Wii Sports/Tennis


 * Wii Sports Tennis is a simple tennis game for 1 to 4 players.
 * All matches are played as 'doubles' matches.
 * Matches can be played as 'Best of 3' or 'Best of 5' or as a single-game match.
 * The aim of the game is to improve your Skill Level rating by beating CPU opponents.
 * Matches against other players do not improve your Skill Level.

Single Player Mode
There are several choices of how to play the game in single-player mode:


 * Play as both members of one partnership, against 2 CPU controlled opponents
 * Play with a CPU partner against 2 CPU controlled opponents

There are also other combinations (like playing as one member of each team) but they are a little pointless, and you only get to improve your skill level by playing against CPU opponents. Each time you play a match, the computer chooses opponents who have a similar (usually slightly higher) skill level to the player. Each time a CPU opponent is beaten, the player's skill level increases.

Reaching a skill level of 1000 gives you a PRO ranking in tennis. This generates a Wii Message in the main channels view, and causes further games played to be played in front of a larger crowd. If you beat an opponent who has skill level of 2000, you get a congratulatory message sent to your Wii Message Board saying that you have beaten a tennis champion.

Note that losing can result in a loss of skill level.

Two Player Mode
In two player mode there are three choices of how to play the game:


 * Both players team up against two CPU controlled opponents
 * Each player pairs up with a CPU controlled partner
 * Each player plays as both members of a team and they face each other

The only way to increase skill levels in two player mode is to team up against the computer.

Three Player Mode
There are a couple of ways to play in three player mode.


 * Two human players against one human player and a CPU controlled partner
 * Two human players against one human player playing as both members of his/her team

Nobody can increase their skill level in three-player mode.

Four Player Mode
There's only one way to play four-player tennis: classic two-on-two doubles.

Skill levels cannot be increased in four-player mode.

Controls
Everything in this game can be controlled using actions with the Wii Remote. Running around the court is controlled automatically so the player only needs to worry about hitting the ball.

Normal Shots
Hold the Wii Remote as if it is the grip of a tennis racket and swing it as you would a normal racket. The game only seems to differentiate between 'backhand' swings and 'forehand' swings - it does not recognise overarm or underarm shots and it will just translate these to a valid type of swing.

The aim of your shots depends purely on the timing of when you hit the ball. The exact angle depends on whether you are playing right or left handed and whether you are hitting a backhand or a forehand shot. For example, if you are right-handed and you are hitting a forehand shot, if you hit the ball early it will 'hook' and aim to the player's left. If you hit the ball late (when it is close to your body), it will 'slice' and aim to the right. Experiment with all these combinations to see how they effect the aim of your shot.

Adding Spin
The Wii Remote is sensitive enough to recognise the angle of the holder's wrist when the ball is struck and this is used to add 'spin' to shots. This process is instinctive and works as it would in a real tennis game. For example, if you motion as if you are hitting over the top of the ball, this will produce a low shot with topspin, or if you motion as if you are 'slicing' the bottom of the ball, this can produce a 'lob' shot with a lot of backspin.

See the Wikipedia article on Tennis for detailed information on how to achieve all the various tennis shots.

Serving
To toss the ball up in the air, flick the Wii Remote upwards with your wrist (this can also be done by pressing the A button). Then when you want to strike the ball, make the motion of a serve as you would if you were playing tennis for real. The game will recognise overarm or underarm serve motions (or even just a timely flick of the wrist if you are not feeling active).

To achieve a Power Serve, toss the ball as normal and then strike it when it is at its highest. If you hit it at the very peak of its toss you will hit a very powerful serve and a trail of smoke will follow the ball.