Sure, we enjoy tennis, it looks deceptively easy. But try playing it for any amount of time and you'll soon realise that just getting the ball where you want it to go can be extremely frustrating. It's all about the technique... so what better way to demonstrate Nintendo's newest accessory than through a sport which requires pinpoint precision?

Yes, we were as surprised as anyone when Nintendo decided to launch MotionPlus in Europe with a brand new tennis IP from EA. Sure, Wii Sports Resort will 'still' be the title that will shift millions of copies of MotionPlus, but still – affording EA their time in the spotlight was a smart move that was a win-win situation for both parties involved. And after extensively playing Grand Slam Tennis we can say the situation is definitely a win-win situation for gamers too.

Wii gamers have long been left in the shade when it comes to sports titles, as yearly updates have had key features removed in favour of 'lite' party games being thrown in instead. Grand Slam Tennis is the exception to the norm. Sure you'll find a plethora of multiplayer party modes within the package but the real bulk of the title is found in the extensive single-player grand slam tournament mode in which you take a self-created character through the world rankings and build up your tennis skills along the way. Oh, and there's a brilliant online mode. Yes, brilliant online mode. On Wii. Using EA's own servers you can say goodbye to Friend Codes and hello to simple internet tennis outings. Worldwide and individual ranking structures litter the online infrastructure and the games play superbly. As with most online titles you'll always come across a hiccup now and then, but our extensive online play was largely flawless and played just as the single-player mode did offline. Just a lot harder!

Why so serious?

And what a game Grand Slam Tennis plays. With Motion Plus jacked into your controller you're going to be playing with true 1:1 control. OK, OK, so the strokes are still somewhat time based (ala Wii Sports) but with the potent mixture of MotionPlus and timing what you will see (and get) is a tennis game like no other, when you get used to the 'kinks' in the control setup.

"Kinks?" you say? Well yes, there are a few. For starters, you'll need to keep your hand steady in front of you as often as possible to ensure Motion Plus knows where your starting point is throughout the game. It's not good to start your shot with your hand by your side as the default "holding the racquet in front of you" will then be recognised as being your hip. So be sensible gamers – hold the controller in front of you just like you would in real tennis. Sorted.

Another control gripe we have is that serving is still time-based like in Wii Sports, which means there is little to no skill in serving. Tell that to a real pro and you'll be battered. Yes, it works and yes it makes the serving aspect of the title accessible for all, but we would have liked a more advanced serving mechanic as an extra option. The last gripe we had with the controls was that the drop shot and lob mechanics are nothing but button modifiers with motions tacked on. Hold 'B' whilst you swing and you'll get a drop shot whilst 'A' will give you a lob. We were expecting MotionPlus to easily deal with these aspects of tennis yet we (again) feel that this control scheme was put in place as a means to ensure many different gamers could jump right onto the court and experience a competitive game. Again, an option for those wishing to use MotionPlus for lobs and drops would have been nice. Maybe next time.

It's all about anticipating the shot and positioning yourself accordingly!

Other than that we were very impressed with the control setup. Controls are responsive (highlighted by the ability to easily put slice and top spin on the ball) and the D-Pad position modifiers (press up to attack the net) are simple and work well in the context of just using the Wii remote. After further practice on the included practice court, you'll be hitting the ball exactly where you want it to go with realistic motions to boot. Furthermore, with the option to let the AI take control over your court position (like Wii Sports) or let the player use a nunchuck and let you do it yourself, EA have covered most bases - a fine achievement when you look at their EA sports franchise history.

And you'll be doing all of the above with a beaming smile on your face due to the general atmosphere Grand Slam Tennis has.The vibe of the game can best be described as 'summery', the cartoon-styled graphics work extremely well, look great and the pumping dance/trance soundtrack fits the title. The only thing we would have liked was more courts from the two found at each arena (Wimbledon, Australia, France and the United States) and some more little details happening on the court. (Think Smash Tennis on the Super NES.) Additionally the option to turn off the commentators is also welcome – purely because they repeat themselves constantly – even if they DO sound professional.

Other than that, Grand Slam Tennis is a joy to experience. Give it the time a new control mechanic deserves and you'll come to understand the control 'kinks' and come to work around them, going on to enjoy what could be considered the best tennis titles in years. Take out MotionPlus and you've got Wii Sports Tennis+, a title with the atmosphere, official licence and controls that mimic that groundbreaking title.

Finally, EA have gone the extra mile on Wii and Grand Slam Tennis proves that they are a changed company. Gone are the days of a title selling by brand power alone. Grand Slam Tennis is the new EA Sports. A company willing to take risks embrace change and develop cutting edge entertainment for those with a love for sport. See you on the courts!