Nickelodeon is re-entering the crossover arcade sports market with their new game, Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next!. Much like Mario Tennis Fever, it’s an arcade-style tennis game that brings together Nickelodeon’s most iconic characters. They just released the announcement trailer that shows a glimpse of what the game is aiming to be. And, honestly, it looks pretty fun.
Games like these are usually defined by two things: the character roster and the gameplay. For this game, both are looking pretty promising. Nickelodeon characters are already pretty iconic, so they have got that angle covered, but the gameplay looks like fun, too. Of course, only the announcement trailer is out, and it only shows glimpses of the gameplay, but it does look promising.
In short, Extreme Tennis: Next! leans fully into Nickelodeon’s signature style, blending exaggerated animations, character-specific abilities, and chaotic courts that feel more like mini playgrounds than traditional tennis arenas.
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What To Expect
The game will launch with 15 iconic characters from various Nickelodeon IPs like SpongeBob SquarePants, TMNT, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Garfield, and even CatDog (a personal favorite).
Each character is expected to come with unique abilities and playstyles, meaning matches won’t just be about timing your shots, but also using special moves to outplay opponents. Think power shots, environmental effects, and possibly even character-specific gimmicks that shake up rallies mid-match.
Gameplay in Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis: Next! appears to follow an easy-to-pick-up, hard-to-master formula. While the core rules of tennis are still there, the game adds layers of chaos through interactive courts, power-ups, and fast-paced mechanics.
Courts themselves are also modeled after the environments from the shows; we only saw a glimpse of this in the trailer. Imagine playing underwater in SpongeBob’s home turf or rallying CatDog’s backyard.
The game will also feature a bunch of modes to keep things fresh, online and couch play are obvious. But, on top of that, the game will also feature a narrative-driven story mode. Lastly, customization is another big feature where you can customize the look of your favorite characters.
Another Step For Nickelodeon Crossovers
This isn’t Nickelodeon’s first attempt at bringing its characters together in a single game. Following titles like Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, the company has been steadily expanding its crossover lineup into different genres.
Extreme Tennis: Next! continues that trend, offering something a bit more casual and sports-focused while still keeping the chaotic crossover appeal intact. It’s clearly aimed at both younger players and longtime fans who enjoy seeing these characters interact in unexpected ways.
There is no news on the confirmed release date. However, the game is launching on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and even the Switch, despite firm competition from a certain Italian plumber.
Published: Apr 8, 2026 12:00 pm