Claim set · data/claims/tennis-history.yaml

Tennis (history and reception)

Game: Tennis.

Nintendo of America's list of NES games dates the North American release of Tennis to October 1985. tennis-history/release-na

PublisherNES Games (Nintendo of America release list) · PDF p. 13 — the row reads Nintendo, October 1985; the list gives a month, not a dayTennisChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Tennis

Computer Entertainer's July 1985 issue reported that Nintendo showed off its Video Entertainment System in a booth at the Consumer Electronics Show, with Tennis among the sports games, and that the system was set for release in September in the metropolitan New York area. tennis-history/ces-1985

MagazineComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 4 (July 1985) · C.E.S. report (p. 10) — the scout read the sentence on the page image as "Sports gamers will find lots to choose from: GOLF, SOCCER, TENNIS, BASEBALL, NINTENDO 500, and MACH RIDER."; the two-column OCR runs it into the next columnGOLF, SOCCER, TENNIS,Computer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 4 (July 1985) · C.E.S. report (p. 10)release in September in the metropolitan New York areaComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 4 (July 1985) · C.E.S. report (p. 10) — the next line reads "C.E.S. booth" on the page image, where the OCR has "CS. booth"showed off its Video Entertainment System in aRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted "showed off its Video Entertainment System in a"; dropped "June" and the unquoted "limited".

Computer Entertainer's February 1986 issue lists Tennis among the 15 games sold with the NES in the markets where it was then available, after its debut in the New York City area, in the Sports Series at $30. tennis-history/launch-lineup

MagazineComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · Nintendo Update (p. 13)After its very successful debut in the New York City area, theComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · Nintendo Update (p. 13)is accompanied by 15 games in the markets where it isComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · Nintendo Update (p. 13)BASEBALL, GOLF, SOCCER, TENNIS, and 10 YARD FIGHT (Sports Series at $30)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The 15 games are those sold where the NES was then available, not in its first markets.

Cited by: Tennis

Tennis was also issued on the Famicom Disk System, with a booklet of its own (FMC-TEN) that prints the 1983 copyright and no release date. tennis-history/fds

ManualTennis Famicom Disk System instruction booklet (Japan, FMC-TEN) · cover and p. 1 (PDF p. 2) — read on the page image, followed by the catalog number (FMC-TEN)ファミリーコンピュータ ディスクシステム・テニスOur translationFamily Computer Disk System TennisTennis Famicom Disk System instruction booklet (Japan, FMC-TEN) · back cover (PDF p. 12) — read on the page image© 1983 NintendoChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Tennis

Akagi Masumi's list of arcade games dates Nintendo's Vs. Tennis in Japan to February 1984. tennis-history/arcade-japan

BookアーケードTVゲームリスト 国内・海外編 (1971-2005) · p. 57 (PDF p. 59), 国内編 (Japan), Nintendo — the list gives year and month only; the pinned OCR text has no page breaks, so the row is at line 12154 and the page is the scout's reading of the scan84/02 vs テニス (VS)Our translation84/02 Vs. Tennis (VS)アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内・海外編 (1971-2005) · p. 57 (PDF p. 59), section heading — read on the page image by the lead; the section runs from the left column's foot into the right column, where the Vs. rows stand; the OCR garbles the heading任天堂（任天堂レジャーシステム）Our translationNintendo (Nintendo Leisure System)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the list's Nintendo section heading, read on the page image.

Cited by: Tennis

Canadian Coin Box, an arcade trade magazine, wrote in July 1985 that the Vs. System's "success story" began with Vs. Tennis at the ASI show in February 1984: an upright or sit-down cabinet with two screens, four coin slots, and play between the two monitors, a configuration "now termed the VS. Dual-System". One player could take on a friend or the computer in singles, or two could play doubles against two friends or a computer team. Its table lists Vs. Tennis for the Dualsystem only. tennis-history/arcade-na

MagazineCanadian Coin Box Magazine, July 1985 · Nintendo Vs. System feature, scan p. 10 — the pinned OCR text has no page breaks (the feature's lines are 834-857, the table at 952); scan p. 10 of Internet Archive item canadian-coin-box-magazine-july-1985 is the scout's readingThe success story began with the introduction of VS. Tennis at the ASI show in February 1984.Canadian Coin Box Magazine, July 1985 · Nintendo Vs. System feature, scan p. 10both upright and sitdown versions, the game offered two screens, 4 coinslots and interactive play between the two monitorsCanadian Coin Box Magazine, July 1985 · Nintendo Vs. System feature, scan p. 10tion is now termed the ‘‘VS. Dual- System.”Canadian Coin Box Magazine, July 1985 · Nintendo Vs. System feature, scan p. 10one player can take on a friend or a computer opponentCanadian Coin Box Magazine, July 1985 · Nintendo Vs. System feature, scan p. 10play doubles against two friends or a computer team.Canadian Coin Box Magazine, July 1985 · Nintendo Vs. System feature, table — the table's columns are GAMES, DUALSYSTEM, UNISYSTEM, COMMENTSVS. Tennis Yes No Dual-Screen, InteractiveChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Tennis

