It’s weird, but as we’re entering 2022, tennis remains massively under-represented in video gaming. If you’ve been around gaming long enough, you’ll recall the annual iterations in the genre and attempts at 3D etc. These days, however, it seems to be a less occurrence. At one point, a rivalry existed to match PES vs FIFA, with Virtua Tennis and Top Spin facing off occasionally, and just like those two soccer sites, both games were pretty great, providing their own takes on the sport.
While we’re going to focus here on the more physical benefits of playing digital tennis, let’s not forget the mental benefits that it provides, requiring you to show off your concentration skills and strategic prowess. These benefits apply no matter whether you’re playing on a console, your smartphone, or at an e transfer casino such as Genesis, where you’ll also find a selection of other sports-based slots.
Simulating the Game
Just because gaming developers no longer prioritize tennis games, it doesn’t mean that tennis can’t make for some great digital games. In fact, in some ways, you could even argue that it’s the perfect digital game.
Tennis was also one of the most popular sports on the Wii, back in the day when Wii sports games were favored. The game asks players to get physical. You whip your arm through the air as you attempt to connect your racket with a virtual ball. It can be subtle, too – sometimes it’s just about a flick of your wrist at the right time.
Improving Your Top Spin
While the Wii game may not have been the perfect tennis trainer. Top Spin makes a great job of teaching proper positioning. It may not turn a newbie into Roger Federer but it does allow players to execute moves they may not yet be able to pull off on an actual court. Coach Frankie Brennan has seen young players improve at Stanford’s Nike tennis camp, thanks to video game simulations. Games like Virtua Tennis and Top Spot are especially useful to players who have developed their strokes and are now looking to make the jump up into more competitive play.
Former Stanford University player Jeff Zeller said that there are definite things that video gamers can learn from tennis by playing. He offered examples of opening up the court by hitting the ball to one side and then to the opposing angle, that you play better the closer you get to the net, and that the patterns you can use give yourself an optimal chance to pick up a point.
Digital Helps the Real Game Too
One fact supporting the argument that tennis is the perfect digital game is the progress that digital technology has made in the actual game itself. Over the course of a few decades, we’ve seen wooden rackets replaced by steel, aluminium, and graphite rackets, respectively.
We’ve also seen an evolution in string technology. Gut strings made way for polyester, with a blend of both of these strings now being the norm. Sports Illustrated asserted that modern stringing enables the best of both worlds, as it combines the comfort of the gut with the control of the polyester. With these levels of control and confront, players can optimise power. So yes, tennis is the perfect digital game, both on and off the court.
Other Titles Worthy of Mention
There have been other classic tennis games that worth remembering, including 1991’s Super Tennis. It was far ahead of its time, and even now, is still fun to play. The fast-paced gameplay is complemented by a stunning, colourful appearance. In addition to Mario Tennis Ace, Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis, and Selfie Tennis, another game worthy of mention is Pong. If you’re a classic gamer, you’ll know all about Pong, which, released all the way back in 1972, was one of the earliest video games ever.
