Clap Hanz is back with a new iteration of Hot Shots Tennis, this time on everyone’s favorite portable system, the Sony PSP. For me, tennis on the Wii has always been furiously aggravating and impossible to master. This game changed that for me. But how does Hot Shots Tennis for PSP stack up to the fantastic PS2 version? Hit the jump to find out.
Hot Shots Tennis on PSP is almost a direct port of the PS2 version released in 2007, but in this case, it’s not a bad thing. All the features that the Hot Shots series is known for are present in this offering. The controls are exactly the same, Triangle for lob-shots, Circle for Backspin-Shots, and X for top-spin shots. Serving is handled in the exact same way, with your three types of serves mapped to the same buttons. The timing for serves, volleys, and power-returns are the same, and the snazzy soundtrack and sound effects are the same as well. Hey, if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it, right?
The graphics are great for a PSP game, the character models are well-detailed, even if they are a little cartoony, but to me, that is some of the appeal of Hot Shots. Character animations are limited to a few different victory poses when they score an ace, or when you smoke their butts with a short drop shot and they weep uncontrollably. It’s actually kinda funny. Along with the players, you will discover a couple referees in the game as well, just like previous Hot Shots releases, and each referee influences the game differently. The gameplay is almost exactly the same as the PS2 version, with some minor changes to the career mode to be more of a story, and less linear. You are a beginner tennis player who has just joined the Love Tennis Club. You work your way up by winning matches, and visit different destinations around the globe to “spread the joy of tennis to everyone”. Yeah, it’s a little cheesy, but who cares, it’s fun.
I have been completely addicted to this game ever since I started playing it this week (I played almost 4 hours straight last night). The controls are easy to grasp, the storyline is just comical and interesting enough to keep you playing, and the gameplay is a blast. Subtle moments of humor are peppered throughout the game’s dialogue, and the plethora of unlockables, from characters, costumes, power-ups, and different courts to play will keep you coming back for more Hot Shots Tennis action. It’s a must have for any fan of the series looking for a portable version of their favorite tennis game. Clap Hanz stayed true to their roots on this one, and the quality really comes through.
[A copy of the game was provided by the publisher for review purposes.]
