Ping Pong

Hah, but really, it’s pretty much a timing based ping pong game with some unique flair to keep you interested just long enough to complete it.

Ping Pong introduces you to the controls and gameplay through an excellent training mode. In this mode the game systematically introduces you to the various returns (z or z+direction) as well as a run through some of the situations you’ll encounter while playing.

The gameplay is simple: you press z and the ball reverses its x velocity. You volley long enough and you are given a chance to do a super smash which introduces numerous graphical effects. An aside on the art: minimalistic atari-esqe stick figure pixel art with some fine detail around the actual ball which takes a bit of work to notice but is worth noticing.

You are given the option to play versus a second player or go through a single player game. The game splits into realistic and normal modes which could just as easily be interpreted as easy and hard modes. In the single player mode, you play through 4 CPU players with each subsequent CPU having a more difficult ai, typical tournament affair.

The best way to characterize the game is easy to pick up, tough to master. When it comes down to it, the game is just a game of ping that’s nicely done but doesn’t try to do anything beyond that. It plays well, controls well, and could be difficult. What it won’t do is hold your attention for more than 10 minutes, but it wasn’t trying to anyway.