The game received mixed reception; it was praised for its graphics and gameplay, but critiqued on its lack of depth and replayability.

The game is played much in the vein of past Mario sports games, with features such as powerful special moves and over-the-top, arcade-like gameplay,[3] including the use of a "coin redemption system" that allows players to collect coins that are immediately spent on adding extra points to the next goal they score.

The story mode takes place in the Mushroom Kingdom where Toad is gardening flowers, when all of a sudden, an object crashes behind Princess Peach's castle.

Famitsu released the first review for Mario Sports Mix approximately a week before its launch in Japan.

One reviewer praised the title for its "simple and easy" controls, while also commenting that the characters' special moves were "pretty neat" and that the courts included in the game were "fun in their own way".

"[12] Mario Sports Mix has received average reviews, having an aggregate score of 64/100 on Metacritic and a GameRankings of 66%.

[15] Official Nintendo Magazine also mentioned in its review that "volleyball is the weakest game of the four" because it only involves flicking the Wii remote and pressing A.