Top Spin 3

By Liam O'Connor

Top Spin was originally a title associated with the Xbox brand. However, the series is now published by 2K Sports, which means the latest instalment, Top Spin 3, will be a multiplatform title. What can be expected from the next iteration of this excellent tennis franchise?

For starters, the game will now offer a revamped control method that will allow total control of shots thanks to use of the right analogue stick. This should make a refreshing change from the old button pushes that have been a staple of tennis games to date.

The game also offers an excellent, if short, roster of players, including classic players such as Boris Becker. All the models are fantastically rendered and you will easily be able to tell who is who. Even the swing styles have been realistically captured.

Top Spin 3 will feature a variety of modes in a variety of settings, some real and some fictional. It will also include that ever-important online mode. Player creation is also present, and will hopefully offer more options than the current champ, Virtua Tennis 3.

It’s not all good news, however. The licensed soundtrack absolutely sucks. Fortunately, Xbox 360 owners will be able to use a custom soundtrack, but PS3 and Wii owners are likely to be stuck listening to Boys Like Girls and Jamiroquai.

Additionally, while Top Spin 2 was a great game, the camera angle and the lack of precision meant that it was always destined to be second fiddle to Virtua Tennis. This doesn’t appear to have been corrected in Top Spin 3 – the behind the player camera angle returns – meaning that this will still be a game-breaker for those who found issue with the camera in the originals.

Still, there aren’t too many tennis titles on the market, so Top Spin 3 looks set to provide tennis fans with some fresh meat. It’s due for release really soon, so keep it locked to NZGamer for a full review in the near future.

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