Web Editor, ZOO (www.zooweekly.co.uk). And they changed my photo. Splendid.
Web Editor, ZOO (www.zooweekly.co.uk). And they changed my photo. Splendid.
Member since:04.12.2000
Reviews:147
Members who trust:78
Last month, my mum brought me a Dreamcast as a graduation present. Having never been a fan of Sega’s final console, I can’t say I knew much about what games to buy to accompany my new console: but there was one that I knew I wanted from the second I opened the box. Virtua Tennis had been the scourge of City University’s 2nd XI Wednesday nights last year, as the dreaded arcade machine in the corner of the Student Union bar choked up coin after coin of our money. My Dreamcast would never be complete without that little piece of history taking place in my living room.
Sampras, Agassi, and Keurten may dominate the tennis world at the moment, but Virtua Tennis proves that these days it’s not the names but the game that’s important. With no superstars aside from Britain’s own Tim Henman, there was always a danger of the Dreamcast’s
lead sporting title falling just long of the baseline, but in fact the developers have pulled of an ace of Goran Ivanisevic quality.
In place of the big guns we have players like Cedric Pioline and Yevgeny Kafelnikov – inside the top twenty but not quite among the elite. Still, each featured journeyman of the tennis world has their own style re-enacted onscreen, be it Mark Philippousis’s huge serve or Henman’s volley master strokes. The other featured players are Jim Courier, Tommy Haas, Carlos Moya, and Tomas Gustaffson. The Arcade mode stays true to Sega’s original coin-op machine, where you must win five matches in a row to get on a high score board. However, for the Dreamcast Sega have added a Doubles mode. This really comes to the fore when you and three mates get together and attempt to smash balls at one another, normally with players diving all over the screen. Fortunately it’s not as confusing as it sounds.
The game’s real high point though is the Career mode, where you tour the world taking in mini-games and competitions along the way. The mini-games include things like Smash Box, where you must clear a certain number of boxes off court in an allotted time span, or Ten Pin Bowling – but instead of being in a bowling alley, you must knock the skittles down with your serve! The cash you win can be spent on new equipment or players – unfortunately these are all made up but nonetheless they add longevity to an already addictive title. By completing the mini-games extra quickly you can be awarded with some ridiculous clothing – I’ve only managed one so far, but it allows me to use s unflower for games instead of a tennis racket! You can also buy the courts you play on, meaning that once you’ve unlocked them you can thrash your mates on the Clay of Spain or a Russian Indoor pink carpet – no I’m not kidding!
The two-button control method is effortlessly simple. To serve, you direct with the D-pad and try and stop a power gauge as high as possible. For all other shots, it’s a question of a normal shot or a lob, and it comes off splendidly – anyone who remembers classic footie title Sensible Soccer will tll you that sometimes simplicity is everything. Add in sublime graphics – the way line judges dodge the ball and umpires follow the play is nothing short of mesmerising – and you have a title that will keep you playing long after you’ve done all there is to do. Rather like Pete Sampras, actually.
With a follow up released later this year – and female players like the Williams sisters added to the roster along with Pat Rafter and Tomas Enqvist – it seems that Sega haven’t given up the ghost with the Dreamcast yet, and only goes to prove the legacy which this somewhat amazing game has left. No matter how much you play it, it simply never gets boring – and once you have a few mates added, it can become a complete slagging match too as you chastise each other for every mistake and celebrate every break point with glee. The best sports title on the Dreamcast, and no need of a tie break either.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
i also have the game and i am definitely impressed by the high quality of the graphics, i'm sure u'll get more or less addicted to this console...
Alex
jeba 31.08.2001 00:30
Bog off brilliant deal, dreamcast for graduating, jess:)
bainsd 30.08.2001 14:42
its true .... this game forced me not to do anything in my last term at uni apart from staying up all might with my fellow virtual tennis amtes.... even my studenmt union had one ......... IM HOOKED
Every year Wimbledon comes and goes, and for two weeks the country is crazed at the ... more
prospect of Tim Henman or Greg Rusedski getting past the first round. Then when Wimbledon blows over, us British folk seem to go back to watching football and playing r...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
very helpful by (100%):
