Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

IMG International Tour Tennis delivers a robust and varied tennis experience, catering to both casual players and tennis enthusiasts. With 32 licensed professional players—from legends like Bjorn Borg to modern stars like Marcelo Rios—each match feels authentic and competitive. The roster ensures that you can step onto the court as your favorite athlete, complete with unique strengths and weaknesses that mirror their real‐world counterparts.

The game offers multiple modes to keep you engaged: Exhibition for quick matches, Tour mode for a career‐style progression, and Tournament mode for bracketed competition. You can choose singles or doubles play, giving you the flexibility to challenge AI opponents or team up with a friend. Fifteen different tournaments across varied surfaces—clay, grass, and hardcourt—add strategic depth, as you must adapt your play style to the court’s unique bounce and speed.

On the control side, IMG International Tour Tennis strikes a fine balance between depth and accessibility. You have the full arsenal of lobs, volleys, passing shots, top spins, and slashes at your disposal, along with the option to automate player movement and focus solely on shot selection and timing. For those who prefer a specific tactical approach, the game lets you set your playing style—baseline, all‐court, or rush net—before stepping onto the court.

For newcomers or those looking to refine their skills, the inclusion of Vic Braden’s coaching mode is a standout feature. This mode provides a virtual court marked with special training lines, a ball machine, and helpful tips from one of tennis’s most renowned coaches. Players can practice serves and groundstrokes in a low‐pressure environment, gaining confidence before diving into the more competitive modes.

Graphics

Considering its era, IMG International Tour Tennis presents remarkably detailed player models that capture each pro’s distinctive stance and movement. The animations are fluid, making rallies feel dynamic and realistic. Watching Borg’s timeless serve or Rafter’s explosive volley come to life adds an extra layer of immersion that fans will appreciate.

The game’s courts are rendered with clear, crisp surfaces and accurate line markings for clay, grass, and hardcourt events. Subtle visual cues—like dust kicking up on clay or grass flattening underfoot—enhance the sense of place and require players to anticipate subtle changes in ball behavior. Crowd and stadium details, while not photorealistic, convey the right atmosphere, from hushed tension at Wimbledon to a boisterous crowd at the US Open.

Lighting and shading effects further enrich the visual experience. Whether you’re playing under a bright midday sun or in the evening with stadium lights blazing, the contrast is well‐handled and free of jarring artifacts. The user interface keeps score and displays stat overlays cleanly without cluttering the screen, ensuring that you stay focused on the court action.

Story

Unlike narrative‐driven sports titles, IMG International Tour Tennis centers its “story” around the journey of mastering the professional circuit. Tour mode effectively simulates the highs and lows of a tennis career: you’ll face early setbacks in minor tournaments and work your way up to Grand Slam finals, capturing that sense of progression and achievement.

Each tournament setting brings its own narrative arc. For example, winning your first clay‐court event feels like a breakthrough, as you adjust to the slower bounce and longer rallies. Transitioning to grass courts challenges you anew with faster gameplay and more aggressive volley exchanges. This surface‐specific evolution drives a natural storyline, encouraging players to refine their strategies tournament by tournament.

While there are no cutscenes or spoken dialogue, the competitive tension and personal milestones provide a compelling through‐line. Unlocking new players, celebrating championship victories, and seeing your ranking climb imbues your matches with purpose, making each serve and return feel like a chapter in your virtual tennis career.

Overall Experience

IMG International Tour Tennis stands out as a thorough and accessible tennis simulation, blending licensed talent with solid mechanics and varied modes. Whether you’re a veteran looking for a realistic challenge or a newcomer eager to learn from one of the greatest coaches in tennis, this title has something to offer.

The balance between automated movement and manual shot control means you can tailor the difficulty to your skill level, while the inclusion of doubles play and 15 tournaments across different surfaces ensures hours of replayability. The visuals, though dated by modern standards, remain charming and functional, supporting gameplay without distraction.

Ultimately, this Electronic Arts venture into tennis captures the essence of the sport, offering both strategic depth and immediate fun. Its licensed roster, comprehensive modes, and tutorial features make it a recommended pick for anyone interested in a well‐rounded tennis game. Whether you’re aiming for Grand Slam glory or simply honing your top spin, IMG International Tour Tennis delivers a satisfying court experience.

Retro Replay Score

6.6/10