Following the formula it set with the handheld Mario Golf, Camelot made the Game Boy Color Mario Tennis a role-playing game wearing tennis whites. Released in Japan in late 2000 alongside the Nintendo 64 game, it casts you as a rookie at a tennis academy who has to climb the school's ranks, beat rival players in singles and doubles, and eventually earn the right to face Mario himself.
Matches build experience, and leveling up gives points to put into power, speed, control and spin, so your player slowly turns from a weak server into a contender with a style you chose. Between tournaments there are training drills and mini-games that teach specific shots and grant extra experience. The tennis is fast and readable even on the small screen, built on the topspin-versus-slice shot system Camelot used on the N64. Linking with the console version through the Transfer Pak let your trained player and unlocked characters move between the two games.
Tips for Mario Tennis
Use the training drills between matches; they give experience without risking a loss in the rankings.
Mix topspin and slice shots to pull opponents out of position, then hit to the open side of the court.
Put early stat points into speed so you can reach drop shots and wide returns.
How to Play Mario Tennis
Click Play Now to launch Mario Tennis directly in your browser — no downloads or plugins needed. Arrows move your player, Z hits a topspin shot and X hits a slice; pressing them in combination produces lobs and drop shots. Enter pauses and opens menus. You can also connect a USB or Bluetooth gamepad for a more authentic feel.
Save states let you save your progress at any point. Create a free account to sync saves across devices. Press F11 for fullscreen mode.
To play Mario Tennis, simply hit the "Play Now" button on this page. The game loads instantly in your browser using an embedded emulator — no plugins, downloads, or setup required.
Is Mario Tennis free to play?
Absolutely! Mario Tennis is 100% free on RetroVault.GG. No subscriptions, no hidden fees — just open the page and play.
What console is Mario Tennis for?
Originally a Game Boy Color game, Mario Tennis can now be played directly in your browser here on RetroVault.GG with no setup needed.
What genre is Mario Tennis?
Mario Tennis is a platformer, sports game. It was made for the Game Boy Color.
Can I play Mario Tennis on my phone?
Yes, RetroVault.GG works on mobile browsers. Visit the game page on your phone or tablet and tap Play Now to start playing Mario Tennis.