Announced at last year’s E3, Mario Tennis Open has a confirmed release date of May 25 across Europe and will feature online play for the first time!

The game incorporates a number of control methods to alter just how you control your swings this time around. The bottom touch screen of the 3DS unit will act as a shortcut system for selecting specific shots during matches much like how fighting games offer short cuts to complicated moves while the gyroscope embedded within the system means you can tilt the camera perspective around to get a better view of the action and to better aim your hits. Of course you can still opt to control it via conventional button methods.

Another feature shown of during the presentation is a simple character customization method. My now we come to imagine most of Nintendo’s games will include excuses to get our Miis in on the action, and Mario Tennis is doing just that. You’ll be able to customize the colours and design of your Mii’s clothing and have them crawl the leaderboards and up their stats with their victories!