Mario Tennis Aces

"MTA" redirects here. For information about the canceled Philips CD-i game with the same abbreviation, see Mario Takes America.

Template:Infobox Mario Tennis Aces is a sports game in the Mario Tennis series for Nintendo Switch, initially released on June 22, 2018. It is the eighth installment in the series and is the first Mario Tennis series game since Mario Tennis: Power Tour on the Game Boy Advance to feature a Story Mode.

Gameplay

The base gameplay appears similar to that of Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, featuring different types of shots. Characters have an energy gauge that can be used to perform Zone Shots, Zone Speed, or Special Shots. The energy gauge can be increased by simple rallies or by performing Trick Shots, which require proper timing to hit the ball back. Zone Shots can be performed upon reaching a rotating star point on the ground, and allow the player to aim their shot anywhere on the court using motion controls. The longer they take to aim, the more energy it depletes. Zone Speed allows the player to slow down time to allow them to reach a far-off shot in time. Special Shots are performed like Zone Shots, but require a full energy gauge. Zone Shots and Special Shots are able to damage rackets. Rackets can withstand three Zone Shots or one Special Shot before breaking, and after being broken they are replaced with a new one, forcing the player to retire when they no longer have any usable racket. With proper stroke timing, these shots can be blocked, increasing the character's energy gauge and protecting their racket from damage. In doubles, each pair shares one energy gauge, and if a player's racket breaks during a rally, that player's team immediately loses the point. Also in doubles, each player has their own racket counter. When playing in doubles, the match will end if just one player loses all of their rackets (no matter how many rackets that player's teammate has remaining) and that player's team immediately loses. Exclusive to doubles, the result screen also shows X marks in the sections where a player's racket took damage, and the X marks are colored as appropriate to show which opponent did the damage to that player's racket. Unlike Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, there is a left-handed option for characters.

Other than the base style of gameplay, the game also includes a "simple rules" mode which excludes the new types of shots, as well as "Swing Mode", which allows the player to use motion controls to swing their racket, similarly to Wii Sports. Unlike Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, the game features a traditional Tournament mode where the player can challenge computer opponents in an 8-player bracket. In the COM tournament, the player can play the Mushroom, Flower and Star Cups, each with its own difficulty. The character used for winning one of these cups receives a crown graphic next to their name on the character select screen. Online multiplayer is also supported for up to four players (friends or other players) as well as for online tournaments. Playing at least one match in an online tournament can receive additional characters as participation bonuses. However, unlike in the COM tournament, the character that wins the online tournament is not given a crown.

Exclusively in Swing Mode, players can challenge a decision that the ball was shot out of the court.

Controls

Traditional controls

Action	Dual Joy-Con / Pro Controller	Joy-Con (sideways)
Run	leftstick
Topspin		jc-right
Slice		jc-bottom
Flat		jc-left
Lob	leftstick up + or →	up + jc-top or jc-right → jc-bottom
Drop Shot	leftstick down + or →	down + jc-top or jc-bottom → jc-right
Cancel Charge	or zl	sl
Leap Shot (only in Simple Mode)	or zr	zr
Trick Shot	rightstick up/down/left/right or leftstick up/down/left/right + →	up/down/left/right + jc-top → jc-top
Zone Shot	or zr on rotating star point	sr on rotating star point
Zone Speed	Hold or zr	Hold sr
Special Shot	or zl (when Energy Gauge is full)	sl (when the Energy Gauge is full)

The controls for Zone Shots, Zone Speed, Cancel Charge and Trick Shots can be changed in the settings (only for Dual Joy-Con and Pro Controller).

Swing Mode

Action	Joy-Con
Run	, although the character automatically runs towards the ball
Topspin	Swing the Joy-Con diagonally from the waist up
Slice	Swing the Joy-Con diagonally from the shoulder down
Flat	Swing the Joy-Con horizontally without bending the waist
Lob	Swing the Joy-Con vertically from the knees up toward the head
Drop Shot	Flick the Joy-Con down

Adventure Mode

The hub for this mode, the Kingdom of Bask

Story

After Mario and Peach beat Bowser and Bowser Jr. in a tennis match and take the championship, Wario and Waluigi arrive with a legendary racket called Lucien, offering it to Mario and co. as a present. After Luigi takes Lucien, Lucien possesses both him, Wario and Waluigi, and causes a big storm on the stadium. Mario and Toad go to Bask Ruins, and after beating a Dry Bones in a tennis match, gain entry to the Temple of Bask. There, a mysterious voice who introduces himself as Aster tells Mario that many years ago, Lucien destroyed the Kingdom of Bask, and its king managed to strip Lucien of its power and divided the power between five Power Stones. Over time, though, the room fell to ruin, and Wario and Waluigi stole Lucien oblivious to its true powers. Aster then tasks Mario to go and get the five Power Stones before Lucien does.

Mario manages to take the Power Stones from Piranha Plant Forest, Mirage Mansion, and Snowfall Mountain; however, the possessed Wario and Waluigi beat him to the Power Stones in Savage Sea and Inferno Island. Lucien then declares a tennis war at Marina Stadium that pits Peach and Daisy against Wario and Waluigi, and Mario against Luigi, which Team Mario wins. Bowser then steals Lucien and returns to the Temple of Bask, where he fuses into Bowcien and challenges Mario to one last battle. Mario wins, destroying Lucien as well as the temple and receiving thanks from Aster before he disintegrates. Everyone then celebrates Mario's victory (though Wario and Waluigi express shame for having to destroy Lucien) as the credits roll.

In a post-credits scene, Mario does an autograph on the camera, with the marker he is using making the opening seven notes of the Super Mario Bros. overworld theme.

