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Twas deep mid winter that Zeppelin finally released their long-awaited tennis sim. Instead of jumping on the Wimbledon bandwagon while all the famous players are still on our minds, they've waited until a time of the year when any sane person, even the Boris Beckers of this world, would be more likely to strap tennis racquets to their feet than rush out on to an icy court.

Here we have a tennis sim in which, for once, actually making contact with the ball is not too difficult, as long as you're in vaguely the right area of the court. The skill comes in when you're placing the ball in your opponent's bit of grass. The slightest waggle of the joystick when you strike the ball can mean the difference between defeat and deuce.

The sprites are extremely mobile and speedy, making for very quick matches. The whole thing is simply, but well, drawn. Temperamental players throw their racquets down in anger at the umpire's call.

Crowds cheer in ecstasy (I think that's what the noise is, anyway - either that or they're taking part in a mass Veritable Port Salute cheese-grating ceremony) when you manage to serve an ace and the ball hitting the grass effects, although a bit flat, are perfectly timed to the action.

Although it's 'only' a tennis game, for a 3.99 original, Int Ten (as it's become known to its friends) is a definite barg. Long term, if you're not that big a tennis fan then tedium might well set in. If, however, you're the next Jeremy Bates, it might keep you in practice till the rainy season begins again.

1. Smart graphics and atmospheric sound FX.
2. Variable difficulty levels so that the computer can improve as you do.
3. Choice of one- and two-player modes.

1. Debatable lifespan.
2. It's not exactly the world's most challenging game.