________ ________ ______ ___ __/_____________ ___ __ \_____ __________ /__ __ / _ __ \__ __ \ __ /_/ / __ `/_ __ \_ //_/ _ / / /_/ /_ /_/ / _ _, _// /_/ /_ / / / ,< /_/ \____/_ .___/ /_/ |_| \__,_/ /_/ /_//_/|_| /_/ _____________________ ______ ________________ ___ __/__ ____/__ | / /__ | / /___ _/_ ___/ __ / __ __/ __ |/ /__ |/ / __ / _____ \ _ / _ /___ _ /| / _ /| / __/ / ____/ / /_/ /_____/ /_/ |_/ /_/ |_/ /___/ /____/ ********************************************** * Game: Top Rank Tennis * * Platform: Nintendo GameBoy * * Author: Bryan Heil * * Contact: bryan_0326(at)hotmail(dot)com * * Copyright: Copyright Bryan Heil 2004 * * Version: Version 1.0 (February 8, 2004) * ********************************************** ================================================= TABLE OF CONTENTS ================================================= 1. Version History 2. Introduction 3. Controls 4. Playing the Game 5. Top Rank Tennis 6. Conclusion ================================================= 1. VERSION HISTORY ================================================= Version 1.0 - February 8, 2004 After going through the tennis rankings again on this game I feel that my skills are at an ability to share with the readers. The grounds and foundations are laid for this FAQ and all the basics for this game are included. ================================================= 2. INTRODUCTION ================================================= This is tennis, where two or four people hit a ball back and forth over a net. Top Rank Tennis is my most favorite tennis game for any system. In 1993 I received this game for my birthday but my brother played it more than I did, and now I have found and dominated the Nintendo Tennis Rankings and beat Master Joe many times. Now it is your turn for you to pick up your Game Boy and pop in Top Rank Tennis and serve your way to the top of the rankings. ================================================== 3. CONTROLS ================================================== SERVING A Button: Top Spin Serve B Button: Flat Serve Start Button: Slice Serve Select Button: Underhand Serve Control Pad Up (Tap twice): Pause Game Control Pad Left and Right: Move player along baseline GROUND STROKES A Button: Top Spin Shot B Button: Flat Shot Start Button: Slice Select Button: Top Spin Lob Control Pad: Move player around court; direct shot ----------- The Serve ----------- In tennis, the serve is an important aspect of a player's game that can be used to keep an opponent off balance. Powerful players use the serve to collect aces, which are serves that pass the receiver without a return. Even though aces are difficult to score, the server usually holds an advantage over the receiver because he or she can begin the rally by serving the ball to the receiver's weak side. This advantage makes it very important that each player wins their service games and "breaks" his opponent's serve whenever possible. In this game, the service type is selected when you press a button to toss the ball, not when you press a button to hit the ball. When you are ready to serve, toss the ball into the air using one of the four serve buttons. If you want to increase the angle of the serve, press left or right on the control pad. When serving, you need to hit the ball into the opposite service area to begin the rally. If the ball hits the net or lands outside the service area lines, the umpire will call a "Fault". The server will lose the point if he or she serves two faults on the same point. Occasionally, the ball will hit the top of the net and land in the opposite service area. When this occurs, the umpire will call a "let". Unlike a fault where the server is penalized one serve, the let disregards the previous serve and allows the player to serve again. If you often hit the net when serving, try hitting the ball higher when you toss it in the air. If you consistently hit the ball beyond the service area, try to hit the ball lower after the service toss. ___________________________ | | | | | | | | | |_____________________| | | | | | | | | Service | Service | | | | Area | Area | | |===========================| | | Service | Service | | | | Area | Area | | | |__________|__________| | | | | | | | | | |__|_____________________|__| ------------------- The Ground Stroke ------------------- The ground stroke is the shot most frequently used in tennis. The ground stroke is a return shot that is hit after the ball bounces once on the receiver's side of the court. On the ground strokes, you can control the direction of your shot by pressing the control pad when you hit the ball. Pressing up and down will change the depth of your shot while left and right will change the angle of your shot. However, if the timing of your ground stroke is off, you won't have an opportunity to change the direction of your shot using the control pad. Poor timing may also cause you to hit the ball weakly or lob the ball to your opponent giving them an easy smash for a point. ------------ The Volley ------------ A volley is a return shot that is hit before the ball bounces on the court. Many players like to use volleys rather than ground strokes to speed up the action and put the pressure on their opponent. In Top Rank Tennis, the volley uses the same controller functions as the ground stroke. ----------- The Smash ----------- The overhead smash is a devastating shot that players use to quickly finish a rally. The opportunity to hit this shot usually occurs when the opposing player lobs the ball over the net. The smash also uses the same controller functions as the ground stroke, however, the B button executes a powerful smash that will be more difficult for your opponent to return. To do a overhead smash when your opponent lobs the ball to you, it looks like a high pop up, and when you get under the ball, you notice your character changes form and readies himself for you to press the B Button, wait too long and it will plop into the net, this shot can also be aimed, and should be aimed away from the opponent but don't hit it out of bounds. ------------- Serve Types ------------- Top Spin Serve: This serve is the basic serve press A two times quickly to serve successfully. This serve can be spotted by the throw. Flat Serve: This is the power serve that is difficult to return when facing people with shot level A. Press the B button and just as the ball starts to drop from the peak hit it again for a devastating smash, many aces come from this serve. Slice Serve: For this serve the ball comes at you and cuts to your player's right side. To notice the serve, this is a straight toss up and it is only at medium height. Underhand Serve: Pressing the select button gently tosses the ball shortly above your head, and lobs the ball to your opponent, sometimes can catch a human player off guard but I would never use this against a Computer opponent as it gives them an easy opportunity to hit the ball in a precise location, where you are not. ================================================= 4. PLAYING THE GAME ================================================= After correctly inserting your cartridge into the Game Boy system you are ready to power on the Game Boy! When the title screen appears bypass it by pressing the Start or A button or you can watch them dance to the awesome music. The next screen allows you to select how many players you want to play. Since Top Rank Tennis is a Game Link game, 2, 3, or 4 players can play with a Four Player Adapter. Once you select the 1 - player game you'll have the option of playing the singles (top 100 ranking) or the doubles (1 player + CPU vs. CPU + CPU) modes. -------------- Singles Mode -------------- After selecting the singles game, you'll see the player selection screen. If you haven't previously created a player, you'll need to do this now. Your name can contain up to seven letters. Once you enter a name, select shot power and foot speed ratings for your player. Your Top Rank Tennis game pack uses battery backed memory to store information for 1 to 4 players. Select "Delete" if you wish to remove one of the existing characters. On this screen, the B Button confirms a selection and the A Button cancels your selection. Once you select your player, you can choose to play an official or practice game. To challenge a ranked player, you must select the official game. When you win a game in this mode, you will exchange rankings with the player you just defeated. If you lose, you will drop in the rankings. However, if you lose to one of the Quarter Brothers, you will be dropped to the bottom of the rankings. Your goal is to defeat all players in your path to the #1 ranking and eventually win a match with the legendary Master Joe! The practice game allows you to play a match against any of the opponents you have previously defeated. You can practice on three different surfaces and with varying match lengths (1, 3, or 5 sets). -------------- Doubles Mode -------------- The doubles mode is very similar to the practice game in the singles mode. To play, first select the surface and the number of sets. Next, choose a rating (A, B, C, or Handicap) for foot speed and shot power. If you select handicap, an additional screen will appear that lets you individually alter the shot power and foot speed for each player on the court. Finally, select "OK" to begin your game. --------------- 2 Player Game --------------- Using the Game Link cable, two players can play a singles match against each other or play a doubles match with two computer players. To play with two players you will need the following items: 2 Game Boy systems, 2 Top Rank Tennis game packs, 1 Game link cable (DMG-04) Connect the game link and simultaneously turn both Game Boy units ON. Once the demonstration begins on both Game Boy systems, one player can press Start. The Mode selection screen should then appear on both units. ------------ Group Play ------------ For doubles action with three or four players, you will need the following