Gameplay

In Adventure Mode, Mario has to travel in a hub world and complete missions. While some of them are regular tennis matches, Adventure Mode has a lot of other missions, such as challanges where Mario needs to return the ball until he gets a certain amount of points. It also features boss battles, where different objects need to be shot on bosses with the tennis racket to defeat them. The player can also unlock rackets with different stats, powers and abillities.

Additionally, the level selection appears to be based on that of the New Super Mario Bros. series, with red circles indicating an unfinished level and blue circles indicating a completed level, with the name of the level being shown when Mario stands on one.

Levels

Bask Ruins

• Bask Ruins: A Bone to Pick
• Temple of Bask: An Ancient Trial (accessible in the map prior to clearing "Lucien Cup Finals", which is replaced with "The Final Battle!" though the player can access this level from Adventure Mode's How To Play menu)
• Temple of Bask Shrine: The Final Battle! (unlocked after clearing "Lucien Cup Finals" and replaces "An Ancient Trial" in the map)

Piranha Plant Forest

• Piranha Plant Forest: Pipe Gripe
• Forest Practice Court: Rally Challenge (Beginner)
• Piranha Plant Habitat: Rapid Fire
• Forest Edge: Sure Shot Challenge (Beginner)
• Ancient Altar: Forest Monster
• Bay Ferry: Battle Boat

Mirage Mansion

• Mirage Mansion: Malicious Mirrors
• Mansion Practice Court: Panel Challenge (Beginner)
• Reflection Room: The Great Mirror Mystery
• Detour: Rally Challenge (Intermediate)
• Royal Chamber: All Hail the Mirror Queen

Snowfall Mountain

• Snowfall Mountain Station: Snowball Fight
• Snowfall Mountain: One versus...One?
• Station Square: Sure Shot Challenge (Intermediate)
• Snowfall Mountainside: Panel Challenge (Intermediate)
• Snowfall Mountain Summit: Snow Ogre Showdown

Savage Sea

• Savage Sea Coast: The Sort-Of Sea Monster
• Savage Sea Bay: The Sea Monster Attacks!
• Savage Sea: Rally Challenge (Advanced)

Inferno Island

• Inferno Island: Mechakoopa Crisis
• Castle Bridge: Sure Shot Challenge (Advanced)
• Castle Practice Court: Panel Challenge (Advanced)
• Castle Gates: Defeat Bowser's Minions!
• Bowser's Castle: Battle the Treasure Guardian!

Marina Stadium

• Marina Stadium: Lucien Cup Finals

Ruins of Trials

• Red Trial: Ancient Trial Panel Challenge
• Green Trial: Ancient Trial Rally Challenge
• Blue Trial: Ancient Trial Sure Shot Challenge
• Yellow Trial: Ancient Trial Ring Shot Challenge
• King's Trial: Last Trial Boss Challenge

Co-op Challenge

This mode was added to the game from the version 2.0.0 update. In it, groups of four players (which can be mixed between local and online) participate in a limited-time event to earn coins and unlock alternate costumes. This mode uses Swing Mode controls.

Boo Hunt

When Frenzy Time is activated, King Boo will appear.

In this event, players use tennis balls to hit Boos on the opposing side of the court to eliminate them, earning coins in the process. If the Boos reach the center of the court, they will steal some coins from the group total. Small mirrors that line the center of the court shoot tennis balls for the players to hit. Some Boos have an orange glow, and when a player hits them their next ball will be large, allowing them to hit more Boos at once. There are three stages, and when the group total reaches a certain threshold of coins they can proceed to the next stage when time runs out. Hitting Boos will also increase the Frenzy bar. When the Frenzy bar is filled up, Frenzy Time will activate. King Boo will appear and hover around the court, and all players will continuously receive tennis balls to hit him to earn more coins. He will disappear when either his health bar or the Frenzy bar is depleted.

Different stages have different hazards. Usually, the group of Boos slowly move towards the center of the court. In some stages, they assemble into set formations, and after the players hit the ball at them, they re-assemble into a new formation. Sometimes, the lights turn off, making it hard to see the Boos. Two glow-in-the-dark Boos also appear, and if a player hits one of them, they will be able to control their mirror to shine a light at the Boos that will halt them in their tracks. Other times, pieces of furniture will fly around the room, making it hard to hit the Boos, and Golden Mushrooms will appear, which can be hit to earn coins.

Characters

Playable

Mario Tennis Aces differs from prior entries in the series in that there are no traditionally unlockable characters. Rather, only the default characters, Koopa Troopa, Blooper, Diddy Kong, Birdo, and Koopa Paratroopa are currently playable, with more characters set to be added in monthly online tournaments.

