""A" *moves* "A" *moves* "A"... Hey I think I'm getting it!"

Tennis for the NES is... well... a tennis game for the NES. Once of the first ones may I add, and one of the best friends of my childhood. Simple as 3rd grade homework but as hard to win as the hot girl of your school. Tennis never innovated, never was great, never did anything, apart of beeing Tennis, of course.

Gameplay

Simple, yet challenging. That the thing with this game. It only has two buttons, “A” for for hitting the ball and “B” for hitting lobs, wich aren't that useful, so if you ate you “B” button don't feel sad, you can still play this game.

The arrows are only used for moving you anonimous player, because you can't aim nor your serve nor your hits. But there is an aiming sistem anyway, it depends entirelly of the way you hit the ball and in wich moment of the swing. This, I must say, it's pretty interesting, you can get some powerfull crossing shots if you work for it. Not like this modern games where you can shoot the ball with some kind of bazzooka in your raquet.

Half of the challenge of this game comes from that intrincated system that will make you miss the court a lot. The other half comes from your worthy rivals. They come in five different difficulties, smartly named with the numbers 1 to 5. “1” and “2” are quite some wimps with pretty colors but from now on the thing gets serious and “3” and “4” won't be messing around. “4” is one of the funniest levels to play.

“5” is hard to describe, just put three Federers, two Sampras and five Agasis in the blender, with a little of sugar if you like, and an intimidating black outfit and you get this guy. He is like the Master of all the known and Tennis. Maybe God itself with a tennis raquet.. The thing is that this guy is so hard that is a little broken, it'll take you centuryes before you can be near of winning a match against him. But not so worthy ni my opinion, you get no prize and it's like you are going to barge about it in the bus.

Oh, you also have a “Doubles” option for two controller action. It works in the same way as the “Single” game. Just with doubles rules. Yeah.

Graphics

The game is simple, I said it a million times now and I think you are getting the drill here. You can only play with this standard guy in black short and blue shirt. The rivals look exactly the same way as you, only changing the pallet from difficulty level to difficulty level.

The field is standard, good use of perspective, and the ball is easy to spot. Mario as an Umpire is a nice touch, just for you not to forget Nintendo owns your soul.

The game will always look the same, there is no way to change the surface or the clothing, or ball color for that matter. If you want some variety try with a hacked game, but don't ask me about it.

Sound

Turn on this game and play it. Now reset it and play it in a mute TV. Any difference? No. There are only two sounds in this game, the starting music wich is acceptable, but lasts 5 seconds. And the sound of the ball hitting things, wichs gets kinda anoying over the hours.

Conclusion

Simple, yet fun, and very challenging. Looking for some minutes of fun for two cents in your old NES, get this game. If you are wanting something worth having, please print this review and set it on fire while you pray not the remember Tennis anymore.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 07/18/06