Nintendo of America's Vs. System flyer, copyright 1984, pictures a Vs. Tennis cabinet and names Vs. Tennis and Vs. Baseball among the games available. tennis-history/vs-flyer

PublisherVs. Tennis flyer (Nintendo) · p. 1VS.SYSTEM games availableVs. Tennis flyer (Nintendo) · p. 1 — the page image reads "VS.TENNIS"VS TENNISVs. Tennis flyer (Nintendo) · p. 1VS.BASEBALLVs. Tennis flyer (Nintendo) · p. 1, caption — read on the page imageTHE GAME SHOWN IS VS.TENNISVs. Tennis flyer (Nintendo) · p. 1 — read on the page image©1984 Nintendo of America Inc.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Says "among the games available", since the flyer's list says "include".

Cited by: Tennis

The Famicom booklet gives two games: Singles, one player against the computer, and Doubles, two players together against the computer. A match is three sets, won by the first to take two. Computer Entertainer's review of the NES game describes the same two. tennis-history/modes

ManualTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 6) — read on the page imageTENNISゲームは、コンピュータを相手に1人で対戦するSINGLESと、コンピュータを相手に2人で対戦するDOUBLESがあります。Our translationThe Tennis game has SINGLES, played alone against the computer, and DOUBLES, played by two against the computer.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 6) — read on the page image試合は3セットマッチで、2セットを先取した方が勝ちになります。Our translationA match is three sets; whoever takes two sets first wins.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, Tennis — the text layer ends the line "as."; the page reads "as a"Nintendo opted to let two players cooperate as.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, Tennisdoubles team playing against two computer-controlled playersChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Tennis

A makes the player swing and serve, and B is for lobs. Controller II is used by the second player in doubles. tennis-history/controls

ManualTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 2 (PDF p. 4) — read on the page imageⒶボタン プレイヤーがスイングします。サーブの時にも使います。Our translationA button: the player swings. Also used when serving.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 2 (PDF p. 4) — read on the page imageⒷボタン ロビング(山高ボールを打つ時)に使います。Our translationB button: used for lobbing (hitting a high ball).Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 2 (PDF p. 4) — read on the page image; the sentence continues on the next line※Ⅱコントローラーは、DOUBLES GAMEOur translation※ Controller II is (used in) the DOUBLES GAMERevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the Controller II doubles line; "swing" for the unquoted "racket".

Cited by: Tennis

The computer opponent has five levels of strength, from 1 (beginner) to 5 (advanced), each told apart by the color of its uniform: light green, pink, light blue, reddish purple, and black. START pauses the game with a chime. tennis-history/levels

ManualTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 3 (PDF p. 5) — read on the page image対戦相手の強さは、1(初心者)……5(上級者)の5段階に設定されています。Our translationThe opponent's strength is set in five levels, 1 (beginner) to 5 (advanced).Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 7) — read on the page image; the table gives 1 薄緑 (light green), 2 ピンク (pink), 3 水色 (light blue), 4 赤紫 (reddish purple), 5 黒 (black)それぞれユニホームの色で区別しています。Our translationEach is told apart by the color of its uniform.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 3 (PDF p. 5), ポーズ機能 — read on the page imageゲームの途中で、一時中断したい時にSTARTボタンを押すと、チャイムがなってゲームがストップします。Our translationPress START when you want to pause during a game, and a chime sounds and the game stops.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Tennis

On the player's serve the game sets the player behind the baseline and tosses the ball up, and the player presses A in time with the falling ball. The booklet says one spot gives a fast serve, and leaves it to the player to find. Returning the opponent's serve before it bounces gives the opponent the point. tennis-history/serve

ManualTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 6 (PDF p. 8), サーブ — read on the page image自分がサーブの時には、ベースラインの後にプレイヤーが自動的にセットされ、ボールがトスアップされます。落ちてくるボールにタイミングを合わせ、Ⓐボタンを押してサーブをしてください。Our translationWhen you serve, the player is set automatically behind the baseline and the ball is tossed up. Time the falling ball and press A to serve.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 6 (PDF p. 8), サーブ — read on the page image高速サーブを打てるポイントがありますので、見つけ出してください。Our translationThere is a spot from which you can hit a fast serve; find it.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 6 (PDF p. 8) — read on the page image相手サーブの時、ボールをダイレクトに打ち返すと相手のポイントになります。Our translationOn the opponent's serve, returning the ball on the full gives the opponent the point.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Tennis

The booklet's shot section pictures eight shots, the serve, smash, forehand, backhand, forehand and backhand volleys, and forehand and backhand lobs, each played by pressing A or B to swing. tennis-history/shots

ManualTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 9) — read on the page image; the pictures' labels are quoted below (checked by the lead)Ⓐまたは Ⓑボタンを押し、プレイヤーをスイングさせてOur translationpress the A or B button and make the player swingThe Official Nintendo Player's Guide (1987) · printed p. 133, A Smashing Hit!This game has all the strokes of the pros— forehand, backhand, smash or lob.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 9) — read on the page imageサーブOur translationserveTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 9) — read on the page imageスマッシュOur translationsmashTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 9) — read on the page imageフォアハンドOur translationforehandTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 9) — read on the page imageバックハンドOur translationbackhandTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 9) — read on the page imageフォアボレーOur translationforehand volleyTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 9) — read on the page imageバックボレーOur translationbackhand volleyTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 9) — read on the page imageフォアロブOur translationforehand lobTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 9) — read on the page imageバックロブOur translationbackhand lobRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted each of the eight shot labels on printed p. 7, read on the page image.

