Jimmy Connors Tennis (1993-)

• Developer: Hand Made Software

• Publisher: Atari

• Genre: Sports

Jimmy Connors Tennis for the Atari Lynx was developed by Hand Made Software and released in 1993, with Atari serving as publisher. The game was exclusive to the Lynx and was not ported to other systems, giving handheld players the opportunity to experience tennis simulation featuring one of the sport’s most celebrated figures. While it did not have a prequel, it drew inspiration from earlier tennis video games and arcade-style sports simulations that focused on both skill and strategy.

Players could control Jimmy Connors or other selectable characters as they competed in various tennis tournaments. The design was influenced by the rising popularity of tennis games in the early 1990s, aiming to capture the pace and tactical nuance of real tennis matches. Matches could be played in singles or doubles formats, reflecting standard tournament rules while delivering a streamlined, portable tennis experience that balanced accessibility with challenge.

Gameplay featured a top-down perspective of the court, with responsive controls for movement and shot selection. Players could perform lobs, volleys, and slices while managing positioning and timing to outplay their opponents. The Lynx hardware allowed smooth sprite animation and fluid movement, ensuring that rallies felt dynamic and engaging despite the handheld’s limitations. Audio included background effects for ball hits, referee calls, and crowd reactions, adding atmosphere and immersion to the on-court action.

Jimmy Connors Tennis did not receive a sequel on the Lynx, remaining a standalone title. Promotion was modest, primarily through Atari catalogues and magazine previews that highlighted its authentic tennis gameplay and the appeal of playing as a real sports star. Reception was generally positive, with reviewers praising the responsive controls, smooth animations, and strategic depth, though some noted that the small screen could make tracking longer rallies more challenging. Over time, the game has been remembered as one of the Lynx’s better sports simulations, offering a portable tennis experience with both action and strategy.

Images from MobyGames