Virtua Tennis: World Tour

The World Is Your Court

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Go up against the world's greatest players, on every surface around the world

Unique Wireless mode allows up to 4 players to compete at the same time

Create & train your own star to challenge for the No.1 ranking in World Tour mode

Challenging mini games will hone your skills, including the all new Ball Games mode### Play as or against 14 of the world's top tennis stars, including:

Roger Federer, Tim Henman, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Tommy Haas, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams, Daniela Hantuchova

Source:

Back of Keep Case (US)

SEGA's Popular Sports Franchise Gears Up for a Handheld Tour in Summer 2005

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON (May 10, 2005) - SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd. today served up an ace by announcing that they will publish Virtua Tennis™ World Tour for the PSP™ portable entertainment system. Continuing the effort to develop SEGA IP products in the Western markets, SEGA has chosen SUMO Digital, the UK based development team behind the Xbox version of OutRun2 to develop Virtua Tennis World Tour. The arcade and home console hit, widely regarded for its fast-paced, accessible gameplay has been redesigned specifically for the PSP handheld console market and is confirmed for release in Autumn 2005.

Virtua Tennis World Tour will feature a playable array of internationally renowned tennis pros in addition to a make-your-own player mode, exclusive mini-games, and original courts. Wi-Fi gameplay is supported, encouraging up to four friends to play together.

"Virtua Tennis on PSP successfully combines the legendary gameplay of the Virtua Tennis range with great new features designed for the gamer on the go," commented Matt Woodley, Creative Director of SEGA. "Add to that a roster of licensed players and the game looking gorgeous on the PSP's amazing screen and you've got what I believe is a must-have title."

Virtua Tennis World Tour features three core gameplay modes: World Tour, in which players travel the globe using a custom-created character to win cash; Exhibition, where players can take control of a pro tennis all-star for one-off matches; and Tournament, which puts players in knockout sessions where only the best will see victory.

Fun to play for minutes or hours and always challenging, it's easy to see why Virtua Tennis World Tour is perfectly suited for the PSP system.

Key features* Play as an Internationally-ranked tennis star. Play up against the best in the world or play as a star and challenge fellow professional players.

• Four unique court surfaces to play on. Play around the world on hard court, clay, grass and carpet.

• Multiplayer Wi-Fi function. Competition with other PSP system owners for up to four players.

• Three different play modes: World Tour, Exhibition and Tournament.

• Create your own player. Accessorise your character with the virtual cash you win in tournaments.

Source:

Press release (10th May 2005)

Virtua Tennis™

Platform: PSP

Category: Sports

Developer: SEGA Studios

Release: Summer 2005

Players can now take the addictive, fast-paced action of Virtua Tennis with them wherever they go. The PSP™ portable entertainment system version of this critically acclaimed game tightens up the series' already superb gameplay and treats fans to a new set of inventive mini-games. Fun alone or with friends, this is the ideal sports franchise for the handheld arena.

An impressive roster of licensed world stars bring realism and authority to this accessible, arcade-style game. Players can take any of these pro athletes through two core gameplay modes: Exhibition and Tournament. Exhibition mode lets players jump straight into the action with their favorite player, while Tournament mode challenges gamers with five pre-set singles stages and three pre-set doubles stages.

Once a player has prepped with the pros, they'll feel ready to tackle World Tour mode. This mode allows players to create a custom tennis star, train them through a range of fun mini-games, up their stats, and then build their rank in a lengthy series of tournaments. Both custom and pro stars can then be used with the game's Wi-Fi feature, which lets up to 16 friends challenge each other in rousing singles and doubles matches.

Features:* 14 internationally ranked tennis pros. Challenge your favorite tennis all-stars or play as them.

• Play around the world on hard, clay, and grass courts.

• Multiplayer Wi-Fi function. Competition with other PSP system owners for up to 16 players.

• Three different play modes: World Tour, Exhibition and Tournament.

• Create your own player. Customize your character with the virtual cash you win in tournaments.

Source:

Press release (18th May 2005)

SEGA Adds Tennis Champions To Virtua Tennis: World Tour

**Roger Federer, Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Lleyton Hewitt, Lindsay Davenport Headline Pro Player Roster

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON (July 7, 2005)** – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced the roster of internationally-ranked tennis pros featured in SEGA's upcoming Virtua Tennis™: World Tour for the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system. Three-time Wimbledon champions Roger Federer and Venus Williams headline the roster of tennis greats.

Other licensed pros to appear in Virtua Tennis: World Tour include Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Lleyton Hewitt, Lindsay Davenport, Tim Henman, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Tommy Haas, Sebastien Grosjean, David Nalbandian, Daniela Hantuchova, Amelie Mauresmo, and Nicole Vaidisova. The latest installment in the critically-acclaimed franchise also serves up a make-your-own player mode, exclusive mini-games, original courts, and up to four players via Wireless LAN.

"Players can now challenge the world's top tennis stars and Wimbledon champions, thanks to Virtua Tennis: World Tour and the PSP system," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Entertainment Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "The game offers a customizable, action-packed multi-player experience that is a must-have for gamers on the go."

In Exhibition Mode, step into the sneakers of a professional player and take advantage of their real-life strengths on the court. In World Tour Mode, customize your own player and progress through the ranks. In order to perfect your skills, there are four brand new mini-games – Blockbuster, Fruit Dash, Blocker, and Balloon Smash – exclusive to the PSP system.

Virtua Tennis: World Tour has received several accolades for its visual excellence and addictive gameplay including the E3 Game Critics Nomination for Best Sports Game, and the IGN Award for Best PSP Sports Game. Developed by the UK-based development team, SUMO Digital, Virtua Tennis: World Tour is challenging and fun whether you have just minutes or hours to play.

Source:

Press release (7th July 2005)

Test your skills against an array of the world's top tennis stars, and play in arenas expertly modelled to include key court surfaces from around the world.

• Play as or against a host of the world's top tennis stars, or create your own player
• Awesome four-player Wireless gaming experience lets you take on your friends anywhere, any time
• Flawless court design, including all key court surfaces around the world

Source:

uk.playstation.com