PixlBit

I didn't realize they were porting Mario Tennis to the PSP.

Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip is the latest in the Hot Shots series and the second Hot Shots Tennis title in particular. I can't say I'm familiar with the original title, but I can say confidently that Hot Shots Tennis is more or less a Mario Tennis clone.

Of course this isn't a huge surprise, as developer Clap Hanz originated from Camelot, the developers of the Mario Tennis series and originators of the Hot Shots series itself. From my short hands-on time with the game, it was clear that the title was quite similar in terms of control and play style.

When on the court, the buttons on the PSP corresponded closely to those on a Nintendo controller. The X button was used for an overhead hit, while the square button was used to slice the ball. A combination of the two produced a powerful hit. Movement felt smooth, and returning the ball was often a breeze.

I played the game in a 2-on-2 match, and from my experience, the computer controlled NPC that accompanied me, was not veru good at the game. Nearly every match I lost was due solely to its inability to return a lob that went over my head when I was playing the net. I presume that the game also features a 1-on-1 mode that avoids interaction with the NPC, because in later parts of the quest, sub-par performance might provide some serious frustration.

From what I could tell, just like Mario Tennis: Power Tour players were engaged in a quest to meet new characters and level-up their character. I'm not quite sure how this will play out for Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip, but it wasn't completely successful in Mario's GBA attempt, thanks to some heavy tedium.

Regardless of what downfalls the game might face, currently the mechanics of the game feel pretty solid, and the demo was enjoyable. Aside from a lack of personality, things seem to be shaping up well for Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip.