ball, resulting in shots that bounce higher.

Shot	Button(s)	Description
Topspin		Topspins are high shots that spin forward and bounce high. The Chance Shot version pushes the receiving opponent back. They leave a red trail and have the outline of a Fire Flower in the Chance Shot area.
Slice		Slices are low shots with backspin. They are slow and bounce low. The Chance Shot version has a deeply curved trajectory and spins the receiving opponent out of control for a short while. They leave a blue trail and have the outline of a Blooper in the Chance Shot area.
Flat		Flats are the fastest shots and don't make the ball spin. The Chance Shot version is a Smash. They leave a purple trail and have the outline of a star in the Chance Shot area.
Lob	→	Lobs are very high shots with a high bounce aimed at the back of the court. The Chance Shot version is higher. They leave a yellow trail and have the outline of a Cheep Cheep in the Chance Shot area.
Drop Shot	→	Drop Shots are low shots with a low bounce aimed at the front of the court. The Chance Shot version does not bounce. They leave a white trail and have the outline of a Bob-omb in the Chance Shot area.
Simple Shot		Simple Shots are version of all the five shot types that take longer time to charge, chosen automatically once the button for the Simple Shot is pressed. They can be used on Chance Shot areas as well, resulting in the correct type of shot being chosen automatically. They leave a light yellow trail.
Leap Shot		Leap Shots are shots in which the character leaps in an attempt to hit a distant ball. They very often result in high and slow Simple Shots.

Ultra Smash[edit]

The Ultra Smash. Left: Toad has made a mistake and as a result, his shot is a high and slow Simple Shot, with purple circles around the trail denoting this. Right: after the mistake, Yoshi performs a Jump Flat on the Chance Shot area and, as a result, executes an Ultra Smash.

If the opponent has made a mistake that results in a slow ball flying high in the air, a Special Chance Shot area appears. If the player performs a Jump Flat on said Chance Shot area an Ultra Smash is performed, resulting in a more powerful Smash.

Game modes[edit]

The game offers various game modes. It includes Mega Battle, Classic Tennis, Knockout Challenge, and Online play.

Mega Battle[edit]

A screenshot in Mega Battle mode.

The default mode is the Mega Battle mode,^[11] where Mega Mushrooms are randomly thrown into the court by a Toad that patrols each side, after a player serves the ball. If players run into a Mega Mushroom, they grow huge and get an advantage in ball stroke and ball reach. In doubles play, only one player per side can grow large at a time. This mode is for up to four players, and can be played with human- or computer-controlled opponents.

Classic Tennis[edit]

This is where tennis is played normally without Mega Mushrooms.^[11] Standard mode has the Chance and Jump Shots, while Simple mode lacks Chance and Jump shots and is therefore pure tennis like Mario Tennis games prior to Mario Tennis Open, without Special or Chance Shots.^[12]^[13] This mode is also for up to four players, and can be played with human or computer-controlled opponents.

Knockout Challenge[edit]

Knockout Challenge is a single-player mode that replaces the Tournament modes from earlier installments of the Mario Tennis series.^[11] Players try to beat an increasing number of CPU opponents, who gradually get harder over time.^[9] The order of opponents is as follows: Toad, Luigi, Daisy, Yoshi, Wario, Sprixie Princess, Toadette, Boo, Peach, Waluigi, Donkey Kong, Bowser Jr., Rosalina, Mario, and Bowser (Dry Bowser in the 2nd sequence). Then the sequence repeats. After the 2nd sequence, the opponents will be randomized (though they will never face the same opponent more than once in a row). If the player uses Toad or has Toad as an amiibo partner, the CPU-controlled Toad is substituted with Toadette. If the player uses one of the other characters or has one of the other characters as an amiibo partner, that character in the sequence is replaced by Toad. If the player uses Bowser or has Bowser as an amiibo partner, the CPU-controlled Bowser is substituted with Dry Bowser. If the player uses Dry Bowser, the CPU-controlled Dry Bowser is substituted with Bowser. If the player uses Dry Bowser and has Bowser as an amiibo partner, the CPU-controlled Bowser and Dry Bowser are substituted with Bowser Jr. The matches, by default, are Mega Battles (and Standard Tennis after the 2nd sequence) with Tiebreaker rules; the player has to win seven rounds in order to claim game victory. With every battle won, players earn coins, which can be spent on buying unlockables, such as star characters and courts.^[9] amiibo characters can help the single players out; however, other human players cannot help the single-player.

