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[img width=600 height=600]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/box/2/0/7/199207_43226_front.jpg[/img]
Why didn't anyone tell me?
I tend to think I appreciate sports games a bit more than the typical retro-gamer, but I'm far from a sports fan. I can always find interesting aspects when looking at series of sports games and how they've progressed over the years. But ultimately, the bulk of my sports gaming is spent on the only sport I actually care about in real life: basketball. So trust me when I say that I had no real belief that I was going to find much more than twenty minutes of enjoyment with Virtua Tennis. But oh friends, how wrong I was.
I'm trying to really think about any experience I've had with tennis games in the past. I know I found Mario Tennis on Game Boy Color at least slightly amusing. And of course a few drunken rounds of Wii Tennis with the wife can be fun from time to time. But really beyond that, I can't really say I've ever found a tennis game to be any more grabbing than a few minutes with Pong.
[img width=577 height=466]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/screenshots/7/199207/vtennis_screen003.jpg[/img] [img width=577 height=466]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/screenshots/7/199207/vtennis_screen020.jpg[/img]
But Virtua Tennis is just this unbelievable blend of realism and arcade simplicity. Because it's controls consist of only two buttons it has this incredible pick-up-and-play quality to it. And yet there's so much detail to the presentation -- from the way the players move to the feel of the courts. And though it's easy to learn, it's far from easy to win. I found myself cursing the AI many times, but it always felt like "okay, one more game!" rather than "y'know what? Fuck this game!" That right there is a clear indication of a great arcade game. It's one that will get you to keep pumping quarters in -- happily.
Outside of the Arcade Mode is a great training route called World Circuit Mode. This offers a sort of sim where you must compete in various matches and mini games (aiming at huge bowling pins or spiking the ball at boxes) in an attempt to raise money and improve your stats and recruit a doubles partner to proceed further in the circuit. It's actually a really great game in itself that really teaches you many strategies that will apply to the main game.
[img width=577 height=466]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/screenshots/7/199207/vtennis_screen025.jpg[/img] [img width=577 height=466]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/screenshots/7/199207/vtennis_screen034.jpg[/img]
Ultimately what I think has shocked me so much about Virtua Tennis is that I've been able to spend hours on it and never getting bored. A tennis game you guys... a tennis game is actually addicting. I already can't wait to check out the sequel although I'm far from done enjoying this original installment. So recommended!
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I had made a point of picking up Virtua Tennis earlier this year because of how much people talk about it. I still haven't played it yet, I need to get on that....
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This game was one of the greats a few years ago during our gaming nights. Before the original Xbox, our DC was the main multiplayer system. So, so many 3am weekends of four player madness with Unreal Tournament, Fur Fighters, Red Dog, Marvel Vs. Capcom (YES! 4 PLAYER!), Sega Swirl, and of course, Virtua Tennis.
Loosing a tense doubles match because of your partner sometimes almost made real fights break out, but aside from a few broken controllers, it was all in good fun. Or maybe the concussions keep me from remembering? 
Great game, with even better sequels. In fact, the series is so good, it was tough to improve upon; later games in the series offered more leveling systems, customization, and minigames, but the first started so strong its almost like you don't need later ones at all. But if you don't own any, track one down and grab three friends. None of my buddies cared a bit about tennis, and we all had a blast.
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Hey I actually have the arcade hardware for this one. Definitely fun with friends, but I get bored playing solo pretty quickly
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I love this game as well. If you like the original, definitely pick up Virtua Tennis 2009 for the 360.
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