25.4.2007

VIRTUA TENNIS 3 is the latest instalment in Sega's famed series. Not having been familiar with the previous games (well, not for playing anyway) I thought I'd rent this game out, and I'm really glad I did.Singles and doubles games are all possible, with up to four players on the same XBox 360, and you can set the number of sets within a game if you think the standard number is too long. There are four difficulty levels for CPU players, and the latter two in particular will call for some good play. In exhibition matches you can select from a selection of world-renowned players of both genders including Tim Henman, Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova - and not only do they look a bit like their real-life counterparts,they reportedly tend to play like them, too. If you have a custom player created in the career mode (see later) then you can use him/her instead. Some genuine courts like Wimbledon are also present, with different ones having different surfaces, causing the ball to behave differently when it bounces.In the career mode you actually get to design a tennis player (including hair colour, gender, what they wear, eye colour, face shape etc) and go through a 20-year career in which you try and have a successful career by entering tournaments and using the intervening time to balance rest with training to improve various attributes of your player. Rest is important so that your player doesn't lose so much stamina that s/he gets exhausted -- or, worse still, injured. If you do well enough your rank increases, which in turn gives you more choice in which tournaments you can enter, and you can also get upgrades to your wardrobe and racquets if you're lucky.The training sections are kind of stupid from the outset, but they are genuinely fun to play. I won't spoil the surprise, but they actually work better than you might think for a game that otherwise faithfully represents tennis.This game is an absolute joy to play. It's straightforward enough to pick up and get good rallies and shots, but (if you have a suitable difficulty setting) challenging enough to give you a bit of a run for your money. You get three different kinds of basic shots, but the power is determined by how long before your player actually whacks the ball you press the button relevant to the shot you wanted to play - and you use the movement stick to determine where to hit the ball. Dives, backhanders etc are all done for you only if the situation calls for them, so make sure that you aren't so far away from the ball too often that you keep diving to return the ball or you may not get up in time for its return!The game's graphics, animation, sound, gameplay and overall atmosphere are all incredible. It's beautifully presented, and plays so amazingly well that you just know that you are playing a classic of its kind.Quibbles are minor. If I had any, (a) there seems to be a bit of a jump from difficulty level Easy to Hard (the two intermediate ones); (b) the music got on my nerves before too long, so I had to go into the Sound settings and lower its volume to almost nothing - I kind of wished that the music wouldn't play during actual matches because I feel that it ruins the atmosphere and reminds you that you're playing a videogame, thus detracting from the feeling that you're really playing at Wimbledon or whatever; and (c) quite frequently the action replays (you usually get one after the point that won a player a set) are not shown from a particularly good angle - it seems to be the greatest of fortune if you get one where you get a good slow-motion view of the action without it simply being a close-up of where the ball landed and just seeing the ball whizz past the camera without being able to fully admire your handiwork and the opponent's vain attempt at recovery.This is easily among the best tennis games I've ever played in my life. Take a look.

12.9.2007

As an avid tennis player and fan i was eagerly anticipating playing this game to assess it's accuracy and fun factor.In terms of graphics this is one of the best HD titles on the xbox 360. The majority of players look almost identical to in real-life. The best match is probably Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer, although i don't think Federer actually waxes his arms and legs in real-life! Juan-Carlos Ferrero looks (i'm sorry to be so blunt) as though he has a septic eye infection - the skin below his eyes is shrivelled up rather disgustingly.The movements of the players are akin to their real-life movements (die-hard tennis players and viewers will really appreciate this as much as i have done).

1.4.2008

I am not really a person who plays sport games a lot. I did however absolutey adore Virtua Tennis 1 & 2 on the Sega Dreamcast and felt it was one of a few (crazy taxi, shenmue and metropolis street racer being the others in my opinion) truely classic games to grace that console. So when Virtua Tennis 3 came out I was immediately tempted but held off purchasing as I have not known many sports games that have great longetivity or a truely involving single player. However I was completely wrong to hold off this game is an exhilerating experience and completely immersive. I have also found that my girlfriend who rarely plays games that don't involve Johnny Depp and hates tennis has become completely addicted and in some cases way more competitive than even John McEnroe,

21.3.2007

Wow is this game addictive! Okay, those who remember or have played any of the previous generations of this series won't be blown away by any of the changes for this outing, but everything truly has been improved however slightly.The graphics are better (although all the previous versions were always excellent and ahead of their time anyway!). The motion capture is fantastic and each animation does seem to be individual to the character under your control! Service actions are truly amazing in their accuracy.The music i must say is still awful and players will either want to use music from their hard drive or mute it completely i would guess!The improvements also include small additions which manage to push the game that much closer to perfection.

