System: X360, PS3
Dev: SEGA / AM2
Pub: SEGA
Release: March 20, 2007
Players: 1-4 (16 online)
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Review by Jonathan Marx

---

Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

The single player game is quite fun when played through the World Tour mode. This is simply the career mode which has the gamer create a tennis professional that will practice and play his or her way to the top of the World Tour ranks. You start out ranked 300th but will quickly acquire the skills necessary to challenge the sport's very best players. Mini-games and a tennis academy will help hone your skills while providing some interesting diversions to the rigors of tournament play. The mini-games are especially interesting as they are unlike any standard tennis drills. You'll find yourself hopping from side to side picking up fruits for points whilst dodging giant tennis balls intent on fouling up your rhythm and overall score. There are games that have you knock over barrel pyramids with a powerful groundstroke, or knock over giant bowling pins with a well-placed serve. These are pretty fun and do a good job of mixing things up a bit.

As fun as single player is, multiplayer is where this game truly shines. Whether you're playing with friends in your living room or across the country or getting matched up against ranked challengers across the world, Xbox Live will have you playing for hours and giddy with joy. Unlockable achievements for the Xbox 360 are also quite nice. They'll have you swinging the old racket long past your bedtime. It has never been an easier decision about whether to get it for your Xbox or your rich friend's PS3. The 360 is the hands down winner. The online play and all the Xbox Live accoutrement make the choice a no brainer.

Other online goodies that make this game special are things like VT-TV. I'm not sure how much use this feature will ever get, but it certainly is a neat idea. VT-TV captures the highlights of the day from all of the online games played. Also, you peek at the best moments and plays from the best players in the world. Or, if you don't care about seeing good tennis but want to scout your opponents before challenging them to a ranked match, you can watch them play in real time as a casual observer. This is a really neat feature, and I'm sure it will be used by the uber-players as a tool to keep their edge over the competition.

Sega's Virtua Tennis 3 is a first-rate game that would be an excellent addition to your sport-game library. The multiplayer games are phenomenal, and the single player mode isn't half bad either. This is definitely one to look for at your local game shop. This is a great party game, especially if you're looking to break up the monotony of first person shooters. I know, I know, Gears of War is sweet, and yes, Call of Duty 3 is epic, but Virtua Tennis 3 has its fair share of fun in a decidedly kid friendly package.

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Freelance Writer

Features: