Shabba (Virtua Tennis (DC))

Member Name: Premier King

Product:	Virtua Tennis (DC)
Date:	02/12/01 (103 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Many

Disadvantages: Not Many

Virtua Tennis in my opinion is one of the best games available on the Dreamcast and should definitely be in your collection. The game is almost a year old now, and still it remains as one of the most graphically impressive games around, with superb gameplay and player movements. It's as realistic as they get and you will not be disappointed with your £19.99's worth. Virtua Tennis for Dreamcast continues the legend of Sega Sports titles. Spectators, ball boys, chair umps, everyone gets into your game and reacts to the scores.

THE GAME

There are 3 game modes that you can play on Virtua Tennis. You can play in an Exhibition match, an Arcade game or play in a World Circuit. In an Exhibition match, oyu choose what type of match you want to play, as in whether you play a set or a few games etc. You can also choose your opponent and the stadium where you want to play. In the Arcade mode, you play in a 5 stage tournament, each stage gets harder and you play at a different stadium on every stage. In the World Circuit mode, you can play in many different types of games. The World Circuit also allows you to unlock certain features of the game, as you progress through it.

PLAYERS

Henman - England, Courier - USA, Philipoussis - Australia, Moya - Spain, Pioline - France, Johansson - Sweden, Haas - Germany, Kafelnikov - Russia

In the World Circuit mode, you can unlock 8 more players, which you will be able to use, once unlocked. Towards the end of the World Circuit mode, you will face 2 tennis players known as King and Master, who are the toughest opponents in the game, but they can also be unlocked, once you have completed the circuit mode.

There are 8 training stages in the World Circuit mode.

Cannon Ball - Hit all of the balls using yellow balls. Machines will start up again if you accidentally hit a red ball.

Smash Box - Knock the boxes off the court with a smash.

Drum Shooter - L
ob to hit a ball into every drum can.

Pin Crasher - Just like bowling, serve to knock down the pins.

Bull's Eye - Aim for the target using the balls that the coach hits to you.

Return Ace - Return the coach's serves to hit all of the targets.

Big Wall - Hit the balls to turn over all of the panels.

Giant Ball - Use strong shots to push the giant rolling balls beyond the baseline.

STADIUMS

There are quite a few stadiums in Virtua Tennis for you to play at. I think there are about 5 to start off with, but you can unlock another 5 stadiums when you complete stages in the World Circuit mode. As you get further in the World Circuit mode, you unlock more stadiums. All of the stadiums are situated in different countries and the sizes of the stadiums are all different. There are the following type of courts in the stadiums:

Grass
Hard
Carpet
Sand
Indoor

GRAPHICS

Not much to say here, other than that the graphics in this game are simply brilliant. Well worth buying the game if you like graphical games.

OVERALL

Overall, this is a game that everybody, who owns a Dreamcast, should have. It is a great game and will give you hours of entertainment. You might not even like watching Tennis or playing tennis, but playing this game is something you will like and you will not be disappointed.

Key Features

1) From the smash-hit arcade original.
2) Realistic 3D environments and fluid animations.
3) Simple controls make it easy to pick up and play.
4) Eight internationally ranked men's tennis players to choose from.
5) Play on hard court, clay court, grass court, and carpet--each surface responds differently.
6) Deep strategies: Read your rival's game plan and adjust your tactics.
7) Four-player mode.

Summary: