Mean Machines Sega
1st July 1993
Publisher: Tec Toy
Machine: Sega Master System (EU Version)
Published in Mean Machines Sega #10
Andre Agassi Tennis
It's fast approaching Wimbledon season again and the country's tennis fans are most likely wetting their white shorts with excitement. Indeed the wait might prove almost unbearable for some! Consequently Tecmagik are offering players the opportunity of inviting Andre Agassi to their homes for a spot of pre-season practice. Not literally, of course, but in the form of this spectacular-looking tennis game for the Master System.
Andre Agassi Tennis provides the opportunity for a one- or two-player, single match play-off. Solo players may also enter into a full-scale tournament in either singles or doubles matches.
Origin
The game of tennis. A tennis player named Andre Agassi. Combine the two and here we have it.
How To Play
The Rough With The Smooth
There are four different surfaces available to the player in Andre Agassi Tennis. Players may risk grass stains on the lawns, chance their fore-arms on the hard surfaces or face the unpredictability of clay. There is also the opportunity for playing indoors. It might not be so exciting, but keeping track of wayward balls is easier when surrounded by four walls. Adapt your play to suit the court you're participating on!
I'm Andy, Try Me!
In total there are eight players from which the character most suited to your style of play is chosen. Obviously the main man is Agassi himself, but the remaining seven racketeers dreamed up by Tecmagik are there to cater for everyone's needs.
For example, Don Matt may lack speed but he is a powerful player and accurate with it. Ron Pepper, on the other hand, is speedy but less capable when it comes to hitting the ball home when it counts. Women's rights activists have no room for complaint either as both the female participants - Cassie Nova (groan!) and Carol Ark (?) - are two of the top players. Discover which player is best suited to your style of play!Paul
It's incredible just how closely this Master System incarnation resembles the Megadrive version! In fact, judging from first appearances, Tekmagik have truly scored an ace.
However, appearances become insignificant when a game plays so awkwardly as this, in which case the ball in Tecmagik's court suddenly flobbles uselessly off into the canvas!
I don't enjoy criticising games that have so obviously had a lot of time spent on them, as is the case here, but the flaws are impossible to ignore.The control method is just so unwieldy, it puts you off the game completely. Sorry, Tecmagik.
Rich
The Master System programmer has done a great job of converting the Megadrive version. Unfortunately, as we said last month, the Megadrive game wasn't that much cop.
To be fair, the graphics are excellent, representing the action incredibly well. However, sports sims desperately need to be playable and, as Paul says, this isn't. I find it incredible that you can't actually run and hit the ball at the same time.You have to run to the right spot, wait for the ball and then hit it (if you can). This makes the action extremely frustrating. This could have been dead smart... as it is, I can't help but recommend Wimbledon Tennis instead of this.
Verdict
Presentation 78%
P. The options are all easily followed. The digitised image of Agassi may please some people.
N. The front-end presentation is sparse.
P. Superb! The game is certainly well served in this department!
N. The animation of the players is jerky.
Sound 79%
P. Reasonable on-court sound effects.
Playability 43%
N. Unfortunately the game is hardly playable at all.
Lastability 47%
P. As an instrument of torture, Andre Agassi Tennis may live long and, indeed, prosper.
N. As a means of enjoyment the reverse is true.
Overall 46%
Tecmagik's excellent reputation is rained off by an unplayable tennis simulation. Go for Wimbledon Tennis instead.