items: 3 or 4 Game Boy systems, 3 or 4 Top Rank Tennis game packs, 2 or 3 Game Link cables, 1 Four Player Adapter (DMG-07) Connect the first Game Boy unit to the four player adapter using the cable attached to the four player adapter. Next, use three game link cables to connect the remaining Game Boy units to the four player adapter. Simultaneously turn on all the Game Boy units and select VS. and press Start on the first Game Boy. The Mode selection screen should then appear on all 4 units. ----------------- Rules of Tennis ----------------- Point > Game > Set > Match Each tennis match contains 1, 3, or 5 sets. To win the match, you must win a majority of the scheduled sets. So if you are playing a 3 set match, the first player to win 2 sets wins the match. Likewise in a 5 set match, the first player to win 3 sets wins the match. To win a set, you must win at least 6 games by a margin of at least 2 games (i.e. 6 games to 4 game or 7 games to 5). To win a game, you must win at least 4 points by a margin of at least 2 points. If the set is tied after 12 games (6-6), then the winner of the set will be determined in a tie-breaker. In the tie-breaker, the players will accumulate points until one player has 7 points and at least a 2 point margin of victory. Points are awarded to the winner of a rally in a game and scored as follows: 15 = 1 point won 30 = 2 points won 40 = 3 points won Deuce = Game is tied 40-40 Advantage = Advantage indicates that the specified player, server or receiver, will win the game if he or she wins the next point. ================================================= 5. TOP RANK TENNIS ================================================= After creating your player with speeds A and A for the best you will begin your quest for Nintendo Tennis Domination, to seek out and be the best ranked player. You will start unranked and have the decision to play the last Quarter Brother or All of them, I will go ahead and list the stats of all of them for completeness' sake and they are good practice for the matches to follow. I tell you to give your character AA for the sake of the Super Shot I have found in the game. To do the super shot when you are serving on the right side of the baseline, move all the way to the right. Press the B button and immediately start holding left while the ball is in the air, and right when the ball starts to come down from the peak hit the Select Button, you can see the ball spot hit off the line, but the referee does not see it and it is practically un-returnable even to master Joe. So this means that all you have to do is win one serve from the left side of the Baseline and you will win all your Serves, then you will need to break just one game on your opponent's to win the match. Other ways to get aces for early opponents on the left side include: moving all the way over to the left and step a little to the right and power a Flat one landing right on the center line, but these can be returned. The other one for late in the game includes going all the way to the right and pressing A/A really fast for a top spin that usually induces the opponent to crush the ball to the sideline giving you the point. You need to master that one in case of ties for Master Joe and Mohawk. Quarter Brothers: After flopping as a band in Nashville, the Quarters are now trying to make a name in tennis. Take advantage of their slow foot speed and cream puff serves to improve your game and prepare for better players. Jim Quarter 5' 9'' 161 Pounds Age: 20 Style: Baseline Serve: Flat / Flat Shot: C (Serve: 132 km/h)(Stroke: 93 km/h) Run: C (100 m: 13.8 seconds He says: Hard Court, 1 Set Ken Quarter 5' 10'' 154 Pounds Age: 28 Style: Serve/Volley Serve: Flat / Flat Shot: B (Serve: 158 km/h)(Stroke: 103 km/h) Run: A (100 m: 12.2 seconds) He says: Clay Court, 1 Set Pete Quarter 5' 9'' 158 Pounds Age: 28 Style: Baseline Serve: Slice / Slice Shot: B (Serve: 137 km/h)(Stroke: 105 km/h) Run: C (100 m: 13.9 seconds) He says: Clay Court, 1 Set Dave Quarter 5' 10'' 167 Pounds Age: 23 Style: Baseline Serve: Top Spin / Top Spin Shot: C (Serve: 110 km/h)(Stroke: 95 km/h) Run: B (100 m: 12.4 seconds) He says: Hard Court, 1 set John Stick: John Stick is a methodical player who likes to sit back and take advantage of his opponent's mistakes. However don't let his robotic play lull you to sleep. Stick likes to rush the net when his opponent least expects it! 5' 10'' 147 Pounds Age: 27 Style: Baseline Serve: Top Spin / Top Spin Shot: B (Serve: 140 km/h)(Stroke: 110 km/h) Run: B (100 m: 12.0 seconds) He says: Lawn Court, 1 set Ace Riley: Ace Riley is a big hitter with lots of fan appeal. However, he lacks the concentration needed to withstand long rallies and avoid silly mistakes. On a good day, Ace can beat any player. On a bad day, he's pretty ugly to watch. Beat him by noticing his serves when he tosses the ball in the air. 6' 2'' 164 Pounds Age: 34 Style: Serve/Volley Serve: All Kinds / All Kinds Shot: B (Serve: 179 km/h)(Stroke: 113 