Mega Ball Rally[edit]

A Mega Ball Rally taking place.

The sole minigame of Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, players rally a large ball for the highest score possible. After every 30 rallies, the ball gets smaller.^[11]^[9] It can be played solo or for up to four players. When the game ends, players receive coins depending on how much the ball has been rallied.

When the minigame ends, the music that plays depends on the number of players. In single-player mode, the losing music will play; however, in multiplayer mode, the victory music will play instead.

Online[edit]

Online can be played alone or with another player or amiibo character in Singles or Doubles. The game does not support lobbies or communities, whereas the only options are Singles and Doubles.^[9] Similarly to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, online play is split into two categories: Play for Fun and Play a Serious Match. Play a Serious Match lets players play in ranked settings to grow their standing compared to their online opponents, whereas Play for Fun still sets up matches based on online ratings, but these ratings are not affected in this mode.^[9] Players can choose to play a Mega Battle, Standard match, or Simple match. They can also choose whether to play a tiebreaker game or a two-game, one set match. The game featured worldwide online multiplayer for the first time in the Mario Tennis series, after Mario Tennis Open introduced online play locked to the player's region.^[14]

Rewards[edit]

Players can spend coins earned from Knockout Challenge to unlock various items. The following is a list of unlockables from this menu.^[15]

All star characters cost 3,000 coins or are unlocked with 15 wins in Knockout Challenge.
Unlockable characters cost 5,000 coins to unlock or can be unlocked by completing their unlock requirements. They obtain their stars as they are unlocked.
Courts are unlocked with either plays of any mode or with coins:
- Carpet court is unlocked with 5 plays or by spending 1,000 coins.
- Mushroom court is unlocked with 10 plays or by spending 2,000 coins.
- Sand court is unlocked with 20 plays or by spending 4,000 coins.
- Ice court is unlocked with 30 plays or by spending 6,000 coins.
- Rebound court is unlocked with 40 plays or by spending 8,000 coins.
- Morph court is unlocked when all court varieties are played at least once or by spending 5,000 coins.
Pro difficulty for computers costs 5,000 coins or is unlocked with 30 knockout wins.
Ace difficulty for computers costs 30,000 coins or is unlocked with 50 knockout wins.
amiibo training costs 5,000 coins. Players can also fully level up an amiibo to unlock the mode.

Characters[edit]

Playable characters[edit]

Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash has 16 playable characters. Out of them, Rosalina, Toadette, and Sprixie Princess are new playable characters to the series, with Sprixie Princess also being playable for the first time in any game. In addition, Toad is playable in the Mario Tennis series for the first time since the Nintendo 64 installment, while Dry Bowser is playable for the first time in a home console Mario Tennis installment after previously being playable in Mario Tennis Open. The unlockable characters, in addition to the "standard" unlock methods, can also be unlocked by purchasing them for 5000 coins off the rewards menu. This is the last game to feature Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi in their normal clothing, as the next game, Mario Tennis Aces, would depict them with tennis uniforms.

Of the character types, there are three All-Round, two Speed, two Technical, four Power, two Defensive, and three Tricky.

All-Round: These characters have neither distinct advantages nor disadvantages.
Technical: These characters have good ball control, but often lack power.
Speed: These characters have quick movement at the cost of power.
Power: These characters have powerful strokes that makes the ball travel quickly, but they lack agility.
Defensive: These characters have great reach but are not agile.
Tricky: These characters' shots curve more than other characters' shots.