Mario		Luigi		Wario
Playing Type	All-Around	Playing Type	All-Around	Playing Type	Powerful
Trick Shots	Hand Spin Vault	Trick Shots	Racket Twirl Slide	Trick Shots	Total Typhoon Power Dive
Special Shot	Blazing Wall Jump	Special Shot	Pipe Cannon	Special Shot	Glorious Garlic Bomber
Unlocking Criteria	Default	Unlocking Criteria	Default	Unlocking Criteria	Default
Alternate Costumes	Classic (pre-launch online tournament participation bonus) Tennis outfit, with Lucien Replica (unlocked by clearing "Last Trial Boss Challenge")	Alternate Costumes	N/A	Alternate Costumes	N/A
Waluigi		Template:Color-link-piped		Template:Color-link-piped
Playing Type	Defensive	Playing Type	Technical	Playing Type	All-Around
Trick Shots	Twisted Jump Moonwalk	Trick Shots	Twirl Ribbon Fling	Trick Shots	Parry Sabre
Special Shot	Showtime	Special Shot	Heart Shot	Special Shot	Bloom Blast
Unlocking Criteria	Default	Unlocking Criteria	Default	Unlocking Criteria	Default
Alternate Costumes	N/A	Alternate Costumes	N/A	Alternate Costumes	N/A
Rosalina		Toad		Toadette
Playing Type	Tricky	Playing Type	Speedy	Playing Type	Technical
Trick Shots	Galaxy Warp Satellite Shift	Trick Shots	Toad Jump Toad Roll	Trick Shots	Cutesy Turn Cheerful Skip
Special Shot	Star Combo	Special Shot	Super Toad Dive	Special Shot	Hop Step Jump
Unlocking Criteria	Default	Unlocking Criteria	Default	Unlocking Criteria	Default
Alternate Costumes	N/A	Alternate Costumes	N/A	Alternate Costumes	N/A
Bowser		Bowser Jr.		Boo
Playing Type	Powerful	Playing Type	Defensive	Playing Type	Tricky
Trick Shots	Dive Bomb Shell Spin	Trick Shots	Wild Ride Jet Boost	Trick Shots	Roundabout Through It All
Special Shot	Fire-Breath Barrage	Special Shot	Armed and Dangerous	Special Shot	Illusion Shot
Unlocking Criteria	Default	Unlocking Criteria	Default	Unlocking Criteria	Default
Alternate Costumes	N/A	Alternate Costumes	N/A	Alternate Costumes	Visor (clear bonus for the "Boo Hunt" co-op challenge): Blue (earn 2,500 coins) Green (earn 10,000 coins) Purple (earn 20,000 coins)
Yoshi		Donkey Kong		Spike (new)
Playing Type	Speedy	Playing Type	Powerful	Playing Type	Powerful
Trick Shots	Spin Turn Egg Roll	Trick Shots	Kong Roll Ground Pound	Trick Shots	Somersault Flip Fly
Special Shot	Flying Rainbow	Special Shot	Barrel Cannon Chaos	Special Shot	Spike Strike
Unlocking Criteria	Default	Unlocking Criteria	Default	Unlocking Criteria	Default
Alternate Costumes	N/A	Alternate Costumes	N/A	Alternate Costumes	N/A
Chain Chomp (new)		Koopa Troopa		Blooper (new)
Playing Type	Powerful	Playing Type	Speedy	Playing Type	Tricky
Trick Shots	Vertical Whirl Side Whirl	Trick Shots	Power Play Groundwork	Trick Shots	Lucky Leap Surfin' Slider
Special Shot	Unleash	Special Shot	Spin Break	Special Shot	Wave Rider
Unlocking Criteria	Default	Unlocking Criteria	Participation bonus for July 2018 online tournament, otherwise available from August 1, 2018	Unlocking Criteria	Participation bonus for August 2018 online tournament, otherwise available from September 1, 2018
Alternate Costumes	Hat (unreleased)	Alternate Costumes	N/A	Alternate Costumes	N/A
Diddy Kong		Birdo		Koopa Paratroopa
Playing Type	Speedy	Playing Type	All-Around	Playing Type	Technical
Trick Shots	Acrobatics Diddy Roll	Trick Shots	Perfect Pose Cheer Step	Trick Shots	Roll Call Koopa Boost
Special Shot	Jungle Swing	Special Shot	Airlift Extravaganza	Special Shot	Spiral Special
Unlocking Criteria	Participation bonus for September 2018 online tournament, otherwise available from October 1, 2018	Unlocking Criteria	Participation bonus for October 2018 online tournament, otherwise available from November 1, 2018 (version 2.0.0)	Unlocking Criteria	Participation bonus for November 2018 online tournament, otherwise available from December 1, 2018 (version 2.0.0)
Alternate Costumes	N/A	Alternate Costumes	N/A	Alternate Costumes	N/A
Shy Guy		Petey Piranha
Playing Type	Technical	Playing Type	Powerful
Trick Shots	Unknown	Trick Shots	Unknown
Special Shot	Unknown	Special Shot	Unknown
Unlocking Criteria	Obtainable from version 2	Unlocking Criteria	Obtainable from version 2
Alternate Costumes	Light-Blue Shy Guy (unreleased) Pink Shy Guy (unreleased) Orange Shy Guy (unreleased) Yellow Shy Guy (unreleased) Blue Shy Guy (unreleased) Green Shy Guy (unreleased)	Alternate Costumes	N/A

Adventure Mode opponents

Unlike their playable versions, they cannot perform Trick Shots and Special Shots. Wario, Waluigi, and Luigi can perform Trick Shots and Special Shots.

• Dry Bones (tutorial) - opponent in "A Bone to Pick".
• Donkey Kong - opponent in "Pipe Gripe".
• Toad - opponent in "Rally Challenge (Beginner)".
• Spike - opponent in "Sure Shot Challenge (Beginner)".
• Koopa Troopa - opponent in "Battle Boat".
• Boo - opponent in "Malicious Mirrors" and "Rally Challenge (Intermediate)".
• Shy Guy - opponent in "One versus...One?" and "Sure Shot Challenge (Intermediate)".
• Blooper - opponent in "The Sort-Of Sea Monster".
• Kamek - opponent in "Rally Challenge (Advanced)".
• Boom Boom - opponent in "Mechakoopa Crisis".
• Chain Chomp - opponent in "Sure Shot Challenge (Advanced)".
• Wario and Waluigi - opponents in "Lucien Cup Finals" Doubles.
• Luigi - opponent in "Lucien Cup Finals" Singles.