20.7.2007

First off- this game looks beautiful. Really, really stunning (accept for the female player liknesses, which are rubbish). That said, and graphic-junking aside, its the gameplay that earns the marks for this one. Both virtua tennis game's preceeding the third incarnation were very good in their own right but arcade-orientated to the extent that whilst immediately accessable they were quickly (frankly) boring. In this game Sega have masterfully managed to combine that quick-learn approach with a new depth of movement, shot selection and physics that allows dedicated players to take a step up not possible before. Put this game on hard or very hard, get used to the physics, and a real treat awaits.

3.7.2007

I bought this game last Saturday, and I must proclaim its addictive nature. As soon as I put the disc in the console, I found myself pressed up against the screen for around 6 hours: screw my imminently due history essay, this rules!! However, I must exclaim the profound idiocy that is found in certain areas, which we will now discuss.To begin, we have the exaggerated diving. Honestly, it would be physically impossible for even a professional to throw themselves around so frequently without breaking something. This can only be defined as ignorance upon Sega's behalf. The second flaw I found was the absurd difficulty alterations on the world tour. From winning with sudden ease,

12.8.2007

Virtua Tennis 3 is a fun game that really doesn't have that much competition (at least on the PC). It also has by far the best graphics of any sports game that I have ever seen.As well as playing exhibition matches, there is a career mode, which lets you progress through the ranks to become the number one player. You can customize your player, and take part in many of the worlds major tournaments. I do have a few moans about career mode though. Firstly, while the players are licensed, the venues aren't- not a major problem but I'm a bit puzzled why they didn't get both. More importantly, the game starts far too easy- it takes at least half-an-hour of playing far too easy opponents to get any challenge what so ever,

2.4.2007

The first thing Tennis fans will ask is "is it better than Top Spin 2?" Possibly, depends on what you are looking for. Top Spin is more of a challenging simulation and the 1 player mode has real lasting value. I also found it quite difficult. VT3 is more of a "gamers" game, fun all the way with less focus on accurately representing the sport. I can definately say that the on-line play and features for VT3 are better than Top Spin and the main reason you should get this game. No hint of lag, options to enter tournaments, team up with friends for doubles and the usual single player ranked leagues make this one of the best xbox live games ever. This brings me neatly onto the title of the review - the PS3 version has no on-line play!

8.9.2010

This game is great! I've had so much fun playing it. The World Tour feature is just like career mode in other games. You create your own player and then you start your career. You start out ranked #300 in the world and you have to play your way to #1. In order for your player to get better you have to train him/her and you have to win tournaments to raise your rank. It gets harder as your rank gets higher and then you start to play grand slams and from there you win the King of Players tournament to be ranked #1. It's just like (what I would imagine) a proper tennis career. You get sponsered, you get free clothes from the sponsers, you get new gear when you win a tournament,

21.5.2007

Do not let anyone tell you this game is bad or hard. It is simple: if you like and understand tennis, you will love this game. If tennis is not really your thing then this game will only have a few novelty values.The excellent career mode allows you to train your character's abilities, such as serving and volleying. The mini-games involved in this training also help the player to master the control pad - not that it's hard, just to progress further in the game you need lightning fast reactions.There is an arcade mode too, you can simply play a few games as Roddick, Federer or even Henman against most male and female stars on the main circuit. The graphics are awsome and the best I have seen thus far for a sports game.

13.4.2007

What a game! - its fun, quick, addictive and even the missus wants to play.The graphics are great (especially with an HDTV) and the gameplay is fluid. The characters look like their real counterparts and the courts and surrounding extras (crowd, linesmen, ball boys, etc) all act correctly and sound great.The season mode is very addictive with the mini games being the high point of the game. - Very simple yet very hard to master fully.Its a game taht you cant put down and will leave you saying, "just one more tournament and then i break into the top 50!".Take note - put it down, breathe and go down the pub to remonstrate to your firends how you just beat Federer.

25.12.2006

the next real next gen tennis game. I have seen videos and pictures and virtua tennis 3 just looks very very good. And the mmost important thing it look like a real and fun tennis game. I am a very keen tennis player so i just cant wait for this game next year. this i am sure will be the one of the best tennis games on the next gen consoles ps3 and xbox 360. i have a xbox 360 really looking forward to it

9.6.2008

This game is brilliant until you get to the "very hard" level.Its frustrating when you can win easily every time on hard, but have absolutely no chance on very hard. The game is pretty much over for me now because there is no longer any challenge, and i do not have enough time to go through the career mode. So, until you can beat everyone on the hard setting, this game is great.

26.3.2007

Could be.Totally awesome, fun and addictive. The best sports game on the console by a long way. Nothing comes close. Got this game on Saturday and was online beating people that very night. If you have played any of the previous versions then this is identical but looks far better. If you have not, why not? You are missing out. A real must buy title. Get it today.

11.6.2013

The last tennis game with Tim Henman on the roster, and lets face it who doesn't like playing doubles with Nadal and Federer against Tim Henman paired with the weakest woman possible. Just hit the ball to Tim every single time and watch him suffer haha almost like a handicap match :)

Virtua Tennis 3 - Reviews

Info

Analysis

Detail