Most of Psion's games can either be categorized as competent but fairly laid back. Despite doing a couple of token arcade games for the Spectrum's launch, they'd largely specialized in mind games and simulations. However, they created one of the best fast action sports games here. Programmer Steve Kelly later went on to greater fame as a founder of the Bitmap Brothers.
The graphics are simple, but very effective with neat animation and some nice attention to detail with ballboys running out to fetch when you hit into the net.
The game itself it works fairly simply, you run about the court and try to swing your racket at the passing ball to return it over the net. When you start out, most of the time you'll miss and there'll be a few frustrating games whilst you learn to get the timing right.
Then, eventually, once you've started being able to return the few balls a few rallies will break out, most of which you'll probably lose. Finally, something should click and your timing will suddenly get good enough to position the ball, and the game suddenly becomes brilliant fun.
All in all, it's a classic that's been the blueprint for pretty much every tennis game since.
Not logged in [ log in | sign up | forgot password? ]