Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Super Tennis offers an immediately accessible yet deeply nuanced gameplay experience that captures the intensity of professional tennis. With 20 distinct male and female players to choose from – each boasting unique strengths and weaknesses – matches feel varied and personalized. Swing speed, shot power, and court coverage differ among characters, forcing players to adapt strategies and choose athletes that complement their playstyle.

The core of the game lies in its World Circuit mode, where victories in tournaments translate directly into world ranking points. As you rack up wins across clay, grass, and hardcourt surfaces, you’ll be challenged to tailor your game—whether that means rallying from the baseline on a slow clay court or slicing under pressure on fast grass. This strategic layer keeps matches from feeling repetitive, as you learn to exploit opponents’ weaknesses and manage stamina throughout long championship runs.

Control responsiveness is another highlight: button combinations for lobs, dropshots, slices, and flat drives feel intuitive on the SNES controller. Doubles play introduces a refreshing layer of teamwork, with human or CPU partners complementing your style. Whether you’re setting up a perfect cross-court volley or executing a surprise lob, the controls deliver immediate feedback, making every point feel earned and every match thrilling.

Graphics

Visually, Super Tennis stands out as a showcase of what the SNES can achieve. Character sprites are cleanly drawn and animated, with smooth transitions as players lunge, serve, and celebrate. Each court surface—clay, grass, and hardcourt—features its own color palette and subtle visual quirks, such as clay dust kicking up on baseline rallies or the shine on a pristine grass court.

While modern gamers might find the visuals dated, the crispness of the pixel art and the clear delineation between players and background keep the action readable at all times. The camera follows the ball dynamically, zooming in on intense rallies and retreating during lulls, which helps maintain immersion and excitement. Even crowd animations, though modest by today’s standards, convey the thrill of major tournaments.

Special effects, like speed lines on fast serves and small dust puffs when players skid on clay, enhance the sense of momentum. These touches add flair without overwhelming the screen, ensuring that gameplay remains the focus. From character portraits in menu screens to the animated trophies in victory animations, Super Tennis maintains a consistent visual style that’s both charming and functional.

Story

Although Super Tennis lacks a traditional narrative, Story is woven through the progression of the World Circuit. As you advance from minor tournaments to the four major Grand Slam-esque events, there’s a tangible sense of career development. The password save system allows you to track your rise through the ranks, providing a personalized timeline of triumphs and challenging rematches against rivals.

Each player you face has a loose backstory implied by their playstyle—some are aggressive serve-and-volley specialists, while others excel at baseline endurance rallies. Over time, you form “rivalries” with CPU opponents, heightening the drama of repeated encounters. Defeating a particularly difficult adversary in a high-stakes final feels like a storyline payoff, even without cutscenes or dialogue.

The absence of scripted plot elements is offset by the narrative you create through your own achievements: the thrill of an underdog victory, the frustration of narrow losses, and the satisfaction of mastering different surfaces. In this way, Super Tennis lets players author their sporting saga, complete with comebacks, winning streaks, and the ever-present pursuit of that world No. 1 ranking.

Overall Experience

Super Tennis remains a benchmark for sports titles thanks to its perfect blend of accessibility and depth. Casual players can jump into a quick match or doubles game with friends, while completionists will be drawn to the World Circuit’s extensive tournament roster and ranking system. The password save mechanic, though quaint by modern standards, adds a retro charm and invites revisits to improve past performances.

The game’s pacing encourages both short bursts of play and marathon sessions. You can easily squeeze in a single match during downtime or commit to a full circuit run that tests your stamina and skill across dozens of events. The variety of court surfaces, combined with diverse player attributes, ensures that no two tournament paths feel identical.

Ultimately, Super Tennis delivers an engaging package that balances realistic tennis simulation with the forgiving nature of arcade sports games. Its smooth controls, varied gameplay modes, and the thrill of climbing the world rankings make it a standout on the SNES library. For anyone seeking a competitive yet approachable sports experience, Super Tennis remains a timeless choice.

Retro Replay Score

7.8/10