Bosses

• Petey Piranha
• Madame Mirage
• Snow Ogre
• Gooper Blooper
• Bowser Statue
• Bowcien

Non-playable characters

• Piranha Plants
• Lakitus
• Biddybuds
• Yoshis
• Little Birds
• Rabbits
• Fire Piranha Plants
• Munchers
• Piranha Creepers
• Nipper Plants
• Ant Troopers
• Conkdors
• Kleptos
• Peepas
• Bob-ombs
• Spinies
• Mechakoopas
• Monty Mole
• Lumas
• Fishin' Lakitu
• Parabones
• Bullet Bills
• Whomp
• Aster
• King Bask
• Lucien
• King Boo (version 2.0.0)
• Fly Guys (version 2.0.0)

Audience members

• Toads
• Shy Guys
• Koopa Troopas
• Koopa Paratroopas
• Hammer Bros
• Sledge Bros
• Goombas
• Paragoombas
• Penguins
• Stone Spikes
• Fire Bros
• Boomerang Bros

Possible future playable characters

In a reported datamine of the demo, Boom Boom, Kamek, Dry Bones, and Dry Bowser were listed as playable characters. Additionally, the latter’s emblem can be seen on a few of the in-game advertisments.

Courts

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Marina Stadium is the starting court and the only court to be playable in the Tournament mode. Other playable courts are unlocked for Free Play, by completing levels in Adventure Mode. Like in Mario Power Tennis, some courts contain hazards that can be toggled on or off.

Picture	Type	Ball Speed	Bounce	Description
	Marina Stadium (Night)	Fast	Strong	"Every tennis lover dreams of winning here! A dazzling stadium court experience where you can enjoy an exhilarating match at night."
	Marina Stadium (Hard)	Normal	Strong	"Every tennis lover dreams of winning here! A truly magnificent stadium-court experience where you can challenge yourself to an ultimate battle of skill."
	Marina Stadium (Clay)	Slow	Normal
	Marina Stadium (Grass)	Fastest	Normal
	Bask Ruins	Slow	Weak	"A scorching desert surrounding the ruins of the Kingdom of Bask. Drop Shots are key, since the ball won't bounce much here."
	Piranha Plant Forest	Normal	Weak	"Piranha Plants will spit any balls they eat at the opponent's side of the court. Their appetite for tennis is truly unmatched!"
	Mirage Mansion	Fast	Normal	"Mysterious mirrors adorn a mysterious mansion. But...where exactly does a tennis ball go when it disappears inside one of these mirrors?"
	Snowfall Mountain	Normal	Strong	"A bustling square in front of the train station. Keep a close eye on those Shy Guys, who will hide among the commuters and hit the ball back!"
	Savage Sea	Fast	Normal	"A boat gliding upon the untamed waters of the sea. Hit the mast in the middle to welcome some of that untamed fury on board!"
	Inferno Island	Fast	Strongest	"Bowser's Castle, built on a blazing island surrounded by hot lava. Those Mechakoopas are too hot to handle!"

Demo and pre-launch online tournament

Prior to the game's release date, a free demo was released on the Nintendo eShop on May 24, 2018. This demo included a pre-launch online tournament, as well as the ability to practice with CPU players. The tournament allowed players to play as Mario, Peach, Yoshi, and Bowser, with Waluigi, Toad, Spike, Rosalina, and Chain Chomp becoming available as players earned points, for a total of nine playable characters. All tournament participants could receive an alternate costume for Mario that dresses him in his usual clothes (effectively making him appear identical to his appearance in Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash), usable in the full game.

Character unlock criteria

Unlocking criteria for these participants
Waluigi	Earn 100 points in total.
Toad	Earn 300 points in total.
Spike	Earn 600 points in total.
Rosalina	Earn 1000 points in total.
Chain Chomp	Earn 1500 points in total.

Updates

This section is under construction. Therefore, please excuse its informal appearance while it is being worked on. We hope to have it completed as soon as possible.

1.1.0

An update was released on June 21, 2018. The following changes were made:

• Additional New Modes and Features
  • We have added “Online Tournament” to Tournament mode.
  • When playing Online Tournament, you can choose from four different types of courts in Marina Stadium.
  • We have changed the name of the tournament mode using computer partners to “COM Tournament.”
• We have added “How to Play” to the main menu. You are now able to practice basic shots and new shots outside of the “How to Play” in Adventure mode.
• We have added “Bonus” to Adventure mode. This allows you to play the story over again from the beginning and watch movies.
• “Bonus” will be added once you have cleared Adventure mode once.
  • When you select “Start from Beginning,” your progress, level, and obtained rackets will all be reset. It is not possible to carry over your status and play from the beginning.
• Changes to Online Play
  • Online play: We have made some changes to the way that latency is handled in online play.
  • We have addressed an issue that caused severe latency when the network connection became unstable.
  • We have raised the frequency with which the game confirms and refreshes connection quality. This addresses the problem of connection quality remaining low for a longer period than necessary once the connection was determined to be poor in one single instance.
• Online play: We have made some adjustments so that players of similar skill are more likely to be matched together. (Outside of matches with friends)
• Online Tournament: We have improved the accuracy of processing the confirmation of connection quality for both yourself and your opponent before the start of a match.
• Online Tournament: We have addressed an issue that caused a dropped connection at a certain time in a match to result in the dropped player receiving credit for a win.
• Free Play: We have addressed an issue that caused the next match to automatically begin when no control input was detected after a certain amount of time at the end of an online match.
• Reading save data from the online tournament prior to launch
  • When you have save data from playing one or more matches in the online tournament that took place prior to launch, you will obtain Mario's “classic outfit.” You will be able to switch to this at the character select screen for each mode. You cannot change character appearance in Adventure mode.
• Asian Languages
  • We have added support for Chinese and Korean languages.
• Other
  • Overall: We have addressed an issue where a Zone Shot that landed very close to the line was being counted as out.
  • Standard Overall: We have addressed an issue that caused your Energy Gauge to fill on a Nice Serve even when the shot was a fault or a let.
    • The above two issues did not occur during the online tournament prior to launch.
  • COM Tournament: A crown mark will now appear next to the name of a character who has won the tournament.
  • COM Tournament, Online Tournament: Suspend data from a tournament will now include your settings choices from the character select screen.
  • Some changes from the online tournament prior to launch are also included.
  • When you update to version 1.1.0, you will no longer be able to engage in local play with those using version 1.0.0.

