Pro Tennis: World Court

is a sports [video game] released by Namco in 1988 for arcades in Japan. It was inspired by the 1987 Famicom game Family Tennis. In August 1988, the game was converted to the PC Engine console, in which a new tennis-based role-playing quest mode was added, and was released for the North American TurboGrafx-16 console by NEC as World Court Tennis in 1989. Up to four players can play simultaneously.
An arcade sequel, Super [World Court], was released in 1992. It was re-released for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch as part of the Arcade Archives lineup in May 2022 worldwide.

Gameplay

At the start of the game the players must select either "singles" or "doubles" ; they must then select one of twenty different players before selecting one of three different courts. They must then select whether they want the match to be one or three sets long - and, once they have done so, their two chosen players will come out, and take their positions on the court. The players must use an eight-way joystick to direct their chosen players around their half of the court and two buttons to hit the ball with their rackets, but just like in a real tennis match, faults, net balls and deuce can occur, although the "Deuce" setting in the options menu can be turned off.

Reception

The game received positive reviews from critics. Computer and Video Games magazine reviewed the PC Engine version, rating it 94% in 1989 and stating up to "four players can play simultaneously in this utterly incredible tennis game" with "huge lasting appeal". ACE magazine reviewed the PC Engine version in 1989, rating it 935 out of 1000 and listing it as the third best game available for the console, after R-Type and Final [Lap Twin]. They said World Tennis was "the PC Engine at its sporting best" and that it "has everything" including "superb" graphics, top spin, drop shots, volleys, convincing "3D screen separation" and "an arcade adventure" mode.