Two of Nintendo's longest-running Mario spin-off series, explained.
Beyond platforming and kart racing, Mario has a long history in sports spin-offs. Mario Golf and Mario Tennis are the two longest-running examples, each with its own dedicated fanbase.
Mario Golf blends straightforward golf mechanics — club selection, shot power, and spin — with Mario-series characters and courses featuring series-specific hazards like Piranha Plants and warp pipes. Recent entries have added RPG-style character progression on top of the core golf gameplay.
Mario Tennis follows a similar formula: recognizable tennis rules layered with character-specific special shots and power-ups. It's built around quick matches, making it a popular local multiplayer pick.
Both series are available on Nintendo Switch, with entries designed to be approachable for players new to golf or tennis simulations, while offering enough depth for series veterans through ranked and tournament modes.
They combine real sport mechanics with arcade-style Mario elements like special shots and character abilities, rather than aiming for full simulation realism.
The most recent mainline entries are available on Nintendo Switch.
Yes, both series are built with local and online multiplayer as a core feature.
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