1.1.1

An update was released on June 28, 2018. The following changes were made:

• Changes to Online Tournaments
  • The “Rating” feature will be added to the game on July 1, 2018. Ratings scores will start at 2,000 and go up after scoring points and go down when losing points in matches. It is a score that shows how strong the player is. (The in-game ranking board will continue to be based on Total Points.)
  • In cases where there is a disconnection during a match, ratings will go up or down based on the score in that match at that time.
  • When there is great discrepancy between players in ability, a player’s rating may not go up even if they win.
• Changes to missions in Adventure mode
  • Forest Practice Court: We have adjusted how often the opponent uses Zone Shots.
  • Forest Edge: We have adjusted how quickly the opponent responds to shots.
  • Reflection Room: We have adjusted how much Energy is refilled.
  • Royal Chamber: We have adjusted how much Energy is refilled.

Other changes

• Online Tournament: We have addressed an issue of settings not aligning with Options settings when starting a match.
• Online Tournament: We have addressed an issue of the game freezing when pressing certain buttons after there is a communication error.
• There will be further adjustments to game balance in matches and character performance.

1.1.2

An update was released on July 19, 2018. The following changes were made:

• Game Balance Updates

For All Characters:

• • We have adjusted the range within which a character is able to return a ball, as well as how much energy is used when doing a Trick Shot to hit a ball that goes behind them.
• We made the distance you can move and the scope between left and right shorter. We also shortened the time it takes to successfully recover energy and increased how much energy is used when a Trick Shot is late.
  • We have made it so that, when returning a serve, a ball cannot inflict a Body Shot until it bounces once.

For Bowser Jr.:

• • We have adjusted how fast Bowser Jr. can move when charging a shot and lowered the angle at which he hits the ball back.
• We plan to adjust the balance of this character further in time for the August tournament
• Other Changes
  • Revised errors with text display.
• Notice about the Rating system in Online Tournament
  • A ranking display based on Rating will be added to the ranking board starting with the August 2018 tournament. Along with this change, the Rating will not be shown on the Total Points Ranking board. If you want to check your Ratings for July, please check the Tournament chart.
  • Your Rating will change on a monthly basis based on the results of the previous month's play. (This will be reflected starting with the switch from July to August.)

*Ratings of 2,000 or less -> Start at 2,000
*Ratings from 2,000-2,500 -> Same rating will be maintained
*Rating of 2,500 or more -> 1/10 of the value will be added to 2,500
*Value will be reset to 2,000 if the player did not play the previous month or if any questionable data is present.

1.2.0

An update was released on July 31, 2018. The following changes were made:

• Game Balance Updates
  • We have increased the minimum energy level used for a Zone Shot serve from 25% to 30%. 33% energy is still needed in order to trigger the shot.*
  • We have shortened the distance a character is pushed back when returning a shot that pushes the opponent to the back of the court, such as a Max Charge Shot.
    • The player can reduce the impact of being pushed back by returning a Topspin and Lob with a Slice, a Slice with a Topspin, and a Flat with a Flat.
• We have adjusted the way the ball bounces back when hitting the center mast on the Savage Sea court.
• Additional Settings
  • Options: Players can now switch the controls of Trick Shots to use only the Right Stick.
    • When holding the Joy-Con sideways, you can complete a Trick Shot by pressing up on the directional buttons (or the Y button) twice, regardless of the settings.
• Free Play: You can now choose Stadium Only when entering search conditions when searching for players online via Invite Anyone.
• We have added Full (6-game, 1-set match) to Free Play and Swing Mode.
• Changes to Adventure Mode
  • It is now possible to retry a mission without returning to the world map after failing.
  • You can now retry a mission while from the pause menu without quitting the mission.
  • How to Play: It is now easier to hit a Block during the tutorial.
  • Forest Practice Court: We have adjusted the charge amount of the opponent’s Charge Shot.
  • Detour: We have adjusted the charge amount of the opponent’s Charge Shot and likelihood of using a Zone Shot.
  • Savage Sea: We have adjusted the charge amount of the opponent’s Charge Shot and likelihood of using a Zone Shot.
• Changes to Swing Mode
  • Rally Challenge: The Star Point will not appear during Rally Challenge in Swing Mode.
  • The image showing how to hold the Joy-Con is now a video demonstrating how to hold it.
• Fixes to Online Tournament Ratings
  • Your rating will no longer go up when you lose a match.
    • When you win a match, your rating will not go down, and when you lose a match, your rating will not go up. Your rating will change based on the result of the match, but the amount it changes will be based on your opponent’s rating and on the content of the match. (The change may also be zero.)
  • If the software is forcibly closed during a match, your number of losses will increase, and your rating will go down by 0.5%.
    • If multiple intentional disconnections are detected, they may not be reflected in your ranking.
• Starting with the August 2018 tournament, the ability to sort by rating will be added to the ranking board.
  • Along with this, the ranking board for total accumulated points will no longer display rating. You will be able to check your own rating for the month of July by looking at Results on the left-hand side of the tournament display.
  • At the start of each new month, your starting rating will change based on results from play the previous month. (This will be reflected as of the change from July to August.)
    • Rating of 2,000 or less - starts at 2,000
    • Rating between 2,000 and 2,500 - rating stays the same
    • Rating above 2,500 - 1/10th of the amount over 2,500 will be added to 2,500 to determine the rating
    • Note: If you did not play the previous month, or if any irregular data is discovered, your rating will be reset to 2,000.
• Changes to Character Abilities
  • The abilities of certain characters have been changed.
• Other Changes
  • Fixed an issue where the “Too Early” block timing indicator would appear when you are not pressing a shot button, while using a Trick Shot to return a ball from a Zone Shot or another Special Shot.
    • It is possible to block the ball from a Zone Shot or another Special Shot by pressing the shot button with good timing, even when while using a Trick Shot.
  • Fixed an issue where it became easy to succeed at a normal block during a 1-point rally in the period between a perfectly timed Trick Shot and the next shot that was not a perfectly timed Trick Shot.
    • Your energy gauge will refill greatly when you hit a Trick Shot with the best timing possible.
    • This issue will not occur during Zone Speed or blocks performed during Trick Shots.
  • Fixed an issue where the energy gauge would show as yellow instead of red when your remaining energy is between 1/3rd and very little.
  • Fixed an issue in online tournaments where the character icon was horizontally inverted as it entered the tournament display block on the right side.
  • Fixed an issue where the game would stop when connectivity was especially poor during local wireless or Internet matches.
  • Fixed various issues related to the display of text.

