If you like Virtua Tennis, you'll like this game as it is practically a port of Virtua Tennis 2 (2k2 in some countries/platforms). This review is based on the European version. That being said, everything is in English. However, you can change the voice of the umpire to English, French, German, Italian and Spanish (standard five multilanguage release for the European market).
The game mechanics are the same (three buttons for flat, slice and lob), graphics pretty much the same (they look like the original Dreamcast graphics, despite new professional players). The game still uses the same old design it invented that was also used in the highly popular Xbox game Topspin: the earlier you start your swing, the more powerful the shot. Don't expect any risk shots here, this is Virtua Tennis as you've always known it to be. Also, if you're a fan of Namco's tennis games, this is nothing like Smash Court.
The World Tour mode is basically identical to the one in VT2. You have a few basic templates to design your custom character (four faces, four skin tones, weight, height, 10-20 haircuts depending on gender). The new minigames are not training games. They're just minigames that you can access from the front menu. Although they are a fun distraction, they get boring pretty fast. The only reason why people play the training minigames in sports games is to build stats, and the new minigames aren't incorporated into World Tour mode. I kind of miss the training games from the GBA version.
Probably the biggest change to the series (besides being portable and in 3D) is that since you can only play one person per PSP, you now have the option to fix the camera so you are ALWAYS playing on the bottom court (the good side for most people). You still have access to the low angle, behind the back camera as well.
The game keeps records of your high scores in tournament mode, the new minigames, and versus mode. As with all tennis games, I shut off ingame background music, but all the other menu tunes are the same from previous entries in the series. In-game sound is mostly composed of shoe squeaks on hardcourt surfaces.
The biggest disappointment, to me anyway, is that there is no option to save during a match. Either you put your PSP to sleep and resume, or you pretty much have to forfeit a match if you have to quit. Kind of lame for a portable game (especially when you get into the longer matches).
All in all, if you always wanted Virtua Tennis on the go, here's your chance.
ridestowe said: "i REALLY liekd this game, having bought it this morning. its a great game where matches never take more than 5-10 minutes, great for on-the-go."
How'd did you buy it?....It's not even out yet ?!?!?!
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