About Pico Tennis
Pico Tennis is a retro pixel-art tennis game with simple controls and a shot system built on footwork. You move around the court, swing at the ball and decide where it goes by where you stand when you hit it.
Meet the ball square in front of you and it heads back the way it came. Stand off to one side and the return angles away, and the further out you stand, the sharper the angle. Every return in a rally also adds to a power meter, which you can spend on a power shot whenever there's something in it, and the fuller it gets, the faster that shot flies.
The menu lets you set the match type, how long sets run, the number of sets and the CPU level, and you can face the computer or a friend sharing one keyboard. You can play Pico Tennis online here, and a match takes a few minutes.
How to Play Pico Tennis
- Click inside the game window, choose your settings from the menu and select Play.
- Use the arrow keys to move around the court.
- Press Z to swing at the ball.
- Line up square behind the ball to send it straight back, or stand to one side to angle your shot.
- Keep the rally going to build your power meter.
- Press X for a power shot whenever the meter has power in it.
What to Expect in Pico Tennis
Positioning is everything in Pico Tennis. Since angle comes from where you stand rather than from a separate aim button, good footwork lets you pull your opponent from side to side and open up the court.
Power adds a layer of risk and reward. Long rallies charge the meter, and a fuller meter means a faster shot, so you're always choosing between cashing in early or waiting for a bigger hit. The chunky retro look and quick matches make it an easy tennis game to pick up for a few minutes.
Tips for Pico Tennis
- Stand a little to the side of the ball to hit angled shots that drag your opponent across the court.
- Alternate wide shots to each side. Making your opponent run opens space for a winner.
- Do not burn your power shot the moment you have some. A fuller meter means a faster shot.
- When you're out of position, a centered return sends the ball straight back and buys you time to recover.
- Raise the CPU level once normal feels easy, or play Pico Tennis free against a friend on one keyboard.
Who Made Pico Tennis
Pico Tennis was made by Paranoid Cactus, who released it on itch.io. It was built in PICO-8. FunClicker embeds the creator's own version so you can play it here without downloading anything. We did not make the game, and the credit for its design, code, and art belongs to its creator. You can find the original on the Pico Tennis page on itch.io.
FAQ
Is Pico Tennis free?
Yes. Pico Tennis is free to play here in your browser, with no install and no account. Pick your settings, select Play and you're on court within seconds. A match takes a few minutes, so it's easy to fit in a quick set against the computer.
How do you play Pico Tennis?
Move with the arrow keys, press Z to swing and X for a power shot. Where you stand decides the angle: meet the ball square on to send it straight back, or stand to the side to angle it away. Each return in a rally builds power for your next power shot.
Can two people play Pico Tennis?
Yes. Pico Tennis supports local multiplayer, so two people can play on the same computer, sharing one keyboard. If you're on your own, the menu lets you play against the CPU and set its level, along with the set length and number of sets.
Who made Pico Tennis?
Pico Tennis was made by Paranoid Cactus, who released it on itch.io. It was built in PICO-8. FunClicker did not make the game. We embed the creator's own version, and the credit link above goes to the original release.
Can I play Pico Tennis on a Chromebook or phone?
Pico Tennis works well on a Chromebook, since it runs in a browser tab and uses the arrow keys plus Z and X. It needs a keyboard, though, so a phone is not a good fit. Use a laptop or desktop for the best feel on fast rallies.
Is Pico Tennis unblocked at school?
Pico Tennis needs only a browser tab, with nothing to download and no login. Whether it opens on a school network depends on that network's filters, which we do not control. If it loads on your connection, pick your settings and start a match.
How does the power shot work in Pico Tennis?
Every time you return the ball during a rally in Pico Tennis, you add power to a meter. Press X to hit a power shot any time there's power stored. The more you've saved up, the faster the shot flies, so a long rally can set up a very hard hit.
How do you aim in Pico Tennis?
Pico Tennis has no aim button. The angle of your shot depends on your position: meet the ball square on and it goes back the way it came, or stand to its left or right and the shot angles off, more sharply the further to the side you are.
