Gaming Target - PlayStation 2: Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament

Written by Matt Swider on May 28, 2002

Full Review: Yes, this game actually includes the real Anna Kournikova, not some Penthouse rip off.

It's been almost three years since Sega released Virtua Tennis on the then thriving Dreamcast, where the sport with only a modest following, found victory and setup a volley for other future tennis games on the home console. One company that has decided to capitalize on the success of Sega's Virtua Tennis and Tennis 2K2 is Namco, as it brings it's own title dubbed Smash Court Tennis to the PlayStation 2 court. Much like the two Dreamcast tennis games, Smash Court doesn't encounter competition and remains the dominant tennis title for PlayStation 2. While this is all but good news, Namco's real difficulty will be attracting the gaming public's eye to a fairly unwonted sport. Virtua Tennis was able to overcome this dilemma by exhibiting gameplay that was engrossing and addictive for gamers, similar to an enhanced version of Pong.

For Smash Court, the biggest attraction is the several tennis stars it contains. The lineup of players totals to eight real life pro's including Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Monica Seles, and of course Anna Kournikova. With these top players available, you'd expect Namco to boast nothing most stunning graphics. Sadly, Smash Court falls below expectations, especially for the power that PlayStation 2 could have brought the title. Despite the less than appealing visuals, most models remain instantly recognizable to the real life players seen on television. More attention should been paid to them individually, particularly in varying animations instead of using constant movements for each player. While it didn't take full advantage of it's licensing the best tennis players, stadiums are on the par of where a above average Playstation 2 tennis game should be. The crowds remain 2D, however, this aspect is seen in almost every football, basketball, and even wrestling title released. There are a variety of courts with alternating setups in addition to looks. Although the players move around the courts nicely, it's just a shame they don't have better shape to their bodies.

The introduction to the game gives you the feeling you're set for an intense tennis workout with the real life tennis pros. Though partly true on account of the big name players are present, it's not as engrossing as anything we've seen in Virtua Tennis or Tennis 2K2. Addicting gameplay doesn't exactly shimmer once things slow down in the tournament mode after winning a couple matches and proceeding onward through the brackets. The Pro Tournament, which happens to be the main focus here, allows you to earn points in winning matches and to unlock certain options within the game. Becoming victorious and winning the Grand Slam titles in the end is an achievement, however, to get there gamers must be determined enough to play each of the matches along the way. The entire Tournament play is less involving and simple when compared to other tennis titles, and for some this may be what they're looking for; straightforward tennis simulation. However, many gamers seeking the arcade action will miss what Smash Court is all about.

Though thrill-seeking gamers may find the single player gameplay in Smash Court unappealing, there is a note of satisfaction when it comes to the controls. Like many arcade titles out there, the controls found in Smash Court are easy enough to master with a single match. This means that rookie players can jump right into the action, and when playing doubles, things are much more exciting for arcade lovers. Doubles is where the game really shines with stirring four-player action that can't be beat by any other mode here. Plus the fact that there's no slow-down rounds things off with a nice topspin.

In general, I found the single player tournament to be tiring after some time, and the multiplayer aspects of Smash Court to be the complete opposite. Other than the arcade, tournament and exhibition modes, addition play can be sought in the time attack and challenges segment. Like racing titles, the goal of time attack is to finish within the best possible time, only here you don't drive a car at 80 miles per hour, but a tennis ball at the same speed. The last mode comes in the form of a gallery of mini-games that are almost as fun as the doubles play. Like gamers have experienced in Virtua Tennis, there are similar challenges here that can be completed to unlock others. The difference from Virtua Tennis comes with, yet again, more straightforward type trials rather than crazy tests.

True to actual tennis matches, the music department is set to silence when the ball is in motion. A cool little facet becomes apparent when the judge calls for quite from the crowd, as the game is ready to proceed. Things like this seem to be on cue with each spectator reaction and between sets, there are tunes that deliver nothing more than a decent listening. Aspects like grunts and moans are present from players reaching for the ball, and the sound it bouncing off the racquet is nicely timed with the visual display.