It may sound like another rumour but Nintendo's own site are stating that Mario Tennis will be online. Cat out of the bag or big mistake by the editor?

Nintendo of Europe's page for Mario Tennis seems to have caused much speculation in the online world. It has been noticed that the page for the game states online play.

As you'd expect, different characters have different skills; powerful fellows like Donkey Kong and Bowser can hit insanely powerful Megaton Balls, while the more graceful players such as Shy Guy can rely on impressively named moves like the Tornado Return. With a fiendishly challenging single player option, deliriously entertaining multiplayer matches that can cater for up to four players, and the lure of the online mode, Mario Tennis is set to soar onto Nintendo GameCube in 2005.

If you look at the last sentence you'll see it states "the lure of the online mode" which certainly has everyone talking. To view the page for the game click here.

Interestingly Nintendo of America's site has taken down the page for Mario Tennis. If you search for it there are no results. However by using their master games list you'll see the title. When you click on it however it simply says "Missing: Game from the pipeline!"

Expect either an official word or a change to the game page soon!

Update

Nintendo of Europe have completely removed the game from their system. Tim has emailed them asking for an official word on the matter.

Update #2

We have received word that Nintendo of Europe made a mistake in the Mario Tennis page due to the vast amounts of information they receive during E3. They deny that Mario Tennis will have online support.