Gaming under the Christmas tree: The three best tennis games for the Nintendo Switch
In a small series we present you the best tennis video games that are currently available for purchase. Neatly sorted by platform. The Nintendo Switch is the first.
by Stefan Bergmann
last edit: Dec 01, 2022, 05:39 pm
Ever since the early 1980s, Nintendo's game consoles have always been geared towards a target audience of children and young people - with all the consequences. Devices such as the Super Nintendo, the Wii or now the Switch have rightly earned their undisputed places as the ultimate family toys. At the same time, you often look in vain for games for adults with more depth on the systems of the traditional Japanese company, even if a certain opening has taken place in this regard in recent years. Nevertheless: If you are looking for real sports simulations, you will find them at Sony, Microsoft or Apple. If brightly colored couch entertainment is more important, you can't go wrong with these three titles on the switch:
3rd place: Instant Sports Tennis (manufacturer: Markt & Technik; price: approx. 20 euros)
The spiritual successor to "Wii Sports Tennis" brings real movement into the booth - if that's what you want. With the easily accessible title, you can choose between classic gamepad controls or familiar motion control fumbling. What you ultimately decide on is hardly important, because if you rely on things like realistic hitting points or strategically used shot variations, you are in the wrong place with "Instant Sport Tennis" anyway. This is about quick ad hoc fun without a long preparation time, but also without real permanent motivation. Things like career mode or management approaches are missing here, as are attractive graphics. On the other hand, if you only want to hit a few balls at home in front of the TV from time to time, you can grab it without hesitation, also because of the low purchase price. Conclusion: enough
2nd place: AO Tennis 2 (manufacturer: Bigben Interactive; price: approx. 30 euros)
On the second podium, a serious tennis simulation made itself comfortable on the switch. AO (Australian Open) Tennis 2 is the second installment in a series of games that originated in January 2018. Part one still suffered from stiff animations, strange ball physics and notchy controls, in the sequel almost all gameplay problems have been eliminated, except for the still annoying net game. Graphically, the game from Bigben Interactive still doesn't really look ready for the top ten, but as far as realistic tennis on the Nintendo Switch is concerned, the end of the road has been reached so far. At a higher level of difficulty you really have to master all stroke variants such as top spin, slice or stop in order to be able to counter the good strategies of the AI opponents with something decisive. The detailed career mode with tournament calendar and management functions also adds something to the good package for longer-lasting gaming fun. In addition, a few official professional licenses are on board - the 3D models are not too reminiscent of the originals, however. Conclusion: good
1st place: Mario Tennis Aces (manufacturer: Nintendo; price: approx. 50 euros)
Like the successor console to the Nintendo Wii, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash on the Wii U was a real non-starter. And rightly so. While Nintendo's past fun tennis incarnations had a variety of game modes to offer, in 2015 there were only dozens of them - and not even in particularly nice packaging. It is gratifying that the console manufacturer from Kyoto usually learns from mistakes and has once again put together a perfectly balanced games bundle for the sequel for the switch. If you are not too bothered by the brightly colored look, the comic-like special hits and the (very likeable) crazy characters, you can have both short-term multiplayer fun on the couch with the little masterpiece and as a lone fighter in story mode, albeit an exciting one Experience a child-friendly tennis story with Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and the villain Bowser. For Nintendo fans there are probably no two opinions anyway, if you like precise and detailed gameplay, you shouldn't be put off by the sugar-sweet packaging. Our clear purchase recommendation! Conclusion: very good