Gambling under the Christmas tree: The three best tennis games for iOS devices
In a small series we present you the best tennis video games that are currently available for purchase. Neatly sorted by platform. This time we take a look around the Apple mobile market.
by Stefan Bergmann
last edit:
Dec 16, 2022, 04:09 pm
When you think of gaming on iOS, the good old iPhone understandably comes to mind first. The most successful product from Apple has achieved a remarkable reach of around 15 percent worldwide, despite or perhaps because of its closed system. But there are still some other devices on which you can safely play games for the mobile Apple operating system. Thanks to the lavish display, you often have a better view of things on the iPad than on the phones from the hardware manufacturer from Cupertino, California. It's even more opulent on a TV connected to an Apple TV streaming device. If you then have a gamepad at hand, you could almost speak of a home console. But only almost - the technical power of a Playstation 5 or an Xbox Series X cannot be matched by any of the Apple end devices mentioned. So it's a good thing that great gaming fun is not necessarily linked to a lot of PS under the console possessions.
3rd place: Stick Tennis (Manufacturer: Stick Sports Ltd.; Price: free, in-app purchases possible)
Especially on the iPhone or iPad, it makes sense to look for a tennis game that you can pick up quickly and put down again at any time. This also makes boring trips on the subway or S-Bahn a little more fun. The fun title "Stick Tennis" meets these requirements. As the name already suggests, you play tennis cracks, whose physique is more reminiscent of a match than a well-trained top athlete. The strengths of the game include the fact that you can get started quickly, the quite addictive, simple gameplay and the absolutely unnecessary in-app purchases. Where some games are practically installed as money-melting machines, "Stick Tennis" focuses almost exclusively on optical gimmicks that are not necessary for a positive conclusion of the game. Sure, realistic gameplay or balanced AI opponents are not to be found here - but the title is definitely enough for a free gimmick in between. Conclusion: Satisfactory; Source:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stick-tennis/id507086545
2nd place: Virtua Tennis Challenge (manufacturer: SEGA; price: free, in-app purchases possible)
Anyone who has been interested in tennis games on consoles or computers for a little longer has certainly been wasting time with one of the more than four existing Virtua Tennis releases. Since the SEGA Dreamcast and the Playstation 2, the name "Virtua Tennis" has applied to action-packed tennis simulations, the advantages of which, in addition to the authentic graphics, are above all the smooth gameplay and the crisp presentation. On the one hand, the game's roots as an arcade machine were noticeable, on the other hand, "Virtua Tennis" has been more big than a mess from the very beginning. The fast-paced game rhythm together with the driving music and the groovy staging never let you get bored. And all this also applies to the iOS variant of the game. The precise control could also be saved - understandably with some drawbacks - on the smartphone. However: If you can call your own gamepad, you have a clear control advantage. The - unfortunately license-free - career mode provides long-term motivation. Only the advertisements that are displayed shake your nerves, but you can get rid of them for a very small fee. The in-app purchases can shorten some rocky paths, but any achievements can be achieved at any time without paying money. Conclusion: Good; Source:https://apps.apple.com/de/app/virtua-tennis-challenge/id517271093
1st place: Tennis World Open 2022 (manufacturer: INLOGIC SPORTS, price: free, in-app purchases possible)
For all those who want their tennis games to be as simulation-heavy as possible, our top recommendation "Tennis World Open 2022" is just right for them. The 3D graphics are kept quite simple, but on the other hand they leave nothing to be desired. Licensed players are just as nil here as with all the other competitors, but the gameplay rocks in all corners and ends if you have a little patience for the initial phase. We discovered the most realistic rallies on iOS devices at Tennis World Open. The presentation of the title is also convincing, in career mode a large number of really different international tennis courts can be visited. Here, too, the in-app purchases are mostly of an optical nature, but the money saved can be invested in a technically mature end device, the high demand for simulation also takes its toll on the hardware. So if you give yourself the time to take on a real challenge, you are guaranteed to be happy with the title from INLOGIC SPORTS. And for everyone else, there are the two alternatives mentioned above. Conclusion: Very good; Source:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tennis-world-open-2022-sport/id1466062521
Bonus tip: TOP SEED tennis manager 2022 (manufacturer: Gaminho, price: free, in-app purchases possible)
If you don't feel like fighting hectic rallies in the sweat of your virtual brow, you can use the tennis manager simulation "TOP SEED Tennis Manager 2022". Instead of balancing serves and stop balls over the net, the games are evaluated by the AI. The player focuses on designing the tournament schedule, hiring or firing support staff, and creating tactics for the upcoming matches. The whole thing is staged in a very varied way, numerous tournaments want to be won, a wide variety of goodies are won. Although in-app purchases are not absolutely necessary, they make things a lot more convenient in some cases. If you are looking for stress-free strategy fun in tennis form, you will find it here. Conclusion: Good; Source:https://apps.apple.com/at/app/top-seed-tennis-manager-2022/id1176048946