Virtua Tennis

"Tennis shall not be equaled again with this game."

Virtua Tennis is (or should I say, was) an arcade smash with it’s addictive gameplay, good graphics, and just plain fun. Of course it would move onto the Dreamcast with new things, it was made by Sega! This game was ported beautifully, with many new added features, like World Tour, which is really the bulk of the gameplay. The arcade mode is still here, exactly the same. You also have exhibition mode, which is just getting 3 friends and hitting up some serves, lobs, and smashes. For a game like Tennis, they sure make it simple, which the people like. You only need 2 buttons and the Analog stick to have a fun time. With over 12 characters to choose from around the world, how could you not have a great time showing off your skillz? This is a great game for the arcade, and Sega made a better than perfect port to the Dreamcast.

To play Virtua Tennis, you need to know the basics. The stick and D-Pad move you around, A is a normal shot, and B is the lob shot. Even a 3 year old can learn these. Having mastering the controls in a few minutes, you think you would find this to be easy, no? WRONG. The computer is some of the toughest I have seen in a videogame, and that is saying something. Once you get to level 3 doubles for 4 sets, you will be diving for almost every single ball hit your way, and your goofy computer partner will only hit the real easy ones. That is challenge.

Graphics: 8
These are some pretty good graphics when you look at them. Everything is very bright and animated, and it looks real, except for a few things, like the faces. That look like they are kind of squished onto the polygons. The tennis ball looks like a Tennis ball, not a square yellow thing, and on the instant replays you can see the white lines on the balls. Everything looks well done and defined, and what I love the most is the training in World Cup. The things you must hit look real to me (except when you hit them, the squares turn into smoke and get in your way, not very life-like) but all in all, the graphics could be a very low quality Xbox or GCN game. Kudos to Sega.

Gameplay: 10
Not since Pong has there been such a good Tennis game. Each game I play I get more and more engrosses into the World of the PTC (Professional Tennis Circuit) and love trying new training levels and harder difficulties of computer AI. If I could just get one more character, I would have them all. It is addicting. Like Dr. Pepper. It is just that good. Arcade Mode is just the game in the arcade version, 5 tournaments raging from difficulty, the first 4 being based on real Tennis Majors, and last one, made by Sega. Exhibition is you and your friend fight against each other for any amount of games you want, and pick the stage you do it in. One of the most fun, because everything is better against humans. World Circuit is the beef of the game, if you have no friends. You take the role of on Tennis player, and play different games and training sessions to become the greatest Tennis player in the world. The most fun, are the raining missions. Most of the evolve hitting targets with certain shots, and getting targets out of the playing field. The tourneys are standard, but some of you need to doubles partner for. How do you get a doubles partner? By buying them of course! In World circuit, you can buy new Tennis areas, new playable characters, or new clothes in the 4 shops located around the world. This is how you get more things in Arcade and Exhibition mode. You would get bored with World Circuit quickly if the level of play is not upped every time you beat that tournament or training. Soon enough you will think the computer is “cheap.”

Sound: 7
In the Options Menu, You can check out the music from a sound test, it has everything but the area music. It sounds very good, but if filled with too many guitars that make it come from the hair metal bands of yore. However, the area music was very good, and I really like the one from Spain. The effects are ok, they fit well and are always at the right time. The hitting of the ball on the rackets and different times or different area has different effects, and also the ball hitting carpet or clay areas sound different. Overall, a good job by Sega.

Fun Factor: 9
This game could take your life away and suck you into a world filled with yellow balls and evil drums. (if you haven’t played this game, you will get the drums when you play it.) Being a great arcade game, they could of released on itself and it would of done fine, but they added more, the people like more, yes we do. If you want some fast paced, hard hitting action, get a Tennis game. If you want a good tennis game, get Virtua Tennis, only if you short on cash. I need to tell you this. Tennis 2K2 is just Virtua Tennis 2, with added features.

Buy or Rent?
You can’t rent any DC games any more, but I would not buy it. Tennis 2K2 would, in the end, be a better buy with slightly updated graphics and more features. If you are a little low on cash, you should get this game. (it cost me 6 bucks.)

Graphics: 8
Gameplay: 10
Sound: 7
Fun Factor: 9

Reviewer’s Score: 8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/30/02, Updated 06/30/02