First appeard in Arcades then the Dreamcast followed by PS2 but now Virtua Tennis on GBA (Nintendo Game Boy Advance)

Member Name:

Product:	Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Date:	28/05/03 (105 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Incredible gameplay, Long lifespan

Disadvantages: Graphics could be better, Music is mediocre

Handheld games don't need to be 60 hour epics. I'm not looking for a branching storyline, stunning cut-scenes and all that jazz associated with boring consoles. I want something that will kill a few minutes before the bus comes on my journey to school, a quick blast. That's why games like Tetris are so popular - you can dive straight into something undemanding yet wholly rewarding, simple yet fiendish. Sports games lend themselves to this particular on-the-go style of gaming, and the ultimate quick fire sport is that of tennis.

Pong was the first, but Virtua Tennis is the best. Where other games that started life in an arcade cabinet soon have their shallow, hollow engines exposed by a proper games machine, Virtua Tennis excelled on the DC and then PS2 with its simple two button game play full of dozens of different shots. One rally could be slow and methodical, lasting well over a minute, before you finally work your way into the right position to crack a forehand across the court and past your opponent...and the next point could be a serve and volley going at 200mph. The variety and complexity made Virtua Tennis stand out from the crowd, and a true testament to its brilliance is the fact that a conversion to the GBA hasn't lost an ounce of that playability.

The controls are slightly less responsive than the 'proper' versions, but pretty tight nevertheless, and there are all the different shots there to be made. Of course, you can still dart around the several different authentic (but unofficial; see London's grass court) courts as one of 12 male or female players. Unfortunately, there are only 2 real characters (Venus and Serena), but you don't lose anything from the experience. Each player has a strength (forehands, volleying, speed or what have you) and it's your job to exploit your strength and their weakness.

It's fair to say that the graphics have taken a bit of a battering, and they're pr
obably the weakest part of the game. It's tolerable, above average even, but after the gorgeous character models and lush surroundings of the console games it's a bitter pill to swallow. Still, they do the job, along with the advertising hoardings and the crowd and the umpires and ball boys. All of the game play types are in there; exhibition and tournaments for singles and doubles, multiplayer link up and the wonderful World Tour mode, where you create your own characters and build their stats up through fun tennis-themed mini-games, winning tournaments to climb up the world rankings.

It's a great package, and one that was just waiting to be wrapped up in a dinky little GBA cartridge. There's the 'very ugly yet somehow slightly attractive in some photos' Williams' sisters. There's also the silly background music not really worth commenting on. There are even scores being called out to you every time a point has been taken. What's not to love about this game? It's game play that will never grow old. It's got loads of replay value where you have the opportunity to save your best ones and show off to your friends.

Overall if you have a GBA, you should defiantly choose this as a game to buy since the gameplay cannot be reckoned with. This game excels the standards of games and conversions that have made it to the GBA. Overall I rate it 9.5 out of 10 for the GBA (even better than Mario karts), the only thing stopping me from giving it 10 as recently mentioned is the music and the slightly above average graphics.

Summary: