There are tennis games that aim for realism. And there are tennis games where SpongeBob smashes an ultimate move past a ninja turtle while Aang watches from the other side of the court. It’s with the latter in which Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next! steps onto the court.
Launching on Xbox Series X|S for £24.99, this colourful arcade sports title throws a pile of Nickelodeon favourites together for fast-paced matches, mini-games and couch multiplayer chaos.
At A Glance
- Game: Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next!
- Developer: Old Skull Games
- Publisher: Gameloft
- Platform: Xbox Series X|S
- Price: £24.99
- Genre: Arcade Sports / Party Game
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Nickelodeon games have always worked best when they go full on into the absurdity of their crossover rosters, and Extreme Tennis: Next! appears to embrace that energy from the very first serve. Players can choose from 15 Nickelodeon characters pulled from franchises like SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, each equipped with their own special abilities and over-the-top ultimate moves.
This clearly isn’t trying to compete with the serious simulation side of tennis gaming. It’s much closer to the chaos of arcade party titles, where ridiculous abilities and colourful presentation matter far more than perfect court realism. That vibe could well see it make a play for our best tennis games on Xbox article.
Built For The Sofa Multiplayer Crowd
While there’s a Story Mode included, local multiplayer feels like the real attraction. Even if there is a lack of any online mode.
Split-screen 1v1 matches let players battle it out with friends and family, while mini-games and tournament modes add a bit more variety beyond standard matches. The controls are also designed to be easy to jump into quickly, making this one of those games that could work surprisingly well during family gaming nights or casual sessions with younger players.
There’s even a huge amount of character customisation packed in too, with more than 500 outfits and accessories available.
So yes, if you’ve always wanted to give Patrick Star sunglasses and send him onto Centre Court ahead of Wimbledon, this appears to have you covered.
Silly? Absolutely. Fun? Probably.
Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next! isn’t trying to reinvent sports titles. This is a game that will make players laugh while smashing tennis balls around with cartoon characters. If Old Skull Games have managed to nail the gameplay feel and can keep matches entertaining, this could end up becoming a surprisingly decent little party game for families and Nickelodeon fans alike.
Besides, there’s something oddly satisfying about seeing childhood cartoons settle things with a tennis racket.
You’ll find Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next! on the Xbox Store, playable on Xbox Series X|S.
