Xbox

Top Spin

Simply put, Top Spin is the best overall tennis game out there. While Virtua Tennis and even Mario Tennis are great games, Top Spin's added depth, online play, and beautiful graphics make it the tennis game to have, no questions asked.

Ever since Sega brought tennis to the video gaming masses with Virtua Tennis, there have been many imitators, but none have been able to match the quality of that game--until now. Power and Magic Developments, a European development house whose previous experience lies mainly in soccer games, has teamed up with Microsoft to create Top Spin. Top Spin is, quite simply, the most well-rounded, feature-rich game of tennis to be found anywhere, on any system. Virtua Tennis players who have been clutching their Dreamcasts for the past few years can now safely let go, as a suitable replacement has finally arrived.

Top Spin är helt enkelt ett underbart tennisspel som ingen bör vara utan.

PAM frappe un grand coup avec Top Spin sur Xbox. Le titre fait office de véritable chef-d'oeuvre dans le domaine du jeu de tennis, aussi bien en matière de qualité visuelle et de réalisme, qu'en ce qui concerne la profondeur de jeu et les sensations. Du grand art qui n'a vraiment rien à envier à ceux que l'on croyait indétrônables dans cette catégorie.

I've seen a lot of criticism, apparently not entirely undeserved, of Microsoft's sport outings, with reviewers and forum-addicted gamers noting that the company's relatively young franchises can't compare to the more mature offerings from EA and Sega. Don't let those sorts of comments taint your perception of Top Spin, though; this is one game that Microsoft nailed on its first try, and I hope this is just the first in a long, long series. Top Spin is unbelievably fun, and its variety of online and offline options should keep this game spinning in the consoles of many XBox owners for quite some time to come. Highly Recommended.

Top Spin is a terrific game. The eye candy is wonderful and the physical dynamics are, for the most part, very realistic and - at times - downright amazing. The game is evolving and presents a solid challenge for players of any age group or skill. Add an addiction quotient to the entertaining gameplay and this game certainly is a must-have for Xbox owners who also happen to be tennis fans.

Virtua Tennis put tennis games on the map. Between the glorious control and the phenomenal four-player doubles, it counts as one of the best multiplayer games ever whether you’re a sports fan or not. So after the Dreamcast faded into the sunset, there was a yawning chasm waiting to be filled, and Top Spin is the most promising, potential-packed replacement to volunteer for the job. Mostly it succeeds, mixing cool innovations with unfortunate missteps.

Sega's Virtua Tennis (VT) set a new standard for arcade-tennis games with its simple controls, addictive gameplay, and strong graphics. It was a fun single-player game and an even better multiplayer game which up to four people could enjoy. Now, Microsoft's foray into video-game tennis does everything VT did, but a whole lot better. Like an upstart youngster on the pro tour, Top Spin has taken the genre by storm and established a new number-one game. It offers an amazing single-player experience and an awesome multiplayer one, especially for Xbox Live subscribers.

Top Spin tennis is yet another superb Live enabled game. The career mode is engaging and the player creator alone is a lot of fun. Tennis games clearly don't appeal to everyone, but this is a truly great simulation of the sport and a wonderful multiplayer game with on one console or taken online.

In any language, Top Spin is a winner. Its small flaws are outmatched by its solid gameplay, excellent graphics and nice online support. It’s also as close as you’ll get to Anna without worrying about that pesky restraining order, and that’s gotta count for something.

Top Spin is a great game which is accessible for any gamer. The XSN delivers again with another great sports title to add to the list. Although the game could use some minor tweaks, it’s predominately the best tennis game on the market. If you enjoy tennis, you probably already have Top Spin. There is no reason why you should overlook this title.

Seriously, this is a great tennis sim. It's certainly less fun than Virtua Tennis (especially the career mode) and it's damn frustrating at times, but it's still the best representation of strawberries and cream we've ever seen. If you still haven't played Virtua Tennis and aren't much of a tennis fan, then the PS2 Virtua Tennis is probably the title for you - especially as it's cheaper - but if you've been waiting for a title to really capture the essence of the sport, then this is it. We've even given it the respect of not making a pun to finish with. In short: ace!

Tennis games are a funny bunch, the simplicity and gameplay is always of a high standard and yet they never really get a look in when it comes to landing on gamers' shelves. Worst still Virtua Tennis set such high standards when it was originally launched on the Dreamcast that bringing out an alternative version is like remaking a classic movie. Yes some will love the changes and the fact that it is virtually identical to Sega's masterpiece even down to the customising of characters in the career mode. To others though, it will be outrage.

If anything saves Top Spin, it is the online play – only there does the game offer any lasting enjoyment. Still, the control and organization problems make Top Spin much less of a game than it could have (and should have) been. Tennis is already a niche sport, so most gamers will likely ignore Top Spin. However, buying it isn’t necessarily a bad choice, since even with its problems those who enjoy the sport may find some value in it simply for the online play. It isn’t worth the full price, though.

Once you’ve become the best and are sleeping with supermodels (again, my own imaginative license) you can only fall, not rise. You slowly go the way of Andre Agassi: You start to lose your hair, you shun Brooke Shields and eventually settle down with a top 50 rating and Stephi Graf. Would I buy this game again? Sure—it was five bucks used.