primary markets for sports gaming, but there’s one that neither publisher has
been able to crack: tennis. You’d think it’d be the easiest to develop
because, when you break it down, tennis games are not much more than lively
versions of Pong. But there’s only one publisher/developer who has gotten it
right in simulation form: Sega. Created as a part of Sega’s ongoing Virtua
games (Racing, Fighting, etc.), Virtua Tennis broke new ground when the series
launched nearly 10 years ago. Silky-smooth controls, sturdy AI opponents, and
a thorough dose of replay value were the key reasons for the game’s success.
Fast forward to the present
day. Dreamcast, the console where Virtua Tennis first appeared, is no more.
Sega has gone third-party and there are more major consoles on the market than
ever before.
Given the number of
changes, what can Sega do with their revered franchise? Which console(s)
should they choose, and how do you bring the series into a new generation?
For the PSP version of
Virtua Tennis 3, the developers looked to Sega’s other success stories for
inspiration. Super Monkey Ball won the hearts of thousands of GameCube owners
by adding several fun, over-the-top mini-games whose entertainment value was
not easily diminished. Monkey Billiards sounded crazy. But once given a
chance, few could resist its addictive lure.
That silly,
reality-doesn’t-matter attitude is what separates video games from other forms
of entertainment and is what ultimately gives Virtua Tennis 3 its competitive
edge.
Tour Time
If a sports game doesn’t
have the standard single- or multi-year season, chances are it has a World
Tour mode. That’s the case with Virtua Tennis 3, whose World Tour mode is
spaced over the course of 20 years. Game time flies quickly – one week is lost
for every competition or training activity you enter. Most training games last
no more than a minute.
The game starts off
without any accessible competitions, leaving mini-games as your only option.
That’s a good thing though, and you’ll know why in the next section. Only a
few mini-games will need to be played before the first tournament arrives.
This portion of the game
is very classic, but it’s not a rehash. Virtua Tennis 3 is more dynamic and
immersive than its predecessors. The rules haven’t changed – you still have to
hit the ball over the net. However, this is the first time that a tennis game
has been done right on a handheld. There have been other good releases, but
not like this. Virtua Tennis 3 embodies the very essence of what a PSP game is
supposed to be – equal to the experience found on PSone and PlayStation 2.
Mini, All Over The
World
In the old days, the
thought of a training mini-game made me sick. (I still have nightmares about
the button-mash nonsense of Ready 2 Rumble.) Training games have gotten better
in recent years, and have now reached a new high with Virtua Tennis 3. During
the World Tour quest, players can access locations like Bulls Eye, Pin
Crusher, Drum Topple, and Avalanche. Each location represents a different
mini-game.
In Bulls Eye, you’re
asked to hit the ball toward the center of a target. The closer you get to the
center, the higher score you’ll receive. Pin Crusher is the series’ answer to
bowling. Drum Topple stacks several oil drums together for a game of power
strokes. Oil drums come in two flavors: red and gray. Knock down all of the
red drums to win. Avalanche is a training game that sounds like it came from a
tennis player’s worst nightmare. As enormous, human-sized tennis balls roll
down a hill, players must avoid the assault while collecting stray pieces of
fruit. (Perhaps inspired by a certain underwear manufacturer?)
Complete these and other
training games to increase your level. Character growth has two effects: (1)
improved playing skills and (2) new training dimensions. A new challenge is
added to each unlocked training game every time you level up.
Whether playing a game of
Alien Attack or facing off against a lethal opponent, Virtua Tennis 3’s
graphics are notable for their stunning animation work. These athletes will
run, spin, lean, and stumble while trying to return the ball. Their stance and
reaction animations are effected by their position on the court in relation to
where the ball is coming from. If a player has to change directions while
running, he or she will fight to do so. It’s not an instantaneous transition.
Like real athletes, these characters build momentum while running. To change
direction, they have to stop, turn around, and start all over. It’s these and
other subtle elements that give Virtua Tennis 3 a competitive edge in PSP
sports games.
Though Virtua Tennis 3 is
a great game in most respects, it does have a couple of problems. Opponent AI
is not always what it should be. Rather than winning with great skills and
through perseverance, there were times when it felt like dumb luck. I prefer
my wins to be a little less sporadic than that. Also, there were times when
the game had a slight freeze just before my opponent returned the ball. This
made no sense whatsoever and is an unfortunate distraction that shouldn’t have
been.
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Gameplay: 8.2
Stellar controls
(analog or D-pad) and excellent competitions among virtual versions of
real-life tennis players. The sport is presented very realistically, but not
so much that it can’t produce a little fantasy. Within this content and
between tennis matches you will bowl, play a game of curling, destroy robotic
aliens, and participate in a puzzling oil drum game – all using your tennis
ball and racket.
Graphics: 7.5
Virtua Tennis 3’s
characters won’t score any awards for detail, but their animations are
top-of-the-line. Very consistent and realistic.
Sound: 6
Nothing standout.
I like the sound effects (balls hitting the court, etc.), but they get old
after a couple hours. Meanwhile, the music is nowhere near the quality of
what’s found in other top-tier sports games.
Difficulty: Medium
Easy to learn,
difficult to master.
Concept: 7.6
Virtua Tennis’s
core mechanics play like the Dreamcast original. The new mini-games, however,
are inventive, exciting, and insanely fun.
Multiplayer: 7
Singles and
doubles matches are available for up to four players. But you’ll need four
PSPs and four Virtua Tennis 3 UMDs to enjoy this option.
Overall: 8
The best tennis
game for PSP, Virtua Tennis 3 is a content-filled, mini-game-infused joyride
that anyone can love. You don’t have to play the real sport, or even like
the real sport, to be amused by what this game has to offer. Its mini-game
collection is a great way to kill time whenever time needs to be assassinated
(at home, on the bus, during a boring business meeting, etc.). Just don’t let
your boss catch you with it.