Additionally, using the Gold Mario amiibo gives players a CPU-controlled Gold Mario as a tennis partner.

Character	Type	Unlock criteria
Mario	All-Round	Available from the start
Luigi	All-Round	Available from the start
Toad	Speed	Available from the start
Peach	Technical	Available from the start
Daisy	All-Round	Available from the start
Rosalina (new)	Power	Available from the start
Bowser	Power	Available from the start
Wario	Power	Available from the start
Waluigi	Defensive	Available from the start
Yoshi	Speed	Available from the start
Boo	Tricky	Available from the start
Donkey Kong	Power	Available from the start
Toadette (new)	Tricky	Play 10 Mega Battles
Bowser Jr.	Tricky	Play 10 standard matches in Classic Tennis mode
Dry Bowser	Defensive	Play 10 simple matches in Classic Tennis mode
Sprixie Princess (new)	Technical	Hit 100 consecutive shots in Mega Ball Rally

Non-playable characters[edit]

These characters appear in the background as part of the crowd as world-building scenery. A Lakitu and a Toad watch over the court, where the Lakitu retrieves the ball if it hit the net or the player, or can no longer bounce. During Mega Battles, a Toad can, at random intervals, toss a Mega Mushroom into the court. A Magikoopa also appears in Knockout Challenge to make the CPU-controlled Bowser or Dry Bowser giant during the entire match. Because of this, the Mega Mushrooms are provided only for the human-controlled characters.

Courts[edit]

Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash features nine different courts set in the same stadium, with varying ball speed and bounce strength, as well as special gimmicks. The following courts can be selected:

Court	Ball Speed	Bounce	Description	Unlock criteria
Hard Court	Normal ★★★☆☆	Normal ★★★☆☆	: The most popular court used in competitions. It yields a steady bounce. : The most popular court used in competitions yields a steady bounce.	Available by default
Clay Court	Slow ★★☆☆☆	Weak ★★☆☆☆	: A court covered with hard clay. The ball speed is slower than on the Hard Court. : Covered with clay, giving a ball speed slower than the hard court.	Available by default
Grass Court	Fast ★★★★☆	Weak ★★☆☆☆	: A court covered with grass. The ball speed is faster than on the Hard Court. : Covered with grass, making ball speed faster than the hard court.	Available by default
Carpet Court	Very Fast ★★★★★	Weak ★★☆☆☆	: The court with the fastest ball speed. Perfect for those epic, high-speed rallies! : The court with the fastest ball speed. You can enjoy speedy rallies.	1000 coins or 5 plays
Mushroom Court	Fast ★★★★☆	Very Strong ★★★★★	: Don't let the high bounce on this court surprise you. Make use of those Jump Shots! : The ball will bounce a great deal. Make use of Jump Shots!	2000 coins or 10 plays
Sand Court	Very Slow ★☆☆☆☆	Very Weak ★☆☆☆☆	: The ball won't bounce very high on this court, so Drop Shots are the key to victory! : The ball won't bounce very much. Win points with Drop Shots!	4000 coins or 20 plays
Ice Court	Normal ★★★☆☆	Strong ★★★★☆	: A slippery court. Perfect for working on your control technique! : A slippery court. Work on your control technique!	6000 coins or 30 plays
Rebound Court Bounce-out Court (British English version)	Normal ★★★☆☆	Normal ★★★☆☆	: The ball will bounce to one side or the other upon hitting the court, so it's important to determine where it will go before it touches down! : This court makes the ball bounce outwards, so you'll have to anticipate the direction!	8000 coins or 40 plays
Morph Court	Random ?????	Random ?????	: Landing a Chance Shot or smash will change your opponent's half of the court to a different type! : Chance Shots or Smashes will change the surface on your opponent's half of the court!	Winning one match on every other court