Both Mario Golf: Super Rush and Tennis Aces are some of the best Mario sports games that offer a uniquely compelling approach to sports, with their main focus being on the equally great multiplayer mode. However, despite these initial similarities, the games actually feature more differences than common points.
Although Nintendo seems to have taken the feedback from Tennis Aces and improved some game features in Super Rush, others have been fully neglected and make it seem as if Super Rush hasn't improved upon Tennis Aces at all.
Better: Story Mode
Although story mode isn't the best part of Mario Golf: Super Rush, it's still a solid feature. With multiple levels and bosses at the end, it is an enjoyable game mode that teaches players the basic mechanics of the game.
On the other hand, in Tennis Aces the story feels slightly strange, as the plot refers to an evil racket that takes control of Luigi and tries to rule the world. In short, the Tennis Aces story isn't exactly fitting for a sports game, while Super Rush's is.
Worse: No Highlights
One unfortunately missing feature of Super Rush is the lack of highlights for players that manage to get a perfect shot. It doesn't feel rewarding and the player doesn't get the chance to show off a bit.
On the contrary, Tennis Aces includes some great highlight reel mechanics that accurately capture a match's best elements and even allow the players to reflect on their previous gameplay and see what they could improve.
Better: Default Golf Mode
Mario sports games have taken a turn away from the classic sports gameplay by introducing special dashes, shots, and time-slowing abilities. Although both games capture this perspective in an amazing way, only Super Rush includes a default game mode for loyal sports fans.
Sometimes playing the default sport is what the players are looking for, and Tennis Aces doesn't include it. Tennis Aces does feature a mode that's played with no obstacles and uses the joystick as a racket, but it is not exactly the most enjoyable gaming experience.
Worse: Fast-Paced Game Mode Focused On Avoiding Opponents
While Battle Golf seems like an interesting and unique game mode, the actual gameplay often doesn't feel like it. There is constant chaos going on between other players and map obstacles, while the player's best chance to win is to try to fully avoid any confrontation with others.
In order to come out on top, it's all about going for holes at the side of the map where others won't follow and taking these free shots. Tennis Aces has dodged this bullet by not splitting its gameplay into different game modes.
Better: Multiple Gamemodes
While Tennis Aces has tried to add everything into one game mode, the lack of other options feels underwhelming, especially when compared to Super Rush's multiple unique game modes.
Although each game mode clearly isn't going to be for everyone, it's easier for fans to find their preferred playstyle from the numerous options that Super Rush offers instead of the lone offering in Tennis Aces. These game modes make Super Rush more fun and replayable, even making it comparable to some of the best Mario games to date.
Worse: AI Difficulties
One of the most surprising features in Super Rush is that there is no distinct way to change the AI's difficulty to train more efficiently.
Instead, Tennis Aces offers 5 levels of difficulty, with the highest one (Ace) being seen by many fans as almost impossible. That is exceptionally off-putting for a Mario game, a franchise known for its accessibility to beginners. For players who don't prefer online gameplay, Super Rush falls short while Tennis Aces offers great replayability of AI games.
Better: Unique Characters
Although Tennis Aces characters are split into categories based on their playing type, they don't exactly feel as unique as they do in Super Rush. In the latter game, each character has a unique playing style, but also includes a special shot and a special dash.
Due to that, choosing the right character is more important and influential on Super Rush than in Tennis Aces, and that also means that Rush offers more distinct play options.
Worse: No Chilled Experience
While in Tennis Aces players have some time to take a breath between rounds, Super Rush feels, as its name suggests, like an experience where the player is constantly rushing to the ball without a break.
This is especially evident in two of the game modes: Speed Golf and Battle Golf. There, the player is trying to hit the ball as fast and as often as possible, so despite golf's reputation as a somewhat relaxing sport, Super Rush feels hectic and overly intense.
Better: Detailed Maps
Although Tennis Aces has multiple great and distinct maps, they lack the in-depth features and variety of Super Rush.
Each level in Super Rush is completely unique, so each game feels like a completely new experience. From the pokeys and the piranha plants that fill each map to the uniquely detailed scenery in the background, one of Super Rush's best elements is undoubtedly its map design.
Worse: No Slow Mode
One of the best features in Tennis Aces that allows games to last longer and players to have more fun is the slow mode (that comes at the cost of some of the player's gauge).
Although it was one of the fans' favorite features in Tennis Aces, Nintendo decided not to add it at all in Super Rush. However, most fans argue that a slow mode would fit perfectly in Super Rush's special game modes, especially on Speed Golf.