2.0.0

An update was released on September 19, 2018. The following changes were made:

• New Game Mode Added
  • The Co-op Challenge game mode has been added. This is a mode that will be available online during special events.
    • A Nintendo Online Service subscription is required to play online.
  • Co-op Challenge: Boo Hunt will be available from the distribution of Ver.2.0.0 on Wednesday, September 19th until 9:00 AM on Thursday, October 11th. This is a mission where you play using Swing Mode. Team up with friends online or off or find players online to work as a group of four toward achieving the challenge's goal. (Up to four players can play on one Nintendo Switch console if there are enough Joy-Cons.) You can acquire costumes for Boo (three different colors of visors) by reaching certain challenge goals.
    • Only players who reach the goals can acquire these costumes.
• Changes to Shot System
  • The waiting time for the rotating Star Point when hitting a Zone Shot has been extended 15/60th of a second. The opportunity to hit a Zone Shot has been increased by that amount.
  • The way a rotating Star Point disappears has been changed from fading out to simply disappearing after the wait time is over.
  • The amount of energy used when using Zone Speed has been adjusted.
    • The minimum energy used was reduced from 25% to 20%.
    • The consumption per 1/60th of a second has been increased from 0.25% to 0.3%.
• When returning a shot from a short use of Zone Speed, the minimum energy spent (20%) will be used.
  • It's now easier to hit volleys closer to the net.
  • When characters who are not good at volleying are far from the net, the differences in their power when hitting the ball have been reduced.
  • When entering a Zone Shot right after Zone Speed, the minimum energy needed at the beginning of the shot has been eliminated. Therefore, you can commit to this transition with less energy used.
  • How far you are pushed back when you return a Max Charge Shot has been adjusted.
  • Even if you hit it back you will be pushed back more than in Ver.1.2.0, but there's less of a difference between characters regarding how far they'll be pushed back.
  • The knockback type Special Shot has been strengthened.
    • We extended the length of time an opponent is frozen after receiving a Special Shot from 30/60th of a second to 60/60th of a second.
    • There's no change to the freeze time for the rotating-type Special Shot.
  • The issue where Special Shot or Zone Speed didn't work if you held the L or R Button while still swinging when returning a Special Shot has been fixed.
  • You're no longer knocked back when successfully blocking a Special Shot or Trick Shot when returning it.
  • You will hit a lob if you don't press the L Stick up or down when hitting a shot with the X Button.
  • You can confirm a shot with the X Button after your character jumps into the air during a Zone Shot and is deciding where to shoot.
  • The "in" area on the court lights up so that it's easy to tell what areas are good to aim for when hitting a Zone Shot, Zone Shot Serve, or Special Shot.
  • There's less of a chance of a ball going out after tipping over the net when you're doing a drop shot during a Max Charge Shot.
  • It's now a fault when hitting a serve against the net post.
• Changes to Character Abilities
  • We changed the abilities of certain characters.
• Additional Settings
  • Options: You can now split your use of the Zone Shot and Zone Speed between the ZR and R Buttons.
    • If you're using the Joy-Con sideways, control for both these moves will be SR regardless of the settings.
    • Any data preserved after quitting a tournament will have the settings from before changing the options.
• Options: You can now divide your use of the Special Shot and cancel charge between the ZL Button and L Button.
  • • If you're using the Joy-Con sideways, control for both these moves will be SL regardless of the settings.
    • Any data preserved after quitting a tournament will have the settings from before changing the options.
    • Cancel charge in Simple Mode will not be affected by these settings.
  • Free Play: You can now choose Either when choosing between play time and court when selecting search conditions for Invite Anyone in online play.
• Changes to Adventure Mode
  • It's now possible to challenge a mission with All-Out Energy if you fail it three times. You'll be able to hit Special Shots one after another or continue rallies while using plenty of Zone Speed, as well as take on missions that were difficult to clear by learning how to use energy.
  • Ruins of Trials was added to Adventure mode. You'll be able to play this after clearing Adventure Mode.
    • Since the goal of these missions is to achieve high scores, you will not be able to challenge them with all-out energy.
  • Reflection Room: The target no longer moves when using a Special Shot.
  • Snowfall Mountain peak: The amount of energy recovered has been adjusted.
  • Station Square: An issue in which Shy Guys blending into the boxes and not being able to move has been fixed.
  • Bask Ruins: An issue in which opponents were unable to move after landing from a jump has been fixed.
  • Changes to Swing Mode
  • Swings are now possible to use in Local Play. Choose this mode after selecting Swing Mode on the main menu.
    • If you're playing Swing Mode in tabletop mode, only one player can play per Nintendo Switch. When playing doubles with four players in tabletop mode, four Nintendo Switch systems are needed.
• Changes to Online Play
  • If you force the software to close while playing, your Rating will decrease by 1%.
  • You may be removed from the Rankings entirely if you often intentionally quit games.
  • The greatest amount your rating will fall after losing a match has been reduced to 1% of your current rating.
  • You can no longer confirm your opponent's player name before a match.
  • You can check the character your opponent is using before a match, but if you cancel the match, you will not be able to check the character your next opponent is using.
  • You will no longer be matched with the same opponent two times in a row.
  • Your record from online tournaments will be saved per the Nintendo Account on the server. Even if you use multiple systems, if you log in as a user of the same Nintendo Account, you will play using the points and rating you had from that account.
    • This game is compatible with the ability to save data online via the Nintendo Switch Online service, but if you read the save data you backed up, your online data will not overwrite the older data.
  • You will no longer be able to start new matches right before server maintenance begins.
    • Please note that if server maintenance begins during a match, you will be disconnected.
• About Voice Chat
  • The game is now compatible with the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone application. If the application is running on your device when you enter an online match, you will automatically receive a prompt on your smartphone asking if you would like to join a voice chat with your opponent.
    • This will be applied to all online modes (Online Tournament in Tournament, the new Co-op Challenge, and Online Play in Free Play.
• Other Changes
  • The Energy Gauge that is shown near characters is now always the same as the Energy Gauge at the edge of the screen.
  • An issue in which failure background music would play for winning partners in online doubles matches has been fixed.
  • You can now return to the menu without retrying while losing to Dry Bones during How to Play in the main menu.
  • The animation when charging fully and using a drop shot against Koopa Troopa in Simple Mode has been changed. However, there's been no change to functionality.
  • Other adjustments have been made to improve gameplay.

