Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Top Players’ Tennis puts you right in the heart of the Grand Slam chase, offering a robust set of modes that cater both to solo competitors and groups of friends. In Singles mode, you can step into the shoes of Chris Evert or Ivan Lendl, or forge your own champion by allocating points across speed, stamina, strength, agility, concentration, technique, and even that flashy “miracle shot” meter. This depth of customization means every match feels unique, and you’ll quickly learn which skills best suit your playing style—whether it’s a baseline slugfest or a serve-and-volley assault.

On-court controls are intuitive yet nuanced, giving you access to topspin, slice, lobs, and drop shots with simple button combinations. Movement across clay, grass, and hard courts feels responsive, and mastering timing for passing shots or net rushes adds a rewarding layer of strategy. The miracle shot ability unleashes a cinematic shot once your meter is full, turning tense rallies into highlight-reel moments—but use it sparingly, as it recharges slowly.

For multiplayer fans, Top Players’ Tennis shines. Up to four players can join via the Nintendo Satellite for heated Doubles tournaments, or two-on-two matches can be improvised anywhere there’s a second controller. The password save system ensures your custom player’s progress carries over from session to session, so you never lose track of that hard-earned stamina boost or perfected backhand.

Graphics

Asmik’s arcade-style visuals capture the distinct atmospheres of each Grand Slam. Wimbledon’s lush green courts, the red clay of Roland Garros, the hard courts of Melbourne Park, and the backyard-hard look of the U.S. Open all come alive with vibrant hues and well-defined court lines. While the game doesn’t aim for photorealism, its clean sprite work delivers clarity—even in the heat of a multi-player rally.

Player animations are smooth and expressive: watch Evert’s graceful baseline footwork or Lendl’s powerful serve motion in crisp detail. Crowd sprites in the background react to match momentum, and simple camera cuts give each rally an added punch. Text overlays for score, stamina bars, and skill meters are cleanly integrated, ensuring you never lose sight of meter management mid-play.

Environmental touches—like wobbling umpire chairs, animated ball boys, and dynamic net tape—add subtle personality without cluttering the court. Each tournament’s signature color palette and stadium architecture lend variety to play sessions, making you feel like you’re traveling from Melbourne’s sun-soaked arena to the echoing galleries beneath Wimbledon’s Centre Court roof.

Story

While Top Players’ Tennis isn’t a story-driven RPG, it excels at delivering a compelling career arc. As you guide your custom player from qualifying rounds in the Asmik Open to the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, you’ll experience the thrill of underdog victories and the heartbreak of close five-setters. Each win earns skill points that feed into your next match, creating a gratifying loop of progress and challenge.

Selecting established pros like Chris Evert or Ivan Lendl jump-starts your journey with preset strengths, but crafting your own player empowers you to spin your own tennis saga. Will you build a heavy topspin baseliner to dominate clay, or an all-court maestro whose miracle shot dazzles on grass? The password resume feature reinforces this narrative by letting you pick up right where you left off, preserving each milestone on the climb toward Grand Slam glory.

Tournament brackets and seedings lend a subtle narrative tension: face higher-ranked foes in semis, pull an upset, and watch the bracket shake up in real time. Though there are no cutscenes or voiced dialogue, the emergent stories from your matches—comebacks, perfect sets, or nail-biting tiebreakers—are enough to keep you invested in your player’s rise through the ranks.

Overall Experience

Top Players’ Tennis delivers a satisfying blend of strategy, arcade flair, and multiplayer fun. The skill-allocation system infuses every match with meaningful choice, and the variety of surfaces and tournament settings keeps the gameplay loop fresh. Whether you’re honing your technique in Singles mode or unleashing four-player chaos on a group of friends, the title manages to stay engaging from start to finish.

Graphical charm and smooth animations complement a control scheme that’s easy to pick up but challenging to master. The absence of a traditional narrative is offset by the palpable sense of progression as you move from underdog to contender. Asmik’s password save feature is a nod to retro conveniences, making long-term career play both possible and rewarding.

For tennis aficionados and casual sports gamers alike, Top Players’ Tennis is a strong contender. Its balance of depth and accessibility, combined with the thrill of chasing a virtual Grand Slam, ensures that every match feels important. Whether you’re a lone wolf crafting a champion or a social player rallying with friends, this title delivers a compelling court-side experience.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10