The Next Nintendo Switch Mario Game Is Getting A Free Beta, Here's When

One of the big Switch exclusives coming this year, Mario Tennis Aces, is getting a beta in June, Nintendo has announced. The sports game's Pre-Launch Online Tournament will run from June 1-3, although the exact start and end times will vary by region. You can find the full announced schedule below.

Four characters are playable at the start of the demo: Mario, Peach, Yoshi, and Bowser. If you gain enough performance-related points, you can unlock a further five characters, though it's not clear who these are. Matches are playable online against other people around the world or in single-player against AI-controlled opponents, but in this trial you'll need to be connected to the internet at all times no matter which mode you play. Nintendo also states that "all participants" will be able to unlock a free additional costume--Mario's traditional dungarees--for use in the full game, though it's not currently known whether you must achieve some feat to unlock this or if it's awarded to you just by taking part.

Mario Tennis Aces is coming to Switch on June 22. It introduces new mechanics such as precise Zone Shots and time-bending Zone Speed, as well as ultra-powerful Special Shots and more.

Aces is the first new installment in the series since 2015's Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash for Wii U. It also marks the first Mario Tennis game since the Game Boy Advance entry, Mario Tennis: Power Tour, to feature a single-player story mode.

Mario Tennis Aces was first revealed during the surprise Nintendo Direct Mini presentation that aired back in January. The game is developed by Camelot, the studio behind the Golden Sun series and numerous other Mario Sports titles.

Mario Tennis Aces Online Tournament Schedule

North America

• June 1, 6 PM - June 3, 11:59 PM PT
• June 1, 9 PM - June 4, 2:59 AM ET

Europe

• June 1, 3 PM BST - June 3, 11:59 PM BST
• June 1, 4 PM CEST - June 4, 12:59 AM CEST