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Best tennis sim for consoles

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: June 26, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Top Spin 3, the latest in the series started by Top Spin on the original Xbox, revamps the rather simple control system of the first two games into one that is quite a bit more complex and intricate, but eventually more rewarding. Holding the shot button does not automatically move you into position, nor does it guarantee a good shot - now you must watch the ball, manually move into the correct position, and release the button at the correct time in order to hit a decent shot. Being in the wrong position or mistiming the button release leads to weak shots and errors. There is a "Tennis School" section devoted to helping players learn the new system and unlearn habits from the previous games, but only with repeated practice does the system become second nature. When everything starts to click, though, the game becomes very satisfying - you know it was your skill and experience that let you hit that screamer down the line, not the computer's automated hand-holding.

The character and ball movements have been slowed down, putting a greater emphasis on timing and precision. Two buttons have been mapped to have your character quickly run to either the center of the baseline or the net, but at the expense of stamina. This new stamina system ratchets up the tension and realism of the matches. Play well and run your opponent ragged, and he will start making loose errors as his heart rate increases. Likewise, your own timing and concentration must be maintained as your avatar's stamina decreases and his potential for making mistakes becomes greater. This gives a heightened sense of drama to the longer matches that was missing in previous games.

Other high points are a very well-done character customization feature and the usage of fictional characters on the tour (so that one isn't playing an inexplicably unskilled Federer in the first round of some random tournament). Tennis aficionados will appreciate the detailed stat sheets after matches, the increased frequency of aces, and the improved effectiveness of the service game. No longer are serves just a perfunctory start of a point - now it is much easier to hold when serving well, and conversely much more difficult to simply pound returns into corners.

For me, the flaws of this game are a period of frustration when learning the controls, and a rather dull presentation to the career mode, especially compared to the globe interface of Virtua Tennis 3. I don't play online, so I can't comment on that.

In all, this is an excellent game that achieves its goal of being a detailed tennis sim. As long as one is not expecting a pick-up-and-play experience like that of the older games or the Virtua Tennis series, and is willing to put in the effort to learn the new gameplay system, the benefits of the increased complexity quickly pay off.

Tennis fans look no further

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: July 02, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This is the most realistic tennis game you'd ever get your hands on. It's a lot challenging at first compared to the other arcade like(more like mindless clicking and running) games like Virtua Tennis 3 but once you get a hang of the controls, it offers a an incredible amount of fun. You'll feel like you're really a tennis pro once you start smashing those passing shots. My only real complaint is that you can't play as Rafael Nadal in the XBox 360 version due to some nonsense contractual obligations. What a joke.. Other than that this by far the best tennis game on the market right now. Period.

Realistic but isn't that fun

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: July 05, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This game is very realistic but also very slow. Every few times when serving, the game seems to become laggy/choppy. Gameplay is very slow and the players movement (or lack thereof) is frustrating. I would recommend Virtua Tennis 3 unless you are a die hard tennis lover or play tennis yourself. On a positive note, the added changes such as player fatigue is fantastic. Player models and attitudes are very realistic. One last lame thing is no Nadal (no rights blah blah) and no Wimbledon. Doesn't seem like tennis without Wimbledon :)

movement is terrible!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 5
Date: July 07, 2008
Author: Amazon User

[...]. the movement on this game is so bad.in top spin 1 and 2 the movement is great no problems moving the players.but on this game the players just dont respond to movement when you move the right joystick.i know this sounds hard to believe but trust me if you rent this game and try it out you will find out exactly the same thing i did.the players movment is just so bad and just responds very sluggish to the controls.top spin tried to make this game more realistic to real tennis but it failed.if you want to play the most realistic tennis game to date get smash court tennis 2 for ps2.hopefully when smash court tennis 3 comes out for 360 in august it will be exactly like smash court tennis 2 with just a few minor improvements.because thats all it needs the game is the best tennis game out there.my guess is the other 5 reviews on here are people on the payroll of top spin 3 company.this game only deserves 1 star for its graphics,but great graphics dont make a great game.

Disappointing for such a previously strong series. Won't buy another Top Spin after this.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 2 / 8
Date: July 10, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Do yourself a favor and download the free demo available on Xbox Live before you purchase this game. I wish I had...

I've been playing console tennis games since the Atari 2600, and the Top Spin series is among the best ever in the genre. However, this edition of Top Spin is really a step down; actually, it's more like a tumble down a long staircase. The new control system is completely frustrating and counter-intuitive. I found myself missing easy shots entirely too often even when I know I'm in the correct position (or, in correct position like when I played Top Spin 1 or 2 or any of the excellent Virtua Tennis titles). For whatever reason, when I press the button, the player does not swing the racket (or only starts to swing) and the ball sails right past. I tried tapping twice, holding the button down, various timed presses... Though I was able to keep some rallies going, none of it seemed to work consistently, and it was very frustrating.

