Hot Shots Tennis proves that the PS2 has plenty of life left to live.
While there are many tennis themed video games to choose from, only a few have been able to capitalize on this balance, presenting a lifelike tennis simulation that has just enough flair to draw in those who are unfamiliar with the sport. Luckily, Hot Shots Tennis has been able to do just that.
Starting at the very bottom of the tennis tier system, you start your first match after choosing from two base characters, which are both ranked as "beginners". As you continue to win matches, and thereby move your way through the various tiers, you'll unlock two more beginner characters before moving onto the intermediate, and finally expert character sets. All in all, there are 14 players at your disposal, along with tons of other unlockables, like umpires, courts, and character costumes.
Where other games might add in superpower moves that allow you decimate the competition, Hot Shots Tennis sticks pretty close to the standard rulebook. You have your basic volley, slice and drop shots, as one would expect, but the timing of each shot matters just as much, if not more, than the way you hit the ball. Timing bubbles will appear over each character's head at each swing of the racket. The symbol that appears inside the bubble will let you know whether you are hitting the ball too soon, too late, or at its "sweet spot". Depending on the symbol, your ball may fly into the net, out of the court or exactly where you wanted it to go.
Just like in a real world game of tennis, you won't hit the ball the same way twice, no matter how many times you keep jamming on the X button. It's this complexity and dedication to detail that provides for a more deep and satisfying gameplay experience, in which you can master your skills to overcome the mightiest of computer foes.
Adding to the complexity is the fact that each of the 14 characters has their own style of play. Some players are well rounded, perfect for those who don't want to mess with intricate shot stylings and fancy footwork, while others are more skilled at the net or back behind the baseline. Some characters are faster on their feet, with slower serves, while others are the exact opposite. With all of these variations, it is clear Clap Hanz wanted to make sure there was something here for everyone.
With the steady increase in the difficulty level as the game progresses, that is, as the computer players become more skilled, you might find yourself losing more points than you'd like. This is where the "shot spot" system comes in very handy. In matches where it is allowed, the shot spot system will display a circle on the court where the ball will probably land, allowing you to better gauge your distance from the perfect shot.
In terms of extras, you can take a break from the standard challenge mode in favor of more freestyle competition. With both singles and doubles matches available, it's a great way to get up to three of your real-world friends in on the action. Even if one or all of your friends have never played a tennis title before, the game has you covered, with the addition of leg weights that can be placed on certain players, slowing their movement, therefore evening the playing field.
With so much going on at any given moment, it is a real delight to see that nothing has been left out in terms of graphics and audio.
Even though Hot Shots Tennis may not be pushing the PS2 to its limit in terms of graphical appeal, the cartoon-like character designs are presented in a very appealing way, with bright, colorful costumes and faces that show numerous expressions, without becoming cheesy. Likewise, the background environments, which vary from the trees on the sidelines to the buildings and waterfalls in the distance, are presented in realistic texture and detail.
Once you get used to the rhythm of gameplay, you'll start to become aware of some of the little things that make the graphics stand out. Little things like the clouds of dust players make as they are scrambling for the long ball, or the marks the ball makes when it hits the court. There are even cute little sound bubbles filled with "clap clap" and "rattle", among others, which look like they came straight out of a comic book.
The only graphical disappointment can be found in the menu system, which is rudimentary at best. However, this basic design makes navigating said menus a very simple process, and allows the focus to be placed more on the actual gameplay, where it belongs.
Like the graphics, the sound effects, background music and character voices are presented in both a realistic and entertaining fashion. Whether you have music playing during your matches or not (I choose not to, as it can become a distraction), the racket-on-ball and ball-on-court sound effects are clear as day and highly realistic, with various tones being played based on how strong or weak the ball was hit.
Each character has his or her own speech style and set of catch phrases. Lily, for instance, is the sultry umpire who sounds like she would be better suited answering phone calls at one of those "chat with locals from your area" numbers. While some of the characters, and therefore their voices, are pretty stereotypical, it doesn't hinder the fun you can have with the game.
After finding huge success with their Hot Shots Golf series, its no surprise that Clap Hanz would want to try their hand at another sports franchise. Rather than being simply a paint-by-numbers title with a popular name slapped on the cover, Hot Shots Tennis is a terrific game that provides both challenging and addictive gameplay, and proves that the PS2 still has plenty of life left to live.
Review part of Grrlgamer.com. Full review and screenshots at: http://grrlgamer.com/review.php?g=hotshottennis