km/h) Run: A (100 m: 10.9 seconds) He says: Clay Court, 1 Set Dewey Pond: Pond is a former champion who still likes to rush the net even though the game now features younger, more powerful players. Don't overlook Dewey; he's still a crowd favorite. Press the Select button to lob the ball over player's who rush the net. 6' 0'' 167 Pounds Age: 25 Style: Hard Hitter Serve: Flat / Top Spin Shot: A (Serve: 210 km/h)(Stroke: 140 km/h) Run: B (100 m: 13.5 seconds He says: Hard Court, 1 Set Skippy Stork: Skippy wins many matches by taking advantage of his opponent's unforced errors. Even though Stork is tall and lanky, he's surprisingly quick. You'll have more success if you play a serve and volley game against him. 6' 4'' 212 Pounds Age: 29 Style: Baseline Serve: Flat / Slice Shot: B (Serve: 192 km/h)(Stroke: 138 km/h) Run: A (100 m: 11.3 seconds) He says: Hard Court, 1 Set Bobby Island: Bobby Island is the most promising player on the circuit. At 21, he's already a star and his game is improving with each match. Armed with a blazing serve and plenty of foot speed, Island won't go down without a fight. Being the fastest guy on the game he is the only one who has ever returned the super serve, so be aware it will be returned fast to the left of the center line. He only returns it when he is in position by the randomness of his motions before the serve. 6' 3'' 180 Pounds Age: 21 Style: All Around Serve: All Kinds / All Kinds Shot: A (Serve: 200 km/h)(Stroke: 145 km/h) Run: A (100 m: 10.3 seconds) He says: Clay Court, 3 Sets Sabrina Silk: Though Sabrina plays well on all surfaces, she's absolutely unstoppable on grass courts. To win this match, stay on your toes and use your lob shot to keep Sabrina on her heels. 5' 6'' 109 Pounds Age: 18 Style: Silky Smooth Serve: Flat or Slice / Flat or Slice (pick up on them by height of toss) Shot: A (Serve: 188 km/h)(Stroke: 130 km/h) Run: A (100 m: 11.2 seconds) She says: Lawn Court, 3 Sets King Mohawk: King Mohawk is a former bodybuilder from Venice Beach, California. The King uses strength and intimidation to over power his opponents. King Mohawk likes to play then net so try using passing shots and lobs to burn him. Note: He commits many faults on his Flat Serve. 6' 4'' 212 Pounds Age: 31 Style: Service Dash Serve: Flat / Top Spin or Slice Shot: A (Serve: 214 km/h)(Stroke: 155 km/h) Run: A (100 m: 10.5 seconds) He says: Hard Court, 3 Sets Master Joe: Master Joe is a former tennis instructor who still has a few tricks up his sleeve. At 235 pounds, Joe's game features a rare combination of power and speed. The winner of this match holds the top ranking! 6' 7'' 235 Pounds Age: 52 Style: Super Player Serve: Flat / Flat Shot: S (Serve: 240 km/h)(Stroke: 170 km/h) Run: A (100 m: 10.4 seconds) He says: Hard Court, 1 Set --------------------- Master Joe Strategy --------------------- Well here he is, for all the money one set winner takes the top spot. First off, you get the first game and start on the right side and do your super serve, which he cannot return back. When you move to the left side of the court move all the way to the right and start trying to master the AA quick serve and you will notice when it's done correctly he will smash it out of bounds. That is how you win your servings. Now it is his turn to serve and wow, is he a hard hitter. I play a little behind the line and use A to return his serve if I get a good piece of it, and then start lobbing it over his head when he tries to rush the net, and sometimes he will make a mistake. Usually he wins his servings and you win yours and now the Set is tied 6-6 and here comes the Tie breaker. You _must_ win your serves at this point because it could be quite hard to gain back one of his monster shots. At this point you keep going back and forth until one time you return his serve and gain one of his points and then you get your serves and you win the match. Basically; you ace him on your serves and beat him _one_ time on his serve. After the game you are congratulated by him for being the number one rank and he writes you this message: S P O I L E R S ! ! ! Congratulations!! You have displayed an amazing combination of power and speed to advance to the top of the rankings. Even though I have held the title a long time, you have won and proven to the world that you are the world's top ranked player!! -Master Joe ================================================= 6. CONCLUSION ================================================= You may contact me at the address of "bryan_0326(at) hotmail (dot) com" for any tips you have used and credit will be given. Comments on my guide or any other guide I have may also be sent to the same address. A special thanks goes out to CjayC for creating GameFAQs and the wonderful life it has given me. Copyright 2004 Bryan Heil This may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. Top Rank Tennis © Nintendo 1993. All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their respective trademark and copyright holders.