Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Screw Pac-Man Championship Edition, I'm going to play Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip instead

Remember how I said in this post that my next PSP purchase was likely to be Cladun: This is an RPG, Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip or Patchwork Heroes? Well, I was right: Late last week, while still lamenting the $4.99 I wasted on Pac-Man Championship Edition the week before, I bought a sealed copy of Hot Shots Tennis from someone on eBay for less than $10.

It was a tough decision to make, as I've had my eye on Cladun since it hit the PlayStation Store last fall and I've really enjoyed the time I've spent with the Patchwork Heroes demo over the last few days. So, what prompted me to pick up Hot Shots Tennis rather than those other under-consideration titles? For starters, I really wanted a physical as opposed to a digital-download release. Also, I'm currently in a tennis kind of mood thanks to "The Championships" (aka Wimbledon). Oh, and of course I liked Hot Shots Tennis' cheaper-than-cheap price tag.

Anyway, I played it for a few hours last night and I can already tell this is going to be my go-to game for the next few weeks. Its graphics are great, it controls like a dream (Nintendo fans: it feels like a Mario Tennis title) and, most importantly of all, it's a lot of fun. The only issue I have with the Clap Hanz-developed Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip at the moment is that it's far too easy. (I win most matches without losing a game.) Here's hoping the title's colorful cadre of characters begin to put up more of a fight before the closing credits roll.

6 comments:

RetroKingSimon said...

I keep meaning to try this, I LOVE the golf games they made, so if this is even half as good, I'm sold! :P

Bryan Ochalla said...

Do you have either of the PSP versions of Hot Shots Golf, Simon? I've played the demos of HSG 2 and I really liked them. I think I'll be getting the first one shortly, as it too can be bought on the cheap nowadays.

As for how Hot Shots Tennis stacks up against Hot Shots Golf, I can't say for sure since I haven't played the full versions of the latter, but I definitely think you'd like HST if you liked HSG. It's very fun and easy to pick up and play.

RetroKingSimon said...

I've got the first one which is called Everybody's Golf over here. It's my favourite PSP game ever with the possible exception of LocoRoco. If you like games with unlockables, it'll keep you going for months! It only costs about £5 here too.

A friend of mine bought Everybody's Tennis (HST) for his PS2 and really liked it so the PSP one should be great too :)

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, that's good to know, Simon. (That you own and like Everybody's Golf/Hot Shots Golf.) There are a ton of unlockables in Hot Shots Tennis, too, BTW.

I'm liking this game so much that I'll probably buy the PS2 down the line, too. I'm guessing it's very similar in terms of graphics and gameplay, although I think it may not have a story mode like the PSP version? Don't quote me on that -- I'm just going by what the game's Wikipedia page says.

One last thing: You said you have (and love) LocoRoco. Have you played the second one yet? I want to get both of them eventually, as I've played the demo for LocoRoco 2 and really liked it. I also want the Patapon games, which seem really fun. Sigh, why can't I be rich? :P

mr.madsen said...

http://gameideas.wikia.com/wiki/Hot_Shots_Tennis_PS3

If you love hot shots tennis, then check out the link above! somebody made a game idea for Hot Shots Tennis for PS3!! WOOT!!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Well, I'd certainly be up for a PS3 or PS Vita version of Hot Shots Tennis, mr. madsen. Let's hope the folks at Clap Hanz and Sony are listening!