For years before our time, people have been hitting balls back an fourth between one another for years, and video games have followed the trend. First there was Pong, then simple tennis games, now four iterations in – Virtua Tennis 2009 it set to slam the ultimate tennis title in the faces of every eager fan out there, but will it continue Virtua’s winning streak?
Virtua Tennis 2009 follows the simple, yet well received gameplay that has kept the series on top of its game for years. Great and responsive running controls with straight, slice, drop and lob shots being performed by the face buttons. They are fantastically responsive, where accurate and powerful shots all come down to correct timing and character placement.
There is an extensive create-a-player option which allows you to build and customize your dream tennis star right down to their sweat bands and serving style. World Tour mode can then be taken on, where your created player will be thrown into the competitive world of tennis to take on amateur pros and work their way up to the Murrys and Nadals of the world. It’s a long way to the top, but a lot of fun playing smaller matches in smaller venues working your way up to the grand slams.
While in the World Tour career, players must monitor and maintain their player by competing in mini-games which range from hitting balls at pirate ships and playing a giant game of pool, in order to increase stats, such as speed and stamina, while still improving abilities, like forehand and backhand strength. Certain tournaments will appear throughout the career allowing the player to increase their rank by beating other pros and getting one step closer to becoming champion.
Even with the easy to learn controls, Virtua Tennis 2009 puts up a significant challenge. Top pros will use everything in their arsenal to beat you, even on the easier difficulties, although there is a fair gradient when approaching World Tour as amateur opponents will not give much of a challenge, but will become difficult towards the top.
Virtua Tennis 2009 is a beautiful looking game and player likeness is at an all time high. The character recreations are scarily accurate and the animations are silky smooth resulting in some of the most realistic and fluid looking graphics to date. Characters also have their own unique styles, such as Nadals wide-legged stance, which is a nice touch. Other elements such as the crowd and courts are beautifully done and add a sense of competition-like atmosphere to the game.
In terms of audio, there are the generic happy SEGA theme songs here, which provide a positive and ‘happy-ending’ feeling to every game, as well as player and crowd noises where every grunt seems on par (except with the odd overly loud one) and every applause fuels you for some more tennis action.
Through the career, you’ll also unlock new clothing items and apparel which contributes to your created player and creates some more incentive to continually take home the gold.
Virtua Tennis 2009 is undoubtedly the best tennis game at the moment. You won’t get quality gameplay, solid visuals and a wealth of fun mini-games to keep you occupied anywhere else. Virtua Tennis 2009 is definitely the game…set, match.
[starreviewmulti id=2 tpl=20]
