Family Tennis NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Sports

Family Tennis

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1987
GenreSports
DeveloperNamco
PublisherNamco
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 2

Developed by Namco, Family Tennis arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987 as a sports game.

It landed about 2 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1987 include Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Mega Man.

Namco also made Pac-Man, Battle City and Mappy for the NES.

Family Tennis supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you need current teams and rosters

What playing Family Tennis is like

Sports games bring football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, wrestling and more to the console, from simulation-style management to over-the-top arcade action.

Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.

Family Tennis gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Family Tennis walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Family Tennis.

If you like Family Tennis, the Matrix also picks…

Tennis box art
Tennis NES · 1985 · Sports Classic
Soccer box art
Soccer NES · 1985 · Sports Classic

Playing NES games today

NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.

Family Tennis FAQ

When did Family Tennis come out on the NES?

Family Tennis was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987.

Who made Family Tennis?

It was developed by Namco.

Is Family Tennis multiplayer?

Yes. Family Tennis supports up to 2 players.

How long does Family Tennis take to play?

As a sports game, Family Tennis typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Family Tennis on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you