Mario Tennis Aces

Success in Mario Tennis Aces relies on your knowledge of core fundamentals of the game. From the basic shot types to new game mechanics, you're sure to find useful information in this section.

This section provides a thorough list of important information you should familiarize yourself with before playing.

Game Rules

Because Mario Tennis Aces is a sports game, it's important to be aware of the rules of tennis. As with any sport, there are a tons of terms that define the sport itself, and tennis is no exception. Here's a generalized breakdown of the rules of tennis:

Objective

The objective of tennis is to outscore your opponent by forcing them to fail in returning the ball to you. Tennis matches are played by playing a specified number of games within a specified number of sets. To win a tennis match, you must win the specified number of sets; to win a set, you must win the specified number of games within it.

If a set is tied, the game will enter a tiebreaker. When playing a tiebreaker, the first player to score seven points is the winner. If the score of the tiebreaker becomes tied at 6-6, the tiebreaker will continue until a player is ahead by two points.

Serving

The server must send the ball to the receiver's side of the court, and on the opposite side of where the serve was made from. For example, if the server starts on the left side of the court, the ball must be served to the right side of the court on the opponent's side (as viewed by the server - it will end up being the same side of the court for the receiver). See the diagram below for an illustration.

If the serve is made on the blue line, it must impact the blue zone on the opposite side of the court. Similarly, if the serve is made on the green line, it must impact the green zone on the opposite side of the court.

If a serve does not enter the proper side of the court, it is considered a fault, and the serve will be reattempted. If a second fault occurs, it is considered a double fault, and the point will be awarded to the other player.

If a served ball hits the net and bounces into the correct area of play, it is called a let, and the serve will be reattempted.

Play Area

Playing the ball must occur within established boundaries. These boundaries start from the net and extend to painted lines on the court. See the diagram below for an illustration.

The blue lines denote the play area for doubles play. The green lines denote the play area for singles play.

If the ball is played outside of these established boundaries, it is considered out, and the point is awarded to the other player.

Scoring

Scoring in tennis is accomplished by causing your opponent to fail in returning the ball to you. If your opponent is unable to legally return a ball to you, you are awarded a point. In tennis, scoring is always announced in this format: server's score - receiver's score.

Scoring in tennis is unique, where points are counted at 15, 30, and 40. A game is won when a player scores again after reaching 40.

A deuce occurs when both players reach 40. When a game is in a deuce, a player must score twice consecutively to win the game. The first player to score after a deuce is given the advantage - often abbreviated as Adv. - if the player scores again while on the advantage, the game is won; if the opponent scores, the game returns to a deuce.

Service Aces

A service ace occurs when the ball is legally served to an opponent and is not legally returned. A service ace results in the point being awarded to the server.

Return Aces

Similar to service aces, a return ace occurs when the ball is legally returned after a serve, and the server fails to legally continue the point. Return aces are only considered for the immediate play after the serve.

Basic Shots

These shots are the fundamental basics of playing tennis, and you should quickly learn how to perform and counter these types of shots.

Serving the Ball

A serve (or service) begins a point rally and is hit to your opponent. You can use any shot button to start a serve, then press it again to swing. Pay attention to the ball when serving; if you can deliver the serve when the ball reaches its maximum height, a "NICE" message will appear by your character, and the serve will be a bit more powerful.

Topspin

This type of shot is fast and has a high bounce. Press to execute a topspin shot. This shot can be identified by a red trail behind the ball. Using these shots with a Max Charge Shot will cause your opponent to be knocked back a little.

Note: Counter these shots by returning the ball with a Slice Shot to reduce the knock-back effect.

Swing Mode Controls: To perform this shot in Swing Mode, swing the Joy-Con controller diagonally from your waist up.

Slice

This type of shot is slow and doesn't have much bounce, however it curves to the side quite a bit. Press to perform a slice. Use the Left Joystick to put even more curve on the shot. Slice shots have a blue trail behind the ball. Using this shot with a Max Charge Shot will cause your opponent to spin and be knocked back a little.

Note: Counter these shots by returning the ball with a Topspin Shot to reduce the knock-back effect.

Swing Mode Controls: To perform this shot in Swing Mode, swing the Joy-Con controller diagonally from your shoulder down.

Flat

This shot is the fastest basic shot available, but doesn't have a lot of bounce. Press to perform this shot. Flat shots have a purple trail behind the ball.

Note: Counter these shots by returning the ball with a Flat Shot to reduce the knock-back effect.

