Gameplay: 8/10
In Virtua Tennis the gameplay is really great, it is simple to actually play the game with only a few controls to remember, it's fast because the speed you opponent volleys the ball back at you and there is no slow down when the action picks up. There are lots of games to play especially in the career mode where you play practice matches and a variety of fun practice sessions for money and to hone your skills as a tennis player. As you earn money and complete matches you can purchase a number of items from the tennis shops around the globe like a new kit to contracting another player to help you out in doubles matches. Overall the gameplay is very simple to pick up and master, which doesn't take long. It is fast and never gets boring. It's also rewarding when you smash the ball and your opponent is not able to reach it, also when you lob them and the ball lands just inside the line.

Graphics: 7/10
You wouldn't really expect a tennis game to have amazing graphics, would you? It is no way as high quality as Shenmue but the visuals are bright and smooth. The camera angle whilst in play shows clear visuals, which are pleasant to look at. The ball moves realistically as it is hit backwards and forth with the same level of detail of the other players. The only slight lacking in the graphics is in the faces of the players when the camera zooms in for a close-up after you have won a point. Their faces seem slightly blotchy and a bit dark in places, but you don't notice it that much. Overall the graphics are the best I have seen in any tennis game on a home console, far better than the 2d like Anna Kournikova Smash Court Tennis on PSX.

Replayability: 8/10
Very high, in career mode there is lots of challenges to try so it never gets boring. There are practice sessions involving knocking down bowling pins with your serve, hitting balls into buckets and turning over panels with the ball. There are also doubles matches where you have to save up enough cash to contract a partner to play with and the normal singles game that varies in difficulty depending what level you're playing at. You have to play the practice games over a few times before you complete them because they are quite difficult, but the good thing is for each try you do, you get the number of points you acquired in cash to spend in the shops. When you have completed the game there is still replayabilty because of the extra players to unlock and play with. Overall it is a game that is good to come back to and play again but doesn't have the re-play value of an FPS game.

Should I rent this game?
Nope...this game is too good a dc classic for that, if you can find this game then I strongly suggest you buy it out right. There probably is not much point getting this game if you have already purchased Virtua Tennis 2 because the second game has more features and builds on the original. But if you haven't got the sequel or you are looking for more games to add to your collection then definitely buy it. You wont be able to get a brand new copy but there should be a second hand one available. Go to ebay or look for second hand Dreamcast games in your local games shop.

Overall: 8/10
A very well polished game that deserves a high score. It is an amazing game that does the Dreamcast credit and you should buy this if you don't already have it. The career mode is by far the most fun because of the wealth of options and games available to play. If you have a second controller, the doubles matches are entertaining, just make sure you set the difficulty on high. It has good graphics for what it is and never slows down on 60hz when the action becomes frantic. If you are not a Sega sports game fan then you will most likely not enjoy it, but anyone else will be instantly hooked.