DESCRIPTION

Danish developer Hokus Pokus Games commemorates the 103rd playing of the prestigious international tennis tournament with Davis Cup Tennis for GBA. Two modes provide different options, with progress made in the Davis Cup competition determining which nations are available in Quick Play. In Davis Cup mode, players select an easy, medium, or hard difficulty level (which determines the skill of computer-controlled players), then one of 16 nations to represent, with winners advancing in the tournament. Losing players are "demoted" to lower classification groups where they must qualify in the America Zone, Europe/Africa Zone, or Asia/Oceania Zone (Groups I-IV in each) and compete for the next year's tournament.

Team management for each country involves selecting four players from a player pool of eight, each rated in speed, return, accuracy, and serve. Balancing the four players' abilities is essential to creating a well-rounded competitive team, as winning teams are awarded bonus points that can be distributed to improve team (not individual player) skills. Initially, only one-fourth of each player's skill ratings are added to the team total, making bonuses important in building a championship team. Initially, only World Group nations are available for play, with other entire groups unlocked by winning the trophy.

World Group, Group I, and Group II teams engage in single-round elimination tournaments, while Groups III and IV play round-robin tournaments. After each tournament, teams with the most points are promoted to a higher group, while the lowest scoring teams are sent to a lower group. Gameplay features an innovative auto-positioning option that lets the player concentrate on aiming and hitting the next shot rather than moving the athlete on the court. Team ratings affect shot making, thus, for example, a high serve rating results in a slower moving, easier-to-control serve meter.

Four court types are available in each match: grass (fast with a low bounce), clay (slow with a medium bounce), carpet-type 1 (slow with high bounce), and carpet-type 2 (slow with low bounce). Other features include player injuries, which can affect team lineups, and support for up to four players in singles or doubles matches (requires each player to have a game pak with link cables). ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide