RealSports Tennis

• Release Date: 1983
• Genre: Sports
• Style: Tennis
• Similar Games: Pong (Arcade), Tennis (Atari Video Computer System), Tennis (Intellivision)

Game Description

Put down that racket and pick up a joystick! It's time to play RealSports Tennis, one of six games in the RealSports series from Atari.

Before the match begins, each player has the ability to enter their name into the scoreboard -- up to eight letters each is allowed. Then the action begins as you serve the ball over the net, trying to get it past your opponent.

The scoring rules of real tennis apply -- a match is won by winning two sets; a set is won by winning six games; and a game is won by winning four points (a player must have a two-point lead).

The position of the difficulty switches determines whether or not you must press the fire button in order to hit the ball. In the 'B' position, you automatically hit the ball when it hits your racket; in the 'A' position, you must time your swing by pressing the fire button at the proper moment.

The game features three types of shots -- normal, which occurs when you are standing still or moving side to side; lob, which occurs when you are running away from net; and smash, which occurs when you are running toward the net. If you hit the ball with the tip of your racket, it will travel at an angle.

RealSports Tennis contains fast and slow game variations for one or two players.

Review: Overall

Activision made a name for themselves in the early '80s by one-upping other game companies. Many of their hits were simply other publishers' games done better. A few examples: Freeway is a modified Frogger; Starmaster is a better version of Star Raiders; Chopper Command is a non-space rendition of Defender; and Frostbite is Q*Bert in the arctic.

For every sub-par arcade translation by Atari or Coleco, Activision was there with a graphically pleasing, exciting game. But one of the few exceptions to this rule is Atari's RealSports Tennis, which makes Activision's Tennis pale in comparison.

To be fair, both games are nearly identical in terms of gameplay, with fast-paced action, tight controls, a challenging computer opponent and realistic ball physics.

Where the two games differ is in the visual and sound departments. Usually, this is where Activision shines, beating its opponents with more color and detail. In this case, the opposite is true. Tennis' bland green background and single-colored players are dull when compared to RealSports Tennis' complex court, multicolored players and interactive scoreboard setup. Its sound effects and music are equally as impressive.

The most striking aspect of the game is the scoreboard, which allows each player to enter their name before the match begins. While it may not seem like a big deal, this was one of the first sports games that let you personalize your experience, and seeing your name up there on the screen adds another layer of reality to an already realistic game.

The fact that RealSports Tennis can even handle comparisons to an Activision game is remarkable. But what's really amazing is that Atari finally one-upped Activision with a release that beat them at their own game.

Review: Enjoyment

Hands down, the best tennis game for the Atari 2600.

Review: Graphics

Fine attention to detail with sharp backgrounds and multicolored players.

Review: Sound

Excellent music and sound effects.

Review: Replay Value

Both the one-player and two-player games are enjoyable and challenging.

Review: Documentation

Excellent instruction manual.