Mario Tennis Aces online tournament demo set for June 1 to 3 in the west

Following yesterday’s announcement of a Japanese demo, Nintendo has confirmed a Mario Tennis Aces pre-launch online tournament demo will run from June 1 at 6:00 p.m. PT to June 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT in North America and Europe.

Here is an overview of the demo, via Nintendo:

From June 1 to June 3, you will be able to hop online to participate in a free pre-launch tournament for Mario Tennis Aces. This will give you plenty of time to practice your Trick Shots before the game launches for Nintendo Switch on June 22.

To access the tournament, just download the free software from Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch between May 24 and the start of the tournament. Once you join the tournament between June 1 and June 3, you can select between four main playable characters (Mario, Peach, Yoshi or Bowser) and compete in a series of online multiplayer matches. The winners of each match will earn points based on their performance, with five additional characters to unlock by gaining enough points. (We’ll let you discover who these characters are for yourself as you advance through the demo.)

Even if you don’t want to participate in the tournament proper, you can still try out the game offline and get in some practice playing on-off single-player battles against a computer-controlled opponent.

Regardless of whether you play online or offline, by playing the demo you can unlock Mario’s classic outfit in the full game once it launches on June 22.

The free pre-launch tournament is open from 6 p.m. PT on June 1 to 11:59 p.m. PT on June 3.

Mario Tennis Aces is due out for Switch worldwide on June 22.

Watch a new trailer introducing the game’s Adventure Mode below.