Mario Tennis Open

Mario Tennis Open is coming to 3DS owners later this month, and today Nintendo revealed some new gameplay details about the game—along with 10 new screenshots.

Here are the new details we now know about, straight from Nintendo:

Online Play: Mario Tennis Open players can compete and cooperate in local wireless matches with other opponents and play exhilarating games. Players can also build up their Open Match standings, check the monthly leaderboard and win Victory Medals from every challenger they defeat.

Ink Showdown: In this fast-paced competition, Piranha Plants spit ink balls from the back edge of the court. Players must destroy the ink balls before they splatter, while hitting tennis balls away from an opponent.

StreetPass Features: Players can inspire friendly competition by using the Nintendo 3DS system’s StreetPass feature. They can engage in competitive StreetPass Matches or cooperative Ring Shot challenges with computer-controlled versions of people they encounter and share their StreetPass winning streak. StreetPass can also be used to show off players’ Mii characters, which can be customized with new outfits and accessories that can improve their on-court performance. As users play, new items for their Mii will be unlocked in the Item Shop.

Unlockable Characters: New and familiar Nintendo characters can be unlocked – some through game play, others via special QR Codes. Unlockable characters include Luma, Baby Mario and Dry Bowser.

I can’t say I’m really huge into tennis games, but I’m sure Mario Tennis Open will have the same high level of quality that all of Nintendo’s recent 3DS releases have had. You’ve got to give it to them—after a rocky start with the handheld, Nintendo has put some serious effort into turning the system around.