Reception

Critical reception

Mario Tennis Aces received generally positive reviews from critics. Praise was directed at the visuals and many welcomed new additions of gameplay, but minor criticism was directed at customization and the story mode, with some considering the latter not being rewarding or satisfying enough. The Swing Mode also received mixed reception, with points of contention directed at its responsiveness. The game currently holds a score of 75 on Metacritic based on 84 reviews, and a score of 73.38% on GameRankings based on 37 reviews.

Tristan Ogilvie of IGN gave the game a score of 7.5/10, praising the visuals, the court gimmicks, and the multiplayer mode, but criticized the story mode (considering it bare-bones, with nothing making it a fresh and satisfying experience), and also criticized the way local multiplayer works, stating "The biggest problem with Mario Tennis Aces'[s] Adventure mode is how poorly it incentivises you to keep playing. I had completed all 27 of its levels and unlocked all of its courts and rackets by the time I was on level 34, which was around a half a dozen hours of game time. Out of curiosity, I replayed a number of the challenges and boss fights several more times over to grind my way up to level 55, but was rewarded with absolutely nothing aside from incremental boosts to Mario's stats, thus making the existing challenges even easier. With no New Game+ or more challenging versions of its levels to unlock, or even the option of playing through it with a different character, Mario Tennis Aces'[s] Adventure mode becomes increasingly simple and repetitive the more time you put into it." In a more positive review, Mike Diver of Nintendo Life gave the game an 8/10, praising what he believed to be vast improvements over its Wii U predecessor Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, stating "Where [Mario Tennis:] Ultra Smash's extras were a pure Monkey Island's worth of living without that particular piece of junk – here's your context, kids – [Mario Tennis] Aces stuffs its kit bag with activities until the zip's positively pinging off across the locker room like a smartly volleyed can of energy drink. Not everything is evenly fleshed out, but whatever your preferential way to play, there's plenty to get stuck into, both solo and with pals." In a slightly more lukewarm review, Justin Clark of GameSpot gave the game an 7/10, praising the game's new playing mechanics over past games as well as the story mode's incentive to teach players of the new mechanics, but had mixed to somewhat positive feelings about the story mode, stating "The story itself is ridiculous, but ridiculous in that very specific, quirky way Nintendo has been getting away with for decades. During the Mushroom Kingdom's annual tennis tournament, an evil tennis racket--yes, really--named Lucien takes possession of Luigi and flies off to find five Power Stones that will help him take over the world." He was also more critical of the online play, panning a stark lack of features as his main issue.

