Title Hot Shots Tennis Date 08.03.2007 Genre Sports Platform PlayStation 2 Developer Clap Hands Publisher SCEA

Hot Shots Golf is a popular series of golf games that combined cartoon-esque visuals with some realistic physics of the real game. That combination led to one very entertaining game that met a lot of success. Developer Clap Hanz has decided to expand its focus of their games to include the sport of tennis. Is it game, set and match for the company or did the company strike another hit?

One of the first things you'll notice when you fire up the game is that it looks absolutely beautiful. From the settings surrounding the courts to the actual characters you're controlling, all of the visuals are extremely well done and detailed. There is also a lot of variety in the courts and the characters you use, from the backgrounds that you play in to the clothes on the backs of the characters. Considering the nature of the game, you won't be experiencing any slowdown of the sort while you're laying the smackdown on your opponents.

What is there to expect from a game as simple as tennis? The game plays smooth and the physics behind all the action is very true to the actual sport. You have one button for topspin, one button for a slice and one button for a lob. Using the above buttons in conjunction with the left analog stick or the directional pad will control where you hit the ball with your racket. Although the controls take a little bit of time to get used to and a good while to completely master, the game is still kept very simple.

As for the characters themselves, you'll have the option to pick from a total of 14, although you only have a choice of two at the very beginning of the game. That's where the Challenge mode comes into play. You start out at the very bottom of the barrel and must climb your way up the ranks, in which you'll unlock more courts, characters and umpires as you trod along. In addition to Challenge mode, there is a mode where you can play a quick match and a practice mode. Although there isn't a lot to choose from, you'll still be playing a lot of time in Challenge mode unlocking everything.

One of the major problems that lie with Hot Shots Tennis is the fact the game is on the short side. Once you run through Challenge mode and unlock everything, the game loses a lot of its appeal, providing you don't have anyone to play against. That's where an online mode would have been its saving grace, and the lack of one really hinders a higher score. The game will last around 10 hours, at the most, to unlock everything there is. Another of the problems is that the game isn't entirely difficult once you start to learn to trick your opponents. While some of the later "battles" will start to become troublesome, the game is overall easier than expected (guess that's why it's called Everyone's Tennis in Japan).

Despite the lack of length, the game is still a very enjoyable one, which was one of the highlights of the Hot Shots Golf series. There is still quite a bit of content to unlock, which mostly consists of costumes, but it will be hours of ball-smacking fun. While an online mode would have saved the game from the lack of replayability, the game still provides hours of pick-up-and-play enjoyment. Of course, the $30 price tag doesn't hurt either. If you love the game of tennis or are looking for a new experience, this game is definitely a must buy.

Game Score

B

Reviewed By: Jarrod Garripoli