Swing Mode Controls

Starting Mario Tennis Aces automatically places you into Adventure Mode. While it functions as an expanded tutorial, you can still find enjoyment playing through it. Completing stages within Adventure Mode unlocks different courts for use in Free Mode and Swing Mode, making it worthwhile for court unlocks alone.

It is possible to gain levels in Adventure Mode, but tracking the stats gained from each level is not important. The benefits from leveling up are mostly insignificant, and successfully completing challenges depends entirely on your skill. However, the additional stats gained from leveling up in Adventure Mode can make some challenges easier, though they still require your ability to complete them.

You can use the navigation menu to select an area, or click on a link below:

• Bask Ruins
• Piranha Plant Forest
• Mirage Mansion
• Snowfall Mountain
• Savage Sea
• Inferno Island
• Marina Stadium: Revisited

At the first fork in your path, go right to reach Bask Ruins. You'll be told that only tennis players are allowed there, so prove your worth by defeating Dry Bones in a match.

Objective: _Defeat Dry Bones in a match_
Match Details: _One-game, one-set match_
Difficulty: _Easy_

This match is fairly straightforward, as it serves as a basic tutorial on how to play. Follow the prompts that Dry Bones supplies to learn the basic fundamentals of playing. Use the information you're provided to defeat Dry Bones in an otherwise easy match.

After defeating Dry Bones, some dialog is exchanged and you're given permission to continue. Follow the path ahead to the next point and enter the Temple of Bask.

Temple of Bask

Upon entry of the Temple of Bask, you are put on trial and cannot proceed until you satisfy the puzzle requirements. You must perform the indicated shots on the wall in front of you by returning the ball to the open space on the wall.

Objective: _Prove your tennis skills and solve the gate puzzle_
Difficulty: _Easy_

This challenge is meant to teach you about the four basic shot types and some skills that can be used to make playing the game easier.

When you've performed the requested shot types, you then have to use those different shots to open the Gate of Trials. Once again, perform the indicated shot type and target your shot to impact the open side of the wall. After completing these ten shots successfully, the gate opens and you'll learn about more advanced techniques.

Zone Shot

This next part of this quest involves you learning about the Zone Shot. Begin the rally by serving to your opponent. When the serve is returned, run to the Star Point on your side of the court and press the R Button. This will bring you up into a targeting view, which allows you to pinpoint the precise point of impact for your shot. Choose a location and press a shot button to send the ball to that location. After completing this, you're given the option to practice as many times as you'd like before moving on.

Zone Speed

When you continue, you'll learn that there's a method to counter a zone shot by using Zone Speed. Complete this objective by serving the ball, and holding the R Button as the ball returns to you. Hit the ball with a shot button to complete this objective. Again, you're given the option to practice before moving on.

Block

The next technique you learn is a Block. Wait for the ball to be served to you and press a shot button to block the shot. This must be perfectly timed in order to be successful, and it helps to use Zone Speed to increase your chance of being successful. Once more, you're able to practice this until you're comfortable in performing it.

Max Charge Shot

After completing these techniques, you'll learn about using Energy, which is required to perform the advanced techniques you've learned up to this point and is acquired by continuing rallies and charging shots. You'll also learn about completing Max Charge Shots. For the next challenge, you must perform a Max Charge Shot and successfully win the point. Serve the ball to begin the rally, then anticipate where you think the ball will be returned to you. Immediately press a shot button to start charging your shot. A Max Charge Shot will occur when you see your racket spin. Win the point to complete this challenge. Also, as with the other challenges, practice this until you feel content, then move on.

Trick Shot

Trick Shots are high-risk, high reward shots that will quickly charge your Energy Gauge. Complete a Trick Shot at the right time to gain energy; if your timing is off, you'll _lose energy_. This challenge is a slight bit more difficult than the past few challenges. To complete it, wait for the ball to be returned to you, and quickly tilt the R Joystick in the direction the ball appears to be traveling. If you time it correctly, you'll receive a message saying, " _Your reaction time was fantastic!_" Pay attention to the light purple zone on your side of the court; the ball must impact in that zone in order for your timing to be correct. Practice as many times as you'd like and move on when you're ready.

Special Shot

Special Shots can be completed when your Energy Gauge is full. These are devastatingly powerful shots that your opponent must return with perfect timing to avoid breaking their racket. To complete this challenge, charge your Energy Gauge (if it isn't full already), and press the L Button when the ball is returned to you to enter a targeting view. Choose the impact location as you did with Zone Shots, and press a shot button to send the ball in that direction. You're able to practice this as much as you'd like.

When you've completed all of the special techniques, you'll learn the locations in which you need to travel to obtain the five Sacred Stones.

Completing this area allows you to play the Bask Ruins court in Free Play and Swing Modes.