When 2K Sports
started to put together the Wii version for Top Spin, it was expected that the
game control mechanics would be solid. And they definitely are. But while the
controls are done reasonably well, the lack of solid gaming modes is very
disappointing. Even the DS has a career mode – something lacking in the Wii
version of the game.
But first
things first – the control scheme is engineered to try to make this a very
realistic feeling game. To that end, you hold the Wiimote like you would a
tennis racquet – on the side with your index finger on the B button. The nunchuk
is also involved in the process, with the thumbstick used to move your player or
aim your return, and the Z button used as an easy serve or to activate a special
shot. For example, you press the Z button and hit a slice to perform a drop
shot. The C button on the nunchuk also takes you from an easy serve to the
manual serve, in which you toss the ball up and then use an overhand swing to
hit it. As you can probably imagine, timing is everything.
There is a
minor learning curve associated with this mechanic, but it does provide more
than a bit of the game’s entertainment value.
As for the game
modes, this is where the game really is a letdown. There is the exhibition mode
for singles or doubles; the Road to Glory mode – which is a series of challenges
with pre-made tennis players; Events has eight games most of which are in a
tourney-style setting, but again, you can’t create a character; and Party Games
has three categories – The Keys (single and doubles), which has nine ‘keys’ in
the single player format and 12 in the doubles format, and Invincible Man (play
mini-matches until you lose).
Delving a
little deeper into the games themselves, the Party Games are broken (as
mentioned) into three subsets. In The Keys – Single, you are asked to score
points by accomplishing various tasks, with “keys” awarded for such things as
scoring the most points from the baseline, or for the least amount of unforced
errors. The Keys – Doubles adds to the games by awarding “keys” to the team with
the most valuable player (a.k.a. the player who has scored the most winners).
Conversely, the player who has not scored the most winners is known as The
Burden and the team without the Burden is awarded a “key.”
The Events
slate of games includes a Speedy Event, a Classical tourney in Mexico, Final
Square (a four-player event in which each player plays against the other three,
2×4 (two groups of four players, in two groups, playing against each other),
Male Vs. Female, Survival (win seven matches in a row), Grand Slams (win each of
the four most famous tourneys), and The Great League (a 16-player tourney).
While this does
sound a bit robust, these games all come across as quick games that have no true
permanence and nothing to really work through. The 360, PS3 and NDS all have
career modes, which are the meat and potatoes of the game – something lacking in
the Wii release.
You can play
with several people on the same machine (you will need a couple of sets of the
controllers to go head-to-head), but online mode is not present in this version.
The audio is
serviceable, but nothing special … which brings up the graphics. The Wii is a
next-gen machine that is capable of graphics that are much better than what
appear here. And while the game does sport some decent names, some of the game’s
truly big stars are absent. There are a total of 10 male players and five female
players in this game. That is just a little weak considering how expansive the
PS3 version is.
Top Spin 3 for
the Wii is a collection of mini-games that might be right in a party setting,
but really lack the staying power of its other next-gen cousins. This is too
bad. With as strong as the control scheme is, this game could have offered a lot
more.
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Gameplay: 7.0
Give credit to the
control scheme – it is well realized and implemented. The game could have used
stronger game mode elements though. The lack of a career mode is sad.
Graphics: 6.8
The Wii is capable
of so much better than what this game serves up.
Sound: 7.0
Nothing spectacular
but decent.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 6.4
Limited number of
players, and mostly games of the mini-game variety. This title could have (and
probably should have) been the crowning achievement in the next-gen releases.
Multiplayer: 6.7
No online? That’s a
shame. Have a couple of controllers around, though, and you can indulge in some
multiplayer.
Overall: 6.7
Top Spin 3 for the
Wii is a case of missed opportunity. The control elements are there, but rather
than give the game the staying power of the other next-gen releases, the game
modes seem more geared to those who want to invest small amounts of time rather
than settle in and stay a while. What’s missing from this iteration is big.
