Top Spin 3

10 Review to this product

• 

  concrete_d
  October 10th, 2010 on 8:12 pm

  Rating

  Top Spin 3, the latest in the series started by Top Spin on the original Xbox, revamps the rather simple control system of the first two games into one that is quite a bit more complex and intricate, but eventually more rewarding. Holding the shot button does not automatically move you into position, nor does it guarantee a good shot – now you must watch the ball, manually move into the correct position, and release the button at the correct time in order to hit a decent shot. Being in the wrong position or mistiming the button release leads to weak shots and errors. There is a “Tennis School” section devoted to helping players learn the new system and unlearn habits from the previous games, but only with repeated practice does the system become second nature. When everything starts to click, though, the game becomes very satisfying – you know it was your skill and experience that let you hit that screamer down the line, not the computer’s automated hand-holding.

  The character and ball movements have been slowed down, putting a greater emphasis on timing and precision. Two buttons have been mapped to have your character quickly run to either the center of the baseline or the net, but at the expense of stamina. This new stamina system ratchets up the tension and realism of the matches. Play well and run your opponent ragged, and he will start making loose errors as his heart rate increases. Likewise, your own timing and concentration must be maintained as your avatar’s stamina decreases and his potential for making mistakes becomes greater. This gives a heightened sense of drama to the longer matches that was missing in previous games.

  Other high points are a very well-done character customization feature and the usage of fictional characters on the tour (so that one isn’t playing an inexplicably unskilled Federer in the first round of some random tournament). Tennis aficionados will appreciate the detailed stat sheets after matches, the increased frequency of aces, and the improved effectiveness of the service game. No longer are serves just a perfunctory start of a point – now it is much easier to hold when serving well, and conversely much more difficult to simply pound returns into corners.

  For me, the flaws of this game are a period of frustration when learning the controls, and a rather dull presentation to the career mode, especially compared to the globe interface of Virtua Tennis 3. I don’t play online, so I can’t comment on that.

  In all, this is an excellent game that achieves its goal of being a detailed tennis sim. As long as one is not expecting a pick-up-and-play experience like that of the older games or the Virtua Tennis series, and is willing to put in the effort to learn the new gameplay system, the benefits of the increased complexity quickly pay off.
• 

  Anonymous
  October 10th, 2010 on 11:10 pm

  Rating

  I was not sure if i should buy this game after i saw all of the one star reviews. I bought it anyway, and it sure wouldn’t get one star! It is extremely fun and realistic. Some bad reviews said that using the nunchuck was a real nuisance. Wrong. It is actually not that hard, and I didnt think the controlls were akward at all. The player attitudes arent that annoying. You can even skip them if you want. Although the surfaces arent that differant, it is still interesting. They also have different lighting, which makes them differant. You can actually move where you want, and controll where the ball goes. With wii sports you couldn’t do that. Some people didn’t like that, but I think that is because they aren’t that big fans of tennis. it is nice and realistic too.
  
  Don’t listen to the one star reviews! buy this game! (the player selections are cool, too)
• 

  Raymund Schleicher
  October 11th, 2010 on 6:46 am

  Rating

  Everyone is writing how difficult Top Spin 3 is and giving it a low rating because of that fact. I have no argument with the fact that the controls are challenging to master. In fact, I have far from mastered them at this point. However once you are able to nail down the timing on the shots and you start to play by feel, the game is awesome and success is very gratifying.

  I’m currently playing through my career on easy mode for the sake a achievements. Occassionally I change to normal mode for more of a challenge. Unlike Top Spin 2, you can’t just play the baseline and keep hitting power shots. You need to master drop shots, lobs and net play.

  If you want to be able to sit down with the game and master it in 10 minutes, this is NOT the game for you. It is precisely that reason that I really like Top Spin 3. Don’t let the mediocre star rating dissuade you. If you like a challenge, you will definitely enjoy this game!

  I may as well throw in that the graphics are great and the animations look awesome. The character creator is very thorough as well, although the character weight is generated by how you design his or her physique. I have found their weights seem to be a bit light for how I have designed my characters. This does not affect gameplay, so I don’t really care.

