When I first got a look at this game my first impression was anime with tennis. My first thought was I’m going to hate this game. I’m not the biggest anime person, and most of the time I run from them, as far away as I can. Though I’m a huge sports fan,  and thats is honestly the thing that kept me interested. The opening scenes kept my fears, as all I could imagine was big-eyed animated characters were playing some horrible rendition of tennis. The question was, "Will anime and tennis belong together on one disc.

The answer is a resounding yes, I know that it sounds weird especially coming from a non-anime fan, but this game has one word to describe it, FUN!!!

Gameplay:

Everything on this game seems to work and I have only one complaint. That was the tutorial, and thats was disappointed. The part that is suppose to teach you all the controls and make you a Hot Shots Pro. I found playing the actual game was easier to learn the controls, and buttons, then going into the tutorial. The controls are accurate, and everything seems to be where they should be and are comfortable.

Graphics:

As I mentioned before, this does have a Japanese anime feel to it, and normally I don’t like anything anime, (something with the big eyes that scare me). The graphics were clear and fun and really added to the game. The disappointments and joy that the players expressed made the game even better. There were not any limits pushed or any breakthrough graphically but I don’t see it as being any better for the type of game it was. The graphics were very appealing to most of the diverse group of people that played the game.

Sound:

As I’m writing this I had to sit back and think about this for a bit. Which means to me the background didn’t really play a roll in this game. This doesnt mean it was bad as, for my own experience, I was too busy trying to get to the next match whether it was single or doubles. All the game effects, seemed to be right on, the ball hitting the court, net, racket, voice overs were accurate too.

Replay:

There are so many things to do in this game, plus different play levels, that I still can say I can go back and play so more. You can just play to win championshipts, just for the heck of it, two player. Also on the championship series, you start out with a choice of two different players to choose from, as you advance you can then choose from characters that you have beaten, which they all have their ups and downs.

Multiplayer:

The multiplayer you could play up to four players and we really enjoyed it, pretty soon we were having round robin tournaments (single and doubles). As much trash talking that has gone on, you would of thought we were playing for the Wimbeldon trophy.

Overall:

Even though the tutorial had it drawbacks, after learning the controls, and learning them well, was it fun, so at first it can be a bit frustrating. Once you get over that, there is nothing but fun in this game. Also, the game had such an overall appeal to different people, especially since the tennis game is not "serious". I have yet to invite someone to play that has not wound up getting involved for at least an hour. Hot Shots Tennis is addicting and addictive. A real family game.