Mario Tennis Fever Announced for Nintendo Switch 2, Serving Up New Gameplay and a Wild Adventure

The latest Nintendo Direct delivered a smash hit for sports fans with the official announcement of “Mario Tennis Fever,” a new entry in the long-running series set to launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2. Developed by Camelot Software Planning, the game is scheduled to be released on February 12, 2026, as part of the ongoing celebrations for the Super Mario Bros. 40th Anniversary. This highly anticipated title promises to blend classic tennis action with bizarre new mechanics and a surprisingly deep adventure mode.

While the previous installment, “Mario Tennis Aces,” was praised for its competitive depth, some fans felt its single-player content was lacking. “Mario Tennis Fever” aims to address this by introducing a rich new Adventure Mode and a suite of innovative gameplay features, fully leveraging the power and capabilities of the new console hardware. The game is poised to be a major title in the Switch 2’s launch window, appealing to both casual players and competitive enthusiasts with its mix of chaotic fun and strategic gameplay.

New Features: Fever Rackets, Baby Characters, and Wonder Effects

“Mario Tennis Fever” is more than just a graphical upgrade; it’s a complete overhaul of the series’ core mechanics. The most significant new addition is the “Fever Racket” system. Players can now equip one of 30 different rackets, each with its own unique special ability. By keeping a rally going and building up a “Fever Gauge,” players can unleash powerful “Fever Shots” that create a variety of wild effects on the court. Examples shown in the trailer include a racket that duplicates the player’s character, another that freezes parts of the court, and even one that shrinks the opponent.

The game also features the largest roster in series history, with 38 playable characters. This lineup includes many fan-favorites and marks the debut of several “Baby” characters in the tennis series, such as Baby Waluigi and Baby Luigi. These new characters are a core part of the game’s quirky new Adventure Mode, which sees Mario and his friends mysteriously transformed into their infant forms and tasked with defeating monsters to return to normal. This story-driven mode, complete with new cutscenes, provides a compelling reason to play through the single-player content and promises to add a new layer of charm to the game.

Furthermore, “Mario Tennis Fever” will incorporate “Wonder effects” inspired by “Super Mario Bros. Wonder.” These can be triggered in a new “Mix It Up” mode, adding a layer of unpredictable chaos to matches. The game also supports the new Joy-Con 2 motion controls in a dedicated “Swing Mode,” offering a more immersive and interactive tennis experience for players.

• Fever Rackets: A new mechanic allowing players to equip rackets with unique special abilities, activated by filling a gauge.
• Expanded Roster: The game features 38 playable characters, the most in the series’ history.
• Adventure Mode: A new, story-driven single-player campaign where players must help the baby versions of Mario and his friends revert to their original forms.
• Wonder Effects: A new mode that introduces chaotic, unpredictable effects to matches, reminiscent of “Super Mario Bros. Wonder.”

With its blend of classic sports action, innovative new mechanics, and a charmingly bizarre story mode, “Mario Tennis Fever” is set to be a standout title for the Nintendo Switch 2. The game’s focus on both competitive play and single-player content, coupled with its robust online and local multiplayer options, makes it a must-buy for fans of the franchise. It’s a game that could not only appeal to the dedicated “Mario Tennis” community but also attract a new wave of players with its fresh take on the genre.