To this day, I hate Mario Tennis.
I was an employee at Nintendo, the head designer behind some of the best sports games Nintendo had ever created. By far, my favorite project at the time was ‘Mario Tennis.’
But I dare say that was then.
Today is different. I no longer love the game; I detest it. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself not to play that messed up video game! But it’s no use. I made my bed back then, and I have to sleep in it.
Here’s why. As we were working on an improved version of the game, one of my employees–Tom, I’ll call him–suggested that we include an unknown tennis play, called ‘X’ in the game. Because X wasn’t a Nintendo character, I turned down the idea. “Well, at least check out the demo I made,” Tom said.
My employees left at day’s end, leaving me to close up shop for the night. With time on my hands before leaving for a dinner engagement, I cued up Tom’s demo and began playing.
Mario and Bowser in 1985 (courtesy, YouTube)
The title screen was normal, but soon after that, things started getting messed up. The character selection screen had only Mario, the tennis player named ‘X,’ and Bowser (Mario’s antagonist). But ‘this Bowser’ looked much more dangerous than his iconic self. No matter, I chose X and began playing.
The only setting available was a graveyard with body parts of iconic Mario characters spread all over it. I was appalled! Why did Tom put this in a sports game?!
But that was only the first shock.
The match began, and X won the first round against the demon-looking Bowser. Bowser then won the rest of the matches before a cut-scene played. It showed X being scorched to death by Bowser’s breath. Then came the title, “Mario Tennis 666.”
I was shaken! Why would Tom give me this demo to test? This wasn’t a sports game: it was a sports horror show.
The next day I asked Tom why. He said he was a huge fan of Mario sports games, and that he wanted to be just like me. Impress me?! I told him Nintendo didn’t make that kind of sports game.
The next day I resigned. To this day, I hate Mario Tennis.
(Cover photo From Nintendo & Lukie Games)