The absence of a service power meter gives the game an entirely new level of crappiness as well. The notion that a faked up woman player in the game, one that is 180 pounds, sloppy and out of shape, could easily beat Maria Sharapova is completely ridiculous, yet every serve I hit while playing as Maria was weak and ineffective no matter how I timed it (with no timing bar... how the heck am I supposed to know when to hit?), and every serve this fake computer player hit went over 100 MPH.

I am a grown up and I play video games to have fun, not to spend a ton of time learning an esoteric, poorly-implemented timing system.

Not only that, but the graphics really struck me as poor when compared to previous efforts. The models look last-gen, the character animation is stiff and clumsy and the backgrounds looked unrealistic. After spending time playing Virtua Fighter 5 on the PS3 tonight then putting in Top Spin 3, Top Spin 3 really suffered by comparison... it's just a poor effort. I honestly believe that Top Spin 2 looked better.

It's a shame because I've been such a big fan of past Top Spins, but I really regret buying this one and I definitely will not be purchasing the next one in the series. I would highly recommend that anyone interested in the game download the demo and play it before committing your money to what could be a very big disappointment.

the best tennis game ever

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: June 25, 2008
Author: Amazon User

i had been waiting to get my hands on this game, since i first heard of it, and the game is great. at first i didnt see much difference from the previous versions of the game to this one, but let me tell you after playing it for like 20 min. oh man i had found my new addiction. this game is by far the best tennis game ever, however the game is not perfect and it could use some improvements, but as it is, if you love tennis you will enjoy this game.

Tennis School

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: July 11, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Great game. Plays a lot more realistic than just holding the A button and watching your player automatically dart left and hit the shot.

There is a learning curve; like one reviewer (Steve) said, at first you just miss the ball and can't swing. Go to tennis school and the game will teach/tell you how to play. You can't just play the game like TS 2, it's different. After 10 minutes, however, I was able to adjust and hit winners and even get an ace in there.

You shouldn't complain that the hitting system sucks or the style of the game is dumb just because you can't figure it out. The hitting system is fine; if you miss the ball it's your fault for not holding and releasing the swing button at the right time. Just like REAL TENNIS, you have to have good timing and position. Once I realized the game plays different than previous Top Spins, I realized the game is pretty awesome. Only time will tell if the career mode, etc. is good.

Best Tennis Game Ever Made

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: July 02, 2008
Author: Amazon User

They made history with topspin 1. They've done it again. The online mode is much improved and the game has incredible depth and realism. This is the best tennis game ever made so far and I've played them all (except smash court tennis 3)

Almost Perfect Tennis Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 18, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I have played all kinds of tennis games, but this one is the best...almost perfect. Yes the controls are different then previous Top Spin games, so I strongly suggest you go through the "Tennis School" first to learn the controls. Basically, you hold the shot button for power and release the button around the time the ball hit to ground to hit the ball. Timing and position of the player is the key to success (or failure). Your career player will start very "dumb" and slow at first; however, once you give the guy some skill point (i.e. speed, power, forehand, backhand, etc.) as you earn them, your guy will be fine. Here is the downside of the game: Risk Shots. I hate them. I am not "that" good of a multiple-button-pushing-in-right-time-quickly kind of a guy. I just beat the game in hardest career mode without using the risk shot. However, I lose frequently online because pretty much everyone else has mastered the risk shots. Unless you have master the risks shots, your chance of winning during online play is very small, regardless of your tennis skills. If they have just deleted the risk shots from the game, I think everyone would have a chance of competing during online play. One more thing. I think the game would have help a bit more if we did not have to worry too much about the "positioning" of the player while playing. You have to worry about the timing part of the game, but you also have to worry about the positioning of the player. I just wished that the company would have deleted the "positioning" part or have it automatic like TS2. I hope this helps.

Wait for Smash Court Tennis 3

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 24, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Like my title says, wait for Smash Court Tennis 3. I played the Japanese version of it last year and was greatly pleased. I didn't try too much of the career mode because the text was all in Japanese.

Back to Top Spin, I was a huge fan of the first one, but both sequels have been total letdowns. The graphics are amazing (a major improvement compared SCT3), though the player models STILL aren't up to par (Fed's face looks like he ate a few Big Macs before the match). The new controller layout and gameplay is going to leave quite a few people miffed before they finish a match. Other little details like: not being able to challenge line calls, poor career mode setup, and players moving akwardly at times (all things SCT3 does better) make this game no more than a rental.

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