Virtua Tennis, known as Power Smash in Japan, is making headlines once again as online multiplayer functionality has been restored on the Sega Dreamcast.
More than two decades after its initial release, players around the world can now experience the thrill of competing with each other in one of the most celebrated tennis video games ever developed, thanks to the dedicated efforts of homebrew developer Shuouma. Originally launched by Sega in Japanese arcades and later on Dreamcast in 1999, Virtua Tennis quickly gained recognition for its accessible yet deep gameplay and robust multiplayer options.
The Japanese edition, Power Smash, was released a few months after its North American counterpart.
One of its standout features at launch was support for online matches.
However, official online services were discontinued years ago, leaving fans unable to access this unique aspect of the game—until now. Shuouma, a renowned figure within the Dreamcast homebrew and preservation community, has successfully re-enabled online multiplayer for Power Smash.
This breakthrough allows up to four players to reconnect and compete over the internet, using restored Dreamcast online infrastructure.
Dreamcast Live, a leading resource for online Dreamcast gaming, recently reported that the revived gameplay is smooth and highly enjoyable, offering tennis game fans an authentic and nostalgic experience. "Online gameplay is impressively stable and should appeal to both veteran fans and newcomers alike," Dreamcast Live stated in their recent update on the project. Interestingly, Sega opted not to include online multiplayer in Virtua Tennis 2—known as Power Smash 2 or Tennis 2K2—which released in 2001.
As a result, Shuouma's work on the original Power Smash represents a unique revival for Dreamcast’s classic lineup, further emphasizing the importance of fan-driven game preservation. For those interested in restoring their Dreamcast system to join the newly revived online matches, comprehensive guides are available through resources like Dreamcast Live.
This milestone not only expands the growing list of playable online Dreamcast titles in 2026, but also highlights the enduring passion within the retro gaming and development community. Power Smash joining the growing roster of online Dreamcast games is a testament to the commitment of fans and developers like Shuouma.
With restored multiplayer functionality, the legacy of Sega’s sports classic lives on, offering a refreshed opportunity for competition and camaraderie on the original hardware.
More than two decades after its initial release, players around the world can now experience the thrill of competing with each other in one of the most celebrated tennis video games ever developed, thanks to the dedicated efforts of homebrew developer Shuouma. Originally launched by Sega in Japanese arcades and later on Dreamcast in 1999, Virtua Tennis quickly gained recognition for its accessible yet deep gameplay and robust multiplayer options.
The Japanese edition, Power Smash, was released a few months after its North American counterpart.
One of its standout features at launch was support for online matches.
However, official online services were discontinued years ago, leaving fans unable to access this unique aspect of the game—until now. Shuouma, a renowned figure within the Dreamcast homebrew and preservation community, has successfully re-enabled online multiplayer for Power Smash.
This breakthrough allows up to four players to reconnect and compete over the internet, using restored Dreamcast online infrastructure.
Dreamcast Live, a leading resource for online Dreamcast gaming, recently reported that the revived gameplay is smooth and highly enjoyable, offering tennis game fans an authentic and nostalgic experience. "Online gameplay is impressively stable and should appeal to both veteran fans and newcomers alike," Dreamcast Live stated in their recent update on the project. Interestingly, Sega opted not to include online multiplayer in Virtua Tennis 2—known as Power Smash 2 or Tennis 2K2—which released in 2001.
As a result, Shuouma's work on the original Power Smash represents a unique revival for Dreamcast’s classic lineup, further emphasizing the importance of fan-driven game preservation. For those interested in restoring their Dreamcast system to join the newly revived online matches, comprehensive guides are available through resources like Dreamcast Live.
This milestone not only expands the growing list of playable online Dreamcast titles in 2026, but also highlights the enduring passion within the retro gaming and development community. Power Smash joining the growing roster of online Dreamcast games is a testament to the commitment of fans and developers like Shuouma.
With restored multiplayer functionality, the legacy of Sega’s sports classic lives on, offering a refreshed opportunity for competition and camaraderie on the original hardware.