  Also, Rafael Nadal is not available a character in the game. You should know that going in, so you are not disappointed. From what I understand, it has to do with licensing and Sony exclusivity for the PS3. If you’re dying to play as him, you’ll need to get the PS3 version.
• 

  Eldar Dzhafarov
  October 11th, 2010 on 10:49 am

  Rating

  I disagree with the majority of people who think the game is a letdown. If you played real tennis in your life then this is the game for you! It is done very realistic. You gotta time the ball well, you gotta move to the ball, stop, get balanced and then hit(release). Pretty much a lot like in real tennis.

  Plus the graphics are amazing, the characters swing like the real ones.

  But yes, it is a very hard game for a person who does not understand the specifics of tennis.

  Great game though!
• 

  L. James
  October 11th, 2010 on 8:29 pm

  Rating

  I had and am still having a little trouble serving the ball but overall this is a great game. You can really work up a sweat playing this. The greastest.
• 

  Shirlena C. Addison
  October 12th, 2010 on 3:26 am

  Rating

  I love love Topspin 3,it awesome and easy to control.The graphic are out of this world love it love it.I love everything about this game. The control is easy for me and maybe for not everybody else( patience people patience). The weather love how changes etc….. The problem I have people in the stand here not calling the person I create it name at all like other tennis game I remember. I wish they would give alot of different worlds name so the people in the stands can call that name out like real tennis games.
• 

  R. Lee
  October 12th, 2010 on 12:59 pm

  Rating

  I bought several Wii games for individual sports after having much fun with Wii Sports. I have not tried the Virtua Tennis game, which might be better. Topspin 3 is a great game in my opinion because it challenges me, and it gives me a really good workout. Believe it or not. Looks like you could sit on a couch and lift your arm up just enough to serve, and wave the wand back and forth without much effort. However if you actually play as if you are playing tennis, it is realistic enough to be a challenge. Forget the nunchuk, it’s not that big a nuisance. If you keep the wand facing the net between shots the system picks up on nuances of your “racquet” placement, swing, and even footwork. I can place shots just like in a real game. There is even a lob shot which I can place right in the corner to give the opponent fits while trying to make a high back hand shot, which is a problem for so many players. Except Roger Federer. He can get that shot. Beating Federer was very difficult, and certainly in real life he would wipe the court with my sweaty backside. But this is fantasy world, and he was not an easy win. I find that playing a match against the good players that come with this game is very strenuous, both physically and mentally. My only gripe about the game is that the players do not include Rafael Nadal, my favorite player for the last five years.
• 

  Alex C
  October 12th, 2010 on 8:34 pm

  Rating

  I got the game yesterday and have been playing it on an off since and it’s really nice. The graphics are really nice and player details are the best I’ve ever seen in a tennis game. The controls will take some time to get used to but once I get a hang of it I’ll do much better. The create a player feature is really nice also whereas you can create any body shape you want, just nice. I really buy it for the online feature but have yet to used it as I’ll still trying to get used to the controls.

  Anyway, great game and it was worth the wait. The soundtrack is also nice and I love the fact they don’t play annoying music as a default in the matches.
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  P. Henry
  October 13th, 2010 on 11:55 am

  Rating

  While Wii Tennis is great fun, especially for “newbies” who haven’t seen it before, it doesn’t offer much control. Topspin3 DOES! It takes a bit to master (I’m still working on the service motion), but it’s great fun. Find a player who matches your “style” of tennis and let ‘er rip!

  Graphics are much better than the Wii Sports version — no Lego figures this time, but real approximations of Becker, Roddick, Sharapova, etc.
• 

  Wojo
  October 14th, 2010 on 4:10 pm

  Rating

  The best Tennis game bar non. It’ll take you a few hours to learn how to properly spin, slice, serve and volley the ball but once you do the fun factor kicks in. I played Virtual Tennis before purchasing this title and i can honestly say TopSpin3 is head and shoulders above that game. Challenge yourself and buy a realistic tennis game buy TopSpin3.