Reviews
Release	Reviewer, Publication	Score	Comment
Nintendo Switch	Tristan Ogilvie, IGN	7.5/10	"Despite some single-player shortcomings, Mario Tennis Aces is still a lot of frantic tennis fun with friends."
Nintendo Switch	Mike Diver, Nintendo Life	8/10	"We're used to seeing Wii U games transfer to Switch, but for Ultra Smash to have moved across without a substantial makeover would have been disastrous. Aces, wonderfully, is anything but that – it's a superb arcade sports game that's generous with its suite of player options and only occasionally guilty of being a little cheap in its Adventure Mode. The presentation is spot on, and the core tennis action is absorbing whether you're trading simple strokes or firing off special shots. Some animations and voice overs are identical to Ultra Smash's, but everything around them has been overhauled to quite splendid heights. This is something of a Switch Port Plus, then – not quite a whole new experience, but so improved as to be near unrecognisable next to its preceding title."
Nintendo Switch	Justin Clark, GameSpot	7/10	"It speaks volumes that even the multiplayer limitations don't entirely dampen my enthusiasm for Aces. The Tetris Effect is in full swing here; days after the credits rolled, I still crave the satisfying thwack from a Power Shot, mentally replay matches and imagine how I might do things differently given a bit more focus and know-how. Mario Tennis Aces does what this series has done best, and for the most part, improves what it's rarely gotten right prior."
Aggregators
Compiler		Platform / Score
Metacritic		75
GameRankings		73.38%

Sales

By June 30, 2018, the game had sold 1.38 million units worldwide.

Pre-release and unused content

File:MTA Mario Smash.jpg

A comparison of the Ultra Smash in Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash (left), its counterpart in the preliminary version of Mario Tennis Aces (center) and the Zone Shot in the final version (right).

Daisy's pose in the pre-release version of the game

Final game

Daisy's pose in the final game

The Special Chance Shot markers from Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, needed to perform the Ultra Smash, were featured in the announcement trailer. The animation Mario performed there was also the same one used for those kinds of shots. In the final game, however, those Chance Shot markers were rather replaced with a rotating star marker, similar to the ones featured in Mario Tennis and Mario Power Tennis, and Zone Shots replaced Ultra Smashes, while retaining their character animations at least in the case of Mario.

The HUD icons for Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi originally used their traditional outfit. The Ancient Altar court used in Forest Monster was originally a selectable court.

Originally, Daisy's final entrance pose showcased her with her mouth closed via a Nintendo Treehouse Log post. In the final game, her mouth is open.

Staff

Main article: List of Mario Tennis Aces staff

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Mario Tennis Aces.

• 

  Mario

• 

  Peach

• MarioTennisAcesLogo.jpg

  International logo

• MTA Mario Waluigi.jpg

  A tennis match

• MTA Story Mode Hub.jpg

  Story hub world

Quotes

Main article: List of Mario Tennis Aces quotes

References to other games

• Super Mario Bros.: A cutscene after the credits shows Mario drawing his cap on the camera lens with a crayon. The rubbing sounds are the first few notes of the overworld theme.
• Super Mario Bros. 3: Boom Boom's running animation is flailing his arms while facing the opponent, mirroring his sprite animation from this game.
• Mario's Tennis: This is the first time in the Mario Tennis series since this game that Mario and Luigi wear short-sleeved T-shirts and shorts and athletic shoes instead of their standard overalls. However, here they wear visor versions of their signature caps while in Mario's Tennis they wear their usual caps.
• Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS: The design of Snow Ogre highly resembles that of Eyerok. Also, the music that plays while battling Bowcien is a remix of Bowser's battle theme and the Bowser levels from this game.
• Super Mario Sunshine: The sounds that Piranha Plants make are reused from this game.
• Mario Power Tennis: The sound Chain Chomp makes is reused from this game. Many characters' voice clips from this game are reused for their Special Shot animation.
• Mario Party 6: Mario's artwork from this game is reused on one of the large banners.
• Mario Party 8: Chain Chomp and Birdo's artwork on the character select screen is from this game.
• Mario Party DS: Wario's artwork from this game is reused on one of the smaller banners.
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Boo’s artwork from this game is reused on one of the smaller banners.
• Mario Party 9: Koopa Troopa and Toad's artwork on the character select screen is from this game.
• New Super Mario Bros. U: The Koopalings' airships from this game appear flying in the background of Savage Sea. The large claw arm Bowser Jr. uses for his Special Shot also returns from this game.
• Super Mario 3D World: Several enemies from this title appear in the background of the courts, such as Piranha Creepers and Conkdors. Rabbits also appear and retain their design from this game.
• Mario Golf: World Tour: Several of Rosalina's voice clips, provided by her former voice actress (Kerri Kane) are taken from this game.
• Mario Party 10: The artwork on the character select screen for Rosalina, Yoshi, Spike, and Toadette are from this game.
• Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition: Artwork of Luigi and Yoshi from this game are reused on one of the smaller banners.
• Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash: Marina Stadium bears a striking resemblance to the stadium found in this game. Character models, animations, and voice clips are reused from this game. Mario Tennis Aces artwork of Yoshi is also originally from Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, albeit with a different tennis ball.
• Mario Party: Star Rush: The artwork on the character select screen for Luigi, Waluigi, Peach, Daisy, and Blooper are from this game. Also, Boo's character select artwork is part of King Boo's artwork from this game.
• Mario Sports Superstars: Character shield emblems are inspired and derived off this game.
• Mario Party: The Top 100: Wario's artwork on the character select screen is from this game.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	マリオテニス エース Mario Tenisu Ēsu	Mario Tennis Ace
Chinese	瑪利歐網球 (Traditional) 马力欧网球 (Simplified) Mǎlìōu Wǎngqiú	Mario Tennis
Korean	마리오 테니스 에이스 Mario Teniseu Eiseu	Mario Tennis Ace

External links

• Official North American website
• Official Japanese website
• Official UK website
• Official Australian/New Zealand website