Sublime idea, this. Take the workings behind the brilliant Virtua Tennis games, bring in a host of Sega characters, mix them all together, and you have a family-friendly sporting game that prides itself on fun above all else. What's not to like?

Well, a few things, but we'll get to them shortly.

The game takes the Virtua Tennis engine and dilutes it slightly, which increases accessibility, but also feels like it's dumbed things down a little. Then you choose from one of the handful of available characters to you from the off (the others are waiting to be unlocked as you progress, of course), each of which has a selection of strengths and weaknesses that you need to be aware of.

More interestingly, and where Sega Superstars Tennis really gets itself an identity beyond its cast, is the special moves that are assigned to each of the characters. These are a hoot and, when in the midst of a match your Superstar gauge fills up, are there for you to use. The special moves are balanced quite nicely, as they don't guarantee you'll win a point, but certainly switch the onus to the other player to make a tricky response.

From the off, the game is easy to control and the gaming mechanic is a quick one to adapt to. The tennis is fun, the breadth of characters is interesting, and it looks an absolute treat - graphically no expense seems to have been spared. Courts that are themed around the game world of a certain character are a delight to play in, and much of the early fun of the game is admiring the sheer amount of detail and devotion that's clearly gone in to its creation.

Yet there's more here than a game of tennis, and the Superstars mode is just demanding to be picked up. This breaks down to a collection of diversions, loosely themed around tennis, but more closely resembling the Sega game that they're based around. So the House of the Dead bit involves smashing zombies, for instance. These games do tend to be a bit hit and miss, but they fit well into the party ethos of Sega Superstars Tennis, and at their worst are fun to have a quick bash at.

It seems churlish to highlight the game's shortcomings, and the fact that as a single player experience it's limited by its ambitions. It's true, and for a real game of tennis it's no substitute for the wonderful Virtua Tennis 3 (it's far easier as a result, and lacks the depth of VT3). But this is designed to be - and best enjoyed as - a social experience.

Not a game, perhaps, for the hardened gamer, but a fun choice for those who appreciate their Sega heritage, or are looking for a family-friendly sports game. That includes us.

As a single player game it has its limits, but as a title to pull out when you've got a lounge-full, then Sega Superstars Tennis finds its niche. Good stuff.