SEGA Superstars Tennis is a tennis video game developed by Sumo Digital and Published by Sega. It features 16 playable Sega characters across multiple universes, including Space Channel 5.
The game features Ulala and Pudding as playable characters, and a tennis court based on the Space Channel 5 series, Spaceport 9.
Gameplay[]
SEGA Superstars Tennis is a simplified tennis video game, similar in concept and execution to the Mario Tennis franchise, most notably Mario Power Tennis. Its main staple, other than its star-studded cast is the titular Superstar. This is a special move exclusive to a character that can allow them to turn the tide of the game. This move can only be used when the Superstar gauge (a star-shaped gauge beneath the character) is completely full and shining. The gauge is filled by rallying and scoring points, while it is lessened by missing points.
Each character has a specific type, and unique but unseen stats. The character types are Speed, Power, Control, Spin, and All-Round, and improve movement speed, character power, ball control, ball curve, and overall balance respectively.
The game has four different modes, and they are as follows:
Superstar Mode: The player accesses Planet Superstars, an area with many different sections based on different series, such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Golden Axe, Space Channel 5, and OutRun. Within each section, the player has to complete different objectives to progress. This mode is how all unlockable characters, stages, music, and minigames are unlocked, except in the DS version.
Single Match: As its name implies, the player is able to play individual matches, whether it is Singles or Doubles. The player can choose what character they are, their opponent, the court, number of games, server, and computer difficulty.
Tournament Mode: The player has the option to compete in either a Singles or Doubles tournament, where they face off against other teams or opponents until a winner is decided. This mode has a ranking system, from E to AAA, and the player's rank depends on how well they play a match and how quickly it's finished. If the player wins all of the matches, they're declared the winner, and have the option to play a new match. If the player won the Singles tournament, they face Dr. Eggman, if they won Doubles, Dr. Eggman and Shadow. For this game, the computer(s)' AI is very high and therefore very difficult to beat, but losing against them does not negatively affect the player's ending rank.
Minigame Mode: The player chooses their character and can thereafter play a minigame of their choice, provided that they are unlocked. The minigames are Puyo Puyo, Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Monkey Ball, Curien Mansion, Jet Set Radio, Space Harrier, and Chuchu Rocket! themed. Once again, there is a ranking system, but this time it depends on how many points are scored. Provided that the player breaks a record, they can record their name and data in the leaderboard.
Playable Characters[]
Space Channel 5
- Ulala
- Pudding
Other characters
- AiAi (Super Monkey Ball)
- Alex Kidd (Alex Kidd)
- Amigo (Samba De Amigo)
- Amy Rose (Sonic the Hedgehog)
- Beat (Jet Set Radio)
- Dr. Eggman (Sonic the Hedgehog)
- Gilius Thunderhead (Golden Axe)
- Gum (Jet Set Radio)
- MeeMee (Super Monkey Ball)
- NiGHTS (NiGHTS)
- Reala (NiGHTS)
- Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog)
- Miles "Tails" Prower (Sonic the Hedgehog)
Stages[]
There is a tennis court based on the Space Channel 5 series that is available from the start. It features various Morolians in the audience.
Music[]
Several music tracks appear in this game. 'Option: The Reporter from SCH5' is available from the start, while 'Coco★Tapioca: The Huge Dancer', 'Space Ship: Strut' and 'Asteroid Belt: Go! Go! "Astrobeat Jr." from Space Channel 5 can be unlocked in Superstar Mode. 'Rescue Before Melting' from Space Channel 5: Part 2 plays on the results screen.
Cut Content[]
- There was originally going to be game-mode based on Space Channel 5.
Trivia[]
- This is the only game in the Sega Superstars series where Ulala's default outfit is the orange one, rather the white one.
- This is currently the last game in the Sega Superstars series to have a Space Channel 5 location.
- Some of Pudding's voice clips are recycled voice clips which were recorded by her Part 1 voice actress, Sumalee Montano and others by her Part 2 voice actress, Larissa Murray.
- The music that plays when Pudding activates her super move is a bit of the track "Asteroid Belt Go! Go! Astrobeat Jr." from the first game.