Tennis (Japan, USA)

Tennis on the NES is a simple yet addictive sports game, realistically recreating the sport of tennis within the confines of 8-bit graphics. Players control a tennis athlete on the court, with the goal of hitting the ball over the net and making it impossible for the opponent to return it, scoring points to win.

The control mechanism in Tennis is quite intuitive. You use the D-pad to move your character around the court and the A/B buttons to execute shots. Button A is typically used for stronger shots or lobs, while Button B is used for lighter shots or drop shots. The timing of your button press and your character's position relative to the ball will influence the direction and power of the shot. Players can perform various types of shots such as forehands, backhands, and volleys when near the net.

The game offers a Single Player mode against the computer, where difficulty gradually increases with opponents, as well as a Two Player mode allowing you to compete against a friend. This creates high replay value and was a highlight for gatherings with friends. Although the graphics are simple, the animations of the athletes and the ball are designed well enough for players to easily follow the action. The in-game sound is also very distinctive, from the sound of the racket hitting the ball to footsteps and the umpire announcing scores.

Tennis does not feature many complex modes or advanced techniques like modern tennis games, but this very simplicity is its strength, making the game accessible and turning it into an icon of the sports game genre on the NES. It requires players to have good reflexes and the ability to anticipate the ball's trajectory to gain an advantage.