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| Reviewer | Platform | Publisher | Developer | Players | Screenshots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Bailey | PlayStation Portable | Sega Europe | Sumo Digital | 1-4 (Ad-Hoc) | Here |
| Requirements | Buy from Amazon.co.uk | ||||
| Memory Stick: 80KB Minimum | Click here to buy Virtua Tennis: World Tour. | ||||
Virtua Tennis is still, for many people, one of the greatest tennis games on any platform. The arcade game and its faithful Dreamcast conversion were universally well received, and arguably have yet to be beaten. It can be said, however, that they have at least been equalled by Virtua Tennis: World Tour.
As one of the PSP's European launch titles, the game plays an important part in not only selling the handheld to the masses, but representing how to make an excellent portable game. One of the key elements of this is the very nature of the gameplay; its simple - but highly addictive - pick up and play approach compels you to pick it up whenever you have a few free minutes. What turns it from a good to an excellent portable title, however, is the way the portability works so well with the game's main career mode; World Tour.
It's not surprising to see the PSP version's namesake mode making a reappearance after Virtua Tennis 2, and it's also not surprising that the same formula has returned. You start with two blank characters (one male, one female) with rather pathetic stats, then customise them and build them up through training and tournaments, to become the next Roger Federer or Venus Williams. It's this training, then, that makes World Tour an important game to have with you on the move; the mode is made up of a series of mini-games which are somewhat repetitive after a while, but when done during short periods of time - such as while you are on the bus - they can be enjoyable, and contribute to a better experience when you have more time to play the tournaments. The tour mode, with all its training, should last you quite a while, but there are also Quick Matches for instant play (great if you just have a few minutes spare), Exhibition matches, Tournaments, and Ball Games allowing you to enjoy the mini-games seen in the World Tour on their own. There's also WiFi Ad-Hoc multiplayer allowing up to four players to take part, though each player will need to own a copy of the game.
The game's mechanics are still satisfyingly Virtua Tennis. They're not realistic, but they're certainly fun. It has yet to fail to please me when winning a shot after a long rally, and even when losing one you'll still just want to come back for more; you'll want to avoid making the same mistake, and this time grab the victory. Although it's possible to play the game on the d-pad, the analogue 'stick' (if you can really call it as such) is the preferred way to play, as it allows you to navigate all directions of the court properly, and provides smooth movement for returning shots. The awkward location of this stick, however, means it takes some getting used to, but is worth it in the end. It's good to see that Sumo Digital haven't messed with this addictive and enjoyable formula, although the gameplay is sometimes interrupted by short pauses just before a score is called, and very occasionally during play, which should have been removed before completion.
The game looks great on the PSP's glorious LCD screen. Virtua Tennis 2's graphics seem to have been translated well to the small screen, and the character animations are also very smooth, and help with the flow of the game. The court and crowd also look suitably impressive, and work well with some good audio to provide a fun atmosphere for the game.
| Graphics | An impressive translation to the small screen. The animations are smooth, and even the crowd look good. | 8/10 |
|---|---|---|
| Gameplay | Enjoyable and addictive. It's how Virtua Tennis has always been, and Sumo Digital have not spoiled the formula. | 9/10 |
| Value | Plenty packed into the package, although there could have been more than just Quick Match for multiplayer. | 9/10 |
| Lifespan | The World Tour should keep you occupied for quite some time, especially with a range of mini-games on top of the usual tournaments. WiFi multiplayer should also keep you playing. | 9/10 |
| Audio | The sound effects are good, though there's not much else besides the usual Sega-style music. | 7/10 |
| Overall | An excellent game, and a must-have for any PSP-owning tennis fan. Certainly amongst the best of the launch titles. | 9/10 |
Click here to buy Virtua Tennis: World Tour from Amazon.co.uk.
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