About this game
Mario Tennis (2000) defined what a Mario sports game could be: tight arcade mechanics wrapped in franchise characters, with enough depth to reward serious players. Developed by Camelot Software Planning, who had built their reputation with the RPG duo Golden Sun and the Game Boy Color Mario Golf, this N64 entry popularised 2D tennis for a new generation. It introduced Waluigi as a playable character and shipped alongside a Game Boy Color version that allowed cross-platform character import — a feature that startled players in 2000.
Key Features
The roster spans 16 characters, each with distinct stat profiles: Power, Speed, Technique, Tricky, and All-Around types ensure every matchup feels different. Topspin, slice, drop shots, and lobs are mapped to four face buttons, giving casual players instant fun and skilled players a full tactical vocabulary. The tournament mode, Ring Shot mini-game, and multiplayer up to four players made it a party staple across Japan.
Gallery
The Story Behind
Mario Tennis arrived at the very end of the N64's lifespan — the GameCube was announced just months later — yet it became one of the system's best-selling titles in Japan. Camelot had previously developed the well-received Mario Golf (1999) for both N64 and GBC, establishing the template Mario Tennis would refine. The cross-platform GBC link feature, which allowed players to train a character in the GBC version and transfer them to N64, was an early proof-of-concept for what handhelds and home consoles could do together.
Tricks & Tales
Mario Tennis (2000) marks the debut of Waluigi, who was created specifically for this game as a rival for Luigi. Waluigi has never appeared as a playable character in a mainline Mario platformer, yet has remained a fixture in the Mario sports and party spin-off universe ever since. The Game Boy Color companion version allowed players to raise a unique tennis character through RPG-like levelling and transfer them to the N64 version for competitive play.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
Content is consistent across all regions. The Game Boy Color companion version (Mario Tennis GBC) supports character transfer with this N64 cartridge only, and the GBC version is separate from this listing.
Maintenance Tips
Standard N64 cartridge care: clean the edge connector with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab. No internal battery — save data is stored on EEPROM and does not require battery replacement.
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
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