Nintendo have released some exciting new details about upcoming Wii U title, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, including how amiibos work with the game, details of new moves, gameplay modes and controller options.
Amiibos will serve as doubles partners or be used to take on strong computer-controlled players, and can be leveled up by playing more matches. Compatible amiibo include most of Mario’s closest pals, including Yoshi, Toad, Peach and Bowser.
To help slam your way through matches comes a new move called the Ultra Smash, which sees players leap high into the air to smash the ball down with a much higher force than usual. The colorful circles that you may have noticed in the trailer are actually called Colorful Chance Areas, and occasionally appear to help players pull off this devastating move.
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash looks set to include four game modes:
- Knockout Challenge, where single players work their way through tie breakers of increasing difficulty
- Mega Battle, where players use Mega Mushrooms to increase their power
- Classic Tennis, for a more traditional tennis match, with variations on the types of shots allowed
- Online Multiplayer, which sees players battle others from around the world, with two players per console.
The full press release is available below. Are you excited about Mario’s upcoming sporting outing? Let us know all your thoughts on Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash in the comments section below.
REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Mario and other residents of the Mushroom Kingdom head back to the tennis court on Nov. 20 in the Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash game for the Wii U home console. And Nintendo has served up lots of new details about the game:
Mario and other residents of the Mushroom Kingdom head back to the tennis court on Nov. 20 in the Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash game for the Wii U home console. (Photo: Business Wire)
amiibo Compatibility: Players can choose supported amiibo figures to be partners in online doubles matches, or players can enlist them to battle strong computer-controlled opponents in the offline Knockout Challenge mode. The more matches an amiibo plays, the more experience and skill it will gain. Currently available compatible amiibo include Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, Yarn Yoshis, Rosalina, Wario, Toad and Donkey Kong.
New Moves: On top of standard shots like topspin, lobs and slices, the new Ultra Smash move sees characters leap high into the air and smash the ball down to devastating effect. Colorful Chance Areas occasionally appear to help players unleash super-strong smash or bamboozling slices to flummox adversaries on the other side of the net.
Game-Play Modes:
- Knockout Challenge: Tense tiebreak matches against increasingly difficult computer-controlled opponents await in this single-player mode. If the going gets too tough, players can call in a compatible amiibo as a doubles partner.
- Mega Battle: After grabbing a Mega Mushroom, characters grow to gigantic proportions and can dominate the court with their increased power and range.
- Classic Tennis: For those who prefer their tennis a little more traditional, Classic Tennis offers two variations: Standard mode features Chance Shots and Jump Shots but no Mega Mushrooms, while Simple puts competitors on the court with nothing but the net and the ball.
- Online Multiplayer: Go up against adversaries from around the world in competitive ranked play in either Mega Battle or Classic Tennis modes, or quickly jump into more casual matches. Two players on the same console can team up to take on all comers, or a supported amiibo can join as a doubles partner on the online courts.
Multiple Controller Options: Players can choose their favorite control option, as the game supports the Wii U GamePad, Wii Remote, Wii U Pro Controller and Classic Controller Pro options.
For more information about Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, visit http://mariotennis.nintendo.