Mario Tennis Fever brings the Mushroom Kingdom back to the court with a fast-paced, arcade-style system that rewards players who understand their full shot arsenal. Whether you're picking up a Joy-Con for the first time or transitioning from casual rallies to competitive singles, knowing exactly which shot to throw and when separates winners from spectators. This guide breaks down every shot type, their inputs, their ideal situations, and how to string them together into match-winning sequences.

How Do the Basic Controls Work in Mario Tennis Fever?

Before diving into shot specifics, it helps to understand the foundational control scheme. Mario Tennis Fever supports both Joy-Con and Pro Controller on Nintendo Switch 2, keeping things intuitive without sacrificing depth.

Your left stick handles all movement and shot direction. Tilting it while you swing steers the ball across the court. Timing is everything here: pressing your shot button early as the ball approaches lets you hold a charge for extra power and speed. The longer you hold before contact, the more punch your shot carries.

Shot input controls overlay

What Are All the Shot Types in Mario Tennis Fever?

Here's a full breakdown of every shot available, organized by input and effect:

When Should You Use Each Shot Type?

Knowing the input is only half the battle. Understanding when to deploy each shot is what actually wins matches.

Topspin: Your Rally Foundation

The Topspin (press A) is your bread-and-butter shot. Its orange trail and high bounce force opponents toward the baseline, cutting off their angles and giving you court control. Open rallies with deep topspins after serves to establish dominance early.

The Power Topspin (double-tap A) escalates that pressure with significant knockback, but it drains your stamina. Use it when you're centered on the court and want to punish a weak return, not as a panic option when you're stretched wide.

Slice: The Defensive Reset

When you're under pressure, the Slice (press Y) is your lifeline. Its purple trail, low bounce, and natural curve buy you recovery time during long rallies or when facing aggressive power shots. Think of it as a tempo reset rather than an attacking tool.

The Power Slice (double-tap B) adds extra bite without the error risk, making it ideal when opponents are firing strong returns and you need a reliable, controlled response.

Flat Shot: The Speed Punisher

The Flat Shot (press Y in standard mode, double-tap Y for Power Flat) is low, blistering fast, and perfect for catching slow reactors off guard. It excels against high-bouncing topspins, lobs, and Star Shots. That said, it carries risk, so avoid opening rallies with it. Save it for moments when your opponent gives you a poor return or when you're in an attacking position.

Topspin vs Slice shot paths

Lob: The Net Rusher's Nightmare

The Lob (A + B) arcs high over the court, making it a fantastic positional disruptor against opponents who charge the net. The trick is timing: lob after deep shots so they're already moving forward when the ball sails over their head. Be cautious, though. A poorly timed lob against someone with a strong overhead is a free point for your opponent.

Drop Shot: Punishing Baseline Campers

The Drop Shot (B then A) places the ball just past the net with a short gray trail. It's devastating against players who sit deep at the baseline, dragging them forward in a full sprint. For maximum deception, disguise it with a topspin motion before switching to the drop shot input. Opponents expecting a deep ball will be caught completely flat-footed.

Fever Shot and Star Shot: Match-Turning Specials

These two shots operate on a different level entirely. The Fever Shot (press X when the Fever Gauge is full) is unique to each character and racket combination, making it one of the most exciting systems in the game. Save it for high-leverage moments rather than burning it early in a rally.

The Star Shot (press Y while standing on a glowing star) appears randomly across the court during matches. These stars are worth chasing down because the resulting shot is exceptionally difficult to return under normal circumstances.

Fever gauge shot indicator

Shot Strategy: How to Mix Shots Effectively

Raw knowledge of inputs only goes so far. Here's how to combine shot types into coherent rally strategies:

Controlling the Rally

1. Open with a deep Topspin to push your opponent to the baseline.
2. Follow with another Topspin or switch to a Slice to shift tempo.
3. When they're off-balance or out of position, fire a Power Flat or Drop Shot for the winner.

Defending Under Pressure

1. Use Slice to neutralize aggressive attacks and reset the rally.
2. Mix in a Lob if your opponent is creeping toward the net.
3. Once you've recovered your position, transition back to Topspin to rebuild control.

Finishing with Specials

• Watch the Fever Gauge fill during extended rallies and unleash your Fever Shot when the opponent is out of position.
• Sprint toward glowing stars whenever they appear and use the Star Shot as an instant rally-ender.

Star Shot court positioning

What's the Best Shot to Learn First?

If you're brand new to Mario Tennis Fever, start with Topspin (A). It's the most versatile shot in the game, reliable in both offensive and defensive situations, and it gives you the clearest feedback on timing. Once you're consistently landing deep topspins and controlling rally direction with your left stick, layer in Slice for defense and Drop Shot for variety. Specials like the Fever Shot and Star Shot will feel natural once you have the fundamentals locked in.

The deeper you get into Mario Tennis Fever's shot system, the more you'll appreciate how each input feeds into a broader strategic picture. Singles or doubles, casual or ranked, every rally becomes a puzzle where the right shot at the right moment is the solution.