While “The Prince of Tennis” often draws attention for the heat of its matches and the presence of its overly unique characters, it has actually been a work with a strong appeal in the “sense of distance from the characters” since a long time ago. That is precisely why I believe “The Prince of Tennis: Mo~tto Gakuensai no Oujisama” has been talked about for many years. It wasn't just a character game; the sensation of “being able to spend time with those princes” was overwhelming. And now, the mere fact that this masterpiece has returned as a remaster is quite poignant for those who played it back then.

The greatest charm of this work is, after all, that it depicts “time outside of matches.” While “The Prince of Tennis” is famous for its superhuman match developments, this work is set during a daily event: a joint school festival. You interact with the tennis club members from the seven schools representing the Kanto Tournament through preparations for the festival. This setting is truly exquisite. Unlike the tense atmosphere during matches, their “true selves” become visible in the small talk in hallways, interactions during preparations, and the distance in casual conversations. That is exactly why it's irresistible for fans. Fresh discoveries like “He makes this kind of expression” or “He talks in this way” keep popping up one after another.

In romance adventure games, the “school festival” event has always been special. It's extraordinary, yet somehow feels realistic. From the busyness of the preparation period to the excitement of the day and even the sadness as it nears its end, it is packed with youth itself. This work makes the most of that atmosphere. Instead of just lining up conversation events, there is a genuine sense of “building something together.” Because of that accumulation, relationships with the characters deepen naturally.

One of the reasons this game has been loved for so long lies in the sense of distance in the character portrayals. Each character in “The Prince of Tennis” has an almost extremely strong personality, but this work is brilliant in that it establishes itself as a romance game without destroying those traits. Cool characters stay properly cool, awkward characters stay awkward, yet the kindness or bashfulness they show in unexpected moments feels strangely realistic. I think the more of a fan of the original work you are, the more scenes you will find where you feel, ”This reaction is just like him.”

What is particularly pleasing about this remaster is surely the HD upgrade and the still image remakes. It’s not just a direct port of an old work; solid adjustments have been made to ”make it easier to play in the current environment.” The high-definition graphics convey the characters' expressions in more detail, and the partially remade stills add new charm without destroying the memories of that time. Furthermore, since it is equipped with a function to switch back to the old stills, you can feel the consideration for those who want to experience the old atmosphere as it was. This ”coexistence of nostalgia and novelty” is truly well-done.

In romance adventure games, the impression changes significantly depending on the comfort of the system. In this work, I had a positive impression of the solid improvements in small details, such as UI design optimization and improved map visibility. These kinds of improvements aren't flashy, but when you actually play, the comfort level is completely different. Just reducing the stress of moving around to find characters makes it easier to concentrate on conversations and events. Also, the addition of a comment function that changes based on the “Trust level” is interesting. As the relationship deepens, the reactions change, allowing you to savor the sensation that ”the distance is definitely closing” in detail.

While playing this game, I strangely feel like I am touching “nostalgic youth.” Of course, it's a luxurious school festival that couldn't exist in reality, and the characters are far from ordinary. However, there is a strange reality in the atmosphere after school, the time spent preparing with someone, and the feeling of gradually becoming someone special. So, as I play, instead of feeling like I'm ”conquering a TeniPri character,” I start to feel as if I'm ”experiencing memories from my youth.”

It is not uncommon for old character games to disappear along with the enthusiasm of that era. However, even touching “Mo~tto Gakuensai no Oujisama” again now, it has a unique charm. This is because it doesn't just rely on character popularity but carefully depicts the ”sparkle of youth” through the setting of a school festival. That is why it appears nostalgic to those who knew it then, and conversely fresh to those encountering it for the first time. I think there is great significance in the fact that its charm has been revived in a more playable form through remastering.