Sega Superstars Tennis

Sega Superstars Tennis is a colorful arcade-style sports title that includes all of the publisher's iconic characters from their vast library of games. Either in the lengthy Superstar Mode or against other players locally or online, you'll smash and bash tennis balls at lightning speeds as you compete in this fast-paced battle of attrition. In addition to the main gameplay, bonus mini-games can also be enjoyed, each pulling from Sega's rich history. For fans of the sport who prefer ease-of-access over realism, Sega Superstars Tennis is a fun title with a lot of personality.

Main Game Features

• Serve up with your favorite SEGA mascots
• Extensive solo campaign mode
• Online multiplayer to test your tennis skills

Gameplay

Sega Superstars Tennis offers up an exciting arcade-like take on the frenetic but precision-heavy sport of tennis, using its fantasy setting to amp things up. There are eight characters to choose from at the start, including classic characters like Sonic the Hedgehog, AiAi from Super Monkey Ball, Dr. Eggman, and more.

An additional eight characters can be unlocked by completing various challenges within the main Superstar Mode. Regardless of what athlete you choose, you'll compete in quick bouts of tennis on a slew of eye-catching stages. The gameplay is simple enough for beginners to pick up, but there's an appreciated level of depth for fans to long-term players to pick up on. Characters have specialized moves that can make or break a match, such as Sonic's signature shot that sends the ball flying all around the court, so it's important to find the character that matches your play style.

Main Modes

There are a handful of modes to choose from, with the majority of the content resting in the game's Superstar Mode. This single-player campaign mode takes players to various worlds based on popular Sega franchises, where they can complete missions themed after the respective environment. Missions include standard matches against key villains, modified game-types, and more. Completing these missions and progressing through the game unlocks a variety of goodies, including new characters, stages, and music. There are also some really inventive mini-games available to play, which blend key elements of different Sega games into one experimental experience. For example, in a mini-game based on Jet Set Radio, players must paint the opposing side of the court with the respective color of the displayed graffiti.

If single-player missions aren't your thing, there are a handful of traditional game modes to play against either AI or human opponents. In Exhibition mode, you can customize your ideal match, facing off in either Solo or Doubles play. Tournament mode tests your skill against a random roster of AI rivals, with increasing difficulty as the competition continues. If you're brave enough to challenge other tennis fiends, you can take the battle worldwide and compete in simple online multiplayer matches. With a combination of enjoyable modes for both offline and online groups, there's plenty to do in Sega Superstars Tennis.

Conclusion

While it might not be the most polished tennis game of all time, Sega Superstars Tennis is a surprisingly good time and an excellent homage to the Sega brand. It's a game that's equally satisfying for both fans of the sport and of the Sega brand, rich with exciting gameplay and mountains of fan service.

Pros

• Superstar Mode is loads of fun
• Great variety of characters
• Fantastic mini-games

Cons

• Online multiplayer is pretty simple
• Some characters feel similar
• Lacks any plot or overarching narrative