Virtua Tennis
Score: 95% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: THQ Developer: Sega Media: Cart/1 Players: 1 - 4 Genre: Sports
Graphics & Sound: Virtua Tennis debuted with rave reviews a few years back when it was developed for Sega's now defunct Dreamcast system. Now, it is available in multiple console flavors, including the portable giant, Game Boy Advance. While console versions definitely offer more realistic graphics, with lifelike characters and full 3D motion, the GBA version definitely holds its own. Although the graphics are entirely 2D, the courts and their environments are surprisingly realistic. Even the sprite-based players offer an abundance of motion and grace. At first glance characters may appear clunky, but within minutes the initial downsides melt away. Character selection screens feature detailed headshots of some key players in today's Tennis world, and the variety of court styles are represented well through great 2D effects and colors. Similarly, the sound in Virtua Tennis creates a realistic feel during the game and an exciting, upbeat feeling in practice modes and menu screens. The musical scores are diverse and engaging, with a different 'dance beat'-like score appearing in every menu and portion of the game. The dance beat may not be ideal for a tennis situation, but strangely, they still create a great atmosphere in Virtua Tennis.
Gameplay: The ultimate goal in the GBA version of Virtua Tennis is to accurately mimic the design and playability of the popular Sega title for the 'super-small' screen. Features are abundant in Virtua Tennis, allowing fans of the sports genre to play tennis in a variety of fun and challenging ways. Had Virtua Tennis come with simply a standard 'exhibition' styled match up, it would get tiring quickly. Thankfully, Virtua Tennis is packed with up to 16 playable characters 14 courts, and three different game play modes. The first is a standard Exhibition pitting you against the computer in one match. The second mode builds upon the Exhibition mode, creating a tournament-styled game where you are taken from qualification to a finals match between one of the greatest Tennis players in the world. World Tour turns Tennis into a lifestyle creating an RPG-styled world where you must create your own character and advance in skill while competing in various tournaments. A world map features 10 different minigames, which work on different skills. Successful completion of minigames helps to improve such skills as speed and accuracy that will be useful in defeating opponents in tournaments. Each mode offers availability for both Male and Female players, and along with a list of world class Tennis stars, you can use your World Tour characters in the regular exhibitions and tournaments. Up to four players can play in Exhibition mode, and either singles matches or computer based doubles matches can be selected from the Exhibitions and Tournament menus.
Difficulty: Just as in real life, tennis players in Virtua Tennis use their own strategy to challenge you. I noticed some regularity in specific players' serving styles and lob methods, so opponents do have their weaknesses that you can try to use to your advantage. However, once I was able to recognize their patterns, the computer was smart enough to change the pattern ever so slightly, throwing me completely off course and giving the computer the points. In World Tour, you start off with an even stronger disadvantage since you are basically stripped clean of all skill and must acquire them through the process of continuously completing mini-games. So tournaments early in the World Tour hardly ever end with you as the victor. Also, minigames become increasingly challenging as you continuously complete minigame objectives. This keeps the difficulty of the minigames standard even though your skills as a player are improving dramatically.
Game Mechanics: Tennis games have never really faltered on their mechanics side. Simple two-button interface makes Virtua Tennis instantly accessible to even the least experienced gamers. Serving is initiated by either the 'A' or 'B' button and can control the power of the swing depending on the length of time 'A' or 'B' was depressed. Similarly the A and B buttons perform the tasks of returning the ball by either lobs or flat shots. Strength is determined again by the length of the key press. Shot can also be directed by the direction pad, which simultaneously controls your player's movement. With such friendly controls it doesn't take much to become a pro. Be careful though. Too much Virtua Tennis may make you believe that you can actually play the game in real life, and if you're anything like myself, then the real thing just does not come quite so simply. Seriously, Virtua Tennis contains enough environments to make even hardcore sports gamers believe they are playing something as close to reality as possible. Pace is amazing, graphics are acceptable, and the general usability serves up an exciting molding of Tennis at its best.
-==Boy, GameVortex Communications AKA Kyle Prestenback
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