Serious tennis games are all well and good, but there's definitely room for more light-hearted takes on the sport, as Mario Tennis Aces proves. That fine title is getting some competition in the form of Alphawing Games' Gachinco Tennis S, which has just gone live on the Japanese Switch eShop for ¥1,200.
Described as an "action game" which uses a simplistic control method (thanks, Gematsu), Gachinco Tennis S sports a deliberately low-resolution look which calls to mind the N64 era.
One of the game's most unique elements is the "Magic Ball", which is accessible at the press of a button and triggers a powerful shot. Each of the 24 players has their own unique "Magic Ball" move, all of which result in amazing visual effects. You can also switch between players mid-match using the game's wrestling-style tag-team system.
Here are some key features, direct from the Japanese eShop page:
- Tag-Style Matches – Select two characters at the start of the game and switch between them instantly during the match.
- Tag Tournaments – A tournament in which all eight teams participate. With without continues to face new challengers. By defeating these challengers, you can unlock them as playable characters.
- Knockout Battles – Play a series of tie-breaker matches against challenger after challenger.
- Two Movement Styles – Move on your own with “Manual Mode,” or move automatically and focus on shooting with “Auto Mode.”
- One Joy-Con Per Player Multiplayer – Play local multiplayer with a friend, with each player using one Joy-Con.
- 3D pixel art graphics.
- Stamina and Spirit gauges.
- Magic Count that displays Magic Ball number of uses.
- Berserker Mode with unlimited Magic Balls.
- Magic Ball reversals that can send back the opponent’s Magic Ball.
- Stunned state that indicates the player is out of stamina.
- Racket destruction that enables the player to destroy the racket of a stunned opponent.
- Strong areas that indicate each character’s strong spots.
- Recovery items that randomly appear.
Sadly, there's no word on whether or not this will be getting a western release, but the moment we know, you will, too.
[source gematsu.com, via gonintendo.com]
Comments (16)
I came here hoping it'd look really bad so I could make a joke about it being good competition for Mario Tennis Aces but as far as low budget tennis games go, it looks alright.
@BenAV I love the visual style, for sure!
WOAAAH...!!! 😲😲😲
I know that game !
That was a Chinese Arcade game that have ever appeared on one of my local Game Arcade.
The title was G-Spirit Tennis.
And now that game on Nintendo Switch ?! 🤯
Physical release, please !!!
Love the 90s style music! If it doesn't come out here I might make a Japanese account and download this as I do like tennis games but not enough to pay Mario Tennis prices... Should work out to around £8. I wonder if you can switch on English text?
@Clyde_Radcliffe Japanese is the only language option according to its eShop page.
I was hoping it had a Story Mode like Mario Tennis on GBC and GBA.
I love the PS2 look! (Not being ironic here)
@Anti-Matter So, was it any good? I assume yes, judging by your reaction
@PosterBoy
The Switch version looks different than the Arcade version i knew long time ago.
From the trailer i saw, it looks like the game has been added with a lot of fancy attack moves.
Chibi design, check.
Fancy tennis shots, check.
Cross my finger for English version and physical release.
It would be cool an open-world/sandbox game with theses visuals. I really loved.
After reading "3D pixel art" I had to go back and get a closer look on the models. They mean the texture, right?
They remind me of the humans in the Mario Tennis Game boy games haha
Whoever made Aces screwed the pooch by using split screen.
Kinda makes me wish Arc System Works would make HD entries in their "Family" arcade sports lineup that they loaded the 3DS eShop with.
I actually played a ton of Family Tennis 3D & a Solitaire (card game) that was part of the range too (I know they made a bunch though, including bowling, kart racing, & volleyball entries, amongst a few others).
This doesn't look bad, though I'd like to see more themed courts.
@nerdface That’s my least favourite part about the game! It’s super annoying on multiplayer. The simple rules mode is great, but I wish you could toggle off the splitscreen. Tennis for 64 still remains on top
MT64 is the greatest elbow bumper of all time! Better than Smash...better than Goldeneye, or Halo.
Everyone gets a turn in the back-court. The different arcade-like modifiers were fantastic!
I wish I had a cart of that still...and an N64 to play it...and some nerd friends...and the end of the pandemic...lol
I sold Aces :/
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