When it was first introduced for the Sega Dreamcast, this excellent tennis title was known as Tennis 2K2.  Thankfully the nice folks at Sega has decided to give the PS2 crowd a shot at the game that might just be the best tennis title available at the moment. 

The game offers sixteen tennis pros to choose from in their long line-up.  You can choose from the number of male pros such as Patrick Rafter or Cedric Pioline and a number of women pros such as Monica Seles or the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena.  All the players have their own strengths and weaknesses that become evident during a match.

There are three playing modes: Tournament, Exhibition and World Tour.  All three modes offer single or doubles matches, although Tournament and Exhibition modes offer you the choice between the two.  Exhibition mode allows you to play a match--singles or doubles--in any court available while Tournament mode takes you through five singles matches and three double matches.

The mode that stands out among the other is the World Tour mode.  Here you are asked to create two players--a male and female player--and take them through a number of mini-games that are used as training tools to perfect your characters’ playing skills.  The mini-games themselves are actually quite interesting and way too much fun.  The games vary from Danger Flags (avoid being hit by red balls) to Pin Crasher (knock down a few bowling pins using powerful serves).  When your character has developed enough level points, they are allowed to play different matches to earn money.

Gamers, at this point, must be wondering what the controls might be like.  The controls are basic enough to be considered arcade-styled.  In other words, this is the type of game you can jump right into without much of a problem.  The basics of the controls are simple to master since there are five different shot types (topspin, slice, lob, smash and drop shot) but you must be on your toes.  The computer-controlled opponents are fair yet challenging so you do have to watch their movements.

While the single player mode is a guaranteed good time, the multiplayer mode is multiplayer action hard to ignore--especially since the game allows up to four players on the court at once (using Multitap, of course).  With sixteen players to choose from, four players can play a doubles match using their favorite pros and taking on their friends in Tournament or Exhibition modes.  Now this is what you call a true party game.

The game is also quite good-looking as well with visuals straight out of the Dreamcast port.  The level of detail is impressive to the point that gamers will be distracted by the lush backgrounds of each tennis court filled with clapping audience members and a referee that watches over the game like a hawk. And the player models are outstanding and slightly more accelerated than the Dreamcast version . . . although the graphics do suffer a bit from those annoying jagged edges. However, that can be easily overlooked considering the players move so realistically that it’s quite interesting watching them move.

Meanwhile the soundtrack is composed of arcade-styled electronic organs and guitars that play from the beginning of the game and throughout the menu selection screen.  The tunes do grow old pretty fast but thankfully you won’t hear it during a match.  Anyone who has watched a televised match will find the realism of the sound effects in this game charmingly authentic.  Sneakers squeak as players run into position. They also grunt when they hit a smash and receive courteous “”smatters“” of applause as the court announcer mechanically calls the score.

Once again Sega Sports has proven they know how to do sports game right.  Not only is Sega Sports Tennis a realistically true tennis simulation but it’s also extremely challenging and fun as well.  And who wouldn’t want to play a doubles match with a group of friends?  Do yourself a favor, sports fan, and pick this one up.

Gameplay: 9.0
The game controls aren’t hard to figure out, in fact they are so simple that a gamer can simply pick up a controller and start playing.  There are five different shot types that use the basic triangle, square, circle and X button without going for a more complex combo of buttons.  This makes for a simple control design.

You do, however, have to be quick with the reflexes because the computer-controlled opponents are challenging . . . yet are still realistically flawed enough for gamers with a good eye to discover their weaknesses.  The best part about this is that you too have to adapt to their playing style when things get rough in the Tournament, Exhibition or World Tour modes.

Graphics: 8.5
Although not completely gorgeous as it should be, Sega Sports Tennis is still a great looking game with a lot to offer in the visual department. The courts are filled with an active audience that although looks slightly distorted do look great as they move their heads or clap in the appropriate moment.  You’ll also notice that the referee’s head follows the trajectory of the ball as it is being passed from player to player.  A nice touch!

Yet the best part about the graphics is the television-style presentation. Players move fluidly and realistically and when a player scores a point, the camera shifts to a shot of the player graciously acknowledging his or her own point.  Each player is wonderfully rendered to the point that they are recognizable.  Serena and Venus Williams, for example, do look a lot like their counterparts as well as the other players.  

Sound: 8.0
The soundtrack isn’t an overpowering presence in the game and that’s a good thing consider the soundtrack found in the game isn’t something you would like running through an intense match. It also does grow old pretty fast since you’ll be hearing a lot of it during menu selections. 

However, the game does sound effects right.  The near silent courts--with the exception of a stifled cough from somebody in the audience--will bring televised matches to mind.  You’ll hear the player grunt as he or she serves and the sneakers of each moving player.  The sounds of the ball hitting the tennis racquet are wonderfully done as well.

Difficulty: Medium
This is actually an easy game to pick up, however that does not mean it’s easy sailing once you figure out the controls.  The game still relies on the gamer’s ability to adapt to the opponents playing style and developing your own abilities during the World Tour mode.  And, of course, the higher you go the more skilled the computer-controlled opponent becomes.

Concept: 9.1
Sega Sports Tennis is a tennis title that stands out among the other offerings available to the PS2 and much of it has to do with the World Tour mode that offers something quite unique.  Not only can you create your own tennis players, but you can shape their skills in the various mini-games that is used to increase their speed, strength and fancy footwork moves.  The mini-games range in uniqueness such as Tank Attack and Pin Crasher, all of them fun and interesting.

Multiplayer: 9.0
The most satisfying function in the game is the ability to take on a group of friends and Sega Sports Tennis lets up to four friends (thanks to the Multitap) to play a doubles match without even the hint of slowing down.  You won’t believe how smoothly the game moves with four players on the screen at once and with plenty of pros to choose from it’s interesting to mix and match for some serious fantasy matches.  You also get to flip a coin to see who serves first!  It doesn’t get any better than this.

Overall: 8.8
Sega Sports Tennis is hands down the best tennis game available for the PS2 and its addictive action and great multiplayer option makes this a sports title that should be in your collection.