In roughly one month’s time, Nintendo Switch 2 owners will be treated to the next big Nintendo exclusive, Mario Tennis Fever, the latest sports escapade for everyone’s favorite part-time plumber, part-time athlete. That is assuming the $70 price point is a deal-breaker for you as it was for some Nintendo fans.
Ahead of its official release on February 12, Nintendo premiered an “Overview” trailer, which, beyond detailing all the features of Tennis Fever, also revealed the full 38 character roster, including the debut of the highly-requested Baby Waluigi.
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Now, fans are wondering if Fever’s roster is low-key better than what Mario Kart World has on its side. Turns out, they may have a point.
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First, let’s take a step back. Tennis Fever will launch with 38 characters overall, while Mario Kart World has 50 characters, though many are creatures.
The roster for Tennis Fever is as follows:
- Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Rosalina, Pauline, Wario, Waluigi, Toad, Toadette, Luma, Yoshi, Bowser, Bowser Jr., Donkey Kong, Boo, Shy Guy, Koopa Troopa, Kamek, Spike, Diddy Kong, Chain Chomp, Birdo, Paratroopa, Petey Piranha, Piranha Plant, Boom Boom, Blooper, Dry Bowser, Dry Bones, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Baby Peach, Wiggler, Nabbit, Goomba, Baby Wario, Baby Luigi
The roster for World is as follows:
- Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Rosalina, Yoshi, Toad, Koopa Troopa, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Wario, Waluigi, Pauline, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, Baby Rosalina, Bowser Jr., Toadette, King Boo, Birdo, Shy Guy, Wiggler, Dry Bones, Lakitu, Nabbit, Goomba, Cow, Hammer Bro, Coin Coffer, Piranha Plant, Conkdor, Chargin’ Chuck, Snowman, Sidestepper, Cheep Cheep, Rocky Wrench, Monty Mole, Fish Bone, Dolphin, Penguin, Para-Biddybud, Stingby, Pokey, Cataquack, Peepa, Spike, Pianta, Swoop
“I guess because it actually has characters and not random costumes for existing characters,” one user wrote in response. “But then again…. I think both rosters are pretty good in their own ways.”
That’s a fair assessment, and given the massive history of Mario, it’s almost impossible to get things right. On the other hand, one user noted how Tennis Fever’s roster has the benefit of star power.
“It has a few more well-known and bigger-named characters, such as Diddy Kong and Petey, while Mario Kart World focuses more on smaller characters such as Penguin, Dolphin, and Biddybud, so if you only care for the big names, Tennis Fever does seem better,” one user explained.
Of course, there was no shortage of memes about the roster being better for having Baby Wario and Baby Waluigi alone. They’re not wrong, either, as Baby Waluigi might be my new favorite character.
“Because it’s not half filler,” another wrote.
Assuming Mario Kart World does get some DLC, perhaps the tides will turn. As it stands, based on a pure names’ basis, Tennis Fever might be eating World’s lunch. Now if Nintendo could just give us a new Mario Baseball, my life would be complete.
- Released
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February 12, 2026
- ESRB
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Everyone / Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
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Camelot Software Planning
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo EPD
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