Final Match Tennis is a tennis simulation developed and published by Human Entertainment exclusively for the PC Engine in 1991. This title stands as the most sophisticated tennis game available on NEC's 16-bit system, offering a level of gameplay depth that rivals even modern tennis simulations and surpasses contemporary competitors like World Court Tennis and Tennis Cup.
The game's deceptively simple visual presentation masks an incredibly complex control system that captures the nuances of real tennis with remarkable precision. Human Entertainment has implemented a control scheme that allows players to execute the full spectrum of tennis techniques - powerful smashes, delicate drop shots, aggressive volleys, and precisely placed lobs with varying degrees of topspin and backspin. The sophistication extends to shot placement, where subtle joystick movements determine whether a forehand drives down the line or cuts across court with devastating angle.
What separates Final Match Tennis from arcade-style tennis games like Super Tennis or Andre Agassi Tennis is its commitment to realistic physics and strategic depth. Ball trajectory responds authentically to racket angle and timing, requiring players to master the relationship between power, spin, and placement. The game demands genuine tennis knowledge - approaching the net requires careful setup, while baseline rallies become psychological battles of patience and precision that mirror the sport's tactical complexity. If you want to feel the experience of Alcaraz vs Sinner vs Djokovic, this is the right game.
The multiplayer component transforms Final Match Tennis into something approaching the addictive quality of Sensible World of Soccer or Kick Off 2. Unfortunately it's not easy to replicate this now with the emulator, but four-player matches created chaotic doubles action that required communication and coordination. Anyway single-player tournaments are exciting too, thanks to multiple difficulty levels and player customization options. The training mode serves as an essential tutorial for mastering the game's intricate mechanics, allowing players to practice specific shots and scenarios until they achieve muscle memory precision.
Visually, the game adopts a clean, functional aesthetic that prioritizes clarity over flashiness. Player sprites are small but clearly animated, and the court perspective provides excellent visibility for strategic play. The audio design complements the action with satisfying impact sounds and crowd reactions that enhance the competitive atmosphere without becoming intrusive or repetitive.
The tournament structure offers substantial single-player content with multiple difficulty levels that genuinely challenge different skill levels. Novice players can enjoy rallies and basic shot-making, while advanced players must master the full arsenal of techniques to succeed against the higher-level AI opponents.
Final Match Tennis is not only one of the best PC Engine games ever created, but also one of the best retro Tennis simulation you can play today.
Review by: GN Team
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