Monkey Tennis

If a bunch of monkeys ever wandered onto the courts of Wimbledon, they'd probably be too busy checking out each others' rears to focus on a game of tennis, the availability of rackets and balls not withstanding.

So unless watching primates sniff each other is your idea of a spectacle – and who's to blame you if it is - then anything entitled Monkey Tennis is going to have its work cut out to prove entertaining.

Indeed, the continued absence on our TV screens of the concept - despite the famous Alan Partridge comedy sketch - speaks voumes. After all, Avoid, Snog, Marry and Autistic Superstars somehow got made.

Of course, as a game, Monkey Tennis' name signals it isn't a serious take on the sport or simian behaviour. The problem however is its controls make a monkey out of you.

Still there are a few admirable qualities about what's being served up; most notably, the sheer amount of gameplay on offer.

Joining the standard Quick Play mode is a Knock-Out Competition, full Tournament, an inventive league set-up, and even a set of achievement-like Challenges.

These Challenges are the most fun part of the game, with targets ranging from managing a 50-shot rally to winning in straight sets or serving an ace.

It certainly adds an extra angle to the game, though at times, managing a rally that lasts longer than two shots seems like pie in the sky. Essentially, it all comes down to those controls, which combine taps on the screen with swipes.

Serving is the most straightforward of these tasks. Tapping instructs your monkey to toss the ball into the air, and a timed swipe in the direction you wish to thwack as it comes back down sends it flying across the net.

The real obstacles come into force when you try to return.

Monkey Tennis uses a curious system that changes depending on where the ball is. Swiping is the main input, controlling the direction, pace and strength behind the shot – the longer you swipe, the more force goes into your swing.

The idea is that the game responds to your position. If you swipe and the ball lands near you, the shot is fired in the direction you moved your finger. If you're out of reach or the ball is yet to return to your side of the court, the game supposedly moves you in that direction, ready to hit the ball on command.

It seems to make sense, but in practice, it rarely works. Instead of hitting the ball, the game reads most swipes as movement, causing you to stroll right past your opponent's shot. It's possible to swipe again to trigger a return of your own, but the ball is usually long gone by that stage.

Conversely, sometimes the simplest of taps will result in you making a shot that's way out of your reach. You can make a return from one side of the court when the ball is flying past you on the other. It's a ludicrous set-up that does the match no service, given most such returns fly straight into the net.

No doubt aware of its own shortcomings, much of the App Store listing implores you to stick with the game, even if the controls seem difficult at first. The idea is that as time passes, the awkward set-up will suddenly fall into place.

In fairness, it's certainly possible to conquer, but not without sapping all joy along the way. It's an sour point given that in all other areas, Monkey Tennis goes the extra mile.

All types of shots are included with full on lobs and the ability to add spin matched to different kinds of swipes. And there are 32 different kinds of monkey to play as or against that have their own skills and quirks.

But sadly most players will never get to realise this, because poor controls mean Monkey Tennis turns the touchscreen into a weakness, rather than a strength.