Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash Reviews
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash provides the bare minimum tennis experience, as shallow gameplay is disguised with gimmicks, particularly when it comes to the single player offerings. The pretty graphics and online functionality are largely its only strong points.
To say the least, this game is underwhelming. It just seems like Nintendo really wasn't even trying with this game. It feels very rushed because they left out so many things – like a campaign and tournament mode. I found it fun to play initially, but I got bored very quickly. I wouldn't ever really pick it up to play again, especially by myself. The only thing this game is really good for is a bit of family fun, and that's about it.
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash serves up a feast for the eyes, but Camelot has lost too much of the charm and character that made its predecessors so special.
The good news is that after the bomb that was Mario Tennis on the 3DS, Camelot turned things around and nailed the 3DS' Mario Golf. I do hope that there's history repeating there because a really, really good Mario Golf game would be either the perfect way for the Wii U to go out, or the perfect title to launch with the Nintendo NX next year.
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash should, quite frankly, not exist. It is an embarrassment with next to no content, absolutely no strategy involved, and feels like a blatant cash grab more than anything. Nintendo has gotten far too safe with the Mario IP if the developers felt that they could release a skeleton like this for $50. Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash is nothing more than a platform for selling amiibo and should not be purchased by any means.
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash isn't good in the slightest. While the game can be decent in passing, it's a horrible value when you stop and think about it. There is just one stadium, limited online options and less features than the previous two entries.
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash was always designed to be a filler game as we wait for Xenoblade X, Star Fox Zero, and Zelda U. It's unfortunate that not a lot of effort was put into the game, but it's still enjoyable enough as it is. Once the price tag drops, I'll be willing to recommend it.
This isn't really so much of an Ultra Smash, as it barely qualifies as "just flying over the net."
If you're looking for a casual tennis game to play with friends, Wii Sports Club Tennis is still where it's at. You can grab it for your Wii U on the eShop for under $15. Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash will do ya if you're big on using buttons instead of swinging Wii Remotes or if you absolutely must perform fancy shots. Just know that this is a full-priced game that says, "Here, play some tennis," and not much else.
It's shocking how little content there is in Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash. As much as we'd love to explore the title further, the rabbit hole doesn't go any deeper.
There's fun to be had with Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash if you're jonesing for a fix of Mario Tennis, but it's far from the best in the series, and it comes up short in terms of lasting appeal. While there's something to be said about doing one thing well, this game is as bare bones as it gets. If they had at least the same amount of content as the N64 title, this game could have been something great.
Unless Nintendo decides to give Ultra Smash some Splatoon-esque post-release support, series loyalists should just keep playing old versions
Fun, but nothing on its 11-year old predecessor
Neither issue proves to be a game wrecker thankfully, but do keep Mario Tennis Ultra Smash from reaching the heights of pure fun it might have. Just the same, if you love Mario, tennis (or Pong for that matter), Mario Tennis is still an entertaining option. For social gamers, in particular, who enjoy a good game night in front of the TV, this is a perfect choice.
For the diehard Nintendo or Mario Tennis fan, Ultra Smash is worth a look, but if you're looking for a satisfying new Wii U title this holiday, this probably won't do it for you.
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash is a mechanically decent game that is slew-footed by a lack of interesting gameplay modes. There's online play, but outside of that there's nothing of real substance to be found. As such, the game feels light and lacking, and doesn't have the type of hook that one would hope for. It's a shame, really, given how great Mario Tennis used to be.
Despite these shortcomings, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash does offer a well-made tennis game. Mixing up your shot types, using the new jump, and balancing your use of Chance Shots to catch your opponent off-guard are essential for victory. Local and online multiplayer is competitive, fun, and the true appeal of the game. Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash has all the tools be an elite tennis game, but doesn't offer enough content to achieve that goal.
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash is an odd game to score or recommend. The basic gameplay is strong, has slick performance and handsome if basic visuals; as a multiplayer game it can be enormously enjoyable, too. With options to ignore newfound gimmicks in simple matches included, fans of the franchise that want a HD / 60fps entry to play with friends - or some random opponents online - can find entertainment. Those are positives, but we cannot emphasize enough how phoned-in and thin the content offering is, nor how throwaway Mega Battle is as a tentpole feature. Frankly this shouldn't be a retail game at $49.99 and regional equivalents, as it is at launch; it should be a budget retail game at best.
If Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash were a book, it would have the cover of an epic novel and the pages of a children's book.
A tennis game that lacks motion controls, signature Mario silliness or even the effort for unique cut scenes, the only thing Mario Tennis Ultra Smash has going for it is that it's functional and vaguely entertaining for short periods of time.