I revamped my COT so welcome all those I felt worthy of a place. Sorry if I missed you as it isnt a...
I revamped my COT so welcome all those I felt worthy of a place. Sorry if I missed you as it isnt a definitive list and there are still places in it to be had (and lost!). Keep on Ciaoing, Debi
Member since:06.03.2001
Reviews:44
Members who trust:13
Between me and my brother we now have almost the entire Dreamcast games collection and so when we say a game is good we know what we're talking about. Sadly this one isnt good... it's FANTASTIC!
The first thing you'll notice is the intro, or lack of one, great! That leaves more room on the disc for all the other features that are crammed into this one, who wants to watch a replay of tennis greats anyway, its only ever worth watching the first time.
As for the graphics in the game, they are worth watching over and over. I'm not quite sure how the programmers managed this one but its without doubt the most realistic simulation I have seen yet. There's no ping pong off a stick stuff here as each individual player moves just as they would in real life and its entirely believable, right down to the handshake and the discussion after each point in the doubles games. You couldnt ask for more.
And if you wanted to select any better players then please go ahead for this game includes
something incredible - real player names! You can participate as Jim Courier, Mark Philipousis or our very own Tim Henman. Each also have their very own special moves such as Henman who volleys and Philipousis who has an incredibly fast and strong serve. Brilliant. Sadly we dont see Pete Sampras or Greg Rusedski but you cant have everything.
The gameplay itself is also quite good with a simple press of a button hitting or lobbing the ball depending on which one you press. Despite this seeming simplicity the game still manages to remain challenging though as positioning and the length of time the button is held down will alter the shot you play and this is key to your success. By holding the button down longer your athlete has more time to prepare the shot so it is harder and more accurate, and with the ability to change both direction and length of the shot with the D-pad you will soon find that its actually rather more complex than it would first seem.
As for the gaming modes you'll notice 3 main modes and all have their own benefits and drawbacks....
ARCADE:
In this mode you are able to select either singles or doubles. In doubles mode you can either have a human partner or select from any of the computer partners you have unlocked in the world circuit mode. You'll face 5 tennis matches of increasing difficulty until the end when you will have to face the final player or team in what turns out to be a very difficult match. It'll definitely take more than one attempt to finish this one and I cant say I can do it consistently even now, some of it really is just down to the luck of the bounce.
EXHIBITION:
Similar to the arcade mode but here you can make any single match and set the preferences to your liking. You choose if its a doubles or singles game, how difficult it is, how many games it will be (with the option of a set and a tie breaker also included) and a multitude of other options. Personally this one didnt keep me entertained long but is good for beginners who want something easy to practice against in a real match environment.
This is effectively the carear mode and sees you plunged into the world of tennis as it should be. You'll need to complete various training courses such as hitting balls into a set number of drums or serving to knock over bowling pins to prove your worth and gain entry to competitions. When you complete a training session you will then be able to enter a tournament and compete for money. The money is important as you can spend it in the shops to buy things such as new clothes and new players for the exhibition mode. You'll be amazed at how complex this mode can get and even more so at how addictive it is. On the harder competitions it can take ages to pass and thats no word of a lie. It's what sets this game apart and means everything to the longevity of it, you even get to sign a partner to enter the doubles game (naturally they want cash which you need to have earnt in training and singles matches first!). Superb gameplay here.
With a Visual Memory Unit (VMU) you can save your progress in the World Circuit but annoyingly not in the other modes. This can be distressing in Arcade mode as you retry the final for the 3rd time knowing you have to go out in less than 5 minutes....
That minor glitch aside I have to say that this is one of the best games I've ever played on any console and its kept me addicted for a long long time. Its also in the arcade on full machines and if anything the performance is bettered on the dreamcast version. For £20 in HMV you really cant go wrong with this one, just make sure you get some friend around once in a while to enjoy the fantastic doubles mode with 4 human players, it can be a great laugh as you dive for that ball in the hope you dont lob it into your partners head.....
Even for a non-tennis fan like myself this one is a must buy, well worth every penny of the retail price.
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This games absolutely rules! There might not be an intro but there are two attract sequences. Just leave the game on the menu screen.
libido 10.12.2003 20:54
I own this game as well, and it is probably the second best tennis game ever (first being Mario Tennis). Nice Review
aliclarkson 18.10.2001 15:41
Might get this one for my mum for Christmas. If you are able to recommend this one to non-tennis fans, then this is a definite must for my tennis mad mum! Thanks. Ali.
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...
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