- Platform: NES (VC)
- Genre: Sports
- Players: 1-2
- Developer: Nintendo
- Publisher: Nintendo
- The word from N-Philes
- Cost: 500 points
- Average Rating:
Games
Tennis
Reader Rating:
Nothing screams, "Launch title!" louder than 1983's Tennis for NES. You got the ten-second beep-centric intro music, static crowd, weak animations, and bland graphics. This game has it all.
Despite the abundant shortcomings however, Tennis is pretty fun, having aced many of the fundamentals from the "real life" sport.
For example, "A" swings your racket to hit the ball on a low plain, while "B" performs a high "lob" shot. The d-pad moves your player, and the game will automatically adjust to hit or spike the ball with a forehand or backhand, depending on the location of the ball. These unexpected touches, although simple, help make the game feel much like playing actual tennis.
What's more, if you position your player "just right," you'll get maximum strength from your serve or return. You can time your swing to "pull" the ball by pressing "A" or "B" early (when the ball is out in front of you). Unfortunately, you can't "push" the ball by swinging late – this will simply hit the ball straight in front of you. But the shear fact that the timing of your swing is accounted for adds depth and fun to the game.
Tennis can be played with two players and against five different computer difficulties. Unfortunately, you cannot play against another human, as the game only allows two-player action in Doubles matches (and requires you to play on the same team). Although lame, the good news is that you can set the computer difficulty in Singles and Doubles matches anywhere from one to five – five being the hardest, or essentially, the fastest. You will be challenged, so that's good.
Tennis is tennis in a very basic way. Ya, the game doesn't offer character selection, tournament play, stunning visuals, or the like, but what it does offer is an unexpected sense of realism with every swing of the racket, something very impressive for an NES launch title. And Mario is the referee.