Cited by: Tennis

Scoring follows tennis: four points take a game, counted love, fifteen, thirty, and forty, with deuce at 40-40; six games take a set, with a tie-break from six games all, won by the first to 7 points with a lead of two or more; two sets take the match. Two wins in a row bring a trophy to the screen. The booklet notes that the rules differ somewhat from real play. tennis-history/rules

ManualTennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 10), ルール — read on the page image; the counts follow, 0 ラブ, 15 フィフティーン, 30 サーティ, 40 フォーティ4ポイントとれば1ゲーム取得です。Our translationTake 4 points and you win a game.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 10), ルール — read on the page image40―40はデュースです。Our translation40-40 is deuce.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 10), ルール — read on the page image6ゲームとれば1セット取得です。Our translationTake 6 games and you win a set.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 10), ルール — read on the page image6ゲーム・オールからはタイブレーク(ポイントの得失)方式で勝負を決めます。Our translationFrom six games all, a tie-break (points won and lost) decides it.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 9 (PDF p. 11), glossary, タイブレーク — read on the page image先に2ポイント以上の差をつけて7ポイントをとった方が勝ちとなります。Our translationThe first to take 7 points with a lead of 2 points or more wins.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 10), ルール — read on the page image2セットとれば、その試合の勝者です。Our translationTake 2 sets and you win the match.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 10), ルール — read on the page image2連勝すると画面にビクトリー(優勝杯)が表示されます。Our translationWin twice in a row and a victory (trophy) appears on the screen.Tennis Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-TE) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 10), ルール — read on the page image実戦ルールとは、多少異なる場合がありますのでご了承ください。Our translationPlease note that the rules may differ somewhat from real play.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.

Cited by: Tennis

Computer Entertainer's May 1986 issue rated Tennis three of four for graphics and three and a half for game play, and recommended it at a list price of $29.95. The review found that both games follow the rules of real tennis "quite closely", the chief difference being that the players don't change ends, and that the computer players are strong "even at the beginner's level". It noted a referee in a high chair at the net who calls faults and lets the player know whether a ball is in or out, and said the court and players, drawn with the court running up the screen, simulate three-dimensional space "quite well". It "especially liked" the cooperative doubles game, "an unusual and welcome approach". tennis-history/ce-review

Value
{
 "review": "Computer Entertainer",
 "of": 4,
 "scores": {
  "graphics": 3,
  "game play": 3.5
 }
}
MagazineComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, Tennis — the review's header; its rating reads ♦♦♦ / ♦♦♦½ on the page image (checked by the lead, item computer-entertainer-5-2, image n11), and the text layer garbles the symbolsby Nintendo offersComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 2, The Rating System — the key's first line, "4 SYMBOLS = EXCELLENT ... 3 SYMBOLS = GOOD", is garbled in the text layer=quality of graphics; 2nd set=quality of game playComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, Tennis — the scan trims the column's right edge; the page reads "follow"Both the singles and doubles games in Nintendo's Tennis folloComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, Tennisthe rules of the real game of tennis quite closely.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, Tennisnot switch sides of the court after every few points.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, Tenniscompetition, even at the beginner's levelComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, TennisA referee in a high chair at the net calls the faultComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, Tennisnet balls, double-faults, and lets you know whether a ball lanComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, Tennisvertically and drawing the court and characters in a wayComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, Tennissimulates three-dimensional space quite well.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, Tennisvery well. We especially liked the cooperative aspect ofComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, Tennistwo-player doubles game, an unusual and welcome approachComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 2 (May 1986) · p. 12, TennisRecommended. (MSR $29.95)Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The rating ♦♦♦ / ♦♦♦½ checked on the page image, and the note says so.

The review prints no byline, and it doesn't name the referee. The scan trims the right edge of the column, so several quoted lines end mid-word.

Cited by: Tennis

Nintendo of America's Official Nintendo Player's Guide (1987) says the computer opponent has five skill levels, that the game can be played alone or with a friend as a doubles partner, and that B plays a lob. tennis-history/players-guide

PublisherThe Official Nintendo Player's Guide (1987) · printed p. 133, A Smashing Hit!Your computer opponent has five skill levels to choose from,The Official Nintendo Player's Guide (1987) · printed p. 133, A Smashing Hit!and you can play it alone or with a friend as a doubles partner.The Official Nintendo Player's Guide (1987) · printed p. 133, A Smashing Hit!Lob over the man at the net with your B button shotChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.