REVIEW: Mario Tennis 64 2000, Nintendo 64
	By: Camelot Software Type: Tennis Players: 1-4 Difficulty: Medium

Mario serves up another ace! Mario Tennis is the newest addition to the Mario Sports games. First we saw Mario Golf, which was a great game for N64, but it got a little on the boring side. Mario Tennis on the other hand is full of action and multiplayer fun! It is a must have if you have a N64 and a couple friends.

Right off the bat there are 14 characters to use. They are Mario, Luigi, Peach, Baby Mario, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Boo, Wario, Waluigi, Toad, Bowser, Birdo and Paratroopa. The characters each excel in a different category such as speed, power, and control, having tricky shots and of course being all - around. There are also two secret characters - DK Jr. and Shyguy.

There are almost as many modes in the game as there are characters. There is an Exhibition, Tournament, Ring Mode, Bowser stage and Piranna Plant Challenge. Exhibition is a regular tennis game. Tournament is a tournament. In Ring Mode you must hit the ball though rings under different circumstances such as under a certain amount of time or with a limited number of balls. The Bowser Stage is a tennis court hanging on chains over a pit of lava. The court tilts and turns. There are 5 items you can use on the Bowser Stage: 3 green shells, a red shell, a star, a mushroom and a lightning bolt. Last but not least Piranha Plant Challenge is a game with 3 piranha plants that spit balls at you. You must try to hit them past your rival.

The graphics in this game are fairly good. The characters are not as rounded out as in other games though.
The sound is good too. The characters say things when they hit the ball. They taunt each other too. The music is good but it is not that loud which is good so it doesn't distract you when you are playing the game.

The controls are simple and very easy to pick up. All you have to use is A, B, the control stick and occasionally the Z button. A does a topspin and B does a lob. You can charge up your shots to make the ball faster and farther.

 
Birdo and Donkey Kong

You will surely be playing this game for a long time. It has lots of replay value and is hard to put down. There are also passwords that will let you play Ring Tournaments. You can wind the passwords at www.mariotennis.com and Nintendo Power magazine.

Overall this is one of the best N64 games. It is definitely the best multiplayer game for N64. Watch out Goldeneye, Smash Bros. and Perfect Dark 'cause Mario Tennis is coming to town! - Diddykong 99%

[Key to the reviewing system]